Undergraduate Admissions

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Admission Policy and Procedures Academic Preparation English Language Proficiency The Admission Decision Admission to an Undergraduate Degree Program Transfer Admissions Transfer Credit Award

Transfer Credit After Matriculation Readmission Study Abroad/Non-Degree Admissions Change of Status from Non-Degree to Degree Auditors The Department of Arabic Language Instruction Arabic Language Placement

The American University in Cairo admits undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking applicants for the fall and spring semesters. The university welcomes the applications of Arabic Language Institute, Study Abroad and non-degree applicants for the summer session, as well as the fall, spring and winter semesters.

The university, in keeping with the long-standing protocol with the Egyptian government, maintains an enrollment of undergraduate degree-seeking students that is at least seventy-five percent Egyptian. Accordingly, AUC establishes quotas regarding the offer of admission and enrollment of non-Egyptian students.

Applicants may apply for admission up to one year in advance of their anticipated date of first enrollment. The University reviews completed admission applications on a rolling basis. AUC cannot determine the admissibility of candidates with incomplete applications.

The university and the Egyptian Ministry of Education require that all students entering AUC undergraduate program complete a minimum of twelve years of primary and secondary education prior to enrollment in university courses. Applicants must provide proof, in the form of a first-year primary certificate or Idadia Certificate followed by three years of study as proof that they have completed at least twelve years of education.

All undergraduate degree-seeking admission applicants are required to submit official secondary school academic transcripts, mark sheets, and/or certificates. Applicants who have attempted post-secondary studies must also submit official academic transcripts, mark sheets, and/or certificates from each post-secondary school attended regardless of whether they have earned credit or seek transfer credit. All academic records not in English or Arabic must be accompanied by certified English translations.

All undergraduate degree applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting recent Academic IELTS, TOEFL and/or SAT results, or completed college-level English coursework. Non-Egyptian applicants and/or their sponsors must provide official evidence indicating that a minimum of $31,000 is available to cover the tuition, fees, travel, and living expenses for the first year of study at the University.

The University seeks highly qualified applicants who complete the most demanding courses available in secondary school. Excellent grades in honors classes indicate the applicant’s ability and willingness to meet the academic challenges of university study. The University’s most capable first-year applicants have achieved excellent grades while completing a well-balanced university preparatory program.

In addition, AUC considers the personal qualities of applicants - how well they have taken advantage of available resources, whether they have faced and withstood unusual adversity, and the extent to which they show promise as a contributing member of the AUC community. The University also considers applicants’ personal achievements outside the classroom as demonstrated by sustained participation, commitment, and leadership in school and community activities.

All new undergraduate students who apply as degree students and non-degree students must provide evidence of academic English proficiency with the admission application. The University does not exempt applicants from this requirement solely on the basis of citizenship or graduation from an English-medium secondary school.

Applicants that satisfy one or more of the following criteria qualify for exemption:

• Satisfactory scores on appropriate standardized tests including the SAT, the ACT and College Board Advanced Placement tests
• Successful completion of one or more non-remedial academic writing course in a post secondary institution whose English language admission requirements are the same as those of AUC
• Successful completion of English-medium secondary school coursework and examinations that qualify for advanced placement including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
• Recent Academic IELTS or TOEFL scores are required of an applicant who does not attend an English Language university or who has attended less than three semesters at a university where the language of instruction is English

Students in the following programs are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement:

• Study abroad applicants from English-medium universities
• Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) students
• Arabic Language Institute (ALI) students. While the submission of English proficiency test results are not required, you must be able to read and write in English to study at the Arabic Language Institute.

Applicants not exempted must submit recent official test results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS). Tests must be completed no more than two years prior to the first day of the term for which applicants are applying for admission.

