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Pacific Lutheran University

Apply to PLU

First-Year Students

Admission Requirements

PLU welcomes applications from students who exhibit capacities for success at the university level. Admission to PLU is competitive. We look for students who:

Each application is reviewed based on grade point average, class rank, transcript patterns, standardized test scores, personal essay, and an academic recommendation.

Applications for admission are evaluated without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabling conditions, financial resources or any other status protected by law.

Standardized Tests

Freshman applicants will need to take either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). To be eligible for all PLU scholarships, you will want to take the test by November of your senior year. For more information about these standardized tests, see your high school college counselor. To have your scores sent directly to PLU from a testing agency, please use the following codes: SAT: 4597, ACT: 4470.

Required Prep Courses
  • Mathematics - Two years of college prep math with an average grade of C or higher
  • Foreign Language - Two years of the same language with an average grade of C or higher. If you are deficient in the math or foreign language entrance requirements, but are admissible by all other criteria, you may still be offered admission. You will be required to complete the deficiencies during your first year at PLU.
  • English - Four years
  • Social Studies - Two years
  • Laboratory Science - Two years
  • Visual or Performing Arts - One year
  • Electives - Three years (selected from the areas listed above, as well as courses in keyboarding, computer science, speech and debate)
  • English Preparation - For international students who have met the academic requirements for the university, but whose English needs improving. Learn more »
Advanced Credit Policies

If you have participated in Washington State Running Start, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, you may be eligible for college credit. PLU accepts Running Start credits as college credits, and awards up to 30 semester hours for AP and IB exam results. Advanced credit policies »

Freshman Admission

PLU follows a rolling admissions policy. Freshman applicants may apply after completing their junior year in high school. Notification begins October 1 for fall applicants. For optimal financial aid awarding, all application materials should be postmarked by January 31. Regents’, President’s and Artistic Achievement scholarships require earlier submission of materials.

Weighted GPA

When reviewing applications of prospective freshmen, PLU computes an “Admissions GPA” for the applicant. The Admissions GPA weights classes that are identified on the high school transcript as International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, or Accelerated. This weighted GPA will be used throughout the admissions, financial aid, and scholarship process. If the applicant’s high school produces their own weighted GPA, the admissions office will use the better of the two. The maximum GPA for PLU admissions and financial aid purposes is 4.00.

Transfer Students

At PLU, Transfer Students are not only welcome they are considered an important part of the campus community. Transfer students are valued for the wealth of experience and diversity they bring to campus. In fact, each year more than 300 students transfer to PLU.

Test Scores and GPA

Transfer students are those who come to PLU from other regionally accredited colleges or universities. To be considered for admission to PLU transfer students need to have at least a 2.50 gpa (on a 4.0 scale) with at least 30 semester hours of college level, academic coursework from an accredited institution. Transfer students who wish to apply for admission with less than 30 semester hours of transferable credit need to submit their SAT or ACT scores. Transfer students who have taken the GED need to submit those scores in place of high school transcripts.

Direct Transfer Agreement

Transfer students who have completed an appropriate associates degree from one of the 29 Washington state community colleges enter PLU with junior standing. They also are given credit for having satisfied all core and general university requirements except for four semester hours in religion, and four semester hours in diversity which must be taken at PLU. Transfer students who have not completed an associates degree or who seek to transfer from institutions other than Washington state community colleges will have their transcripts evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine the number of transferable credits and transfer GPA.

For a list of the Direct Transfer Agreement Associate Degrees, click here.

Transfer Equivalency Guides

PLU accepts course work from other accredited institutions. Some of those courses transfer as general elective credit while others transfer in as an equivalent to a specific PLU course. Contact the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar for information about transferring courses from four-year institutions. For information about transferring coursework from community colleges in the state of Washington refer to the Transfer Equivalency Guide.

Financial Aid

A PLU education not only offers transfer students an effective liberal arts curriculum that provides excellent professional preparation but it also provides an education that increases in value over time. PLU provides students with the tools to get a job and the ability to make a difference in whatever career they choose. To that end, PLU offers a competitive financial aid package based on a combination of need, merit and talent.

All students who apply to PLU are encouraged to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA should be completed in the month of January prior to the Fall semester for which a student seeks admission.

For more information about Financial Aid, click here.

Graduate Students

Application and Forms

Apply On-line
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Apply by Mail
Download the graduate application »

Forms

Graduate admission to the PLU graduate programs is competitive. Each program selects candidates based on a variety of criteria and approach that are date specific. If you have questions about the application process or priority dates contact the Office of Admission at 253-535-7151 or 800-274-6758. You can also contact the respective program advisors for more information.

To apply for graduate studies, follow the instructions for you intended program:

Send your application materials to:

PLU Office of Admission
Tacoma, WA 98447-0003

International Students

Known internationally for having diverse academic programs and personal interaction with professors, PLU has more than 3,500 students and 250 faculty (a 15:1 ratio). Each year more than 150 international students come to PLU to continue their study. At PLU, fellow students become both friends and collaborators; professors become both teachers and mentors.

Application Check-list

To complete your international application, complete each of the following items, if you have questions you may contact the PLU Office of Admission online or by calling us at 1-253-535-7140.

  • Fill out the application
  • Submit an essay
  • Submit one letter of recommendation
  • Send official transcripts translated to English from all schools you've attended (upper secondary and any schools you are currently attending)
  • Pay the $40(U.S.) application fee (unless you apply online)
  • Complete the Declaration of Finances form
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores if your first language is other than English
  • Copy of your passport photopage
Application for English language support

If you need to improve your English before starting University classes, apply through the PLU English Transition Program.

Application Timeline
  • July 1 Application due for the fall semester
  • December 1 Application due for the spring semester
Financial Aid

You can afford PLU! Competitive and comprehensive financial aid packages are available for international students. Visit the scholarships and grants page to learn more about:

  • The International Student Grant
  • The Americas Grant
  • The Nordic Student Grant
  • The Opportunity Grant
 
Success beyond the bottom line

PLU graduates students who define success beyond a bottom line – who make a difference in the world.

In a recent study 63 percent of graduates from smaller universities like PLU said their college experience helped them develop as a leader, and 76 percent said such universities helped them develop a purpose in life.