This article offers a wealth of knowledge on American University Acceptance Rate, assisting students in making informed decisions regarding their higher education choices.
The vibrant and dynamic city of Washington, DC, serves as an alluring destination for students seeking to embark on their college journey amidst the bustling energy of a cosmopolitan hub, brimming with an array of recreational, cultural, and internship/pre-professional prospects.
As a result of its prime location and attractive offerings, American University has experienced a remarkable shift in its acceptance rate, plummeting to as low as 26% in recent years. This stark decline represents a significant departure from the mid-2010s, a period when admit rates stood a noteworthy 20 points higher. A deeper exploration into the historical context of AU’s admissions further unveils fascinating insights into the university’s soaring selectivity.
American University Historical Acceptance Rates:
- 1994: 77%
- 2003: 60%
- 2012: 44%
Contents
American University’s: Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025
American University received a staggering 19,675 applications for the Class of 2025, with the intention of enrolling approximately 2,300 students. However, the exact acceptance rate for this application cycle has not been officially disclosed yet.
The most recent confirmed acceptance rate data is from the Class of 2024, where out of 20,036 applicants, 39% were admitted. In the previous year, for the Class of 2023, the acceptance rate was even lower, standing at 33%.
American University Early Decision Acceptance Rate
American University highly values applicants who commit to them through binding Early Decision. This decision can be especially beneficial for borderline applicants statistically, as evidenced by the Class of 2024, which had an impressive 83% acceptance rate for Early Decision applicants.
Out of 962 Early Decision applicants, 803 were accepted, showing the university’s strong commitment to rewarding those who show their dedication to attending AU.
American University offers two rounds of Early Decision: ED I with a deadline of November 15 and ED II with a deadline of January 15.
American University Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank
Let’s begin by examining the academic statistics of the accepted Class of 2025 (keep in mind that these numbers are slightly higher than those of the enrolled students). For the 2021-22 first-year students, the mid-50% SAT range was between 1310 and 1460, while the ACT range was between 29 and 33. Additionally, the mid-50% range for weighted GPA fell within 3.63 and 4.15.
Among those who ultimately enrolled in the Class of 2024 (the most recent available data), the average high school GPA was 3.79. Thirty-five percent of the students ranked in the top decile of their high school class, 68% were in the top 25%, and 95% were in the top 50%. The median SAT score for the enrolled students was 1310, and the median ACT composite score was 30.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- American University has been test-optional for over a decade, so the policy there is not a temporary pandemic measure.
- AU’s ED acceptance rate was 47 points higher than the regular decision rate.
- 42% of the class was filled through the ED round.
- Only 133 students were accepted from a waitlist of 1,657 individuals.
- 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.
As at any selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you hail from a less populated state like Hawaii, the Dakotas, or Montana, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances.
American University Acceptance Rate CONTD..
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of current undergrads was as follows:
- Asian American: 7%
- Hispanic: 12%
- African American: 8%
- White: 53%
- Two or more races: 5%
The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates is notably split in favor of women:
- Male: 37%
- Female: 63%
With male students at AU being somewhat of an endangered species, one would assume that it is easier to get into the school as a male applicant. Yet, for the Class of 2024, the male acceptance rate from out-of-state was 42%–identical 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:
- China
- Panama
- India
- Vietnam
- Spain
- United Kingdom
Yield Rate
Last year, American University had an exceptionally low yield rate of 21%, which represents the percentage of accepted students who chose to enroll out of the total number of admitted students. One of the contributing factors to this low yield rate is the fierce competition AU faces in the same applicant pool as many other elite institutions in the Northeast.
Given this challenge, American University places significant importance on “demonstrated interest” from applicants. Demonstrated interest refers to the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by applicants towards the university during the admissions process.
For comparison, other private institutions have different yield rates: George Washington University has a yield rate of 20%, Georgetown’s yield rate is 44%, and Boston University has a yield rate of 24%. This data highlights the competitiveness and unique characteristics of each university in attracting and enrolling their admitted students.
How American University Rates Applicants
American University places significant emphasis on three key factors during their admissions process, which they consider to be “very important”: the rigor of the applicant’s secondary school record, their GPA, and surprisingly, the level of interest they show in attending the university. The latter is particularly crucial due to the low yield rate, as AU wants to gauge the likelihood of an applicant enrolling if accepted.
Additionally, there are six other factors that American University deems as “important” in their evaluation of candidates: the application essay, recommendation letters, talent and ability, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and volunteer work. They also take into consideration test scores, first-generation status, legacy status, geographic residence, racial/ethnic background, and paid work experience. All these elements collectively contribute to the comprehensive assessment of applicants.
Straight from the American University admissions staff:
“The Office of Admission’s holistic approach to making admissions decisions has helped to identify candidates for admission who are a great fit for AU – including students who are intellectually curious and passionate about creating meaningful change.”
Additional Tips for Applying to American University
If you plan on joining the 20,000+ AU hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- American University weighs “demonstrated interest” as “very important” in the admissions process. Therefore, you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit (in non-pandemic times) contacted an admissions officer, etc.
- A teacher recommendation is required.
- American will be asking you for a mid-year report, so make sure to keep your grades up throughout senior year of high school.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essay required by AU. In the 2021-22 cycle, there was one prompt that every applicant must address:
Why are you interested in American University? (150 words)
Should I Apply to American University?
American University takes a distinctive approach when evaluating prospective students, setting it apart from many other similarly desirable and selective universities. Unlike those institutions, American University is not primarily seeking reasons to reject applicants with reasonably strong academic credentials.
However, aspiring students who are keen on attending American University but might not fall within the 75th percentile range of grades and test scores (if they choose to submit them) should wisely consider having a robust backup plan.
To ensure a successful college application process, all students must diligently create a well-thought-out college list comprising a balanced mix of “target” and “safety” schools. It is important to undertake this crucial task in collaboration with a seasoned admissions professional, as their expertise can prove invaluable in formulating an appropriate and strategic college list tailored to each student’s unique strengths and aspirations.
By doing so, prospective applicants can enhance their chances of finding the perfect match and increase their opportunities for a successful college experience at American University or any other institution they may consider.
