The institution publishes admissions policies that are consistent with its mission. (Admissions policies)
Compliance Status
Louisiana State University and A&M College is in compliance with this principle.
Narrative
As the flagship institution for the state and the only public Carnegie-designated Research Institution/Very High Research in Louisiana, Louisiana State University and A&M College (LSU) maintains admissions requirements at a high level that are reflective of our role, scope, and mission as the “leading academic institution in the state” and that are competitive with our peers. The mission of LSU states, “As the flagship institution of the state, the vision of Louisiana State University is to be a leading research-extensive university, challenging undergraduate and graduate students to achieve the highest levels of intellectual and personal development” [1]. To implement its mission, “LSU is committed to offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students.” In turn, the higher admission standards detailed below allow LSU to select highly qualified students to accomplish this part of the mission.
All admissions criteria are consistent with commonly accepted practices of using combinations of academic records, test scores, recommendations, and additional evidence of the quality of the students. These admission criteria that are used to predict success in the academic program have been vetted and approved by the Faculty Senate Academic Standards and Honors Committee, the Faculty Senate, and the LSU Board of Supervisors. The Admissions, Standards and Honors Committee, a standing committee of the LSU Faculty Senate, is charged with the following responsibilities:
All changes to the admissions criteria must be submitted to the Faculty Senate Academic Standards and Honors Committee for submission to the full Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate is responsible for review and submission of final recommendations to the Provost.
The university is also held to the Louisiana Board of Regents’ minimum admissions criteria for a flagship institution, as articulated in the 2011 Board of Regents Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education [3] [4].
Criteria and procedures for undergraduate- and graduate-student admissions are published in the online LSU General Catalog [5] [6]. This online catalog is a key source of information for prospective students and their families. The catalog states, as an overriding principle, the following:
LSU welcomes applications from all interested students without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. The university is committed to making fair and timely decisions on applications submitted.
The LSU General Catalog is revised annually to ensure that it is current and accurate. Comprehensive Standard 3.4.5 further details the publication and dissemination of academic policies, including admissions.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and The Graduate School are responsible for disseminating and consistently implementing the policies and practices associated with undergraduate and graduate student admissions to LSU [5] [6].
Undergraduate Student Admissions to LSU
First-year students
Entering first-year students must have completed at least 19 units of college-preparatory classes and achieved a minimum academic core GPA of 3.0 [5]. In addition, applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1030 (Critical Reading and Math) or a composite ACT score of at least 22. All students admitted to LSU must be eligible to enroll in university-level courses in English and mathematics as evidenced by a minimum ACT English sub-score of 18 or SAT critical reading score of 450, and a minimum ACT math sub-score of 19 or SAT math score of 460.
Preference for admission to LSU is given to those students whose credentials indicate the greatest promise of academic success. Admission decisions are based, in part, upon meeting the needs and capacity requirements of LSU. Students who do not meet the published admissions standards can submit supporting documentation and a letter outlining their qualifications for admission with their initial application. The Admissions Faculty Committee, a sub-committee of the Admissions, Standards and Honors Committee, reviews qualifications and applications to determine whether additional predictors of success exist as a basis for admission. Other factors, such as choice of degree program, rank in class, scores on required tests (SAT or ACT), credit in advanced placement and honors courses, pattern and quality of courses, grade trends, educational objectives, extracurricular activities, and school recommendations are considered in the admission process. In addition, special talents, significant life and career experience, or membership in groups underrepresented in the student body are evaluated and weighed before decisions to offer admission are made.
Transfer
Transfer students with previous college or university work from regionally accredited institutions may be considered for admission if they have 2.5 GPA or better on all college work attempted, and 30 college-level hours, including one college-level course each in English and in mathematics (above remedial) [7] [8].
LSU computes the GPA on all courses taken, including repeated courses, courses with incomplete grades, and those with any other grades, except “W,” “WA,” “WB,” “WC,” “WD,” “WF,” “unsatisfactory,” and “no credit.” Each computed grade becomes an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F.” The symbols “+” or “-” are disregarded. Grade point averages are computed using the lower grade given by institutions that issue upper/lower grades (“AB,” “BC,” etc.). Grades of “pass,” “credit,” and “satisfactory” are treated alike and counted as earned hours, but not in the computation of the GPA. “Fail” counts as hours attempted, but not as hours earned, and is used to compute the GPA, including any remedial course work. This policy is followed regardless of the practices of the sending institution, including other LSU System campuses. Additional information on the acceptance of academic credit related to transfers is presented in Comprehensive Standard 3.4.4.