The University determines English Language placement using applicants’ highest score on the TOEFL or Academic IELTS. AUC may offer applicants that do not qualify for the Rhetoric and Composition the opportunity to enroll in AUC’s Intensive English Program (IEP) or Academic English for Freshmen (

The most important criterion for admission to AUC is demonstrated sustained academic achievement. The undergraduate admission application review process at the University requires evidence of successful completion of an accredited secondary school program, as well as success in collegiate studies (if applicants have enrolled in a post-secondary program). The quality of work, appropriateness of program, and academic standing among peers are also important considerations. Applicants who have selected a rigorous academic program and who have achieved distinction in a range of academic courses are the most likely candidates to receive an offer of admission.

The University’s most qualified candidates have earned excellent grades in their courses. When determining admission, the University considers a combination of factors including academic program, grades and test scores, as well as diversified background, and participation in extracurricular activities. The vast majority of those applying to AUC are capable of succeeding scholastically at the University. Many more academically qualified students apply for admission than there is room available. The University’s task is not simply to select those who are qualified, but to identify those who have distinguished themselves. Applications submitted beyond the deadline dates will be wait listed and may be considered pending space availability only.

Admission applicants must submit all required application materials to be considered for admission. The current Undergraduate Admission Application booklet lists the specific documents that applicants must submit to complete the application. The information is also available on the World Wide Web at: www.aucegypt.edu/admissions

Minimum requirements for first-year applicants: AUC’s minimum requirements for first-year applicants vary by the type of secondary program. Because of the large number of qualified applicants, those offered admission generally score well above the following minimums:

• Egyptian Thanawiya Amma - Arts, or Science (General Secondary School Certificate). Submit the results of  the final sitting of the Thanawiya Amma. Applicants must earn at least 70 percent on the final sitting to be considered for admission.
• Thanawiya Amma from Arab countries - Arts, or Science (General Secondary School Certificate). Submit the results of the final sitting of the Thanawiya Amma. Applicants must earn at least 75 percent on the final sitting to be considered for admission.
• British Certificate: Submit eight GCE/GCSE/IGCSE subjects. Applicants who have completed Advanced/Advanced Supplementary level subjects and have earned excellent grades are given preference. Grades ‘A to C’ are accepted at the Ordinary and Advanced Supplementary levels. Grade ‘D’ is accepted at the Advanced level only. Subjects completed at the Advanced and Advanced Supplementary level are not double counted. Applicants must submit all certificates to the University. However, AUC utilizes only the best eight subjects during the admission evaluation process.
• American High School. Complete a college preparatory program of courses and earn a high school diploma with at least a 2.0 (on a four-point scale) grade point average in academic courses. The estimated SAT-I composite cut-off score for Fall 2014 and spring 2015 was 1400 or comparable ACT scores. Students are encouraged to complete a well balanced university preparatory program that includes:

o Three years of mathematics including algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
o Two years of a second modern language.
o Two years of a laboratory science.
o Three years of social sciences.
o One year of fine arts course work and training.
o A program of physical and health education

Applicants who have attended an accredited high school for less than three semesters must also submit official results in SAT-II in two subjects with a total score of 1100 and a minimum score of 500 on each subject.

Applicants who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams (results issued by the College Board) may be granted transfer credit.

• International Baccalaureate. Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.
• Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (German Secondary Certificate). Complete Gymnasium or high school and submit Abitur results. The academic average is a minimum of four.
• Baccalaureate de l’Enseignement Secondaire (French Secondary School series L, S or ES). Complete the French Baccalaureate with an academic average of at least passable.
• Canadian certificates.
• Other Programs and Certificates - complete a rigorous university preparatory secondary education program.

Medical Examination

A recent medical report stating that the student is physically and mentally capable of doing university work should be submitted with the application.

Medical Insurance for Non-Egyptian Applicants

It is recommended that non-Egyptian students have health and accident insurance which will cover them while they are in Egypt. In addition, all non-Egyptian students are required to enroll in the medical insurance service plan offered by the American University in Cairo which provides for limited care at a specified hospital in Cairo. Exemptions are made only for those non-Egyptian students who reside in Cairo with their families, or who are provided for by their companies, embassies or sponsoring agencies in Cairo. The medical service fee is announced by the Office of Student Financial Affairs every year.

