Undergraduate admissions policy
Augustana College invites applications for admission from students of all backgrounds.
Admission is selective; all applicants are considered based on their potential to succeed in the college’s rigorous academic environment.
The college evaluates applicants based on high school course selection, rigor of curriculum, high school grades, rank in class and official test scores (ACT or SAT, or TOEFL or IELTS for international students).
Augustana College requires a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, for admission as a degree-seeking student. Exceptions are allowed for students who have completed a secondary school education in a setting that is treated as a home school or private school under state law. In the event the validity of the transcript is in question, the Office of Admission will reach out directly to the secondary school to seek verification.
Students who do not have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent (e.g., GED), or do not meet the home school requirements, will no longer be eligible to receive Title IV student financial aid. A student’s official final high school transcript, including all completed high school coursework and date of graduation, serves as proof of a high school diploma. Transfer students must provide official transcripts from all colleges attended.
In addition:
- A writing sample is required by all applicants (with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis).
- An admissions interview is required for Early Decision applicants and highly recommended for all others.
- International applicants must submit a Certification of Finances.
Academic preparation
To be considered for admission, students are expected to have completed college preparatory coursework in the following academic subjects, distributed as follows:
- Four years of English
- At least one year of a foreign language, preferably two
- Three years of mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II), preferably four
- Two years of lab science, preferably three
- Two years of social studies, including history
Students preparing for study in engineering, mathematics or science should complete at least three years of mathematics in high school, distributed as follows:
- One-and-a-half years of algebra
- One year of plane geometry
- One half-year of trigonometry
For international students, the TOEFL minimum is 550 on written test, 80 on the internet test. The IELTS minimum is 6.5.