Admission

California Lutheran University seeks students who possess qualities of intellect and character, which will enable them to benefit from and contribute to the university community. Cal Lutheran does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation, age, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, or disability in the admission of students or awarding of financial aid.

Cal Lutheran does not endorse nor conduct fraudulent or aggressive recruitment techniques or misrepresent the university, our mission or programs. We do not provide commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly upon success in securing domestic enrollments or the award of financial aid to any individual or entity engaged in any recruitment or admission activities or in making decisions about awarding institutional aid. We meet all requirements consistent with those issued by the U. S. Department of Education.

Information on the university, its curriculum and programs, and admission and financial aid can be accessed online at www.CalLutheran.edu/admission.

Admission of First-Year Students

Students accepted for admission to Cal Lutheran should have completed a college preparatory program with above-average achievement. The following high school course pattern is strongly recommended: four years of English, three of mathematics (through Algebra II), two of foreign language, two of social studies and two of lab science.

In addition to the measurement of achievement and aptitude as indicated on transcripts and test scores, other factors considered in the admission process include: recommendations; excellence in co-curricular activities; high achievement in the visual or performing arts; and initiative and seriousness of purpose as evidenced through work, travel experiences or contributions to home, church, community and school.

Admission of Transfer Students

Cal Lutheran welcomes high school graduates who wish to transfer after completing work at another accredited two or four year postsecondary college or university. Admission will be based upon the quality of previous work attempted.

It is recommended that transfer applicants have completed a minimum of two semesters of full-time academic study (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours), maintain a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative transferable GPA, and completed Freshman English Composition and Intermediate Algebra (or higher) with grades of C or better. In addition, transfer applicants must be in good standing at their previous institution.

If the transfer applicant’s record is deficient in meeting the recommended admission standards, the Admission Committee may require further evidence of the applicant’s ability to complete a program successfully. Transfer applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours will be required to provide an official high school transcript that includes their final grades and a date of graduation.

Application Procedures for First-Year and Transfer Students

International students should follow the procedures listed below, as well as any additional requirements that are listed under “Admission of International Students.”

1. Application for Admission

Students should complete an application for admission (including essay) through the Common Application with the nonrefundable $25 application fee (first-year applicants only). Application deadlines are listed below.

For First-Year Applicants:
Deadline to apply for Spring Semester Entry: October 15
Deadline to apply for Early Action (Fall Semester Entry): November 15
Deadline to apply for Regular Decision (Fall Semester Entry): January 15

For Transfer Applicants:
Deadline to apply for Spring Semester Entry: October 15
Deadline to apply for Priority Fall Semester Entry: March 15
Deadline to apply for Regular Admission for Fall Semester Entry: June 15

2. Transcripts

First-year applicants must provide an official high school transcript that includes their most recently completed coursework and grades. In addition, if a first-year applicant completed courses at a college or university, all official college or university transcripts must be submitted for review. Admitted first-year applicants who enroll at Cal Lutheran are required to provide an updated official high school transcript that includes their final grades and a date of graduation prior to the start of classes.

Transfer applicants must provide an official transcript from each college or university attended. Transfer applicants with less than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours will be required to provide an official high school transcript that includes their final grades and a date of graduation.

To confirm validity, the Office of Undergraduate admission will only accept official transcripts that come directly from the applicant’s attended high school, college, or university though one of the following methods:

• Electronic transfer: from verified secure transcript service platforms that are formally linked to the sending institution, including Parchment and the National Clearinghouse.

• Direct mail: must arrive in a sealed envelope, printed on the school’s official letterhead, and include a signature from a school official.

First-year or transfer applicants who do not possess a high school diploma can be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis if they prove meeting the equivalency of high school graduation by providing:

• A General Education Development (GED) Certificate; and

• A State certificate or transcript received after passing a State-authorized examination (e.g., the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).

U.S. federal government regulations on financial aid awarding require that a transcript showing proof of high school graduation or the equivalent be sent to Cal Lutheran before enrolling.

3. Test Scores

Cal Lutheran accepts standardized test score results from the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants, and will consider the results in the application review process. First-year applicants have the option for their application to be considered as Test-Optional, meaning they can be considered for admission and scholarships without submitting ACT or SAT scores. Applicants are allowed to change their status to/from Test-Optional up until the official review of their application has begun.

English Proficiency exam scores may be required of international applicants (see “Admission of International Students”).

Arrangements to take any of these tests or order additional score reports can be made by contacting:  

SAT - www.collegeboard.org
866-630-9305

ACT - www.act.org
319-337-1000

TOEFL - www.toefl.org
IELTS - www.ielts.org

Duolingo - www.englishtest.duolingo.com

PTE - www.pearsonpte.com

4. Recommendations

For First-Year Applicants:
Must submit one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher, principal, or guidance counselor.

