American University

It is very difficult to get into American University. Around 41% of applicants get into American University each year. Out of 19,510 applications received in 2023, 7,926 students were offered admission.

If you are applying to American University, the regular decision application deadline is January 15 and the application fee costs $75.

Students who apply to American University for fall semester should anticipate a decision by April 1.

American University Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here's an overiew of some of American University's admissions stats.

American University 2023	Admissions Statistics
Mean SAT Score	1368
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	27%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	17%
Waitlist	Yes

American University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for American University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Yes	November 15	December 31
Early Decision II	Yes	January 15	February 15
Early Action	No	–	–
Regular Decision	Yes	1 15	April 1

---

Want to Apply Early to American University?

---

American University offers early decision but not early action. Early decision is binding, which means you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

🗓️ Early Decision I applications are due by November 15 EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 31.

🗓️ Early Decision II applications are due January 15. ED II Applicants will recieve their decision before February 15.

The early decision acceptance rate at American University is 86%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 41%. In 2022, American University admitted 746 of the 868 students who applied early decision.

Some students apply early to help their chances of being offering admission. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of admission, since it shows your interest in a school.

➡️ Discover a list of some competetive colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

---

More on American University Admissions

---

How To Get Into American University

It is very difficult to get into American University. American University evaluates applicants carefully based on multiple criteria to decide who to admit, and who to deny or waitlist.

In 2022, American University accepted 41% of all applicants, about 7,926 of the 19,510 students who applied.

Schools that are very difficult to get into, like American University, accept fewer than 60% of all applicants. At least 50% of all admitted students have GPAs in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT and over 26 on the ACT.

For applicants who are non-residents, getting into American University is very difficult.

Transferring to American University

It is moderately difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.

For Students Waitlisted to American University

In 2022, American University waitlisted 9,146 students and 2,086 accepted a place on the waitlist. Of those, 88 eventually received an admissions offer.

What Does American University Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are they consider most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When assembling your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that put the most emphasis on the admissions factors where you're strong.

Admissions Factors at American University

What does American University consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Level of Applicant's Interest	Very Important
Academic GPA	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Character/Personal Qualities	Important
Application Essay	Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Recommendation(s)	Important
Talent/Ability	Important
Volunteer Work	Important
Alumni/ae Relations	Considered
Geographical Residence	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
First Generation	Considered

Make sure to check with American University for more information on admission factors.

American University Application Requirements

To apply to American University, all applicants must submit the following items. Check in with American University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Letter(s) of Recommendation	–	2	–	–
Transcript(S) of College Record	–	–	–	–
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S)	–	–	–	–
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√	–	–	–
Transcript of High School Record	√	–	–	–

---

GPA and Testing

---

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into American University?

American University has not provided an information about GPAs of accepted students. Any questions regarding applicant expectations should be addressed directly with the school.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

American University has a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 27% of American University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 17% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for American University?

To be competitive with other American University applicants, you should aim to score between 1290 and 1360 (or higher!) on the SAT. At American University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1360 and 25% of scored lower than 1290, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a American University student is 1368.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of American University students scored 700 or higher and 75% of students scored 660 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of American University students scored 730 or higher, and 75% scored a 660 or higher.

To be most competitive at American University, you should strive to earn between 29 and 32 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 32 means you fall in the 75th percentile for American University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 32, and three out of four students scored lower than 32 on the ACT.

A 29 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for American University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 29.

More Information on Transferring to American University

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to American University.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is May 1.

Transfer students can enroll in American University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Winter Term

• Summer Term

---

American University Admissions FAQs

---

Can I defer my acceptance to American University?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to American University.

Does American University accept transfer credits?

✅ American University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. American University accepts:

• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES

Does American University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ American University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to American University?

❌ No, American University is test optional, so you can choose whether to include your ACT or SAT scores. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If your scores are average or below average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is American University's acceptance rate?

✅ American University has an acceptance rate of 41%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at American University?

✅ American University's early decision acceptance rate was 86% in 2021.

Want To Learn More About American University?

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about American University in the College Confidential forums

Explore other colleges in DC or use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.