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 personal 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 personal 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!
Africa
China
Europe
Latin
America
Middle East/
North Africa
North
America
Russia/
Central Asia
South
Asia
Southeast
Asia
Your Pre-Arrival Checklist
After you receive the electronic copy of 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-90 (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:
You are required to submit all academic documents by July 15.
All official/original academic credentials (original official final transcripts for last four years of secondary education and original certificate of graduation/diploma) along with certified English translations (if applicable) should be sent via courier* to the IAP office in sealed and stamped envelopes directly from the issuing institution. Documents should arrive in our office no later than July 15th in order for fall incoming students to be able to enroll in classes at American University.
TOEFL official electronic results should be sent directly to American University’s ETS account: 5007, in order for I-20s to be issued.
IELTS and PTE official paper results (original) should be sent via courier* to the IAP office prior to arrival at campus: (International Accelerator Program, 4801 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 532, Washington, DC 20016, USA)
ITEP official secure PDF results should be emailed to mmenius@american.edu prior to arrival on campus.
* recommended for tracking purposes.
When purchasing your ticket to Washington, DC, plan to arrive on or before your scheduled move-in day.
| Academic Accelerator Program (AAP) | Extended Accelerator Program (EAP) | Pre-Sessional English (PSE) | MAP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2018 | ||||
| Spring 2019 | ||||
| Summer 2019 |
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.
Choose between two ways to submit payment for tuition and fees:
- 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.
- Wire Transfer: Find the wire transfer information on your offer letter. When making the transaction, be sure to include the student’s name and birthday.
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: Complete this mandatory health and immunization form by July 15, as required by law.
- FERPA Disclosure Form: Complete this form prior to your arrival.
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.
All International Accelerator students are required to submit an ID photo through your MyAU Account 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).