All students are considered for admission based on an evaluation of their likelihood of success at LSU. LSU considers college GPA, pattern and quality of courses taken, grade trends, educational objectives, special talents, significant life and career experiences, membership in groups underrepresented in the student body, or special circumstances.
A prospective transfer student submits an admission application and a complete official transcript from each college or university attended, whether or not credit was earned or is desired. Students enrolled in college at the time applications are submitted should have transcripts sent when they apply for admission, to be followed by supplementary records at the close of the semester.
Provisional admission, pending receipt of supplementary records, may be granted when it is impossible to obtain final records prior to scheduled registration dates. This admission is canceled if the required records are not received by the Office of Enrollment Management within 30 days of the first day of classes or if it is determined, upon receipt and review of final records, that the applicant is not qualified for admission.
The Bears to Tigers Program is a collaborative agreement between the Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) and LSU to provide opportunities for the seamless transfer of BRCC students to LSU upon completion of any one of the following: Bears 2 Tigers Transfer Program, the Louisiana Transfer Degree Program, or Articulated Departmental Agreements [9]. BRCC students who complete an associate’s degree in business, science, engineering, or humanities and social sciences may be admitted to LSU as juniors in their respective programs as long as they meet LSU’s transfer requirements.
Students who opt to participate in the Bengal to Tiger Bridge Program will have the opportunity to complete their transfer requirements at LSU Eunice (LSU-E). Bengal to Tiger allows first time first-year students who have not been accepted to the LSU Baton Rouge campus to make a smooth transition from LSU-E to LSU once they meet LSU’s transfer admission requirements [10].
Re-entering students
Re-entering students who have not enrolled in the university for one or more regular semesters must apply for readmission [11]. Students who have attempted 29 or fewer semester hours at other accredited colleges or universities since last attending LSU must meet the senior college scholastic requirements for re-entry, or may be placed on scholastic probation or warning upon re-entry. Students who have attempted 30 or more semester hours at other accredited colleges or universities since last attending LSU must have a GPA of at least 2.5 on all college work attempted, including a college-level course each in English and in mathematics above the remedial level. Students must submit an application and a complete official transcript from each college or university attended since leaving LSU, regardless of whether credit was earned, desired, or transferable.
Re-entry students who do not meet the stated criteria can appeal to be re-admitted if they do not meet the admissions requirements outright or if there are extenuating circumstances that impacted their academic performance.
International Students
International admission requirements are applied to all students who have international secondary or post-secondary educational credentials, regardless of country of citizenship, immigrant status, or visa status [12] [13] [14]. All students who have only U.S. secondary and post-secondary educational credentials must meet U.S. admission requirements. Applications from students with both U.S. and international educational credentials may be reviewed according to either or both U.S. and international requirements.
An applicant whose native language is not English and/or who has been educated outside of the U.S. in a country or province where English is not the only official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting either a TOEFL, an IELTS or PTE score.
On the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the following minimum scores are required for automatic admission [15]:
On the IELTS (International English Language Testing Service), the following minimum score is required for automatic admission:
On the PTE (Pearson’s Test of English), the following minimum score is required for automatic admission:
Official TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores are those reported directly to LSU by the respective testing service at the request of the student.
Applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement if they have completed one of the following:
Official transcripts or scores are required showing completion of one of the above before a student can be exempted from the TOEFL/ IELTS/PTE requirement. The Office of Enrollment Management: Undergraduate Admissions reserves the right to require a satisfactory TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score from any applicant. All international students who are admitted (except for transfer students who have submitted a satisfactory TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score and have received transfer credit from an accredited U.S. institution for the equivalent of LSU’s English ENGL 1001 and ENGL 2000 or ENGL 1004 and ENGL 1005 with a grade of “C” or better in each) are required to take an English placement test prior to registration.
International students who have never attended a post-secondary education institution must apply as first-year students and must have the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma with an academic average equivalent to “B” (3.0 or better on the U.S. 4-point grading system). The “academic average” is determined by averaging the grades of secondary school academic courses, excluding nonacademic courses such as physical education, vocational/technical courses, religion, art, music, etc.
Students must submit complete official records for the secondary level of education and are strongly encouraged to submit ACT or SAT scores. Students who have taken advanced-level exams, international baccalaureate higher level exams, or other types of secondary education beyond the twelfth year of schooling should submit the official certificates or transcripts and course syllabi for possible advanced placement university credit.
International students who have attended any post-secondary-level college, university, or institution must apply as transfer students. LSU requires the equivalent of a 3.0 (“B” average on the U.S. 4-point grading system) for all transferable credit from accredited international institutions. Applicants with less than the equivalent of 30 semester hours of transferable credit (approximately one year of full-time study) must also qualify for first-year student admission.
Students must submit official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, listing courses taken and grades earned. Also required are the official course descriptions or syllabi to be evaluated for possible credit toward an LSU degree. Transfer credit is not given for English as a second language, non-English native language courses, or vocational/technical courses. For LSU to award transfer credit, the institution must be accredited/recognized by the Ministry of Education or equivalent government agency in that country and be suitable for university-level credit.
International students who have attended a regionally accredited U.S. college or university must meet U.S. transfer requirements: an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and 30 semester hours of transferable credit, including college-level courses in both English and mathematics. If less than 30 hours are earned, first-year student requirements must also be met.
If credit is earned from both international and U.S. post-secondary accredited institutions, a 3.0 GPA is required from international institutions, and a 2.5 GPA is required on all U.S. college work. A student who has less than a 3.0 GPA from an international institution may be admitted if that student (1) meets the requirements for transfer from a U.S. accredited college or university (30 semester hours of credit above remedial, 2.5 GPA, math and English courses), and (2) has an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher when the U.S. GPA is combined with the international GPA. In this case, courses passed with the equivalent of “C” or higher will be considered for transfer credit from accredited post-secondary international institutions.
Application deadlines for international students are April 15 for summer or fall semesters and October 1 for the spring semester. However, all required documents must be sent at least 120 days before the semester starts to allow for processing time, especially if an I-20 immigration form is needed for the student visa application.
The application form is completed online and the following materials are sent to the Office of Enrollment Management:
“Official transcript” is defined as an official record prepared by the issuing institution and sealed in the institution’s official envelope.
International applicants are required to offer proof of the availability of sufficient funds to meet all costs while studying at the university. Total expenses, excluding travel to and from Baton Rouge, for the calendar year (12 months) for undergraduate students who are not residents of Louisiana are available online for prospective students. International students residing in Louisiana cannot be considered Louisiana residents unless they are permanent residents of the U.S., among other criteria.
Other Enrollment Opportunities
Admission to college-level distance program courses at LSU does not constitute admission to a degree program at the university [18]. However, students may enroll for distance program courses prior to being admitted to the university.
Credit earned in distance program courses may be submitted for evaluation toward an undergraduate degree at LSU or may be transferred to another institution. A student not enrolled at LSU who plans to apply distance program credit toward an LSU degree should submit an official “Application for Admission” form. In addition to the application form, the student should also submit official transcripts of all previous academic work.
Admission to distance program courses will be granted to enrolled LSU undergraduate students upon approval of their college deans, which must be indicated on the distance program application form. Students who have been dropped from the university for scholastic, disciplinary, or attendance reasons may be admitted to distance program courses on a noncredit basis only.
A distance program course grade is posted to the transcript when the course is completed. If a student takes the examination by the last day of the final examination period of a semester/summer term, the grade is posted to that semester/term. The grade is used to determine academic action at the conclusion of that semester or summer term. If the examination is taken after that date, the distance program grade is posted to the next regular semester or summer term. Distance program grades are not posted to intersession.
Students who become ineligible while a distance program course is in progress may complete the course for degree credit. During their period of ineligibility to enroll, students may register on a noncredit basis for distance program courses.
No more than one-fourth of the number of hours required for the bachelor’s degree may be taken through Continuing Education by distance program courses. Specific information regarding acceptance of distance program courses toward fulfillment of degree requirements is provided in college and school sections of the LSU General Catalog.
Students enrolled in another accredited college or university who are eligible to continue in that institution in the next regular term and who are not on scholastic warning or probation (who are in academic and institutional good-standing) may be admitted as visiting students for one semester or summer term only [18]. These students must submit official transcripts of all college work previously taken. This statement must include the total number of semester or quarter hours of credit previously earned.
Students admitted on a visiting student basis who wish to be considered for regular admission must complete a new application for admission and must supply official transcripts of all college work previously taken. These students are evaluated on the admission standards in place for transfer students at the time of their application for regular admission. Some senior colleges have admissions criteria exceeding those for general admission to the university. Prospective students should consult individual senior colleges for information on additional requirements for specific degree programs. Visiting students who gain admission to the university as regularly admitted students are subject to the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their admission as regular students.
International students are not eligible for this program except for the summer term and, in addition, are required to submit TOEFL scores that meet admission requirements.
LSU and Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) students may take courses at the other institution through a cross-enrollment program between the two institutions [18]. This program enables students to take courses not available at the institution where they matriculate. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible to participate. Unless special course fees are assessed, full-time students pay no additional fees. Part-time students pay tuition and fees based on the total number of hours for which they are registered and any special course fees.
Participants are allowed the same library privileges granted to the student body at the home institution. Students participating in the cross-enrollment program have access to the library at the other institution. Before enrolling, a student must obtain written approval from the dean of his/her college. Courses taken at BRCC that are approved for college work at LSU are recorded as transfer credit.
The Early Admission Program permits high school students who have not completed all requirements for a high school diploma to apply for admission to LSU as regular students, provided they fulfill these minimum requirements: 15 units of high school credit, including three units of English; an overall academic average of 3.00 (“B”); and a composite score of 28 ACT/1250 SAT. A limited number of students are selected from those who meet these requirements. Among the considerations in selection are maturity, rank in class, grades, recommendation of the high school principal and others, and additional evidence of scholarly achievement.
Applying for Admission as an Undergraduate Student at LSU
Application information is routinely sent to students who have their scores on the SAT or ACT tests sent to the university. All applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline dates and send transcripts of all college work attempted, if any, as soon as possible. Complete official transcripts are required after high school graduation. Louisiana high schools submit electronic transcripts to the State Department of Education, which LSU can access upon receiving a student’s application for admission.
LSU requires a nonrefundable application fee to accompany the application for admission or re-entry. Several payment options are offered: The fee can be submitted using the online payment options or via check or U.S. money order drawn on a U.S. bank and showing the name of the applicant for whom payment is made. This service fee is used to help cover the cost of processing applications. It is neither refunded if admission is denied, nor is it applied against other costs when a student subsequently enrolls. All former LSU students who have not been enrolled for one or more semesters must submit an application for re-entry.
Arrangements for admission, financial aid, and housing are made separately through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Office of Residential Life, respectively. Students applying for on-campus housing must first be accepted to LSU.
Application deadlines:
Examples of LSU Undergraduate Student Applications
Policies for admission to LSU in the undergraduate program are applied in a clear and consistent manner using the preceding criteria. These criteria are reflected in the examples of redacted, completed application forms for undergraduate admission to LSU – one for a domestic student [19] and one for an international student [20].
Graduate Student Admissions to LSU
Admission to the Graduate School is awarded on the basis of evidence of academic achievement and promise [6]. Applications of students who meet the Graduate School requirements are forwarded to the appropriate academic units for final approval.
Certain programs require higher admission standards than those of the Graduate School. Due to the high demand for many graduate programs, meeting the minimum requirements of the Graduate School does not guarantee admission into a particular program.
General Information
Applicants meeting the following requirements are eligible for regular admission to the Graduate School. Applicants failing to meet all requirements may be granted probationary admission, provided other substantial evidence of capacity to do satisfactory graduate work—including outstanding performance in post baccalaureate and/or graduate work, high Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, where appropriate, and other outstanding achievement—is presented.
An applicant with unsatisfactory undergraduate records who has completed a minimum of nine hours of graded graduate course work with at least a 3.33 graduate grade point average (GPA) (“A” = 4.0) in a graduate program and who has acceptable GRE scores (GMAT, where applicable) may be considered for admission.
Applicants who appear admissible on the basis of unofficial and/or incomplete transcripts of previous work or unofficial test scores, but who are unable to supply the required records prior to registration, may be granted provisional admission. Subsequent enrollment will not be permitted until all provisions are met. Provisional admission does not guarantee subsequent regular admission to the Graduate School.
Admission to a Degree Program
Regular admission is awarded to applicants who intend to pursue a degree and meet the following requirements:
Applicants who fail to meet one or more of the requirements for regular admission may be admitted on probation, provided additional evidence of capacity to do satisfactory work is presented. Such evidence might include superior performance in a substantial amount of post baccalaureate work, high GRE scores (GMAT scores, when appropriate), and other achievements.
Students entering on probation remain on probation until the completion of nine hours of graduate-level, graded courses (“A,” “B,” and “C” only) with at least a 3.0 average. A part-time student entering on probation and registering for fewer than nine hours may be dropped from the Graduate School if the student’s GPA is less than 3.0 during any semester in which he or she is registered. Students admitted on probation may not be appointed to assistantships or fellowships until they attain good academic standing.
