Questions Frequently Asked by Transfer Students

1. Should I apply as a first-year student or as a transfer student?
If you have earned 12 or more semester credits (18 quarter credits) for college coursework done after graduating from high school or earning your GED, Lewis & Clark will consider you a transfer applicant.

2. When is the deadline for applying?
We evaluate transfer applications on a rolling basis. Review of applications for fall semester begins January 1. There is no set deadline by which fall applications must be completed; however, it is likely that the incoming transfer class will be filled by May 1. To ensure full consideration of your application, we strongly recommend you submit all credentials before the end of March. If you do so, we will notify you of our admission decision approximately three weeks after your application is completed. Students who complete transfer applications after April 15 may be notified of their admissions decision after May 10. A limited number of late applicants may be admitted on a space-available basis. Late applicants may find financial aid resources limited and on campus housing unavailable.

Review of applications for spring semester will begin September 1. Spring semester applications must be completed no later than November 1.

3. What are the requirements for admission?
Although there is no particular distribution of credits required for admission, we do expect transfer applicants to have pursued a well-rounded academic courseload and to have done well at their previous institution(s). While there is no minimum GPA for admission, most successful applicants have carried at least a B average (3.0) in their academic courses at their previous institution(s). In addition, we value the contributions applicants have made through co-curricular involvement, employment, community service, and life experience.

4. If I have previously applied for admission but decided to enroll elsewhere, do I have to apply again?
Yes. If you applied for admission within the last two years, we will still have your application on file and you may go through the simplified re-application process. However, if your original application is over two years old, we will not have it on file and you will need to go through the entire application process again. For more information on reapplying and to receive the necessary forms, please contact us.

5. Do I need to provide standardized test scores?
You must provide a record of either SAT or ACT scores, unless you have 61 semester credits of transferable coursework or are applying under our Portfolio Path option. (A description of our Portfolio Path option can be found here.)

6. Do I need to submit a professor's recommendation?
Yes. One of the purposes of the professor's recommendation is to get a sense of your academic performance relative to that of your peers. If you are currently enrolled in college, you must have an instructor from a solid academic class submit a recommendation, even if he or she does not know you well on a personal level. If you would like to submit supplementary recommendations from employers, high school teachers, or others who do know you well, you are welcome to do so.

If you are not currently enrolled in courses, it would be to your greatest advantage to re-establish contact with past professors so that you can obtain an academic recommendation. In rare circumstances, substitute recommendations may be allowed; such substitutions must be approved by the transfer counselor or the dean of admissions.

7. Will I get credit for all coursework I've done at my previous institution(s)? Will my AA/Oregon transfer degree automatically transfer? How do I transfer with junior standing?
Lewis & Clark evaluates transfer credit on a course-by-course basis. No block transferring is done, thus AA/transfer degrees will not automatically transfer. Credit is generally granted for college-level coursework done at other regionally accredited institutions corresponding to what is offered within Lewis & Clark's liberal arts and sciences curriculum. We will grant credit only for classes in which you earned a grade of C (2.0) or better. Under no circumstances will credit be granted for college courses used in any way for high school graduation, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), life experience, credit by examination, or distance-learning courses, including online correspondence and televised courses. Credit may not be granted for coursework completed over 20 years ago. A maximum of four semester credits of physical education/activity is allowed. You will be provided with an unofficial evaluation of your transfer credit with your offer of admission.

Class standing is determined by the total number of credits transferred, as follows:
0-28 semester credits = first-year standing
29-60 semester credits = sophomore standing
61-68 semester credits = junior standing

In order to be awarded a Lewis & Clark degree, students must fulfill the College's academic residency requirement by completing at least 60 semester credits at Lewis & Clark out of the 128 semester credits required for the degree. Thus, a maximum of 68 semester credits may be transferred from other institutions. If you are transferring from an institution that is on a quarter system, be aware that one quarter credit equals .67 semester credits.

8. When will I find out how my transfer credit will be applied toward graduation requirements?
Transfer students must fulfill all Lewis & Clark graduation requirements as outlined in the college catalog, including the General Education requirements. After the College receives your reservation deposit, you will receive a transfer credit evaluation from the registrar's office including a statement indicating which courses will be applicable toward our General Education requirements. To determine whether previous coursework will satisfy major requirements, you should contact the department or program chair.

9. Is financial aid available to transfer students? What about scholarships?
Need-based financial assistance is available to transfer students; financial aid awards will depend upon eligibility. All students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS PROFILE before the priority deadline of February 15 for full consideration. If you are applying for spring semester, you must authorize release of your FAFSA and PROFILE information as soon as possible.

Transfer students are also eligible for our merit-based Dean's Scholarships and our Leadership and Service Awards. Dean's Scholarships range in amount from $4,000 to $10,000 per year, and are renewable based on continued academic success. The Leadership and Service Awards are $5,000 per year, and are also renewable based on academic success and demonstrated campus involvement. Applicants do not need to submit additional documents to be considered for the Dean's Scholarships or the Leadership and Service Awards. You will be notified if you are a recipient of either scholarship along with your offer of admission.

Transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. Please contact us for more information about this award.

Transfer students with exceptional talent in music or speech and debate may qualify for one of our Music or Forensics Scholarships. Award amounts for those scholarships vary. For more information, contact the chair of the Music Department (503-768-7460 or music@lclark.edu) or Steve Hunt, Director of Forensics (503-768-7617 or hunt@lclark.edu).

10. Is campus housing available to transfer students? Do I need to live on campus?
Lewis & Clark is a residential community and all new students, including transfers, are required to live on campus their first two years (four semesters). You are exempt from this policy if you are entering with at least 28 semester credits, are living with your parent(s) in the Portland area, are married, or are 21 years or older at the time of enrollment. Housing information will be mailed to you along with your offer of admission.

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