Transfer Students

Entrance Requirements

Transfer students who began their higher education at other regionally-accredited colleges or universities are encouraged to apply for admission with advanced standing. Candidates must have good academic and personal standing at the institution last attended full-time. The recommended minimum grade point average to be considered for admission as a transfer student is a 2.50 cumulative grade point average in college-level work from regionally-accredited institutions. In reviewing an applicant’s file, the Office of Admission examines grade point average, academic progress, essay, and recommendations. For applicants with less than sophomore standing (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours), secondary school records are required.

PLU does not have a world language entrance requirement. However, we strongly recommend that students applying to PLU should have taken at least two years of a world language in high school or one year in college. Students with prior background in languages are encouraged to continue their language studies at PLU. Before enrolling in a language course, students should consult with Language Placement Guide found on the Language Resource Center webpage.

Application Procedures

Students are admitted for either a fall or spring semester start. Acceptance to the fall semester carries permission to attend the previous summer sessions. Acceptance to the spring semester carries permission to attend the previous J-Term session.

PLU has four transfer admission decision priority dates for fall semester—January 1, February 1, March 1, and April 1. Students who complete their application materials prior to one of these dates can expect an admission decision notification of academic scholarship eligibility and an official report of transferable credits within four weeks. Applications received after April 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the final July 1 priority date. The admission decision priority dates for a spring semester start are October 1 and December 1.

Credentials required are:

    • Formal Application: The PLU Transfer Application for Admission can be found at www.plu.edu/transfer/apply.
    • Transcripts: Official transcripts must be submitted for all college coursework. Transfer students entering with less than sophomore standing (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) must submit an official high school transcript or equivalent. Transcripts must be official copies delivered electronically by the college/university or delivered in person to the Office of Admission in an official sealed envelope. The University accepts the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) for those students who may not have completed a traditional high school program. Transcripts become the property of PLU and may not be returned or forwarded.
    • Personal Essay: Applicants will also include one essay with their application. Essay topic choices are included in the application.

Academic Recommendation(s) are optional. You may decide for yourself if you want to include an academic recommendation as part of your application. However, if you are applying for admission to our Nursing or Social Work programs, you will be required to submit academic recommendations for those programs.