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Can a high school freshman take a summer college course?
Generally we only allow seniors in high school to take CLU courses; however, we will consider other high school levels with a teacher recommendation. Learn more about Summer @ CLU
What should I major in if I want to go to medical school after I graduate?
You have a number of options to choose from in regards to majors when pursuing medical school. The most common majors we have found students choose at CLU are Biological Sciences, Exercise Science, and Biochemistry. As a freshman student we encourage you to talk to your faculty advisor for guidance.
When visiting campus, is it possible to spend the night on campus? If it is possible, how would I arrange to do so?
We do offer occasional overnight events. The Overnight Experience programs allow prospective freshmen and transfer students who have applied to CLU the opportunity to say in our residence halls. Check out our events...
Is the Early Action Application binding?
No, Early Action is non-binding.
Hi, I have been accepted to CLU. I wanted to know if you offer summer classes? If you do, is there a housing option available?
Yes, we do offer summer school classes and housing. Learn more about options for incoming freshmen and transfer students on the Summer @ CLU website.
Which airport is most convenient to land in?
Burbank Airport is the closest to our campus if that option is available; otherwise, Los Angeles International Airport is the second closest option.
Where should I mail my transcripts?
You can send transcripts and all other application materials to:
California Lutheran University
Office Of Undergraduate Admission
60 W. Olsen Road #1350
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Can I transfer into the spring semester?
Yes, we do accept applications for spring terms. View our Dates and Deadlines page to find out when to apply.
Can the person who is writing my letter of recommendation post/send the letter electronically?
Yes, we accept electronic copies of letters of recommendation as long as it is clear who is sending it and which student the letter is for. Please contact your admission counselor for more details.
What qualifies one as a transfer student?
A transfer student is anyone who has graduated from high school or earned an equivalent certificate and has completed any college coursework from an accreditted college or university. Students applying with a minimum of 30 transferable units will not be required to submit high school transcripts and SAT and/or ACT scores as part of the application process.
How do I add an award to my application?
It's best to send that information directly to your admission counselor. Once your application has been submitted, you are unable to add new information. Find your counselor here.
How does the CLU Guarantee Scholarship work?
- The CLU Guarantee Scholarship replaces any Academic Scholarship the student was awarded. For ADEP students, it does not replace the ADEP Grant.
- When receiving the CLU Guarantee Scholarship after a Financial Aid Award is created, the Financial Aid Award may change based on institutional, state, and federal guidelines regarding eligibility.
- Students will be reviewed for additional institutional, state, and federal aid based on FAFSA information.
- For traditional undergraduates, the scholarship is calculated as the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA) at CLU for a full-time, residential student and the average COA for a full-time, residential student at UCLA, UCSB, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UCSD. For ADEP students, the scholarship is calculated based on the Traditional Undergraduate cost per unit after the CLU Guarantee.
- The scholarship amount changes every year as the COA changes at these institutions. This means the amount can go up and it can go down. Should the CLU Guarantee Scholarship amount decrease in any year, continuing students will continue to receive the scholarship at the higher rate from the previous year.
- The scholarship is renewable for subsequent years at CLU provided the student maintains either a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher (Freshmen) or a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher (Transfers) AND Satisfactory Academic Progress. Freshmen may receive the scholarship for up to a maximum of 4 years. Transfer students may receive the scholarship for up to a maximum of 2 years, depending on grade level at time of enrollment.
How is the CLU Guarantee Scholarship Calculated?
- The CLU Guarantee Scholarship amount is calculated using an average of the in-state, residential Cost of Attendance (COA) at the five UC institutions. This average is then subtracted from the on-campus COA at CLU, resulting in the scholarship amount.
- COA includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and other expenses a family might accrue while the student is at college such as transportation and personal expenses. It should not be confused with Direct Costs which are those costs paid directly to the institution: usually tuition, room, board, and fees.
- For 2011-2012:
The COA at the UC institutions for a full-time, residential student is:- UC Berkeley: $31,534
- UC Santa Barbara: $30,874
- UC Los Angeles: $30,467
- UC Davis: $30,135
- UC San Diego: $30,291
- The average COA at these 5 institutions is $30,291
- The COA at CLU is $49,722 making the CLU Guarantee Scholarship for 2011-2012 $19,431 ($49,722-$30,291) for incoming students.
Which 5 UCs are included in the CLU Guarantee Program?
Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Davis, Berkeley, San Diego
Are there internship opportunities for CLU students?
Yes, there are both on and off campus internships available to CLU students. The Career Services office is dedicated to helping students build resumes, practice for interviews, and notify them of available internship opportunities.
What is the 4-to-Finish program?
