Location: Washington, D.C.

Type of Institution: private research university

Size: ~8,000 undergraduates (and ~14,000 including graduate students)

Admissions Advice: I had a fantastic conversation with our Seattle area representative who was very candid about what American looks for in the review. They are big on demonstrated interest (in-person visits, virtual visits, saying hello to admission reps at college fairs and events, solid “why American U?” essay, etc.) and want to make sure students are intentional in their application to AU. Relatedly, they have a significantly higher admission rate for Early Decision applicants. As with most colleges, they are also looking for solid academic preparation in the context of the student’s HS. They are test optional and about 50% of students have submitted scores in recent years, with similar admission rates for those submitting vs. those applying test optional.

Most popular majors: International Studies, Business, Political Science, Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Journalism

Words to describe students I met: ambitious, articulate, outgoing, politically active, dynamic

Unique academic aspects: American has some cool interdisciplinary majors, such as CLEG (Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, Government). This major serves as great preparation for law school down the road, or work in public service, non-profits, or even media and communication realms. My guide gushed about the experiential learning opportunities he has been able to pursue that connect to his major and future career goals. (Fun fact: 60% of American U students study abroad, and most complete 2-3 internships before they graduate!)

This is also a great place for a student who wants a little time to decide on their specific major. You are admitted to American University as a general student and don’t have to have your entire life path figured out before you step foot on campus (though many do). I have increasingly seen universities move to an admission by major process, so it is nice to have a medium-sized university rooted in pre-professional studies that still provides students with the opportunity for exploration and self-discovery.

Unique social/cultural aspects:  I’ll be honest, I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what the campus social life looks like, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It is a large enough school that there are pockets of students with different interests and different social preferences. For example, American U has DI sports and there is a fair amount of school spirit around the basketball team each year. There is a Greek system, but only about 10% of students participate. And there is a pretty solid culture of students living on-campus for the first two years. My impression from my guide and other students I spoke with is that social life is often centered around your clubs/activities and maybe even tied to the major you are pursuing. For older students, the greater D.C. area becomes their weekend nightlife playground.

Colleges that seem similar: The George Washington University, Boston University, University of Denver, Fordham University

Concerns about this college:  American students are go-getters and prospective students must be comfortable with that aspect of life on campus (and in the D.C. area). Students are already talking about summer internships in the fall of freshman year, and I learned about a few programs, classes, and opportunities that have a lot more interest than spaces available. I wouldn’t classify American University as a super competitive place overall, but the networking and “who do you know” culture of D.C. definitely bleeds over to campus life. And, not surprisingly, I would hesitate to recommend American University to a student who wants to avoid all talk of politics and current events.

Overall impressions: It was fun revisiting American University a whole twenty years (!) after I considered the school for my own undergraduate studies. The traditional campus, full of green spaces, cozy hangouts, and collaborative study spots, provides community for students, while they have the bustling city center just a few Metro stops away. My guide and the few students I stopped around campus were overall very happy with their choice to attend American. This is a great option for students who want a medium-sized institution with fairly small classes and a nice blend of liberal arts and career preparation.