Provisional admission may be considered for applicants who appear to be admissible on the basis of the credentials submitted, but who are unable to supply all of the required official records prior to registration. Students admitted provisionally must submit complete and satisfactory records within 60 days (45 days in summer term) after the first day of class for the semester in which graduate study begins. If these credentials are not received by the date specified, or if they prove to be unsatisfactory, students are not be permitted to register for the following semester. Provisional admission does not guarantee subsequent regular admission.
Admission of International Students
Applicants who have completed degree requirements outside the U.S. must present all of the following:
An applicant whose native language is not English and/or who has been educated outside of the U.S. in a country or province where English is not the only official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting either a TOEFL or an IELTS score before the application is evaluated for admission.
TOEFL:
On the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the following minimum scores are required for admission [15]:
IELTS:
On the IELTS (International English Language Testing Service), the following minimum score is required for admission [16]:
Applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL / IELTS requirement if they have completed one of the following:
Official transcripts or scores are required showing completion of one of the above before a student can be exempted from the TOEFL/ IELTS requirement. The Office of Graduate Student Services reserves the right to require a satisfactory TOEFL/IELTS score from any applicant. All international students who are admitted are required to take an English placement test prior to registration.
Application deadlines for international students are the same as for all other applicants; however, because transcripts from foreign universities require special evaluation, prospective international students should begin the application process at least nine to twelve months prior to the semester in which they plan to enroll. Applications received after the deadline dates are processed for the following semester or summer term. When sufficient scholastic records and acceptable evidence of English proficiency are not received early enough to determine admissibility for the semester for which application is made, consideration for a subsequent semester is made only upon the applicant’s written request.
Upon arrival on campus and before registration, international applicants (except citizens of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, certain Caribbean islands, and Belize) who have been admitted to the Graduate School must take the LSU Comprehensive English Language Test, consisting of the Michigan Test and a writing sample. Students with teaching duties whose tests indicate a deficiency in English are required to register for appropriate English composition courses with a reduced load of graduate courses.
A graduate assistant whose native language is not English and who is not exempted by other provisions must demonstrate proficiency in English. Further, teaching assistants must be tested for oral proficiency. The oral proficiency is determined by English staff, who personally interview each student and determine their mastery of spoken English. A 30-minute, one-on-one, oral interview by Spoken English Program faculty determines possible exemption from or placement in English 1051, the spoken English course. Oral interviews take place on site and in person before each semester begins. Any international graduate assistant who has not received a favorable recommendation from the spoken English interview may not teach in any capacity.
An international applicant who has completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited U.S. institution must meet regular admission requirements. Before the applicant can be considered, the Graduate School must receive a satisfactory GRE or GMAT score. An international applicant is not be admitted until this information has been received.
Examples of LSU Graduate Student Applications
Policies for admission to LSU in the graduate program are applied in a clear and consistent manner using the preceding criteria. These criteria are reflected in the examples of redacted, completed application forms for graduate admission to LSU– one for a domestic student [21], one for a non-matriculating student [22], and one for an international student [23].
![[1] LSU Mission Statement](https://w.taskstream.com/Content/css/Global/Images/Icons/attachment.gif){kind=icon}
[1] LSU Mission Statement
[2] Faculty Senate ASH Bylaws
[3] 2011 Board of Regents Master Plan
[4] LA BoR Minimum Undergraduate Admissions Standards
[5] 2013-14 General Catalog: Undergraduate Student Admissions
[6] 2013-14 General Catalog: Graduate Student Admissions
[7] Faculty Senate Resolution 00-08: Admission Standards for Transfer Students
[8] 2013-14 General Catalog: Undergraduate Admissions of Transfer Students
[9] 2013-14 General Catalog: Other Enrollment Opportunities
[10] LSU & LSU-Eunice Bengal to Tiger Bridge Program
[11] 2013-14 General Catalog: Undergraduate Admissions of Reentering Students
[12] 2013-14 General Catalog: Undergradaute Admissions of International Students
[13] LSU International Student Services
[14] LSU International Student Admissions Website
[15] TOEFL Website
[16] IELTS Website
[17] PTE Website
[18] 2013-14 General Catalog: Distance Education & Visiting Students
[19] Redacted Example of Undergraduate Student Application
[20] Redacted Example of Undergraduate Student (International)
[21] Redacted Example of Graduate Student Application
[22] Redacted Example of Graduate Student (Nonmatriculating)
[23] Redacted Example of Graduate Application (International)
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