Apply to PLU | International

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Every year, PLU welcomes international undergraduate and graduate students from over 30 different countries.

First Year Undergraduates

Application information for international students who are coming directly from upper secondary school

Transfer Undergraduates

Application information for international students who are transferring from another college (including American community colleges and other four-year institutions)

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Graduate Admission

Application information for international students who are considering PLU’s graduate (Master’s or Doctorate level) programs

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First Year International Students

Admission Decision Priority Dates

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

Can you still apply after January 15th?

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

Application Checklist

UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION

Students can apply via the Common Application. It is free to apply to PLU!

PERSONAL ESSAY

The essay should be at least 250 words.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Official transcripts must be translated to English from all secondary upper schools you’ve attended.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

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: 115
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 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, the Philippines, 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.

ACADEMIC RECOMMENDATION (Optional)

An academic recommendation is optional. If you choose to include it with your application, the academic recommendation must be from a qualified person familiar with your academic record such as a principal, teacher, or counselor.

*Immigration and Visa Requirements: If you are admitted to PLU, a financial guarantee (bank statement), a copy of passport biographical information page, and $200 enrollment deposit will be required prior to issuing a visa application support document (I-20 or DS-2019).

Once you’ve started your application, you can check on the status of each checklist item through our application 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, 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.

Other Considerations

At PLU, we strive to ensure that all our students are prepared and motivated for the rigors of a U.S. college education. As part of our admissions policy, we do not allow a gap in education of more than two years after the completion of secondary school.

If you have taken a break from your education that exceeds this two-year period and wish to apply to PLU, you must first complete at least one academic year at another accredited college or university. This ensures that you remain academically engaged and prepared for the challenges of university-level coursework.

Test Optional Admission

Because standardized tests do not always accurately reflect academic ability or the potential to be academically successful, and because we practice a holistic review of admission applications, SAT or ACT test scores are no longer a required piece of the application for admission.

International students are strongly encouraged to submit test scores if available. SAT or ACT can be used in place of English Proficiency Exams (see the checklist above). If you decide to apply test optional, you will need to submit a different proof of English proficiency.

Exceptions to test optional:

Homeschooled students are required to submit official ACT or SAT scores, unless they have earned 30 college-level transferable semester credits or 45 college-level transferable quarter credits.
Students from schools with written evaluations rather than grades are required to submit their ACT or SAT scores.
Students planning on applying for Nursing Conditional Admission are strongly encouraged to send in their scores.
Students interested in teaching (including Education majors) may want to send in their scores, which can be used for the basic skills admission requirement by the state to get into a teacher program.

How do I apply as test optional? The Common Application will ask if you wish to have your test scores considered as part of your application. If you select “no, I prefer to apply test optional”, you will be reviewed for admission and academic scholarship eligibility solely on all other application components.

If you feel your SAT or ACT scores are an accurate reflection of your academic ability, you are welcome to submit them as part of your application for admission. To have your scores sent directly to PLU from a testing agency, please use the following codes: SAT: 4597, ACT: 4470. You may also choose to self-report your test scores on your application and we will use those scores in the decision-making process.

Required Preparatory Courses

Mathematics – Two years of college preparatory 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*
English – Four years
Social Studies – Two years
Laboratory Science – Two years
Electives – Three years (selected from the areas listed above, as well as courses in computer science, speech and debate, visual arts, etc.)

*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.

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

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 ABOUT NURSING DIRECT ADMISSION

International Honors Program

For students in any major, the International Honors Program (IHON) 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

Business Direct Admission

Students interested in business when they apply are automatically admitted to the School of Business. To guarantee their spot in the School of Business, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and successfully complete five pre-business core courses by the end of their sophomore year.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS