George Washington advocated for the establishment of a public service training institution in the nation’s capital, but this idea remained unfulfilled for nearly a century after his death.
It is evident from looking at American University today that the goal of building a fantastic university in the center of the nation’s capital has been accomplished.
American universities have served as the starting point for many careers in public service and activism, from Alice Paul to Paul Ryan.
The United States has one of the best international relations programs in the world, which should come as no surprise.
American University artists have a history of using their work to make a difference in the world.
Renowned novelist Ann Beattie, activist, author, educator, and writer Brittany Packnett, as well as many other incredible artists, all attended American.
Thanks to its position in Washington D. C. Regardless of the subject matter, American University guarantees that students will enter and leave with a global understanding of their field of study in, one of the most multicultural cities in the entire US.
No matter if it’s the academic standing, the emphasis on internationalism, or the D C. , or its reputation as one of the most forward-thinking universities in the US, American University is insatiably appealing.
But one must first be admitted before they can take advantage of its many benefits. As a result, this article outlines everything students need to know to get started on the path to enrolling in American universities.
This article will serve as a starting point for those wishing to enroll at American University by examining acceptance rates, minimal requirements for admission, application advice, and more.
American University’s: Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025
For admission to the Class of 2025, which aimed to enroll about 2,300 students, AU received 19,675 applications. Official acceptance rate data for this cycle, however, has not yet been made public. The most recent official figures come from the Class of 2024, which saw 20,036 applicants and a 39% acceptance rate The prior year, for the Class of 2023, the acceptance rate was only 33%
American University Early Decision Acceptance Rate
American University will pay you handsomely for committing to them via binding Early Decision, more than any other school in the nation. This is a great option if you are a borderline applicant (statistically). This statement is evidenced by an 83% ED acceptance rate for the Class of 2024 803 of the 962 applicants who submitted applications through ED were accepted.
There are two rounds of Early Decision at AU. The deadlines for ED I and ED II are respectively November 15 and January 15.
American University Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank
The academic statistics for the admitted Class of 2025 are shown below (please note that these figures are higher than those for enrolled students). The mid-50% SAT range for admitted 2021-22 first-year students was 1310-1460 and the ACT range was 29-33 The mid-50% range for weighted GPA was 3. 63-4. 15.
According to the most recent data available, those who actually enrolled in the Class of 2024 had an average high school GPA of 3. 79. Thirty-five percent placed in the top decile of their high school class, 68% were in the top 25%, and 95% were in the top 50% For enrolled students, the median SAT score was 1310, and the median ACT composite score was 30.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- The test-optional policy at American University has been in place for more than ten years, so it is not a short-term emergency response.
- The acceptance rate for AU’s ED was 47 points higher than the rate for regular decisions.
- 42% of the class was filled through the ED round.
- From a waitlist of 1,657 people, only 133 students were accepted.
- 50% of enrolled freshmen submitted SAT results and 31% included ACT scores with their applications
Who Attends American University?
Let’s look at the demographics of current American University undergraduates:
- Students represent all 50 states.
- They come from 123 countries around the world.
Competition is fiercest for students from states with an abundance of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast), as it is at any selective university. You are more likely to improve your chances of admission if you are from a sparsely populated state like Hawaii, the Dakotas, or Montana.
The distribution of current undergrads according to ethnicity was as follows:
- Asian American: 7%
- Hispanic: 12%
- African American: 8%
- White: 53%
- Two or more races: 5%
All current undergraduate students’ gender distribution is notably skewed toward women:
One would anticipate that it would be simpler for a male applicant to get into the school given that male students at AU are somewhat of an endangered species. Yet, for the Class of 2024, the male acceptance rate from out-of-state was 42%%E2%80%93identical to the female acceptance rate
International students make up 12% of the degree-seeking population at AU The greatest number of students hail from the following countries:
Yield Rate
American University%E2%80%99s yield rate%E2%80%94the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was an extremely low 21% last year This is partly because AU competes for the same student pool as many prestigious institutions in the Northeast. Therefore, the university places a high value on “demonstrated interest” (we’ll get to that in a minute). For comparison, other private institutions have the following yield rates: George Washington University (20%), Georgetown (44%), and Boston University (24%)
How American University Rates Applicants
Only three factors—the level of an applicant’s interest—are listed by American University as being “very important” to their admissions process, and one of them may surprise you. These three are: the applicant’s secondary school record, GPA, and—the surprise—their level of interest. Due to the connection between the latter and the previously mentioned low yield rate, AU is particularly interested in knowing whether a particular applicant will actually enroll in their program.
The application essay, recommendations, talent/ability, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, and volunteer work are the additional six elements that American University considers to be “important” in their evaluation of a candidate. Test results, first-generation status, legacy status, place of residence, race or ethnicity, and paid work experience are all factors they “consider.”
Straight from the American University admissions staff:
“The Office of Admission’s holistic approach to admissions decisions has helped to identify applicants for admission who are a great fit for AU, including students who are passionate about making a difference in the world and have a keen intellect,” ”.
Additional Tips for Applying to American University
If you intend to be one of the 20,000 applicants to AU for the upcoming admissions cycle, you should be aware of the following:
- In the admissions process, American University considers “demonstrated interest” to be “very important.” As a result, your application will be evaluated based on your contact with an admissions officer, campus visit (during non-pandemic times), etc.
- A teacher recommendation is required. Visit this blog for advice on how to request a letter of recommendation.
- Maintaining good grades throughout your senior year of high school is important because American will request a mid-year report from you.
- Make sure to devote enough time and energy to the supplemental essay that AU requires. For the cycle 2021–2022, there was a single question that each applicant had to respond to:
Why are you interested in American University? (150 words)
Should I Apply to American University?
Contrary to many other similarly coveted/selective institutions, American does not seek justifications to reject applicants with reasonably impressive credentials. However, if American University is your goal and your grades and test scores (if choosing to submit test results) are not in their 75th percentile range, be sure to have a rock-solid backup plan. Each student should make sure to create a list of potential colleges that includes both “target” and “safety” schools. You should do this in cooperation with a member of the admissions staff.
TOP 10 HIGH ACCEPTANCE RATE UNIVERSITIES IN THE USA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN 2023
FAQ
Is it hard to get into American University?
The acceptance rate at American University is 31. 5%. In other words, 32 out of 100 applicants are accepted. This means the school is quite selective. You have a good chance of being admitted if you have high academic standing.
What is the acceptance rate for American University?
American University admissions is more selective with an acceptance rate of 64% An ACT score of between 29 and 33 or a SAT score between 1280 and 1440 is required for admission to half of the applicants at American University.
What is the acceptance rate for Harvard 2025?
2025 Ivy League Admissions StatisticsIvy League CollegesOverall Accept. RateExpected Number of Students to EnrollHarvard3. 4%1,665Penn5. 7%2,400Princeton4. 0%1,308Yale4. 6%1,554.
Which American University has highest acceptance rate?
- Liberty University: 99%
- Marshall University: 98%
- University of New Mexico: 97%
- Kansas State University: 96%
- University of Maine: 96%
- North Dakota State University: 95%
- University of Memphis: 95%
- University of Utah: 95%