Explore the AU Cornerstone Programs

The AU Cornerstone Program is an enriching opportunity to jump start your professional career or international education. In addition to dedicated faculty and advisors, small classes, and special programming, AU Cornerstone is one of the only opportunities for first-year students to intern or study abroad for credit. For intended International Studies majors, the Fall semester AU Cornerstone Abroad: Madrid SIS Scholars program allows students to spend their first semester at AU Madrid. In Spring, there are the DC Internship and the AU Cornerstone Abroad: Greece pathways.

Please note: No additional application is required for any of the three AU Cornerstone programs. Interested applicants may indicate their preference to join the program in their Common Application.

Explore the AU Honors Program

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
Tell us about a piece of creative work (e.g. artwork, music, literature, film, etc.) that has influenced the way you view the world and why. (300 words)

Question 2
If you could design the ideal Honors course, what would it be and what would you want to learn from it? Why does this topic interest you? (300 words)

Question 3
In our program description, we say, "Propelled by curiosity and a desire to take risks, our students endeavor to push the bounds of the known and the knowable throughout their academic journeys." What does intellectual risk mean to you, and why/how does the opportunity to take that risk excite you? (300 words)

Explore DC Community Impact Scholars

The DC Community Impact Scholars (formerly Community Based Research Scholars) is a two-year program for social justice-minded students who want to put their academics into action with local DC nonprofit community partners through service and research.

In the first year, students enroll in a scholars-only section of Complex Problems, taught by some of AU's best faculty, and will take a year-long lab course that introduces them to the history of DC as well as its current issues, principles of ethical and responsible community engagement, and the fundamentals of social science research. In their sophomore year, students will deepen their learning through a yearlong community-based research course centered on a faculty-led research project that will be co-designed with a community partner. Impact Scholars are trained in research methods, research ethics, and issues relevant to the participating nonprofit's area of focus.

Please note: No additional application is required for DC Community Impact Scholars. Interested applicants may indicate their preference to join the program in their Common Application.

Explore the Lincoln Scholars Program

 

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
Tell us about a morally complicated text that you think would lead to good discussion for first year college students. In what way is the text morally complicated and why do you recommend it? (No more than 500 words)

Question 2
One goal of the Lincoln Scholars program is to encourage intellectual and political diversity on campus. What does this goal mean to you and why does a program with this goal interest you? (No more than 500 words)

Question 3
List five texts, magazines, movies, websites, podcasts, music, or other media (no social media apps or platforms)  that are important to you and explain briefly why you like each one. Please list a variety of types of media. (1-2 sentences per item, no more than 400 words total).

Application

The Sakura Scholars Program is a joint-degree program between American University and Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto, Japan). Students who apply to American University and are interested in the Sakura Scholars Program will major in Global International Relations. If you are interested in this program, please apply via the Future Eagle Portal.

Please Note: A completed American University application and submission the Sakura Scholars Program application must be received by November 1 for Early Decision I and Early Action applicants. Early Decision II and Regular Decision students must submit their Sakura application by December 1.

Learn more about the Sakura Scholars Program.

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
The Sakura Scholars program requires students to study in both the United States and Japan, learn the Japanese language, focus on regional topics in East Asia and the Pacific, and complete a capstone for the joint bachelor’s degree in Global International Relations. Why are you interested in this program? What are your personal and/or professional goals and how will this program help you to reach them? (500 words or less)

Question 2
In this joint degree program, you will gain first-hand comparative international experience as you spend two years at American University and two years at Ritsumeikan University. Think of a time when you faced a challenge or found yourself in an unexpected situation. Explain what happened, what you learned, and how this experience might help you adapt to different intercultural situations, and work through future challenges as a Sakura Scholar. (500 words or less)

Explore the Global Scholars Program
 

Application Essay Questions

Question 1
In your view, what is the greatest challenge facing humanity today and how do you envision yourself being part of the solution? 

Question 2
Describe a situation in which you had to work harder than you expected. When and how did you know that your current efforts were not enough? How did you adjust? (500 words maximum)

Explore the Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
The Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program is an intensive course of study in which students from diverse backgrounds live and learn together. Given its intense and unique nature, why do you want to be a part of the program? Why do you think you would be a good fit for the Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program? 250 words maximum.

Question 2
The Living Learning Community and cohort aspects are integral parts of the of the Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program. Describe a specific project, course, or other experience that required you to work with others toward a shared goal or to resolve conflict and build consensus. How did you contribute to accomplishing the goal or resolving conflict? How did you engage with others? How has this experience prepared you for the PPL program? Be specific. 250 words maximum.

Question 3
You have been hired to advise a member of Congress or a state legislator (you can choose which one, but you should pick one) about the issues that affect Americans aged 18-26. You have been asked to identify one legal, political, or policy issue that will resonate with this group of Americans and recommend a policy proposal that he or she should support and promote. Explain the issue, explain why the elected official should highlight it, and propose a specific original policy solution. Provide support for your proposed solution. Your proposal should not simply be to support another individual’s already created policy. 650 words maximum.

Explore the Public Health Scholars Program

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1: Statement of Interest and Qualifications
Explain what you hope to gain from joining a cohort program majoring in public health. Please include whether you plan to pursue the 3-year accelerated track or 4-year program track. Explain how your academic and extracurricular experiences have prepared you for this special academic program. 500 words maximum.

Question 2: Reflective Essay
Explain how your personal background will bring a unique perspective to the Public Health Scholars program and contribute to the collective of public health students and faculty at American University. 250 words maximum. 

How do I apply for special academic programs?

After submitting the Common Application, applicants will receive an email to create their Future Eagle Portal. Through the portal, students can submit separate applications for AU Honors, Lincoln Scholars, Sakura Scholars, and the three Three-Year Academic Programs.

Students interested in AU Cornerstone and DC Community Impact Scholars will indicate their interest in the AU portion of the Common Application.

How and when will I receive my decision?

Students will receive their program decision in their admissions letters and their applicant portals. Early Action, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision applicants will be notified in their admission letters and applicant portals at the time of their decision release. Early Decision I applicants will receive their special program decision in January.

Can I submit multiple special program applications?

Yes. Although we encourage students to consider their academic interests and overall programmatic fit, students are welcome to apply for multiple programs.

Can I participate in multiple special programs?

In most cases, students can only participate in one special program due to competing residential or course requirements. The only exception is that students can be admitted to and participate in both Politics, Policy and Law Scholars and Lincoln Scholars due to overlap in coursework.

Are special program applications open to Early Decision II and Regular Decision Applicants?

Yes! All applicants are welcome to apply for special academic programs.

Early Action and Early Decision I applicants will have submitted the Common Application by November 1, so they will already have created their Future Eagle Portal to apply for special academic programs by December 1. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants must submit their Common Applications before December 1 to create their Future Eagle Portals. While it does require some advanced planning, Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants will have their AU applications completed before winter break!

I missed the application deadline. Is it too late to apply?

Applications on the portal will remain open after the deadline, and priority is given to applicants who met the December 1 deadline. However, the special academic programs will make their own decisions to extend additional offers of admission based on remaining capacity in the program.