Back in the ’90s, American University had an acceptance rate of nearly 80%. In recent years, the acceptance rate has swung widely, falling as low as 26% before rebounding north of 60% in the most recent cycles. Test-optional for over a decade, this Washington, DC, university utilizes a truly holistic method of assessing candidates, which means that the American University supplemental essay continues to play a key role for AU applicants.
Want to learn more about how to create a strong application for American? In addition to our blog entitled: How to Get Into American University: Admissions Data and Strategies, head to College Transitions Gateway for all our best free tools and resources, including an admissions calculator for 170+ institutions, college planning guides & templates, and example essays from accepted students.
Given the weight AU places on fit and on demonstrated interest, the American University supplemental essay offers applicants a crucial opportunity to showcase their writing ability by generating a detail-rich essay that will stand out to an admissions officer.
2026-2027 American University Supplemental Essay Question
In the 2026-27 cycle, American University offers applicants a single supplemental short answer prompt:
American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited. (250 words)
One important note before you begin: AU lists this short answer under the optional section of its first-year application checklist. Treat it as required anyway. A university that rates demonstrated interest as a very important admissions factor is going to notice which applicants skipped their one chance to say something AU-specific. For more on this calculus, see our blog on Should I Complete Optional College Essays?.
Whether it’s a general love for math/science or literature or a specific interest in aerospace engineering or 19th-century French novels, use this opportunity to share what makes you tick, the ideas or issues that keep you up at night, and what subject inspires you to dream big. What topic makes you read books and online content until your eyes bleed?
Moreover, you’ll want to share the manner in which you have pursued your hobby, idea, issue, or topic of choice. Whether it’s falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about the nature of time, consuming thousands of hours of podcasts on game theory, or volunteering at a community agency, this is a chance to illustrate the ways in which you engage with your passions. The admissions reader should emerge from reading this essay with the sense that you are a sincerely curious young person with a strong drive.
Pay attention to the word changemaker, too. AU is not simply asking what you like. It is asking what you have done about what you like. A belief that has never once caused you to act is a preference, not a passion, and 250 words is more than enough room to show the difference.
Finally, we’d recommend thinking specifically about how you’d like to continue pursuing your belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic at American University in particular. As such, you’ll want to do some school-specific research.
Below are some examples of unique facts about American University that may help you as you brainstorm the “American-specific” part of your response:
- There are more than 170 academic programs (80 bachelor’s degree programs) at American University.
- 150+ student organizations exist on campus. Talk about the ones you would like to join.
- AU offers funding opportunities for undergraduate research. Talk about a research idea that you’d like to pursue while at AU.
- AU runs its own study abroad programs in Brussels, Nairobi, and Madrid.
- More than half of all undergrads take a semester abroad.
- 91% of American U grads participated in at least one internship. What’s your dream internship?
- The AU radio station WAMU reaches an astounding 900,000 listeners every week.
- AU was the first U.S. university to become carbon neutral in 2020.
Of course, these are just a few of the countless possible features that could be part of a successful essay.
Overall, think about the following as you write this section:
- How will you become an active, contributing member of the student body?
- How will your past/current endeavors carry over onto AU’s campus?
- Why is AU the perfect fit for you and why are you the perfect fit for AU?
- What specific academic programs, professors, research opportunities, internship/externship programs, study abroad programs, student-run organizations, etc. (as in the examples above) would you take advantage of?
A few things to avoid in your American University essay
We don’t want to label these as “mistakes” (there is nothing inherently wrong with them); they just don’t add any needle-moving value, which is the only goal here:
- A topic chosen because it sounds impressive rather than one you actually think about. Admissions readers can tell the difference in about two sentences.
- An itinerary of all the things you plan to do in Washington, DC. The prompt asks about your passion, not your weekend plans.
- Statements about how AU “feels like home,” how you know it’s the right place for you, or how you’ve wanted to attend since kindergarten. Show this through specifics instead.
- Recycled paragraphs from another school’s “Why Us?” essay. At 250 words, a single generic sentence costs you real estate you cannot spare.
How important is the American University supplemental essay?
AU only considers three factors to be “very important” to their applicant evaluation process. These are: the rigor of one’s coursework, GPA earned, and demonstrated interest. The second tier of “important” factors include essays, recommendations, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. Clearly, essays, both the main Common App essay and the supplemental prompt, are among the most significant factors in this holistic process.
Furthermore, demonstrated interest is even more important than essays, and one way you can communicate your interest in American is by writing a thoughtful, American-specific supplemental response.
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