American University Admission Requirements

How hard is it to get into American University and can I get accepted? The school has a 29% acceptance rate ranking it #2 in District Of Columbia for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 5,498 out of 18,699 applicants were admitted making American University a highly competitive school to get into with a lesser chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants.  Academically, it has very high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 18 percent. American University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students. Only 32% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.

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SAT Scores you need to get in

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

American University typically requires applicants to be in the top 18 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1250 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 1170. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1330 out of 1600. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia for highest average SAT composite score. 49 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school. Note: SAT scores presented on this page have been adjusted upwards per the College Board's concordance tables for test takers after March 2016.

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into American University?

Admission data indicates that American University regularly accepts students with ACT's of 26 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 18 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 24 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 28 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 30 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia for highest average ACT composite score. 39 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to American University.

You will need very good grades in high school to get into American University. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at American University was 3.7 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia for highest average GPA. Even with a competitive GPA, admission to American University will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

 What do these ratings mean?

78% of American University freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

What are the requirements for admission to American University and what considerations affect admission decisions?