Contact Us
Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm
Mary Graydon Center, Room 201 and 202 on a map
Center for Diversity and Inclusion 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesSTEP Frequently Asked Questions
About STEP
What is STEP?
The Summer Transition Enrichment Program is a seven-week residential academy for select multicultural and first-generation incoming first-year students. While the entire campus is involved with STEP, the Center for Diversity & Inclusion manages the program. STEP introduces students to the AU community and helps them transition into college life.
How are Students Selected for STEP?
How Many Students are Enrolled in STEP?
The typical size of a STEP cohort is between 30 and 40 students.
How do I Enroll in STEP?
You can register for STEP here! Don't forget the deadline to apply is May 31st, 2022.
Can I Work During STEP?
Cost of Program
What are the Costs Associated to this Program?
Each STEP student receives financial support to cover most costs during the seven weeks of the program. Covered costs include:
- tuition for summer classes (up to three credits after meeting with your academic advisor)
- books
- housing (on-campus housing is mandatory for all participants, visit the Housing, Dining, & Transportation section to learn more)
- meal plan (meal swipes and EagleBucks)
- on-campus tutoring and access to other campus academic support services workshops and university-sponsored extracurricular activities use of AU's academic, athletic, and recreational facilities
What are Students Responsible for During STEP?
What do I do about Financial Aid?
Arrival & Departure
Can I Change Arrival/Departure Dates?
All requests must be submitted to the Center for Diversity & Inclusion via e-mail at cdi@american.edu or phone (202-885-3651) by Monday May 18th, 2022.
What do I Need to Take Care of Prior to Arrival?
All health insurance and immunization forms should be submitted to the Student Health Center prior to arriving to campus for STEP.
Do I Need to Have Health Insurance for STEP?
Housing, Dining, & Transportation
Where do you live During STEP?
Students are required to live in university residence halls during STEP. Undergraduate STEP Assistants also live in the halls to assist students in their transition to AU and to safely create a living and learning environment comparable to what students will encounter during the academic year.
What Room Accommodations are There?
Rooms are equipped with standard twin sized bed, desk with chair, bookcase, Ethernet hookup, and built-in storage cabinets and closets. Rooms are equipped with telephone connections for on-campus service, cable television, and internet access (both wired and wireless). Most residence halls have kitchens on each floor.
How are Roommates Selected?
Roommates are paired based on interests, hobbies, sleeping habits, and extracurricular activities, which students share on the STEP Registration Form. You will receive your room assignment by early June along with other important check-in information.
What should I bring?
What are the Dining Options?
Students will be provided with EagleBucks for the seven weeks of the program. EagleBucks are credit on the student's ID card, which can be used at various on-campus dining facilities, as well as at several off-campus dining vendors. Visit Dining Programs for more information on campus dining options.
What are Transportation Options?
Schedule & Activities
What is AU Orientation?
AU’s student orientation is designed to welcome new students and their families to AU. In addition to meeting with your advisor and finalizing your course schedule, you will become familiar with the campus, learn more about the programs offered, and build friendships with other incoming AU students.
What is the Summer Coursework?
Students will complete two courses during the summer program. Each student will take Writing 025: Pre-College Writing, a 0-Credit pass/fail course. Each student will also take an additional graded 3-credit course. Many students take a mathematics course, depending on availability and placement scores. Students will work with their academic advisor to register for courses. Textbooks will be distributed after all students have registered for their summer coursework.
What is the College Writing Seminar?
What Workshops will Students Participate in?
What Community Building & Service does STEP do?
STEP students participate in a community service project and a variety of activities, some of which they develop and implement themselves. Past cohorts have staged talent showcases, visited DC landmarks (such as the Newseum and Capitol Hill), hosted a community dinner, and more. There will be occasional weekend and evening programs. We hope that the students will take advantage of these opportunities as they help to build a strong and supportive community that lasts well beyond the seven-week program.
What does an average week in the STEP program look like?
You can look over our STEP 2019 schedule as sample found HERE. Please note that dates, events, and programs of STEP 2021 will vary from those found here. More information will be sent to STEP students at a later date.
More Questions?
If you have any questions regarding any of this information, please contact the Center for Diversity & Inclusion at cdi@american.edu. We look forward to welcoming you to campus and getting to know you this summer. Congratulations once again on your admission to American University!