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Explore the AU Cornerstone Programs

The AU Cornerstone Program is an enriching opportunity to jump start your professional career or international education. In addition to dedicated faculty and advisors, small classes, and special programming, AU Cornerstone is one of the only opportunities for first-year students to intern or study abroad for credit. For intended International Studies majors, the Fall semesterÌýAU Cornerstone Abroad: Madrid SIS Scholars program allows students to spend their first semester at AU Madrid. In Spring, there are the DC Internship and the AU Cornerstone Abroad: Greece pathways.

Please note: No additional application is required for any of the three AU Cornerstone programs. Interested applicants may indicate their preference to join the program in their Coalition or Common Applications.

Explore the AU Honors Program

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
AU Honors students are distinguished by their sense of intellectual curiosity, both inside and outside of the classroom. Tell us what you are most curious about, and how that curiosity has influenced your life thus far. (300 words)

Question 2
What aspect of the AU Honors Program piques your interest the most? (300 words)

Question 3
We all have meaningful experiences that shape us and inform our worldview. What aspect of your background would you most like to share with other students in the Honors Program?Ìý(300 words)

Explore DC Community Impact Scholars

The DC Community Impact Scholars (formerly Community Based Research Scholars) is a two-year program for social justice-minded students who want to put their academics into action with local DC nonprofit community partners through service and research.

In the first year, students enroll in a scholars-only section of Complex Problems, taught by some of AU's best faculty, and will take a year-long lab course that introduces them to the history of DC as well as its current issues, principles of ethical and responsible community engagement, and the fundamentals of social science research. In their sophomore year, students will deepen their learning through a yearlong community-based research course centered on a faculty-led research project that will be co-designed with a community partner. Impact Scholars are trained in research methods, research ethics, and issues relevant to the participating nonprofit's area of focus.

Please note: No additional application is required for DC Community Impact Scholars. Interested applicants may indicate their preference to join the program in their Coalition or Common Applications.

Explore theÌýLincoln Scholars Program

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Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
Tell us about a morally complicated text that you think would lead to good discussion for first year college students. In what way is the text morally complicated and why do you recommend it? (No more than 500 words)

Question 2
One goal of the Lincoln Scholars program is to encourage intellectual and political diversity on campus. What does this goal mean to you and why does a program with this goal interest you? (No more than 500 words)

Question 3
List five texts, magazines, movies, websites, podcasts, music, or other media (no social media apps or platforms)ÌýÌýthat are important to you and explain briefly why you like each one. Please list a variety of types of media. (1-2 sentences per item, no more than 400 words total).

Application

The Sakura Scholars Program is a joint-degree program between American University and Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto, Japan). Students who apply to American University and are interested in the Sakura Scholars Program will major in Global International Relations. If you are interested in this program, please apply via the .

Please Note: A completed American University application and submission the Sakura Scholars Program application must be received by November 1 for Early Decision I and Early Action applicants. Early Decision II and Regular Decision students must submit their Sakura application by December 1.

Learn more about the Sakura Scholars Program.

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
The Sakura Scholars program requires students to study in both the United States and Japan, learn the Japanese language, focus on regional topics in East Asia and the Pacific, and complete a capstone for the joint bachelor’s degree in Global International Relations. Why are you interested in this program? What are your personal and/or professional goals and how will this program help you to reach them? (500 words or less)

Question 2
In this joint degree program, you will gain first-hand comparative international experience as you spend two years at American University and two years at Ritsumeikan University. Think of a time when you faced a challenge or found yourself in an unexpected situation. Explain what happened, what you learned, and how this experience might help you adapt to different intercultural situations, and work through future challenges as a Sakura Scholar.Ìý(500 words or less)

Application

The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is open to first-year (freshmen) international students applying for the fall 2025Ìýsemester. To be considered for the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship students must submit their Common or Coalition Application prior to December 1 and must submit their AU EGL Scholarship application via their Future Eagle Portal by December 1.

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) recipients will be notified by April 1.

Students who hope to attend AU with funding support from the AU EGL Scholarship program should apply Regular Decision by the required December 1Ìýspecial program deadline.

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
Discuss a significant issue in your home country about which you are passionate and describe how you would use the education you obtain at our institution, American University (AU), Washington, DC, to create positive civic and social change once you return home. (250 words or less)

Question 2
Discuss your current involvement in community service projects and volunteer activities. Describe what you have learned about yourself as a result of these activities. (250 words or less)

Question 3
Describe an obstacle or challenge you have faced in your life. How have you overcome this challenge and grown from this experience? (250 words or less)

Question 4
The AU Diplomats are a diverse group of current AU international students and US Global Nomads who have been selected by the AU Admissions team to form and maintain connections with new and prospective American University (AU) students, and to represent AU to the international community.ÌýÌý

Our Emerging Global Leader Scholar is expected to play an impactful role in the work of our AU Diplomats group. What outreach, communication, and/or intake strategies would you employ to inform and welcome new and prospective students to American University, Washington, DC? (250 words or less)

Question 5
What are the characteristics of leadership that you most admire? Who is a leader that exemplifies those qualities, and why? (250 words or less)

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Explore the Global Scholars Program
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Application Essay Questions

Question 1
In your view, what is the greatest challenge facing humanity today and how do you envision yourself being part of the solution?Ìý

Question 2
Describe a situation in which you had to work harder than you expected. When and how did you know that your current efforts were not enough? How did you adjust? (500 words maximum)

Explore the

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1
The Politics, PolicyÌýand Law Scholars Program is an intensive course of study in which students from diverse backgrounds live and learn together. Given its intense and unique nature, why do you want to be a part of the program? Why do you think you would be a good fit for the Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program? 250 words maximum.

Question 2
The Living Learning Community and cohort aspects are integral parts of the of the Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program. Describe a specific project, course, or other experience that required you to work with others toward a shared goal or to resolve conflict and build consensus. How did you contribute to accomplishing the goal or resolving conflict? How did you engage with others? How has this experience prepared you for the PPL program? Be specific. 250 words maximum.

Question 3
You have been hired to advise a member of Congress or a state legislator (you can choose which one, but you should pick one) about the issues that affect Americans aged 18-26. You have been asked to identify one legal, political, or policy issue that will resonate with this group of Americans and recommend a policy proposal that he or she should support and promote. Explain the issue, explain why the elected official should highlight it, and propose a specific original policy solution. Provide support for your proposed solution. Your proposal should not simply be to support another individual’s already created policy. 650 words maximum.

Explore the Public Health Scholars Program

Application Essay Prompts

Question 1: Statement of InterestÌýand QualificationsÌý
Explain what you hope to gain from joining a 3-year program majoring in public health. Explain how your academic and extracurricular experiences have prepared you for this special academic program. 500 words maximum.

Question 2: Reflective Essay
Explain how your personal background will bring a unique perspective to the Public Health Scholars program and contribute to the collective of public health students and faculty at American University. 250 words maximum.Ìý