For Transfer Applicants:
Must submit a recommendation from a college professor or counselor.

5. Additional Information

In addition to the required essay, personal information (excluding information pertaining to certified learning, physical or other disabilities protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act) that may have affected the applicant’s previous academic performance may be included with the application or discussed personally with a Cal Lutheran admission counselor.

6. Notification of Admission Decisions

For First-Year applicants:
Cal Lutheran offers a nonbinding Early Action Plan whereby students completing applications by November 15 will be notified by mid-January. Students who have their application complete by the Regular Decision deadline of January 15 will be notified by April 1. Students who complete their files after January 15 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

For Transfer Applicants:
Transfer applicants who submit all required application materials by the Priority Transfer Deadline of March 15, will be notified by April 30. Transfer applications received between March 16 and the June 15 Transfer deadline will be notified within four weeks of submitting all required application materials. Students who complete their files after June 15 are reviewed on a space-available basis.

Accepted students are asked to submit a nonrefundable $450 enrollment deposit no later than May 1 to secure their place in the class. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Terms of Admission

By applying for admission to California Lutheran University, applicants certify that the information they provide in their applications is their own work and, to the best of their knowledge, is complete and accurate. All offers of admission are conditional, pending receipt of official final transcripts showing work that is comparable in quality to that which the offer of admission was based on. The university reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission under certain circumstances, including but not limited to:

• If there is a significant drop in academic performance, a failure to graduate (in the applicant's current program), or a failure to satisfy a prerequisite or condition of admission;

• If there has been a misrepresentation in or a violation of any of the terms of the application process; or

• Discovery of conduct by the applicant that is inconsistent with California Lutheran University’s mission and values, including its commitment to build a nurturing and inclusive community.

All information submitted during the application process, including the application, the personal essays, any supplements, and any other supporting materials will become property of California Lutheran University and will not be returned to applicants or forwarded to third parties.

Admission of International Students

The credentials of an international undergraduate applicant — any student who does not hold a U.S. passport or a permanent resident visa (green card) for the United States — are evaluated in accordance with the general regulations governing admission.

Each student is required to submit to the Office of Undergraduate Admission an application, official English certified transcripts, personal essay, letter of recommendation and proof of English proficiency. SAT/ACT examination results are optional. 

Applicants from countries whose primary language is not English are required to take any one of the following English language exams: Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 110; Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum Internet-based score of 79; the International English Language test (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) with a minimum score of 54. 

Students who successfully complete a designated English language affiliate program, students who studied an American, Canadian or British curriculum high school internationally, or students who have studied in a U.S. high school for four years or have completed two years of English composition at another accredited U.S. college or university may request a waiver of the proof of English proficiency requirement.

In addition, international students who have been admitted to Cal Lutheran must submit proof of sufficient funds to meet their educational expenses while studying at Cal Lutheran before a Form I-20 can be issued. The Certificate of Financial Support should be submitted, with appropriate financial documents, to meet both Cal Lutheran and U.S. federal government requirements of proof of financial status for international students.

Deferral Policy

Cal Lutheran’s offer of admission is valid for the semester the applicant has applied for. The university does not allow students to defer admission to a future term. Previously admitted students have up to a year to reactivate their original application. Updated transcripts are required for new coursework that has been completed. Reactivated applications are considered with a new pool of applicants so a different admission decision could be reached. If admitted again, the university will attempt to match the student's original financial aid offer. If it has been more than a year since the original offer of admission, or if the previously admitted student enrolled full-time at a different institution at any point after being offered admission, a new application will be required.

Readmission of Former Cal Lutheran Students

A current Cal Lutheran student who has not been enrolled in classes for two or more consecutive semesters and who wishes to return must apply for readmission through the Registrar’s Office of Academic Services.

If the student has attended any other colleges or universities during the absence from Cal Lutheran, an official transcript (showing good standing) must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for review, along with the Readmit Interest Form. A student’s financial aid package, including scholarships, is subject to review upon readmission to the university. 

Students readmitted to the university may complete requirements under the Cal Lutheran catalog in effect at the time of initial attendance if they have both criteria: 1) two or less courses to complete in their major and 2) the original start term is within 10 years of the readmit date. For separation of more than two years, the catalog in effect at the time of readmission will be applicable.

Readmission of Service Members

As a Yellow Ribbon university, Cal Lutheran is committed to making a quality education possible for our military members. Cal Lutheran acknowledges that our students who are active duty U.S. Military service members may be required to take a leave of absence for military service. In accordance with federal regulations (CFR) 34, 668.18, California Education Code 66023 and the Federal Register CFR 34, section 668.18, Cal Lutheran will promptly readmit a service member to the academic program that was interrupted due to military service obligation.

Eligibility

The readmission policy applies to servicemembers who perform service in the uniformed services, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under Federal authority (but not State authority), for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. The cumulative length of absence due to military service may not exceed five years.

