Catalog 2023-24

International Students

International Students

Application Procedures
International students who are qualified academically, financially, and in English proficiency are encouraged to join the University community. Interested students can apply for admission for Fall Semester or Spring Semester.  PLU has four admission decision priority dates for Fall Semester —October 15, November 15, December 15, and January 15. 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. Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Spring Semester Applications will be due December 1st.

Credentials required are:

    • A completed International Student Application
    • School Records:
      • Documentation of completion of secondary school. For incoming freshmen international students, official secondary school records are required.
      • An official school record (transcript) with English translation from all colleges or universities attended in the United States, home country, or other country.
      • Documentation of any English as a second language program attended.
    • At least one academic reference, no more than three, from school officials or others in a position to evaluate the student’s ability to succeed in a baccalaureate program. International transfer students from a U.S. college or university must have a reference from the international student advisor.
    • A completed International Student Declaration of Finances
    • Personal Essay on one of the topics listed on the application form.

PLU English Proficiency Policy

Undergraduate General Admission Only

English Proficiency Assessment (one of the following):

  • TOEFL:79

  • IELTS: 6.5

  • PTE: 56

  • 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)

 

Special Consideration:

  • PLU will accept Duolingo English Test Scores from applicants who are unable to complete the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition.  Applicants will need to score a minimum of 105 to meet PLU’s English proficiency requirement.

  • PLU will accept TOEFL ITP Plus for China from applicants who are currently unable to take the TOEFL iBT test due to testing suspensions.  PLU will require CEFR Level C1 or higher to meet English proficiency requirements for admission.

 

English proficiency assessment may be waived if a student meets one of the criteria below. However, PLU Admissions reserve the right to require English proficiency assessment regardless of the applicant’s country of origin and/or citizenship if determined to be deemed necessary:

  1. 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).

  2. 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.

  3.  Official documentation from the applicant’s secondary diploma granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed in #1 and #2 above) verifying that all instruction is in English. 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.