Loyola Marymount University: A Comprehensive Guide to Admissions

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a moderately selective institution, and understanding its admission requirements is crucial for prospective students. This article provides a detailed overview of LMU's admission criteria, covering academic expectations, standardized testing policies, and other essential application components.

Acceptance Rate and Selectivity

The acceptance rate at Loyola Marymount University stands at 45.1%, indicating a moderately selective admission process. While the university expects applicants to meet specific GPA and SAT/ACT score requirements, there is some flexibility. Exceeding these requirements significantly increases the chances of admission.

Academic Requirements

GPA Expectations

LMU requires applicants to be near the top of their class, with nearly straight A's. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.97. If your GPA is at or below this average, a higher SAT or ACT score can compensate.

Coursework

Students seeking admission should have completed an undergraduate program in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field. A college-level pre-calculus course is required for the post-baccalaureate program. Business applicants must complete a calculus/business calculus course that includes both differential and integral calculus with a grade of B or better to be eligible for admission.

Standardized Testing Policies

SAT/ACT Scores

Loyola Marymount University is test-flexible, meaning they likely allow students to submit SAT or ACT scores if they feel the scores represent them well.

SAT

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1280, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1400. LMU utilizes "superscoring," combining the highest section scores from multiple test dates. If your SAT superscore is below 1336, consider retaking the test. Focus on individual sections to maximize your Superscore.

ACT

The average ACT score at Loyola Marymount University is 30. The 25th percentile ACT score is 28, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 32. While LMU may not have a strict minimum ACT requirement, scoring below 28 may hinder your chances of admission unless you have other impressive qualifications. LMU likely does not superscore the ACT, so focus on achieving a high composite score on a single test date.

SAT Essay/ACT Writing Section

Loyola Marymount University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

Holistic Review Process

LMU's admissions committee utilizes a holistic evaluation process, considering the applicant's life experiences, ability to handle a rigorous course load, service and volunteer work, and their potential to become a competitive applicant to dental or medical school.

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews.

Read also: Applying for Loyola Scholarships

Core Application Components

Application Form: Complete the required application form. Applications are reviewed as they are received; there is no need to wait until a deadline to submit your application.
High School Transcript and GPA: Submit your high school transcript and GPA.
Application Fee: In order to process an application, LMU charges a supplemental fee of $35.
Statement of Intent: Submit a statement of intent.
Transcripts: Provide transcripts for all colleges or universities you have attended. You may upload unofficial transcripts directly into your online application. You should request an official electronic transcript from any institution where you earned a degree.

Additional Materials

Letters of Recommendation: If you choose to submit letters of recommendation one or two will be sufficient.
Application Essays: Prepare well-written application essays.
Interviews: Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with a member of the admission committee.
Résumés: Résumés should not exceed two-typed pages and may include: education information (including honors and awards), employment history, extracurricular or community activities, student organizations and affinity groups, military service, publications, special achievements, etc.
Optional Statements: A prospective student may submit an additional statement offering context to their experience with standardized test scores, if they faced adversity in college that impacted their grades or grade trend or any other information that may not reflect accurately on the candidate's law school potential.
Portfolios and Auditions: Applicants to animation, dance, music, and theatre arts are required to submit a portfolio or audition.

Requirements for International Students

Submit your SEVIS I-20 Request Form‌ (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1, International Student Status) in MyStatus.

Transfer Students

Credit for work completed at regionally accredited institutions, other than course work identified by such institutions as remedial or in other ways as being nontransferable, will be accepted toward the satisfaction of baccalaureate degree and credential requirements at the University within limitations of residence requirements. Policies regarding transfer credit may vary slightly among the individual colleges and majors, depending upon degree requirements. Students may transfer up to six (6) semester hours for courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university. Credits to be transferred must be taken prior to admission.

Admission to Specific Programs

MBA Program

GMAT scores of 500 or higher or GRE scores of 150 or higher on each section (verbal and quantitative) are generally considered competitive for admission to the MBA Program.

Graduate Programs

Students seeking admission should have completed an undergraduate program in computer science or a closely related field.

Law School

Admission to the law school is based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes consideration of the candidate’s standardized test performance (LSAT or GRE), undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) and academic record, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Law School Application Deadlines

The Admissions Committee reviews files on a rolling bases beginning in November and this process continues until late-May. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply before each program’s priority deadline. Generally, admissions decisions are rendered within 8 to 10 weeks after the file is complete. The application fee is waived until December 31, 2025 for all applicants. There is a $75.00 fee beginning on January 1, 2026.

Read also: ACT Scores for Loyola

Law School Standardized Tests

Applicants applying with only a GRE score must register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for the submission of their application materials. Applicants who apply using the GRE instead of the LSAT must use Education Testing Service (ETS) to send scores to Loyola Law School. The last LSAT Loyola will accept for the Full-Time Day Program is the April 2026 LSAT and the last LSAT accepted for the Part-Time Hybrid Evening Program is the June 2026 LSAT. The final GRE test we will accept for the Full-Time JD program is the April 15, 2026 exam. The Admissions Committee will use the highest score for test takers with multiple scores.

Law School Optional Statements

The qualitative documents in a candidate's file, which include the personal statement (required), background/identity statement (optional), and law interest statement (optional), assist the Admissions Committee in assessing a candidate's readiness and potential for law school and ability to contribute to Loyola and broader legal community.

Law School Letters of Recommendation

Only one letter of recommendation is required but we will accept an additional letter for a total of two per application. Letters of recommendation must be submitted via the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service (for more information, visit LSAC.org). Letters can comment on the applicant's intellectual capacity, analytical reasoning, communication skills, and character traits. Although academic letters are preferred, letters submitted by the candidate's employer or supervisor are accepted.

Law School Early Decision Program

An applicant to Loyola's Early Decision program commits to matriculate to Loyola if admitted through this program. This program is only for those students who believe Loyola is the best fit and their number one law school choice.

Additional Considerations

Rolling Admissions

Applications for admission are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Deferment Policy

Students admitted into this graduate program may defer their admission offer for up to one year from the initial admission entry term. A formal request should be made by the student.

Residence Halls

No, first-year students are not required to live on campus. However, 94% of first-years do live in LMU residence halls as it is a great opportunity to meet new people and participate in on-campus activities.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

All first-year applicants are automatically considered for academic scholarships. Scholarship amounts vary between $2,000 to $30,000 annually.

Transfer Credit Policy

Students may transfer six (6) semester hours for courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university. Credits to be transferred must be taken prior to admission.

Resources for Prospective Students

Admission Counselor: If you have questions about transferring or would like to schedule an appointment with an admission counselor to discuss transferring to LMU, please call 310-338-5913.
Campus Tours: Each visit includes a 30-minute information session presented by an Admission Counselor followed by a 90-minute walking tour of LMU.
Student Employment Services: Student Employment Services at Loyola Marymount University provides part-time employment opportunities, workshops and services, to further students' professional development and post graduate success.
Workday: Workday is the most important resource that LMU students will use when trying to find student employment.

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