Before you arrive
WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL ACCELERATOR AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY!
Soon you’ll be on campus. How exciting! There is a lot to consider before you arrive. While moving to a new country can be intimidating, we’re here for you. Follow the four steps below to make sure you have everything in place before you board the plane.
Confused or worried about any of the steps? Email a student ambassador by choosing your region below and we will answer any questions you have!
CONTACT YOUR ADVISOR
We have a team of dedicated enrollment advisors whose job it is to make sure all your questions are answered and to ensure you have a smooth transition to the university.
Before you start on any of the steps below, contact your local enrollment advisor. Simply select your region of the world below, and send your advisor an email, Skype, WhatsApp, or WeChat message. We look forward to meeting you very soon!
China
North
America
Southeast
Asia
South
Asia
Latin
America
Africa
North Asia
Middle East/North Africa
Russia/Central Asia/Eastern Europe
UK and Western Europe
Your Pre-Arrival Checklist
After you receive your I-20, complete the following steps before booking your visa appointment:
- Schedule a free visa information and preparation session with your personal Enrollment Advisor.
- Check that the details on your I-20 are correct (including your date of birth) and make sure your name is the same as it appears on your passport.
- Prepare the documents you will need to take to the embassy when attending your visa interview.
After you complete the above steps, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible. It requires an interview with the U.S. Embassy and can sometimes take several weeks to schedule.
- Complete your Visa Application.
- Pay your I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Visit usembassy.gov to learn more about scheduling your visa appointment, what to expect when you arrive, and the documentation you need to take with you.
- Notify your enrollment advisor of the date and embassy of your visa appointment.
- Watch these videos to help you apply for your visa and prepare for your interview:
Other links that international students find useful:
All International Accelerator students are required to submit an ID photo below one month before your move-in date. See here for the photo requirement.
Important note: Any student who does not submit their ID photo before arrival will not be able to have their ID preprinted and will likely not be able to use your meal plan during welcome week (the meal plan is linked to the ID card).
If you are having issues with form submit your ID photo to studentservices@auaccelerator.com
If you are applying for the Fall Semester, you are required to submit all academic documents by July 15th. If you are applying for the Spring Semester, you are required to submit all academic documents by December 1st. If you are applying for the Summer Semester, you are required to submit all academic documents by March 30th.
All official/original academic credentials (original official final transcripts for last four years of secondary education in sealed envelopes as provided by issuing institution and original certificate of graduation/diploma) along with certified English translations (if applicable) should be sent via courier* to the IAP office. Documents should arrive to our office by one of the three dates listed above, depending on application term, in order to be able to enroll in classes at American University. See below for address:
International Accelerator
4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW
3rd Floor
Washington DC 20016-2143
Phone Number: 202-895-4719
Undergraduate Non-US High Schools
Please request from your high school counselor(s) all final official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 12 in sealed and stamped school envelopes, and a copy of your original certificate of high school graduation/diploma along with certified or notarized English translations. Once you collect all documents, please notify your enrollment counselor for next steps.
If the English translation of the high school diploma is not provided by any of your schools, a notary attesting the English translation that matches exactly the original high school diploma in original language is required. Note: For countries other than China, a Certified English translation suffices.
Undergraduate US High Schools
Please request that your high school counselors email scanned final official transcripts to acosta@american.edu cc finalofficials@auaccelerator.com.
A-Level or IB official results (if applicable) must be sent to American University directly by the testing agency.
If you attended multiple high schools, the original transcripts with translation (if applicable) will need to be submitted individually following the above-mentioned ways.
If you have any transcripts from post-secondary institute(s), original college transcript(s) will also need to be submitted following the above-mentioned ways – non-US scanned copies of official transcripts and of school’s sealed envelopes (front and back) and US schools’ transcripts should be submitted to via email to acosta@american.edu cc finalofficials@auaccelerator.com directly by the school counselor.
Graduate (MAP) students must provide their enrollment counselor with scanned copies of their official academic transcripts of undergraduate studies (bachelor’s degree), certificate/diploma of graduation (both original certificate and a certified English translation if applicable).
* recommended for tracking purposes.
When purchasing your ticket to Washington, DC, plan to arrive on or before your scheduled move-in day.
For all application and payment deadlines as well as move-in and program start dates, please visit the Important Dates page.
Making your payment in full two weeks before you arrive will help avoid delays with enrollment.
Before you begin, please make sure you have your offer letter in front of you, as you will need to refer to the information in the letter.
- Flywire by Peer Transfer: Please visit AU’s flywire portal to complete the transfer process. Please note that you can not use a U.S. credit card or U.S. bank account.
Please visit the Create MyAU Account page to claim your MyAU account.
You will need to complete and submit the following forms before your arrival.
| Immunization Form | FERPA Disclosure Form | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | ||
| Spring | December 15th | December 15th |
| Summer | May 15th |
- Immunization Form
- FERPA Disclosure Form (Optional)
Incoming undergraduate accelerator students are required to take a math placement test before they arrive on campus.
You will need to complete this before you leave your home country. Here are the instructions on how to take the exam. Please note: this is not required of incoming Pre-Sessional English Program students or Master’s Accelerator students.