CLU ensures that students who follow the graduation guarantee guidelines will receive registration priority and obtain classes to graduate with their bachelor's degree on time. If you cannot complete your degree in four years under this agreement, CLU will pick up the cost of your tuition for each additional class required for graduation.
What if you change your major after signing the 4-to-finish contract?
Students must declare a major by the end of the third semester after enrolling at CLU. Science and Liberal Studies majors need to declare a major in the first semester. If a student chooses to change majors after the third semester, the student must ensure the requirements of the new major will still be completed in four years. The guarantee will only cover completion of a single major in a single degree.
How many students actually graduate in 4 years?
Our most current statistics are from 2006, which show that 51% of students graduated by their 4th year.
What is the retention rate from Freshman to Sophomore?
The retention rate from the first to second year was 82% in 2009, which is our most current statistic.
How is CLU ranked nationally?
According to the US News and World Report, CLU is ranked 18th.
Do you have to declare your major before entering CLU?
No. Students do not need to declare their major until their 3rd semester at CLU.
How are the sports teams?
Over the last decade, CLU teams have won over 60 SCIAC championships.
Is Thousand Oaks safe?
According to FBI statistics, Thousand Oaks is rated one of the safest cities of its size in America.
Is the faculty really any good?
86% of CLU's faculty have doctorate or terminal degrees in their field.
Do IB classes count for college credit?
CLU recognizes the quality of the International Baccalaureate program and awards up to four semester hours of credits for each Higher Level exam score of 4 or higher. Subsidiary level exams will not be considered for credit.
Does my scholarship change if my grades get better after I apply?
Students may appeal to have their application re-evaluated by sending updated transcripts, test scores and a letter to their admission counselor.
How do you calculate my GPA for admission?
We separate students' academic courses from their extra-curricular courses and weigh IB, AP, and Honors classes.
Should I only send my best test scores?
No. It is best to send us all scores from each test you have taken. We will put your best section scored together to calculate your best overall score.
Is the ACT or SAT better?
The SAT or ACT are weighted the same. Neither is better than the other.
What is the latest date that a student can take the SAT or ACT?
At the latest, students should take the ACT/SAT at least a month and a half before the application deadline. If the SAT/ACT again after applying, they may send us the new scores and have their application re-evaluated.
What is the different between early action and regular applications?
Students must apply by the early action deadline in order to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship. By applying by the early action deadline, students will be given their admission decision by January 15th rather than March 15th for regular decision applicants. The longer students wait to apply, the harder it will be to get in and the less amount of money we will have to award in academic scholarships.
Do you use academic GPA or total GPA?
We calculate our own academic GPA from students' transcripts and weigh AP, IB, and Honors classes.
Can I still get the application fee waived if I already submit my application using the Common App but have not paid?
Yes, if they have a valid reason, by contacting their admission counselor.
Does CLU participate in ROTC programs?
Students who qualify may enroll in either the Air Force ROTC program or the Army ROTC program. CLU has agreements with the University of California, Los Angeles for Air Force ROTC (see below) and with the University of California, Santa Barbara for Army ROTC. CLU students may enroll in courses at those institutions. Academic units earned in the ROTC programs are counted as elective credits toward graduation at CLU. For further information on ROTC and possible scholarships, contact the Registrar at (805) 493-3105.
I am interested in pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and practicing as an RN upon graduation. Is there a program to accomplish this at CLU?
No. CLU offers a pre-med program, but nothing specific to nursing.
Is your Discovery Application binding?
The discovery application is non-binding (they are not committed to attend CLU).
Does your school look at the student’s freshmen year of high school?
Yes, students' grades from their first year in high school are calculated in their academic GPA.
If the student decides to turn in a graded paper instead of writing a personal statement does the graded paper have to be from a specific class?
No, any graded paper will work; we just want to see a writing sample. If they are going to submit a graded paper we need a copy of the actual graded paper.
If a student is a freshmen at another college or university and wants to apply for the Spring Semester what do they need to do? Do they apply as a freshmen or transfers student?
They can go online and apply using the transfer application. The application deadline is November 15. The student needs to get an official copy of their transcripts from their current school, official HS transcripts, test scores and LOR. They also need to submit final grades as soon as possible.
When is deadline to apply for visual and performing art scholarship?
The deadline is Feb 1, 2012
Contact Faculty:
- Music - Vocal - Wyatt Morton 805-493-3307
- Music - Instrumental - Daniel Geeting 805-493-3311
- Art Visual - Michael Pierce 805-493-3316
- Theater - Michael Arndt 805-493-3416
If I received the Discovery Application, can I apply using the Common Application and still receive the same benefits?
Yes, you will still receive the same benefits and your application fee will be waived.
Are Honors or AP classes weighted?
Both Honors and AP classes are weighted.
