First-Year Admission

Admission Decision Priority Dates

PLU has four admission decision dates – October 15, November 15, December 15, and January 15. If you complete your application materials prior to one of these dates, you can expect an admission decision and notification of academic scholarship eligibility prior to the next decision date.

Can you still apply after January 15?

Yes! Applications completed after January 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application Checklist

Undergraduate Application

Apply via the Common App. It is free to apply to PLU!

Personal Essay

The essay should be at least 250 words.

Official Transcripts

Send in official transcripts from all high school and college coursework. When reviewing applications, PLU computes an “admission GPA” for the applicant. Check out the weighted GPA section below.

*PLU does not require tests. You may decide for yourself whether you wish to have your ACT or SAT test scores considered as part of your application.

*Academic Recommendation(s) are optional. You may decide for yourself if you want to include an academic recommendation as part of your application.

Once you’ve submitted your Common Application, you can check on the status of each checklist item through your student applicant portal.

Admission Criteria

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

  • Demonstrate success in a challenging college preparatory curriculum
  • Desire academic and personal challenges
  • Communicate clearly
  • Exhibit leadership and service in their community, church or school
  • Will share unique or special talents

Each application is reviewed based on grade point average, transcript patterns and personal essay, as well as commitment and leadership as showcased in the activity section of the Common App.

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.

Weighted GPA

When reviewing applications of prospective first year students, PLU computes an “admission GPA” for the applicant. The admission GPA weights classes that are identified on the high school transcript as International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge, Honors, or Advanced (with the exception of Advanced Algebra, which will not be weighted).

This weighted GPA will be used throughout the admission, financial aid, and scholarship process. If the applicant’s high school produces their own weighted GPA, the admission office will use the better of the two. The maximum GPA for PLU admission and financial aid purposes is 4.50.

College-level Credit Policies

If you have taken AP, IB, or Cambridge exams, or have participated in the Washington State Running Start or other college in the high school programs, you may be eligible for college credit.

College-level Credit Policies
Business Direct Admission

The PLU School of Business offers direct admission to its nationally ranked program. Unlike many other universities, which require a separate application to their business school, your application to PLU is also your application for direct admission to business.

Learn more about Business Direct Admission
Education Direct Admission

The PLU School of Education offers direct admission to its program, one of the most respected in the region. Unlike many other universities, which require a separate application to their teacher education program, your application to PLU is also your application for direct admission to education.

Learn more about Education Direct Admission
Computer Science Direct Admission

PLU’s Computer Science Department offers direct admission to its excellent program. PLU Computer Science is not an impacted major and does not require a separate application to enter the program – your application to PLU is also your application for direct admission to computer science.

Learn more about Computer Science Direct Admission
Nursing Direct Admission

The PLU Nursing program does not require a separate application. The application to PLU is also your application for direct admission to Nursing. If selected, you will be guaranteed admission (after completion of several academic requirements) to PLU's BSN program starting your third year.

Learn More About Nursing Direct Admission
International Honors Program

For students in any major, the International Honors Program is a rigorous alternative to the General Education Program, and is designed for independently-motivated students with an interest in pursuing their studies in a global context. The IHON application priority date is February 15.

Learn more about IHON

Connect with us on ZeeMee

ZeeMee is the social community for students to connect around their college interests. You can meet other students considering PLU, ask counselors and current students any questions you have, and get the latest videos of life on campus.