Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to PLU
When is your application deadline?
There is no deadline. The priority date is May 1 for admission to the fall semester, and December 1 for admission to the spring semester.
What are your application requirements?
You can find an application, as well as all the details, at the international application page. In general, the requirements are:
- 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)
- Complete the Declaration of Finances form
- TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores, or other proof of English language proficiency, if your first language is other than English
- Copy of your passport photo page
What are your English proficiency requirements?
In order to enroll in PLU academic courses, you must meet PLU’s general English proficiency requirement through one of the following means:
- TOEFL: 79
- TOEFL ITP Plus for China: CEFR Level C1
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE: 56
- Duolingo English Test: 105
- Completion of one College level English class w/ B or better (Semester System)
- Completion of two College level English classes w/ B or better (Quarter System)
- SAT (English): 500
- ACT (English): 21
- GCE O-Level (English): B
- Completion of PLU International Pathway Program
- Completion of pre-approved non-PLU ESL program (CEFR B2 Level)
- A secondary school diploma from an institution in Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland) and Netherlands (with a high school English score of 7 or higher).
- A secondary school diploma from an institution in the United States, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Fiji , Gibraltar, Grenada , Guyana, Malta , Montserrat, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Vanuatu where English is the general medium of instruction.
- Official documentation from the applicant’s secondary diploma granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed in the two bullet points above) verifying that all instruction is in English may be accepted on a case by case basis upon review by your PLU admission counselor. A minimum of two years of enrollment at the institution is required. Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- Official or attested letter from the school principal, guidance counselor, English Teacher, Registrar or Controller of Examinations office.
- Official transcripts, attested mark sheets or diploma statements are also accepted if English is stated as the medium of instruction.
Do I have to take SAT/ACT?
No, but if you have a good score you may be qualify for a better scholarship.
Do I need to take TOEFL?
You will need to take some English proficiency test if your first language is other than English. A waiver is considered if you meet the following requirements:
- If you are attending, or have attended, a U.S. college/university
- If you are attending, or have attended, a U.S. high school
- If you are attending, or have attended, a school where English is the medium of instruction
What are the minimum admission requirements?
There is no minimum GPA to be accepted to PLU. Minimum grade point averages for acceptance to PLU may vary, depending on the applicant’s country of origin. For other test scores, the minimum score is:
- 79 TOEFL (a higher score might be required for some graduate programs)
- 6.5 IELTS
- 56 PTE
Do you accept my credits for my IB diploma?
Yes, 30 credits.
Do you accept my credits for the last year of my high school?
Yes, 32 credits from Scandinavian countries.
Do I need to submit a bank statement?
Yes, but only after you are admitted to PLU.
How do I apply?
You can apply online, for free. An application, as well as all the details, is at the international apply page.
Where can I get an application?
You can find an application, as well as all the details, at the international apply page.
How do I apply for the nursing program?
PLU provides a special admission process for application to the School of Nursing. It gives a select number of full-time, first-year students conditional admission to the BSN program. The First-Year Undergraduate Application serves as both the application for admission to PLU and to the School of Nursing. To be considered for conditional acceptance, students must indicate “Nursing” as their intended major on the undergraduate application for admission. To find out more, click here.
How do I submit requirements?
E-mail: intl@plu.edu
Fax: 253-536-5136
Mail: PLU Office of Admission, Tacoma, WA, USA 98447
Where do I send my documents?
PLU Office of Admission, Tacoma, WA, USA 98447
Do you offer conditional admission?
Yes. PLU offers conditional admission to applicants who meet all admission requirements except for proof of English language proficiency.
In order to enroll in PLU academic courses, you must meet PLU’s general English proficiency requirement through one of the following means:
- TOEFL 79 (iBT)
- IELTS 6.5
- PTE 56
- Completion of two college level writing classes with B or better at a U.S. community college (quarter system)
- Completion of one college level writing class with B or better at a U.S. community college (semester system)
- Completion of ELS Language Center Level 112
- Completion of Kaplan ESL Advanced Level
- Completion of Embassy CES C1 Advanced Level
What do I write for my essay?
International students respond to the same essay questions as do domestic students. You can find the questions on the international application.
How soon can I know if I have been admitted to PLU?
You will be notified in 1-2 weeks after all requirements are received.
Paying for College
What’s the cost?
Same as domestic students. You can find more information here.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, merit-based scholarships are available. You can find more information about scholarships here.
Do you offer a full tuition waiver?
Yes, although it is very rare to receive a full tuition waiver. To learn more about the Regents’ and President’s scholarships, click here.
Can I get more than one scholarships?
Yes, in some cases.
About PLU
Do you offer online programs?
PLU does not offer online degree programs. The university believes there are unique opportunities to working personally with your professors.
Can I visit the campus? Can I talk to someone on campus?
We encourage all students, when possible, to visit campus and meet with an admission counselor. You can find all of the details here.
What majors are available at PLU?
A list of all the available majors and minors can be found here.
What do I do after being admitted?
Pay $200 (U.S.) deposit to confirm your spot (the same as domestic students). You can find out all of the details here.
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