Applicants who have attempted post-secondary school studies of an advanced-level subjects or at a university level during or following their secondary school program are transfer applicants. These students are classified as follows:

Lower Division Transfer Student (LDTS)
A lower division transfer student is an applicant with less than 60 transferable units (with a minimum grade of C in each subject). A transfer applicant will be held to the same standards as a “first time freshman.” In addition, applicants must be in good academic standing at all previously attended universities and have an overall university grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. Admission is based on the available places and the student academic performance.

Upper Division Transfer Student (UDTS)
An upper division transfer student is an applicant who is evaluated at the admission stage to have 60 or more eligible credits for transfer consideration (with a minimum grade of C in each subject). However, beyond the admissions stage, the number of transfer credit that will be granted to this applicant will be subject to the academic department’s evaluation and decision. Applicants in this category must have a 2.00 average or higher in all transferable college course work in order to be admitted. Although each applicant in this category is required to have earned a secondary school certificate, the grade point average (GPA) of this certificate will not be considered a factor in the admissions process.

A transfer student is not guaranteed acceptance into his/her current major. Admission to the same major is ultimately decided upon by the School Dean.

The University awards transfer credit for coursework completed at post secondary institution and/or advanced level subjects completed within the certificates mentioned below. Transfer credit is granted for coursework that is comparable in nature, scope, content, and depth; in addition to the appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned to the courses at AUC. Studies completed more than five years prior to matriculation into the university are not transferable. The University awards transfer credit to two categories of students:

1. Applicants who are transferring from accredited post-secondary institutions and have taken courses at the university level. The university awards transfer credit to students who complete coursework in fields of study that are comparable to those offered by AUC, with a minimum grade of “C” from institutions operating in the USA, a minimum grade of “Good” from the National Universities of Egypt, and equivalent grade to a “C” (at AUC) from other institutions. The determination of transfer credit award occurs following the submission of an official academic transcript, the university catalog, as well as required course-related materials. Internships, Occupational, vocational, remedial coursework, and studies classified as less than first-year (Freshman) level by the sending institution or AUC are not transferable. Credits earned to satisfy the requirements of a previous degree are not considered for transfer credit.

The transferable coursework must have been completed at post-secondary institutions that are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, and/or the Supreme Council of Universities, depending on the country in which the institution is operation. Post-secondary institutions in the United States must be accredited by one of the following six “Regional Accrediting Organizations”:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Higher Learning Commission
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

2. Applicants who have completed collegiate-level studies, prior to matriculation into the university, with a grade that is comparable to at least a “B” at AUC.

The following is the policy applied in relation to the different certificates:

o International Baccalaureate Diploma/Certificate

The University grants up to 30 transfer credit for the IB Diploma as follows:

• Transfer credits for higher level academic subjects with grade of five, six or seven (out of seven).
• Up to 15 credits of lower-division general elective transfer credit for the completion of the IB Diploma with a minimum total point of 30.

The AUC does not grant transfer credit for subsidiary level subjects.

o The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations.
The University grants transfer credits for academic subjects with scores of four or five (out of five).

o German Secondary School Certificate-Abitur
The University grants up to 30 transfer credits for academic subjects with scores of ten or more (out of 15).

o French Baccalaureat II
The University grants up to 30 transfer credits for academic subjects with advanced level scores of 14 or more (out of 20).

o British Certificates (GCE Advanced Level)
The University grants transfer credits for A-level subjects with grades of “A” or “B”. The University does not grant transfer credit for subjects completed at the AS, AO, or O’ levels.

