American University

What does American University offer in terms of athletics?

American University competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Patriot League. Its varsity program includes sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, swimming and diving, cross-country, and wrestling. Varsity participation involves team selection and substantial training and travel commitments.

Students who do not compete at the varsity level can look into club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation. Those options differ in competitiveness, membership rules, and time commitment, and the offered activities can change. A sport appearing in a general campus-activities listing should not be assumed to be an NCAA varsity team; applicants interested in a particular sport should check the current athletics or recreation roster.

What student groups and Associations are available at American University?

American University students can participate in recognized organizations spanning student government, academic interests, cultural communities, service, media, performing arts, and recreation. Student Government is one route to campus representation, while The Eagle provides a student-run newspaper and WVAU offers student radio involvement.

The university also has student theater and other performing groups, along with clubs tied to fields such as international affairs and public policy. Recognition and activity can change as student leadership changes. For a prospective student, the useful distinction is whether a group is active and recruiting in the term they arrive, rather than whether its name appears in an older directory.

Who studies at American University?

American University enrolled 12,321 students in the reported institutional count, including undergraduate and graduate students. Among first-time degree-seeking undergraduates in the reported entering class, 1,662 enrolled. The university also reported 119 incoming transfer students, a reminder that transfer applicants are part of a smaller entering group than first-year applicants.

The reported geographic profile of first-time students was predominantly from outside DC: about 94% came from other U.S. states, about 3% were DC residents, and about 3% came from other countries. These categories describe where students came from, not their citizenship or the range of backgrounds within any group. The entering class included 1,003 women and 659 men in the reported categories. Enrollment counts are a snapshot and may differ from figures published for another academic year or student population.

How does student life look like at American University?

Student life at American University combines a residential campus with substantial participation by commuters and students living elsewhere in Washington. Reported figures indicate that about 54% of students lived on campus and 46% commuted. That mix can affect when students schedule classes, jobs, meetings, and evening activities.

New students can engage through orientation, academic advising, student activities, and campus recreation. The university also provides a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling, as well as offices serving particular student communities. A student's daily experience will vary considerably with their course schedule and whether they live on campus, commute, work, or undertake a DC-area internship.

What libraries are available to students at American University?

Bender Library is American University's main library for general academic study and research. Students can use study areas, reserve group-study rooms, consult research staff, and access academic databases and online journals. Reported library services also include study space available around the clock during designated periods, although individual building hours can change.

The Washington College of Law has specialized law-library resources at the Tenley Campus. For students in other programs, the practical question is often not only whether a book is on a shelf: library staff can help locate subject databases, obtain materials through borrowing services, and navigate access to electronic research materials. Students should check current hours and access rules before planning late-night study or a visit to a specialized collection.