American University (AU) isn't just another school in Washington, D.C. It’s a vibe. If you’ve spent any time looking at their campus or browsing their programs, you know they breathe politics, international relations, and social justice. But here’s the thing: when it comes to the American University supplemental essay, most students play it way too safe. They write about wanting to be "near the seat of power" or "interning on Capitol Hill." Honestly? The admissions officers have heard that a thousand times. They know where the school is located. They have a map.
What they really want to know is why you belong in that specific ecosystem.
AU is looking for "changemakers." It’s a word they use a lot—maybe too much—but it’s the core of their identity. If you're applying, you're likely facing a prompt that asks you to connect your personal experiences to the AU community. It’s basically a "Why Us?" essay with a twist of "Who Are You?"
The "Why AU" Trap and How to Avoid It
Most people treat the American University supplemental essay like a grocery list. They list the ranking of the School of International Service (SIS) or mention the Davenport Coffee Lounge because they saw it on a virtual tour. Don’t do that. It feels transactional. Instead, you need to find the "connective tissue" between your past and their future.
Think about the specific academic environment. AU is unique because it’s a research university that feels like a liberal arts college. If you're applying to the School of Public Affairs, don't just say you like politics. Tell them about the time you stayed up until 3:00 AM arguing about local zoning laws or how you organized a recycling drive that actually worked.
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Specifics matter.
If you mention a professor, like Ibram X. Kendi or someone specifically within the Kogod School of Business, make sure you’ve actually read their work. Don’t just name-drop. Admissions officers can smell a Google search from a mile away. They want to see that you’ve done the "deep work" of understanding their curriculum. Are you interested in the Community-Based Research Scholars program? Why? How does your history of volunteering at a local food bank transition into the scholarly research you’ll do in Ward 1 or Ward 3?
Breaking Down the "Changemaker" Identity
You don't have to have saved the world to be a changemaker. Seriously. You don't.
Maybe your "change" was smaller. Maybe you advocated for a better mental health policy at your high school. Or perhaps you spent your weekends teaching coding to middle schoolers in your neighborhood. AU values the impulse to improve things. They want the student who sees a problem and gets annoyed enough to do something about it.
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When you sit down to write your American University supplemental essay, start with a moment of frustration. What makes you mad? What do you think is unfair? AU students are famously "wonky." They love the details of policy and the grit of activism. If you can show them that you’re willing to get your hands dirty—figuratively or literally—you’re already ahead of 90% of the applicant pool.
The Power of D.C. (Without the Clichés)
Yes, AU is in D.C. Yes, the internship opportunities are insane. But your essay shouldn't just be a love letter to the District. It should be about how you will use D.C. as a laboratory.
Instead of saying "I want to intern at the State Department," try explaining how being in a global hub will challenge your current worldview. Talk about the tension of being in a city that is both a world capital and a local community with its own deep, often overlooked history. AU pride themselves on being "of" D.C., not just "in" it. Show that you understand the difference.
Tone and Structure: Keep it Real
Stop trying to sound like a textbook. Use your actual voice. If you're funny, be funny. If you're dead serious about climate change, let that passion bleed onto the page. Use short sentences. Really short. Like this. Then, follow them up with a more complex thought that weaves together your interest in AU’s interdisciplinary approach and your background in competitive debate.
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Variety keeps the reader awake. Admissions officers read hundreds of these a day. If your first paragraph is a standard "I am honored to apply to American University because..." they might start skimming. Start in the middle of the action. Start with a question. Start with a realization you had while riding the bus.
Subtle Nuances of the AU Community
One thing people overlook about the American University supplemental essay is the school's commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. AU was the first urban university in the U.S. to achieve carbon neutrality. That’s a big deal to them. If you have a background in environmentalism, don't just mention it—align it with their institutional goals.
Also, consider the "wonk" factor. AU literally ran an ad campaign around the word "wonk." It refers to someone who is obsessed with the "how" of things. Are you a data wonk? A theatre wonk? A history wonk? Lean into your niche obsession. They love experts. They love people who go deep into a topic. If you can demonstrate that you have a "wonky" obsession that fits into one of their 170+ majors, you've nailed the prompt.
Key Action Steps for a Winning Essay
- Audit your "Why AU" reasons. If your reasons could apply to George Washington University or Georgetown, they aren't specific enough. Delete them. Find things unique to AU, like the specific "Complex Problems" seminars for freshmen.
- Identify your "Changemaker" moment. Pinpoint one specific instance where you took initiative. Focus on the process, not just the result. AU cares about how you think and how you collaborate.
- Research the "AU Core." Look at the foundational curriculum. How do those specific areas of inquiry (like "Ethical Reasoning" or "Global Inquiry") match up with the classes you took in high school?
- Check the tone. Read your essay out loud. If it sounds like something a robot wrote, break some grammar rules. Use a contraction. Start a sentence with "But" or "And." Make it sound like a conversation with a mentor.
- Verify your facts. If you mention a specific center, like the Center for Israel Studies or the Antiracist Research & Policy Center, make sure it’s still active and check its recent initiatives. Accuracy shows respect for the institution.
The most successful essays are the ones that feel inevitable. By the time the admissions officer finishes reading, they should feel like you’re already a part of the campus community and that it would be a mistake not to have you there. Don't just tell them you're a good student. Show them you're an American University student.