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-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:
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
* recommended for tracking purposes.
When purchasing your ticket to Washington, DC, plan to arrive on or before your scheduled move-in day.
We are so excited for you to join us on campus! To ensure a smooth transition to your new home, plan to arrive on or before your official move-in day. Airport pickup is available at both Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan National Airport (DCA) airports.
Once you book your flights, you must fill out the student arrival form. If your family is joining you, you must also complete the family arrival form.
Chart with move-in dates
| Academic Accelerator Program (AAP) | Extended Accelerator Program (EAP) | Pre-Sessional English (PSE) | MAP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2020 | ||||
| Summer 2020 | ||||
| Fall 2020 |
We are looking forward to meeting you in person!
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 |
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.
