Have a hopeful American University student on your hands? If so, you’re probably wondering if they have what it takes to get in. Well, you’ve come to the right place: we at Ivy Coach are the college admissions experts, and we’re going to help answer your admissions questions. 

About American University 

American University is in Washington, D.C., giving students direct access to the political center of the country. There are about 8,000 undergraduates at American, and a huge number of them intern during the school year on Capitol Hill, in embassies, at nonprofits, federal agencies, news organizations, advocacy groups, and international institutions across the capital. Academically, American University is known for the School of International Service, which is one of the country’s top international relations schools, the School of Public Affairs, and the Kogod School of Business. 

Socially, American has a politically engaged, pre-professional student body. But business and pleasure mix on campus. With more than 150 student groups, American students work hard and play hard all at once. 

The acceptance rate to American University is 62%. Though that’s not exactly selective, it’s also not a walk in the park either. Let’s learn a bit more about what features unite successful applicants to American. 

American University Admissions Requirements

Obviously, GPA, standardized testing scores, and extracurricular achievements are the key components of a successful application to American University and to any school. That being said, what do these components actually look like for American  admits? Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into American University?

Okay, so all we need to evaluate American University’s GPA requirements is a look at the data. Sounds easy, right? Here’s the problem: American University isn’t exactly transparent about the academic profile of admitted students. You see, such information could normally be gleaned from a quick scan of data from American’s entries for The Common Data Set Initiative. Whereas most schools maintain an online database of Common Data Sets for perusal, American only has its most recent one, for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, publicly available.

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into American University? 

The average SAT score for the American University Class of 2028 was 1370, and the average ACT score was 31. Although American is test-optional, we at Ivy Coach believe that not sending your standardized testing scores can only ever hurt your chances at admissions, even to supposedly test-optional schools. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into American University?

American doesn’t officially list the minimum academic preparation needed to be considered for admission. It’s safe to assume, though, that they expect applicants to have four years of preparation in core subjects and to have excelled within each of those subjects. They also expect applicants to have taken advantage of any AP or other advanced courses on offer to them. 

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does AmericanU Like To See?

Let’s say you’re about to get a complicated, life-or-death surgery. At the hospital, you’re given the choice between two doctors. Doctor A has general knowledge of the entire human body but does not specialize in any particular type of surgery. Doctor B is a highly trained specialist who’s done this operation hundreds of times. Which doctor are you choosing? 

Colleges deliberate their applicants the same way. They often have a choice between students who are the jack of all trades but the master of none, and students who have specialized in something and are on their way to becoming one of the most accomplished people in their field. Much like you and the doctors, they always choose the latter option.

American University Application Requirements

American accepts The Common App. They ask for one teacher recommendation. They ask one supplemental essay question: 

• American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited. (250 words)

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For American University? 

American applicants should ask a junior year teacher in whose class they excelled and with whom they’ve developed a formative relationship. Ideally, the teacher’s subject area should align  well with the rest of the student’s application: if a student wants to be a Congressman one day, they should ask their AP Government teacher. 

Does American University Require An Interview? 

American University does not require an interview, but they offer them. Pro tip: take them up on that offer. 

What Are American University’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Action and Early Decision I applications to American are due November 1st. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications are due January 20th. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into American University 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into American University, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into American University, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.