The University transfers a maximum of 36 hours of semester credit from other post-secondary institutions after students enroll at AUC. The University awards a maximum of 12 credit hours for coursework completed in any one summer. (Students may not enroll in more than 12 credits in any one summer, AUC summer courses included.) The University transfers a maximum of nine credits for courses completed through correspondence and/or distance learning following matriculation. Students may not enroll in correspondence courses offered by other institutions during academic terms in which they are registered for courses at AUC. 

AUC students who withdraw from the University in good standing and subsequently wish to return after an absence of one or more semesters may apply for readmission. Readmission is offered on a space-available basis and is not guaranteed. Selected applicants must submit recent TOEFL or Academic IELTS results with their readmission application.

English Level at Time of Withdrawal		Lapse of Time		TOEFL/IELTS Required
Successfully completed RHET 201, RHET 2010 , RHET 1020		Less than 24 months		No
		More than 24 months		Yes
Enrolled in ENGL 0210    , or RHET 101 or RHET 1000 , RHET 1010  & CORE 1010  (Tandem Sections)		Less than 6 months		No
RHET 102, RHET 1100  (RHET 1010  Stand alone section) or RHET 201, RHET 2010  , RHET 1020		Between 6-12 months		Optional
Enrolled in IEP		Less than 6 months		No
Enrolled in IEP, ENGL 0210    , or RHET 101, RHET 1000  , RHET 1010 ), RHET102, RHET 1100   (RHET 1010  Stand alone section) or RHET 201, RHET 2010 , RHET 1020 )		More than 12 months		Yes

Degree-seeking students at other recognized institutions who wish to augment their education by enrolling for a period of time at the American University in Cairo are invited to apply for admission as visiting Study Abroad/Non-Degree students. Such students pay regular AUC fees in U.S. dollars.

Since AUC is both a US-accredited institution, and one recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in Egypt, students from most universities around the world are able to transfer credits earned at AUC to their home institutions.

Study Abroad/Non-Degree applicants must submit application materials that include post-secondary school transcripts, letters of reference, and a study plan approved by their home university to AUC’s New York office. The current Study Abroad/ Non-Degree Application Booklet lists application deadlines and the specific documents that applicants must submit to complete their application. The information is also available on the AUC website at: www.aucegypt.edu/admissions

Upon request, the university may approve a change of status from Non-Degree to degree seeking. The student should file an undergraduate application in the Admission office and submit all the relevant documents. Courses taken in undergraduate non-degree status are then transferred to the degree record and all grades are considered when calculating the grade point average.

Individuals who wish to attend individual classes without credit may apply as auditors. Auditors are not eligible to sit for final examinations, receive academic credit, or enrollment certification from the University. Permission to audit is granted on a space-available basis. Auditors generally enroll during the late registration period after other students have had an opportunity to register. Auditors are not allowed to enroll in language courses.

The Department of Arabic Language Instruction is one of the most respected Arabic language study programs in the world. The department offers intensive programs beginning three times each year that range in length from eight weeks to one or more years. It also offers courses to fulfill the Arabic Language requirements of undergraduates at AUC. The department’s world-class faculty teaches classes in Modern Standard Arabic, Classical Arabic, and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. The department’s programs culminate in certificates of achievement recognized around the world.

The Department of Arabic Language Instruction applicants submit completed application forms, as well as other materials specified in the current Undergraduate Admission Application booklet. The information is also available on the internet at: www.aucegypt.edu/huss/ali/Pages/default.aspx
Students registered to the ALIN wishing to change their program to AUC undergraduate, graduate and non-degree programs have to satisfy the admission requirements listed in the catalog for these programs.

All non-Thanawiya Amma students should sit for an Arabic placement exam, administered by the ALNG Unit, to determine the Arabic language course level they must register for. According to the exam results, students may be exempted or required to take one or two Arabic language courses (3 or 6 credits).

Non-degree and study abroad students sit for an Arabic placement exam if they are registering for an Arabic course higher than ALNG 1101 or ALNG 1501.