Homeschooled Students

The American University of Paris welcomes applications from qualified homeschooled students. Homeschooled students should apply using our standard application. Before you begin preparing your application, we encourage you to review our application checklist and standardized testing requirements.

Admission Requirements

Homeschooled students are considered and evaluated for admission using the same criteria as other incoming first-year students. To meet minimum admission requirements, home-schooled students must have achieved the equivalent of a high school degree as dictated by their home state in the United States or in their country or region, whichever applies.

How to apply as a Homeschooled Student

To apply, please submit the following documents:

• Online application form
• Personal statements
• Transcripts. Detailed transcripts similar to those provided for traditionally-schooled students for the past four years.
• Extracurricular activities and work experience
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• English-language test

Homeschool-specific admissions requirements:

• Test scores (SAT or ACT or GED) are required of all home-schooled applicants. For SATs taken prior to 2016, please include your score from the SAT Writing section.
• Written verification from the appropriate school district or by the state Department of Education indicating that the homeschooled education meets the equivalency to what is taught in the high school district and/or what is required in the student’s state.

We reserve the right to request an academic writing sample from any applicant.

Online application form

We offer students two options to apply to the University, both of them online: 

• AUP Application Portal  - €50 application fee
• Common Application - $50 application fee

Personal statements

We ask that you include a personal statement as part of your application; you can upload your essay as part of your online application.

500-word personal statement

In approximately 500 words, in English, please answer one of the following essay questions:

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

300-word supplemental essay

In addition to the essay above, in under 300 words, answer the following:

• What attracts you the most about coming to The American University of Paris and how do you believe the experience of living and studying in Paris will change you?

Official transcript

You must provide detailed transcripts similar to those provided for traditionally-schooled students for the past four years. If you did attend high school or university at any time, please have the institution send your transcript for coursework completed.

In addition, please provide, written verification from the appropriate school district or by the state Department of Education indicating that the homeschooled education meets the equivalency to what is taught in the high school district and/or what is required in the student’s state.

These transcripts must be in English or French, or be accompanied by a certified translation.

Extracurricular activities & work experience

Using the AUP Application Portal you may submit your list of activities and work experience in .pdf format.

In the Common Application use the “Extracurricular Activities & Work Experience” section.

Two letters of recommendation

Please do not present letters written only by people in your household. We need additional objective evaluations from educators who have interacted with you.

Online forms for your recommenders are provided in the AUP Application Portal. In the Common Application, first-year applicants use the School Report and the Teacher Evaluation

English language test

Students must demonstrate sufficient English fluency. If English is not your first language, we require that you submit one of the following tests and that the results be no more than two years old.

To schedule a test in your area, please contact one of these language test organizations (TOEFL and Cambridge English exams are preferred):

• TOEFL - To have your results sent directly, use our institutional code 0866.
• Cambridge English - First, Advanced, or Proficiency level
• TOEIC Listening and Reading - To have your results sent directly, use our institutional code 0866.
• IELTS - Academic Option

The English language test requirement is waived if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You have been living in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the Unites States where you have recently studied in an all-English curriculum for at least two consecutive years.
• The only program you are applying for is AUP’s French Immersion summer program.
• You will complete or have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and will be able to submit your official IB Diploma before the start of the semester.
• You have studied for at least four years in an all-English curriculum in any other country.

We reserve the right to request English test results from any applicant.

Application deadlines

We review completed applications in rounds throughout the year. You’re encouraged to apply early as priority for admission and scholarship is given in earlier rounds. Admissions decisions will only be given after the first round.

Fall Admission

Spring Admission

Get in touch

Please don’t hesitate to request additional information about applying as a homeschooled student.