First Year Admission
Application Dates & Deadlines
JULY
15
Final Application Deadline for Fall 2026
AUGUST
1
Application Opens for Fall 2027
Applications for a Fall 2026 start are now being reviewed on a rolling basis – July 15 is the final application deadline.
Will you be a High School Senior during the 2026-27 academic year (applying for a Fall 2027 start)? The application will re-open for Fall 2027 on August 1, 2026.
Undergraduate Application
Apply via Common App. It is free to apply to PLU!
Personal Essay
The essay should be at least 250 words.
Official Transcripts
Send in official high school transcripts. 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.
*Homeschool Students: Your homeschool transcript must include a GPA to be considered for admission and scholarships.
Once you’ve submitted your Common App, you can check on the status of each checklist item through your PLU 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. The maximum GPA for PLU admission and financial aid purposes is 4.50.
Recommended Prep Courses
- Mathematics – Two years of college prep math (through Algebra 2)
- Foreign Language – Two years of the same language
- English – Four years
- Social Studies – Two years
- Laboratory Science – Two years
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