About

See what students say:

Academics

“Tucked away in a beautiful part of Northwest D.C.,” American University offers students a “campus [that] has a suburban feel.” However, being near the nation’s capital means they enjoy “the best of both worlds.” Here, classes are structured “in a way that not only encourages, but nearly expects students to undertake internships in their field of study.” Specifically, students tout the School of International Service (SIS) and the School of Public Affairs (SPA), “both [of which] are among the best in the nation and offer students opportunities to not just learn about but experience their studies.” And inside the classroom, students are greeted by professors who are “passionate about [their] subject [matter]” and who tend to have “real-world experience which is helpful for bringing the material to life.” Even better, they’re “accessible and constantly reach out and encourage students to attend events.” Finally, as one student sums it up, “So many of my classes have wound up being better than I ever could have expected, and have launched me down paths I didn’t know existed.”

Student Body

Students at American are “truly passionate about what they are learning and are interested in exploring what both D.C. and the world have to offer.” Indeed, “whenever you ask them what they are studying…they’ll light up and talk for hours on end.” Many are also “politically active,” “knowledgeable about current events,” and “convinced that they will save the world” someday. According to some, this mindset can be “pretty homogenous,” as “the AU student body tends to be rather liberal-leaning and relatively affluent.” However, another counters, “We have an incredibly diverse student body ranging from students from all across the U.S. to all across the world!” And many insist that “there is a place for everybody on campus.” What’s more, “everyone is friendly and so easy to strike up conversation with.” AU undergrads “care about each other’s successes and are there to build each other up, not tear each other down.” As this grateful individual concludes, “No other student body both supports and challenges you to be the best student one could possibly be. I could not be more proud to call myself an AU student.”

Campus Life

Undergrads at American lead busy and involved lives. Outside of class, students “fill their days with internships and extracurricular activities.” This includes anything from “Greek life [to] tutoring to [being a] tour guide,” or even singing with an a cappella group. Additionally, “there’s always one event or another happening on campus, [whether it’s] a concert, cultural event, or movie screening.” There’s a lot to do both onand off-campus. Great local options include concerts, cultural events, and movie screenings, while in nearby D.C. you’ll find undergrads “attending [a] music festival, visiting the National Mall, [or] going to a congressional hearing.” In short, “there is always something going on.” Students also love “checking out…museums [and] exploring new neighborhoods,” which often sends them strolling through “Tenleytown, shopping in Georgetown…[or] walking around the waterfront.” When the weather is nice, they also “love going [to] Rock Creek Park...or [the] farmer’s markets on Sunday.”

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
American University Admissions Welcome Center

Phone
202-885-6000

Email
admissions@american.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Mary Graydon Center (student activties hub and dining venues)
Bender Arena Sports Center Complex and Jacobs Fitness Center
The Bridge Cafe (student cafe/lounge)
The Quad (large grassy area in the middle campus)
Davenport Lounge (student-operated coffee shop and lounge)
American University is currently renovating our main student dining hall in advance of the Fall 2024 semester. In Spring 2024 the university began work on our new Student Thriving Center (STC) which includes renovations to the Mary Graydon Center and our athletics and recreational and "bringing together academic support services, physical and mental health resources, and wellness programs in one convenient location." For more detail please visit: https://www.american.edu/president/announcements/april-7-2023.cfm

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Smithsonian Museums and the National Mall
National Zoo
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Capital One Arena (concerts and sports center)
Capitol Hill area attractions

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday; Select Saturdays
9am-5pm; 9am-2:00pm on Select Saturdays in Fall & Spring
202-885-6000

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Weekdays 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
http://www.american.edu/admissions/experience-au/index.cfm

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Athletic Department

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Visiting Center

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Visiting Center

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Washington's Metrorail opens at 5:00 a.m. on weekdays and at 7:00 a.m. on weekends. It closes at midnight daily. Please consult WMATA website for scheduling changes (https://www.wmata.com/). The closest Metro stop to American University is Tenleytown/AU on the Red Line. Metro buses run regularly from Tenley Circle to American's campus, less than a mile away. A free AU shuttle bus is also available to take you from the Tenleytown/AU metro stop to AU's campus. Located 10 miles away, Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to the university.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From northeast of Washington (New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore), follow Interstate 95 south to Interstate 495 west toward Silver Spring. See from Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway). From south or west of Washington (Norfolk, Richmond, Charlottsville) follow interstate 95 north or Interstate 66 east to Interstate 495, the Capital Beltway. Follow Interstate 495 north. See from Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway). From northwest of Washington (western Pennsylvania, western Maryland), follow Interstate 270 south. Where Interstate 270 divides, follow the right-hand branch toward norther Virginia (not towards Washington). Merge with Interstate 495, the Capital Beltway, and soon afterwards take exit 39, River Road. See from Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway). From Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway), take exit 39 and carefully follow the signs for River Road (Maryland Route 190) east toward Washington. Continue east on River Road to the fifth traffic light. Turn right onto Goldsboro Road (Maryland Route 614). At the first traffic light, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue (Maryland Route 396). Continue on Massachusetts Avenue for about two miles, through the first traffic circle (Westmoreland Circle).

Local Accommodations
Please visit the link to the Campus Travel Management Portal located at the bottom of this page: https://www.american.edu/about/visiting-campus.cfm

Admissions

Applicants: 17,786
Acceptance Rate: 47%






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