We’re one month away from our EDI & EA deadline, November 1. Have you checked these to-do items off your application list?

Applying early to American University is the right choice for many students, and we’re quickly approaching our first deadline for Early Decision I (EDI) and Early Action (EA) on November 1. 

You might choose to apply early so that you can focus on your senior year or go into the holiday season without having to stress about deadlines and applications. Or, you might know AU is your top choice and want to improve your chances of being accepted. Maybe you want to apply to one of our special academic programs so getting your Common Application submitted earlier means that you can spend time refining the application(s) for your special program(s) of interest.

If any of this sounds like your mindset, our Early Decision or Early Action plan might be the right fit for you! Use the following guide as your clarity and checklist as you submit your Common App to AU; you can also read our recent blog about applying early at American University for a more in-depth overview of the different decision plan options.

What is the deadline for applying Early Decision or Early Action? 

For first-year applicants, if you’re applying Early Decision I or Early Action, the deadline for both of those decision plans is November 1. The financial aid deadline (FAFSA and CSS Profile) for these plans is November 15. 

If you’re applying Early Decision II, the deadline to submit your application is January 15 with a FAFSA and CSS profile deadline of February 15. 

Explore all first-year decision plans and deadlines 

What's the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? 

Early Decision is a binding agreement that basically says, if you are accepted to American University, you’ll rescind your applications from any other schools that you applied to and commit to attending AU. Since it’s a binding agreement, you’ll need to sign an Early Decision agreement with a parent or guardian and your college counselor. Early Decision is ideal for candidates who know AU is their top choice for school. This year, we’re happy to provide new perks for students who choose to apply through Early Decision, such as picking your housing early, picking your classes early, meeting your academic advisor early, and moving in early. A special academic perk we’ve added is the option to take two classes for college credit at American University during the spring of your high school senior year. These classes are free, asynchronous, and count toward your degree! Early Decision applicants receive notification of their admissions decision in mid- to late-December.

Making that binding agreement is a big deal, which is why we also offer Early Action, a non-binding application plan that still allows you to apply early for admission to AU but gives you the extra time to figure out your perfect fit.  EA applicants submit their applications by November 1 and receive their admissions decision earlier - typically by the end of January - but will have until the May 1 deposit deadline to consider all their admissions and financial aid awards before deciding where to enroll in the fall. 

To learn more on the benefits of our early application plans, join us for a live webinar on October 23 or watch our recorded Early Decision & Early Action Webinar.

What does my early application to American University have to include? 

• Common Application – The Common Application is used around the globe for students to submit college applications. You’re probably already familiar with it and probably even have a tab open on your computer right now! The Common Application streamlines the application process, as it includes the application essay, activity report, and allows you to request high school transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters. 

• High School Transcripts – We need an official high school transcript. There are a few different things we’re looking at when we evaluate your transcript: cumulative GPA, grade trends, and rigor of curriculum. We are looking for progress, not perfection.  

• Secondary School Report – We also consider the context of your high school, which is why your counselor will send us the Secondary School Report along with your transcript. This is basically a profile about your high schools that gives us helpful context for your transcript. For example, if your high school does not offer AP or IB courses, the rigor of curriculum available to you is very different from another high school that offers 20 AP courses. We are only comparing you to what is available to you; not you against other applicants from very different high schools. 

• Application Essay – This is your chance to speak directly to the person reviewing your application. It’s an opportunity for us to hear your voice and understand you beyond grades or involvement. For more information, read our previous blog post about writing your perfect college essay! 

• Activity Report – The activity report is where you can tell us what you’re doing outside of the classroom. Whether you take care of younger siblings after school, play a sport, work a job, volunteer, or are in a club – it can be anything! We just want to see that you’re involved and a leader in your community. This space also allows you to list how many hours per week and weeks per year you’re involved. If your activities are time-consuming, we understand that you may not be able to devote a lot of time to other activities. 

• Recommendation Letter – We only require you to send in one recommendation letter at AU, and it must be from a teacher. Feel free to send in more recommendation letters, perhaps from a coach, supervisor, counselor, or someone else, if you like! It’s also totally fine to only submit one, if you choose.

The following pieces are optional and may depend on what you want from your college experience:  

• SAT/ACT Scores – AU has been test-optional for over a decade now. It is completely up to you if you want to submit SAT or ACT scores. For the past few years, more than 50% of our applicants have applied test optional. If you submit them, we will consider them, but if you apply test-optional, there is no disadvantage; we will just focus on the other aspects of your application.  

• AU Supplemental Short Answer – Each year we ask a short, focused question so we can get to know you a little better. For 2025–2026, the prompt is: American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited. Take your time with this one—think of it as a mini-spotlight on something that energizes you and shows how you might contribute to AU’s community. 

• Schoolhouse.world Portfolio (Optional) – If you have a Schoolhouse.world portfolio, you’re welcome to share it with us after you apply. Simply email a PDF version to admissionsdocuments@american.edu. This is a completely optional way to showcase your learning and growth outside of the classroom. 

• Special Academic Program Application(s) (if applicable) – AU offers special academic programs for students who want to customize their college experience even further. After you create your applicant portal, you can submit an application for any of these programs. The deadline is December 1, and the specific questions for each program are posted on the Special Academic Program webpage. 

What about financial aid? 

If you apply early to AU, you’re still eligible for financial aid. If you choose to apply by the November 1 deadline, you have until November 15 to submit your FASFA and CSS Profile. The FASFA determines your eligibility for Federal Student Aid, while the CSS Profile helps us understand how we can help you afford a college degree. These forms are very important, and may take some time to complete, so applying early can help streamline the process. 

How do I know if applying early is right for me? 

Applying early is right for some students while other students may benefit from applying during the second deadline window of January 15. It’s all about doing what’s right for you. We still have a later Early Decision application, Early Decision II. If you still think AU is your top choice, but need more time to decide, you have that opportunity. With Early Decision II, you still have access to all the same perks as Early Decision I. Early Decision II applicants have until February 1 to submit their financial aid information and find out their admissions decision in mid-February. 

Regular Decision is a non-binding application for students who want that later deadline. Applicants in this window have until January 15 to submit their application to American University and until Feburary 15 to submit their financial aid information. RD applicants find out their admissions decision on April 1. 

Commonly, many students choose to apply in January if they want their final fall semester senior year grades to be considered in their admissions. If you have strong grades in the fall, this can help us see more of your grade trend. Additionally, some students plan on taking the SAT or ACT in the late fall, and want these test scores to be considered, so they choose the later application deadline. 

I still have questions. Who can I ask? 

Feel free to ask your admissions representative! Our representatives are happy to speak with you, whether it’s on the phone, over email, or virtually. Your dedicated AU representative is determined by where you attend high school. We understand that applying to college can be a daunting and confusing process, but we’re here to help ease your stress as much as possible! Make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list and following our Instagram for more helpful reminders and updates throughout the admissions process.