The online application will be available in early January. Check back for more details. 

After submitting your application, AU will email you a link to a recommendation form which you should forward to your teacher or counselor. Once your teacher submits your recommendation through this link, we will begin to review your application. 

Once all application materials are received, students will be informed if they are accepted into the program on a rotating basis but usually within two weeks.

The Community of Scholars program offers students a unique opportunity to delve deeply into international affairs through dedicated coursework and immersive experiences in Washington, D.C. Participants gain invaluable insights by learning from esteemed faculty, engaging in vibrant discussions, and establishing connections with peers sharing a passion for global issues.

International students with a demonstrated proficiency in English are encouraged to apply. Students must submit copies of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-IBT) with a minimum score of at least 80 with their application. NOTE: Separate fees may apply. Please email us for more information: communityofscholars@american.edu.

An unofficial transcript is sufficient.

Once a student is admitted to the Community of Scholars program, students will need to pay a $300 nonrefundable deposit within two weeks to secure their spot in the program. The acceptance letter will provide information on how to pay the deposit.  

Rising junior and senior high school students (current sophomores and juniors) with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. Please contact communityofscholars@american.edu for more information. 

Class sizes range from 15 to 25 students.

Classes in the on-campus program will meet every day, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by lunch and an afternoon activity, such as a workshop, guest speaker, or visits to government organizations, including the State Department and embassies. 

While on the AU campus, students visit sites such as the State Department, international agencies, embassies, and other organizations.

After arriving home, students in the third week will remain engaged with their professor and peers for additional self-paced instruction and completion of a final paper or project. For more information, see Program Details. 

Commuter students are encouraged to attend the afternoon, evening, and weekend activities. However, students with long commutes are recommended to live on campus.  

Free time is scheduled each day for students to relax and enjoy campus life; however, students are responsible for using their time wisely so that reading and other assignments are completed on time. It's important to note that students do have an additional week once they return home to submit a final paper or project.
 

Successfully completing the Community of Scholars program will allow you to demonstrate that you have stretched yourself and taken initiative beyond what is normally expected from high school students. On your college applications, you will be able to list your course and "check off" that you took a college course for credit.

Once all work is completed and graded, students can order an official transcript documenting their credits. Follow the directions for "New User" through the online ordering system.  Note: This process will involve creating an account and submitting a few pieces of information, such as birth date so that the appropriate record can be located. For more questions, email: transcript_services@american.edu or call 202-885-2022. 

The Common Application, an undergraduate college admissions application used by nearly 500 colleges and universities in the United States, includes a section for students to list any college credit classes (other than AP and IB) that they have taken. The application will ask for American University’s CEEB code (5007) as well as the name of the course.