Pacific Lutheran University

Statistics

Scholarships & Financial Aid

School Says - General Information
PLU was founded in 1890 by a group of mostly Norwegian Lutherans from the Puget Sound region. Currently there are 3,300 undergraduate students and 300 graduates studying at PLU. PLU is a comprehensive university accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and committed to the integration of liberal arts studies and professional preparation. PLU follows a 4-1-4 calendar that consists of two 15-week semesters bridged by a four-week January Term. Summer consists of three four-week terms.

For incoming first-years, the average GPA is 3.64, SAT is 1110 (Math and Critical Reading Only) and ACT is 25. PLU conducts a holistic review of every application for admission and academic merit scholarships.

School Says - Student Body
A variety of organizations and activities help keep PLU students busy outside of the classroom. Activities include dance ensemble, theater, speech and debate, newspaper, radio, television, literary magazine. There are Sixty-five clubs covering many interests including community service, religious, environmental, social justice, political, and cultural/ethnic. Some of the most prominent and active organizations include the Diversity Center, ASPLU (Student Government), Residence Hall Association, GREAN (Sustainability Club) and Outdoor Recreation.

As a part of the Northwest conference within the NCAA Division III, PLU has long been known as a sports powerhouse within. The football team has won four national titles, and more than 400 Lutes in all sports have been named first-team NCAA All-Americans. PLU has won the Northwest All-Sports Trophy 15 times in the awardÂ's 25-year history. Women's intercollegiate sports: Soccer, cross-country, volleyball, basketball, swimming, track and field, tennis, crew, golf and softball. Men's intercollegiate sports: Soccer, football, cross country, basketball, swimming, track and field, baseball, crew, golf and tennis.

School Says - Academics
All undergraduates enroll in general education requirements or in the International Honors Program to satisfy PLU's liberal arts core requirement. The International Honors Program reviews problems and issues through multiple disciplines asking students to consider the ways in which their unique interests and intellectual gifts can be of service to the international community.

Studying the liberal arts at PLU - such as psychology, history, the natural sciences - prepares students for a lifetime of success in a rapidly changing and highly competitive world. They gain skills in decision making, analysis, communication and reasoning. Our fully accredited professional programs in business, education, nursing, physical education and social work prepare them for careers.

PLU has a First-Year Experience Program which enrolls all first-years in a Writing 101 and Inquiry Seminar course helping prepare them to write a variety of college-level papers and to learn the communication, critical analysis and questioning skills necessary for a small classroom environment.

PLU has long been associated with a strong arts program. The Mary Baker Russell Music Center, plays host to more than 100 annual concerts that feature students, faculty artists and renowned guest performers. The Choir of the West has shown off their talents across the country, and recently in China and Europe. In addition, PLU puts on four main-stage theatrical shows each year, and The Wekell Gallery regularly hosts exhibits from students in current art classes.

Over 40% of PLU's students study away during their years on campus. PLU was recognized with the 2009 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, a prestigious award that honors outstanding efforts on and off campus to engage the world and the international community. PLU is the first and only private college in the West to have received this honor. In 2008, PLU was also the first university in the U.S. to have students studying on all seven continents simultaneously.

School Says - Admissions
First-year and transfer students can apply to PLU for free using either PLUÂ's online application or the Common Application. There are no deadlines for admission applications. Application reading dates and admission decisions occur on the 15th of each month from October through February. After February, PLU reviews applications on a rolling basis.

For first-year students, we require the following: application, high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, personal essay, activities resume and a letter of recommendation.

For transfer students, we require the following: application, college transcripts, high school transcript, personal essay, transfer statement of good standing, activities resume and a letter of recommendation (SAT or ACT scores are required if transferring less than 30 credits).

For international students we require the following: application, personal essay, one letter of recommendation, Send official transcripts translated to English from all schools you've attended (upper secondary and any schools you are currently attending), the Declaration of Finances form, TOEFL or IELTS or PTE scores if your first language is other than English, and Copy of your passport photopage.

All students are strongly encouraged to contact their respective admission counselors to ask questions about admission and provide additional information pertinent to the admission process. To learn more about PLU, you can take a virtual tour at http://video.realviewtv.com/education/plu/.

School Says - Campus Life
Pacific Lutheran University is located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Tacoma, Washington. The 146-acre wooded campus lies in the shadow of the 14,410Â' Mt. Rainier and is a few miles away from Puget Sound. PLU lies in the bustling Interstate-5 corridor that stretches from the state capital in Olympia to Tacoma and up through Seattle.

School Says - Cost Aid
Costs for 2010
Tuition & Fees: $29,200
Room & Board: $ 8,800
Comprehensive Cost: $38,000PLU awards both merit and need-based financial aid. Academic merit scholarships are based upon a holistic review of the application. No additional materials other than the application for admission are required to be considered for an academic scholarship. For 2010, these awards ranged from $5,000-$17,000 for first-year students and are renewable for up to 4 years.. Students with talents in music, theater, forensics and dance can audition for additional talent scholarships by contacting the respective departments.

First-Year Students can apply for the President's and Regents' Scholarship by December 15th. The President's scholarship was $18,000 in 2010 and was awarded to 150 of about 600 applicants. All President's scholars are then invited to campus to interview with faculty teams for 1 of 5 full tuition Regents Scholarships.

In addition to merit scholarships, students are also eligible for need-based aid by completing the FAFSA. Through the FAFSA, students can receive scholarships, grants, work study and loans. On average, students received just over $24,000 in financial aid in 2010.

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