American University Regular Decision Class of 2019

  • not sure why **** came up, but it was meant to say trolling around CC
  • lol, I guess troll-ing is a dirty word???

Apparently, the guy who lives under a bridge is a dirty word on CC - how cute!!!

@xim0204 i really like fordham-definitely one of my top schools but i havent visited yet! Hoping to get over there for spring break-it would be awesome to go to school in the city!

@nmackpaddywhack lol at the quoting of my comment. Agree with a lot of what you said but I also have a feeling that it’s easier for us to say “no one deserves anything” as admitted students. That’s just my opinion, though, and you’re entitled to yours. Congrats on the acceptance man! Good luck with everything.

DD was also wait-listed. She was very disappointed because she spent the summer at a leadership program at AU and loved the school. Her stats were all high (4.0/4.3 & top of her class), and she earned an associate’s degree while in high school, too. She was accepted at AU, Paris, but has picked a different school.

I just got accepted. It’s really surprising for me because it was a real reach for me.
But they said I had to wait until the spring, Which I honestly don’t mind.
I applied test optional, and am really an average, maybe slightly above average, student. Not to mention a few disciplinary reports. I only got a little bit of money from the financial aid so I will have to find some way to finance my education since I’m going with no assistance.
But I am very grateful to the school. It is the perfect school for my major (International relations) and it is a second chance for me.
I realize I won’t be the best student there but I’m looking forward to the opportunists AU can offer me.

Wait Listed

3.7 UW
31 ACT
Top 10%. Not disappointed whatsoever, the competition seems tough this year. Either that or colleges are getting a little more picky as to what they’re looking for. From what I’ve read, it seems that this school seems to be leaning more towards a student’s interest in the school as opposed to a student’s statistics and extracurriculars.
Congratulations to the Class of 2019 and good luck in the future.

Personally, I think people need to realize that rejection is part of life. The problem is that many applicants have never known rejection. They’ve succeeded in everything. But they were in high school. Rejection hurts and it is natural to blame others. Frankly, I don’t see the point. Just move on. AU accepted me but the financial aid was lousy. So I’m going elsewhere. So it goes.

For the Freshman Day on April 17… it says it is a “Multicultural” Overnight & Freshman Day… what exactly does that mean… for other schools, I have seen that “Multicultural days” are geared towards minority students… thoughts?

Ok - we thought we were crazy. Son thought he would definitely get into American - but it was also one of his first choices - even with his current acceptances that’s still true. He was totally crushed and baffled. Weighted GPA over 4.2, unweighted 3.8, Sat math 770, reading 730, writing 680, 3 SAT subject tests above 700; Interned both in district office and campaign for local congressman with great recommendation from him; In high school president of Democratic club and Jewish club, president of Model UN, organizer and lead prosecutor on mock trial team; Youth counselor at summer camp; 11 AP classes; plays both drums and piano etc ……

He didn’t get into many of his reach schools - but the only decision he was shocked by was the wait list at American.

accepted to George Washington and Northeastern with very nice merit scholarships; also accepted at UCLA and UC San DIego (and other UCs) - wait listed at UC Berkeley

ALSO - he demonstrated interest - he visited and interviewed at American - they told him he was a “good fit”

The thing is - I think out of his acceptances he maybe would have chosen American - he loved it - and communicated it - he loved the campus feel of it while still being in DC - might be bitter grapes - but I don’t get it.

@blueskies1108 We were in same boat - my daughters top school was American - she showed plenty of interest, her stats were all in line and she made it to the second round of the honors program. I vented plenty on this board but still have very little understanding exactly what type of student American is looking for. The only answer we got was they take a holistic approach to determine the right fit and get over it - rejection is a part of life. She has plenty of great options as does your son. I do believe that American does need to review their admissions staff as they definitely are sending out very bad vibes this year.

@busymom1234 what are the “bad vibes” they are sending out?

@oscar63 just read this board and the one for the Fredrick Douglas Scholars.

@busymom1234 I just read the board. Have they always done it that way? One would assume if you made it to a second round of honors you had the credentials for admittance. Glad your D has options. Very stressful time.

I think that American is shying away from test scores and aptitude a little to focus on a few other things. They just started test optional, so accepting students from that pool takes up space for the number of kids accepted. I think AU is also trying to boost their demographic.With a little more than half the people attending being white, not counting international students, many schools today are looking to diversify their student body.
It may also have to do with what major you intend to pursue. From what I hear AU focuses a lot on international studies majors (International Business, International Relations and Affairs) so that can be a factor from your acceptance as well.

From the email: “The Office of Enrollment received more than 16,700 freshman applications for fall 2015, an increase of nearly 11 percent compared with the fall 2014 admission cycle. Undergraduate enrollment projections indicate that we are on track to meet a target of 1,600 new first year students. Most impressive is the admit rate of 35 percent, the lowest in AU’s history and a decrease of 11 percentage points compared with last year’s admit rate of 46 percent.”

I am very sorry to read about those kids
Who were not only very good students but were highly interested in attending American. I would have also thought being male would be helpful. My daughter with 3.9 from highly competitive HS - tons of ECs , community service was accepted,thankfully. However, she was waitlisted at our large state university with stats way beyond their target. Talk about a shocker!
She had no plans to attend so it worked out for all. But wow. Guess this US news
Rankings has screwed up college for so many. This yield statistic is huge as I read it even affects a school’s bond rating.
A school probably defines real interest as ED only.

blueskies: If you son gets in to Berkeley, he should go there. One of the very best universities in the country. Failing that UCSD’s college are great.

@excanuck99 - thanks for your feedback. We live in San Diego, so son not so interested - do you not have the same feeling about UCLA - where he did get into?