American University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into American University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

40.6%

Admission Difficulty for American University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Very High
Applicant Competition		Average

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at AU is 40.6%. Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in District Of Columbia and the 166th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into AU and can you get accepted?

AU is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 7,926 out of the 19,510 who applied were admitted.

American University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into AU?

41% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to American University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1360 on the SAT
Score 30 on the ACT

AU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.7*

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into American University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into AU are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to AU will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at AU is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since AU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.7 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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AU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to American University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 25% of students submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1290-1430

Applicants Submitting SAT

25%

SAT Scores for American University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	660
Math 25th Percentile	630
Composite 25th Percentile	1290

SAT Scores for American University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	730
Math 75th Percentile	700
Composite 75th Percentile	1430
Average SAT Score	1360

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to American University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at AU is 1360 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1290-1430. Students who get into American University score in the top 13 percent of all SAT test takers.. AU ranks #3 in District Of Columbia and #125 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1360 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. AU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1290 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1290, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1220, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

American University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1360 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1360, you have around a 41% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 57% chance of getting in.

American University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1430 and Above	Good	>57%
1360 to 1430	Avg +	41%-57%
1290 to 1360	Avg -	27%-41%
1220 to 1290	Reach	16%-27%
Less than 1220	Low	<16%

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AU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

29-32

Applicants Submitting ACT

17%

ACT Scores for American University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	29
Math 25th Percentile	25
Composite 25th Percentile	29

ACT Scores for American University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	35
Math 75th Percentile	30
Composite 75th Percentile	32
Average ACT Score	30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into AU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to AU is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 32. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia and #119 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

17 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to American University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as American University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into AU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 41% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 62% with a 32 ACT score.

American University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
32 and Above	Good	>62%
30 to 32	Avg +	41%-62%
29 to 30	Avg -	31%-41%
28 to 29	Reach	23%-31%
Less than 28	Low	<23%

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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

American University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	13,062	6,354	19,510
Accepted	5,466	2,417	7,926
Acceptance Rate	42%	38%	41%
Enrolled	1,186	575	1,761
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	22%	24%	22%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 21 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to American University is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to American University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

American University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at American University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because AU is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1360 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1430 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.