International First-Year Applicants

How to Apply

Apply online using the Common Application, available on the link to the right. There is a U.S.$70 fee for all applicants. To be considered for admission to AU, your application and all supporting documents listed below must be received by the appropriate deadline. Your file will not be reviewed until all of the materials below have been received by the International Admissions Office:

• Completed Common Application form, including essay and CV/Resume
• Common Application AU Writing Supplement
• Academic records for grades 9-12 with official transcripts and certified English translations, if applicable
• Two academic letters of recommendation
• Demonstrated English proficiency
• Completed AU Certification of Finances (AU CFIS) form showing at least U.S.$59,109 for first year of study and living expenses*
• Bank letter showing at least U.S.$59,109 for first year of study and living expenses*
• Application fee of U.S.$70

* Only for non-U.S. citizens who will need a student visa (F or J).

No SAT or ACT Needed! AU does not evaluate SAT or ACT scores for students (including U.S. citizens) graduating from secondary schools outside the United States. Please do not submit your SAT or ACT scores to our office.

Application Deadlines

If you plan to begin your studies in August (fall semester):

Early Decision I		November 15
Early Decision II		January 15
Regular Decision		January 15

If you plan to begin your studies in January (spring semester):

All spring applicants

November 1

(For students living outside the United States, we recommend October 1)

Important: Late or incomplete application packets will significantly affect your admissions decision and may disqualify you for merit scholarship consideration.

Submitting Your Application

Important: Please use a courier service (and keep your tracking number) to send your complete application packet to:

Undergraduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
STE B1
Washington, DC 20016-8001
USA
Tel: +1-202-885-6000

If you have any questions, please contact intadm@american.edu.

The Application Form

Complete the application carefully. Please make sure to include your full name (exactly as it is spelled on your passport), date of birth, complete educational history, country of birth, citizenship, current mailing address and a permanent address outside of the United States, even if you currently live or study in the United States.

Application Essay

The application includes an important essay section. Please address one of the essay topics suggested in the application. Be sure to take the time to prepare a strong essay that reflects your ability to organize and express your thoughts clearly.

Your Academic Records

Please have your academic records from each secondary school you attended for 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades sent directly from those schools to American University in sealed envelopes. These records should be submitted in their original language and accompanied by notarized English translations if applicable. Include any examination results such as IB, GCSE, GCE, Bagrut, Tawjihi, French Baccalaureate, CAPE, Abitur, Attestat or Secondary School Leaving Certificates.

Certain exam results such as, but not limited to, IB, WAEC, GCE, GCSE and CAPE must come directly to our office from the examination board or authority.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters are required. One must come from a teacher; the second letter may be written by your school's college counselor, your principal or headmaster or another teacher. These letters are confidential. Each letter must be in English. Please have your reference sign or place a school stamp across the sealed flap of the envelope.

English Proficiency

Course work at AU requires strong skills in the English language and academic preparedness. All applicants (including U.S. citizens) whose first language is not English are required to take one of the following exams and achieve the indicated scores to demonstrate a satisfactory level of English proficiency.

Please submit one of the following:

1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
2. 1. Internet-based test score of 80 or higher*
   2. Paper-based test score of 550 or higher
3. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
4. 1. Composite score of 6.5 or higher
5. Pearson Test of English (PTE)
6. 1. Score of 53 or higher

* To be considered competitive, a 90 iBT score or above is recommended. Sub-scores for each section of the TOEFL should be 20 or higher. IELTS sub-scores should be 6.0 or above.

Please arrange for scores to be sent directly from the testing agency. (TOEFL Code: 5007)

Note: For information on Conditional Admission options, please visithttp://www.american.edu/admissions/international/Conditional-Admission.cfm.

AU Certification of Finances for International Students (AU CFIS)

Applicants who require a student or exchange visitor visa (F or J) must submit to the International Admissions Office the AU CFIS form and a bank letter showing proof of at least U.S.$59,109 for your first year of studies and living expenses.

Application packets without the AU CFIS form and bank letter will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Transfer-In Form: If you are currently studying in the United States on an F or J visa and decide to attend AU, you will be required to submit the "Immigration Transfer-In Form" before your AU I-20 or DS-2019 can be issued.

Visit www.american.edu/ocl/isss/Financial-Proof.cfm for the AU Cost Guide, sample bank letters, and the AU CFIS and Transfer-In forms.