California Lutheran University

It is moderately difficult to get into California Lutheran University. California Lutheran University admitted 87% of all applicants in 2022. Out of 5,150 applications received in 2023, 4,490 students were offered admission.

If you are planning on applying to California Lutheran University, the deadline for Fall 2024 admissions is 1/1 and the application fee is $25.

Students who submit their applications to California Lutheran University for fall semester should receive an admissions decision no later than April 1.

California Lutheran University Admissions Stats at a Glance

The following is an overiew of some of California Lutheran University's admissions stats.

California Lutheran University 2023	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	3.8
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	27%
Mean SAT Score	1229
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	14%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	4%
Waitlist	Yes

California Lutheran University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for California Lutheran University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	No	–	–
Early Decision II	–	–	–
Early Action	Yes	November 1	January 15
Regular Decision	Yes	1 1	April 1

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Applying Early to California Lutheran University?

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California Lutheran University does not offer early decision but does offer early action.

🗓️ The Early Action deadline is November 1. California Lutheran University will release EA admissions decisions no later than January 15.

Some students apply early because they believe it will help their chances of acceptance. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of being admitted, since it is a way to show that you are very interested in a school.

➡️ Discover a list of some competetive colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

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More on California Lutheran University Admissions

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For applicants who are non-residents, getting into California Lutheran University is moderately difficult.

Transferring to California Lutheran University

It is moderately difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.

For Students Waitlisted to California Lutheran University

In 2022, California Lutheran University waitlisted 106 students and 63 accepted a place on the waitlist. Of those, 41 eventually got off the waitlist.

What's Most Important for Getting Into California Lutheran University?

Colleges consider a range of factors when determining who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are given the most weight when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that prioritize the areas where you stand out.

Admissions Factors at California Lutheran University

What does California Lutheran University consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation(s)	Very Important
Academic GPA	Very Important
Character/Personal Qualities	Important
Class Rank	Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Geographical Residence	Important
First Generation	Important
Alumni/ae Relations	Considered
Interview	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
Religious Affiliation/Commitment	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Talent/Ability	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Level of Applicant's Interest	Considered
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Considered

Make sure to check with California Lutheran University for more information on admission factors.

California Lutheran University 2022-2023 Application Requirements

To apply to California Lutheran University, all applicants must submit the following items. Double check with California Lutheran University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Interview	–	√	–	–
Letter(s) of Recommendation	1	–	–	–
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√	–	–	–
Transcript of High School Record	√	–	–	–
Minimum High School GPA (On 4.0 Scale)	2.75	3	–	–

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into California Lutheran University?

Students admitted to California Lutheran University have an average unweighted GPA of 3.8.

Out of all students that were admitted, 43% submitted a class rank. At California Lutheran University 27% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 57% were in the top 25% and 88% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At California Lutheran University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	33%
3.75 and 3.99	21%
3.50 and 3.74	19%
3.25 and 3.49	16%
3.00 and 3.24	8%
2.50 and 2.9	3%
2.00 and 2.49	–

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to California Lutheran University directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

California Lutheran University is a test optional school. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 14% of California Lutheran University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 4% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for California Lutheran University?

To be competitive with other California Lutheran University applicants, you should aim to earn between 1140 and 1310 (or higher!) on the SAT. At California Lutheran University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1310 and 25% of scored lower than 1140, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a California Lutheran University student is 1229.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of California Lutheran University students scored 660 or higher and 75% of students scored 580 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of California Lutheran University students scored 660 or higher, and 75% scored a 580 or higher.

To be most competitive at California Lutheran University, you should strive to earn between 26 and 30 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 30 means you fall in the 75th percentile for California Lutheran University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 30, and three out of four students scored lower than 30 on the ACT.

A 26 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for California Lutheran University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 26.

More Information on Transferring to California Lutheran University

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to California Lutheran University.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is June 1. Applicants should hear back by April 1.

Transfer students can enroll in California Lutheran University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Winter Term

• Summer Term

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California Lutheran University Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to California Lutheran University?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to California Lutheran University.

Does California Lutheran University accept transfer credits?

✅ California Lutheran University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. California Lutheran University accepts:

• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES

Does California Lutheran University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ California Lutheran University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to California Lutheran University?

❌ No, California Lutheran University is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If you have higher than average scores, you probably want to include them. If your scores are average or below average, you it might make sense to leave them out of your application.

What is California Lutheran University's acceptance rate?

✅ The acceptance rate for California Lutheran University is 87%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at California Lutheran University?

❌ California Lutheran University does not offer early decision.

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