Tuition and Fees

A returning student who is eligible for service member readmission will be charged the same tuition and fees that were in effect during the academic year that the student last attended, unless veteran or military education benefits will pay the higher tuition and fees that other students in the program are paying in the current academic year. In subsequent years or for a different program, tuition and fees will be assessed at the same rate that other students in the program are charged.

Procedures and Requirements

An eligible service member must submit a leave of absence form with documentation verifying active service in advance as possible to the Registrar’s Office. Notification to the Veteran Resource Office is recommended.

Returning students who have been in absence for greater than one year should contact the Graduate Admission Office to complete a readmission application. Students returning from a leave of absence of less than one year are not required to submit a readmission application but will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to reactivate their student status. After reactivation, students should contact their program director or specialist for course registration advisement, and contact the Veteran Resource Office to complete benefits certification.

Readmission will apply to the next available class(es) for the program in which the service member was originally admitted to. Some circumstances may require Cal Lutheran to admit the service member at a later date. Cal Lutheran will make all reasonable efforts to admit and prepare the servicemember to resume the program at the next available term. 

The service member will be readmitted with the same academic status as they had when last attending the university to the program under which he/she was originally admitted unless the program is no longer offered. In such cases, Cal Lutheran will make every reasonable effort to admit the student into the most similar program.

Per federal regulations, the readmission of service members policy does not apply to returning students who have been discharged from the Armed Forces, including National Guard or Reserve, due to dishonorable or bad conduct. Service members who have received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge and have not been actively enrolled for more than a year may apply for readmission to the university without the benefits outlined in this policy.

Minimum Age Requirement

Any student seeking admission to the institution must possess a high school diploma, or equivalent, and meet a minimum age of 16 by the time of enrollment at the institution. 

In cases where an applicant is or will be age 16 at the time of enrollment, the Admission Committee reserves the right to require an admission interview, as well as request up to three (3) Letters of Recommendation in total from academic sources. 

Consideration is based upon the judgment of the Admission Committee as to the likelihood of academic preparedness and success for undergraduate study at the institution.

Admission as a Non-degree Student

Individuals not interested in pursuing a degree may be admitted as non-degree-seeking students. This student is not a candidate for a degree from Cal Lutheran but may enroll in courses for credit. They may subsequently become a candidate for a degree by successfully completing the standard undergraduate admission process. Non-degree students are not eligible for Cal Lutheran financial assistance and must submit payment for the class (on a per-credit basis) prior to registering for their class(es). A maximum of 12 units may be taken at Cal Lutheran under this status. Non-degree students may not enroll in an Independent Study or Internship.

High school students of superior ability may also apply for enrollment into selected courses as a non-degree seeking student. High school students must submit the inquiry form for non-degree status along with consent and recommendation of a high school counselor or teacher. Course availability for high school students will be determined by the Registrar's Office through instructor approval.

(International non-degree students may not attend Cal Lutheran for more than two semesters and must be full-time students.) 

The inquiry form for non-degree status is available on the Registrar website.

Admission of Homeschooled Students

Applications for admission from students who are enrolled in a homeschool program will be evaluated the same as applicants from a traditional school program. Homeschooled applicants who completed courses outside of their homeschool program must provide official copies of the transcripts from all schools attended. Additional supporting documents and information may be requested by Cal Lutheran to assist in the evaluation of homeschool applicants, including:

• External assessment such as standardized test results (ACT or SAT), AP/IB test results, university level course work, high school equivalency test results

• Completion of an Admission Interview with a Cal Lutheran admission counselor

• A curriculum synopsis of courses included on the homeschool transcript, including a brief description of each course

• Textbook information listed by course

• Detailed description of how the student completed the natural science laboratory requirement

• A General Education Development (GED) Certificate; and 

• A State certificate or transcript received after passing a State-authorized examination (e.g., the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).

Placement and Advanced Credit Standing

Students may petition for placement or credit in subjects in which they may have established college-level competence. Methods of challenging include end-of-course examinations, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), standardized tests approved by individual departments, GCE A-Level Examinations, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examinations.

A maximum of 32 credits by exam may be applied to the degree; eight upper-division units can be included in this total.

GCE A-Level Examinations (A-Levels)

Cal Lutheran recognizes the quality of A-Level courses and examinations. Transfer credits may be awarded based on a review of the student's official score report.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Cal Lutheran recognizes the quality of the International Baccalaureate program and awards up to four semester hours of credit for each Higher Level (HL) examination score of 4 or higher. Standard Level (SL) examinations will not be considered for credit.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Students who have taken an advanced placement course of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) in their secondary school and who have taken the Advanced Placement Examination of CEEB may receive credit. The credit awarded depends on the score a student receives and the subject in which the exam was taken. When official scores are received by the university directly from CEEB, credit is awarded as indicated in the shaded AP area.

Advanced Placement Credit