Lewis & Clark selects students with strong academic records and promise who seek a challenging liberal arts curriculum characterized by breadth and depth. Successful applicants are individuals who, through their varied talents and interests, will contribute in distinctive ways to the wider communities of which they are a part. As a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Lewis & Clark subscribes to NACAC’s Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.

Application Options

Students apply online via the Common Application. Lists of required application materials and further instructions are available at the Office of Admissions.

Admission Calendar

First-Year Applicants

Transfer Applicants 

Advanced Standing

See Advanced Standing.

Further Information

Visit lclark.edu or contact us at:

Office of Admissions
Lewis & Clark
College of Arts and Sciences
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland, Oregon 97219-7899
Phone: 503-768-7040
Fax: 503-768-7055
admissions@lclark.edu

Potential transfer students can contact a transfer counselor directly at transfer@lclark.edu.

Previously Earned Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree, whether from Lewis & Clark or another institution, may not apply for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences as degree-seeking candidates. Lewis & Clark awards the bachelor of arts degree only to students who have no prior baccalaureate degree. No second-degree or post-baccalaureate option is offered.

Summer Sessions

Students in good standing at other accredited U.S. colleges or universities may enroll in summer session courses without applying for admission to Lewis & Clark.

*See also Advance Deposits, Costs.

Recommended Academic Preparation

Admission to Lewis & Clark is selective. The most important factors in determining admission to the College of Arts and Sciences are the quality of a student’s academic program and the grades earned in college preparatory courses. The admissions committee also considers writing ability, quantitative skills, leadership, community service and work experience, personal interests, cocurricular activities, and talent, as well as expressed interest in Lewis & Clark. Standardized test scores are not a factor in the admission process, with the exception of scores provided by international applicants as proof of English proficiency.

Lewis & Clark recommends that first-year students complete a high school curriculum that includes, at minimum, the following:

Students who have performed well in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or honors courses are given preference in the admission process. The admissions committee may consider applicants whose academic preparation is different from that described above if other aspects of their record indicate potential for success in Lewis & Clark’s academic program.

Home-schooled students are encouraged to contact the admissions office to discuss the best ways to present their academic preparation to the committee.

Further information about preparing for Lewis & Clark is available at the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Admission

Transfer students are an important part of the entering student group. Students are considered transfer applicants if they have completed 12 or more semester credits of college-level work after graduating from high school or earning the GED. They are admitted on the same selective basis as first-year students and are eligible for financial aid and campus housing. Transfer admission is selective, and applicants are expected to present an academic history that demonstrates success in coursework similar to that offered within Lewis & Clark's own traditional liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Lewis & Clark encourages transfer applicants to visit the campus in person or online and also schedule a virtual interview with a transfer counselor.

All documents on the transfer application checklist are required for a complete application for admission to Lewis & Clark.

Transfer Credit Policies

For transfer students to receive credit for work completed at other regionally accredited colleges and universities, their coursework must meet Lewis & Clark’s transfer credit policies as outlined in this catalog. Coursework is evaluated for transferability only on a course-by-course basis.

To be awarded a Lewis & Clark degree, transfer students must complete the graduation requirements outlined in this catalog. This includes fulfilling the institution’s academic residency requirement by completing at least 60 semester credits at Lewis & Clark out of the 128 semester credits required for the degree.

Upon admission, transfer students receive a preliminary evaluation of transfer credit from the Office of Admissions. After Lewis & Clark receives a deposit and before the transfer student enrolls, the Office of the Registrar evaluates transcripts of all previous college work to officially determine credit that is transferable toward Lewis & Clark’s General Education requirements. To determine whether courses completed elsewhere meet requirements for an academic major, students should consult the department chair or program director for that major.

International Student Admission

Lewis & Clark seeks to bring to the campus academically qualified students from diverse areas of the world.

For complete information about international student admission, contact:

Office of Admissions
Lewis & Clark
College of Arts and Sciences
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland, Oregon 97219-7899
Phone: 503-768-7040
Fax: 503-768-7055
admissions@lclark.edu

Special Student Program

A special student is a non-degree-seeking student who wishes to take a course, or courses, for academic credit at Lewis & Clark.

Course registration for special students is on a space-available basis. No Lewis & Clark financial aid is available.

For further information, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@lclark.edu.

Gap Years and Deferred Enrollment

Admitted students may choose to take a gap year and defer their enrollment at Lewis & Clark for one year. A nonrefundable deposit is required from all students who intend to enroll at the college at the time of accepting the offer of admission. A second nonrefundable confirmation deposit is required during the gap year period. Both deposits are applied to the student’s account. Deposit deadlines are available at the Office of Admissions.

During the gap year period, a student may not attend another institution on a full-time basis. Full-time status is considered to be enrollment in 12 or more credits per term. Students interested in taking a gap year should contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

Campus Housing Requirement

Because of the residential nature of Lewis & Clark, all new students are required to live on campus for four semesters, usually in the first two years. Students may petition to be exempt from this policy if they are living with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in the Portland area, are married, have a dependent, are 21 years of age or older before the first semester of enrollment, or are an entering transfer student with at least 61 semester credits of transferable college work upon enrollment.