Navigating Admissions at Lewis & Clark College: A Comprehensive Guide

Lewis & Clark College, known for its challenging academics, commitment to sustainability, and focus on interdisciplinary learning, attracts students seeking a purposeful education. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the college's admission requirements, application process, and key factors considered during evaluation.

The Role of the Admissions Office

The Admissions Office at Lewis & Clark College plays a central role in coordinating all aspects of the admissions process. This includes:

Processing applications
Evaluating and admitting students
Managing communication with prospective students
Recruiting domestic traditional, transfer, and adult students through marketing, campus visits, and outreach.

Understanding the Application Process

Applying to Lewis & Clark is facilitated through the Common Application, and the college does not charge an application fee. Admission decisions are made throughout the year on a rolling basis. While the first-year application deadline is January 15, the college continues to accept applications on a space-available basis.

Key Application Components

Online Application Form: Lewis & Clark does not use a paper application.
High School Transcript and GPA: A student’s record in their core academic courses is the best predictor of academic success at Lewis & Clark. GPA is considered a very important academic factor.
Personal Essay/Statement: The college requires one personal essay. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself, and helps the admissions committee get acquainted with you beyond grades and test scores.
Letters of Recommendation: Recommendation letters are considered important for admissions officials. A Teacher Recommendation completed by a teacher who has taught you in an academic course (English, mathematics, science, foreign language, history, or social studies) in 10th-12th grade.
Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement: The committee seeks students who will contribute to the community as musicians, leaders, athletes, or community service participants.

Test-Free Admission Policy

Lewis & Clark College has a test-free admissions policy, meaning standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not considered when making undergraduate admissions decisions. This policy has been in place since 1991 and was formally adopted beginning with the fall 2025 entering class.

Optional Virtual Interviews

Virtual Interviews are recommended, and may be most helpful for students who have a circumstance best explained in a personal conversation, or who have specific questions.

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Academic Factors

GPA Requirements

Lewis & Clark College requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in.

Coursework and Preparation

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or honors courses are viewed as further evidence of serious preparation for college-level studies. Successful candidates have taken some of these advanced courses if they are offered at their schools.

Holistic Review Process

The admissions committee at Lewis & Clark employs a holistic review process, weighing various factors to assess an applicant’s potential for academic success and contribution to the college community. These factors include:

GPA
Coursework difficulty
Extracurricular activities
Letters of recommendation
Personal statements

Admission Statistics

Understanding the college's admission statistics can provide valuable context for prospective applicants:

Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at Lewis & Clark College is 78.5%, indicating it is a lightly selective institution.

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GPA Range: The GPA distribution of admitted students is as follows:
- 3.75+: 47%
- 3.50-3.74: 23%
- 3.25-3.49: 15%
- 3.00-3.24: 11%
- 2.50-2.99: 5%
- 2.00-2.49: 0%
- Below 2.00: 0%

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants are expected to have further demonstrated their ability to succeed in college-level studies with appropriate course selection and grades.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Credits earned with any passing letter grade, including P (passing) and S (satisfactory), will count toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. Courses graded with a D- will be recorded as a D for GPA calculation purposes, as LC State does not award a D- grade. These courses will be designated elective credits. Transfer credit is not restricted to courses that exactly match LC State offerings. In most cases, credit is granted for courses that reasonably align with the college's various programs. The Registrar & Records Office and the Admissions Office evaluate transcripts to determine which courses fulfill General Education Core requirements. Students are responsible for fulfilling the specific requirements of their chosen major and are encouraged to meet with their advisor as early as possible to begin the transfer credit evaluation process. Credit will not be granted for courses evaluated as developmental. Additionally, while transfer credits are not factored into a student's cumulative GPA at LC State, they are included in the calculation of graduation honors. For further details, including course equivalency guides that illustrate how coursework from select accredited institutions will transfer, please visit the Transfer Student Admission webpage.

Tentative Admission

Students who apply for admission while still enrolled in high school or another postsecondary institution may be granted tentative admission pending submission of all final transcripts from their high school and/or other postsecondary institutions. Students who are tentatively admitted are permitted to enroll in classes but will have until pre-registration for the subsequent semester to submit the required information to obtain a final admission status. If the additional documents are not submitted by the designated deadline, registration will not be allowed for the next semester.

International Students

International applicants have some additional requirements to fulfill:

English Proficiency

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency.

Bridge Pathway Program

The Bridge Pathway program is designed for students who wish to study at LC State but have not met the English language proficiency standards for college acceptance. Students must show a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale from a high school or college/university. Some applicants will be required to submit their original transcripts to an outside evaluation agency, such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Evaluations (INCRED).

Financial Documentation

The financial documents must demonstrate the student can access adequate funds for an academic year, including tuition, fees, books & supplies, health insurance, and living expenses. If an applicant plans to bring dependents to LC State, they must also demonstrate adequate available funding for each dependent. Applicants must submit a ‘Certification of Financial Responsibility form’ addressed to LC State before an I-20 will be issued. LC State will accept scanned financial documents.

Additional Information

Campus Visits

The Admissions Office coordinates campus visitations for prospective students. A visitation may include a campus tour, meeting with a faculty advisor, attending a class, staying overnight in the residence halls, participating in campus events, and meeting with an enrollment specialist. Special visitations are also available for larger groups of students with common interests or objectives. High school juniors and seniors can personally experience LC State by participating in our fall preview event, Warrior Discovery Day. This program allows students to experience life on campus by meeting current students and faculty advisors and checking out campus activities available to them.

New Student Orientation

All newly admitted degree-seeking students, including international students, must participate in New Student Orientation, regardless of major, campus location, or delivery method (e.g., online), as a condition of enrollment at LC State. Orientation must be completed prior to the first day of classes.

Non-Degree Seeking Admission

Non-Degree Seeking Admission is an option for students who wish to enroll in classes at LC State but who do not provide academic transcripts from prior or current institutions. Students may register for no more than eleven (11) credits each term and may complete a maximum of thirty (30) credits.

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