Applying for Admission
What's the application deadline?
Luther has rolling admission, which means applications are accepted for review beginning in November and continuing throughout the winter and spring. To stay on track to be considered for financial assistance and to submit a timely application for housing, students should consider submitting an application by January 1.
What's the application fee?
There's no fee for applying online. If you apply using a paper application, it will incur a $25 fee. Contact the admissions office at admissions@luther.edu or (800) 4 LUTHER (800-458-8437) to obtain a paper copy.
How do I apply for academic scholarships?
Your application to Luther is your application for academic scholarship. You'll be notified of any awards—including Academic Achievement, Presidential, and Regent scholarships—at the same time you receive information about your acceptance to Luther.
What if I'm not in the top half of my class, or my ACT/SAT score does not meet Luther's standards?
Applications from students whose ACT score (or SAT equivalent) is not 21 or better, or who do not rank in the top half of their class, will be reviewed by an admissions committee comprising faculty, admissions personnel, and financial aid officers. You may be asked to provide additional information about yourself and your desire to attend Luther.
What's the deadline to decide to attend Luther?
May 1 is the National Candidate Reply Date for all colleges. The sooner you submit your $200 enrollment deposit to Luther, however, the sooner your application for housing and other information regarding registration for classes will be mailed to you.
What happens to my enrollment deposit?
The enrollment deposit becomes the student deposit, which is used to pay for damage to college property or for any unpaid fees. At the end of the school year, returning students will receive credit on their accounts for any unused student deposit balance. This credit will be applied toward the costs of the following year. Graduates and other nonreturning students will be refunded the unused student deposit balance by check in June following their last semester of classes.
Financial Assistance
What does Luther's "comprehensive fee" include?
The comprehensive fee ($35,960 for 2008-09) includes tuition, room, and full board. It does not include books, travel, or other personal expenses. However, these costs are approximated and factored into a student's total financial aid award, so estimated costs are accurate.
Who qualifies for financial assistance?
Students who demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) qualify for financial assistance from Luther. More than 97 percent of students receive some form of financial aid.
Who qualifies for work-study?
Students who demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are given priority for work-study jobs on campus. Students who do not demonstrate financial need, however, may still be employed on campus.
What if I can't file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because my family's tax statements aren't ready?
You may begin the FAFSA using estimates of your family's tax information and plug in the real numbers when they are available. This preliminary process gives you a preview of your eligibility for financial assistance for planning purposes. Luther's Financial Aid Office will work with you to make sure your information is taken into account in the preparation of your financial aid award. See www.fafsa.ed.gov or Luther's Financial Aid Office to get started.
For a more detailed FAQ on financial services at Luther, click here.
Academics
Does Luther have an honors program?
Yes. The following challenges, opportunities, and distinctions comprise the honors program:
- Scholars colloquium for first-year students
- Honors core—four interdisciplinary courses beyond the first year
- Senior symposium
- Department honors and prizes
- Latin honors
- Research grants
- Participation in regional and national research conferences, such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research
- Special advising for national fellowships
- Election to Phi Beta Kappa and discipline-based national honor societies
What is Paideia?
"Paideia" is the Greek word for education, and Luther's Paideia program encompasses two interdisciplinary academic experiences: a two-semester "prologue to the liberal arts" for first-year students (Paideia I), and an ethics-based course for juniors and seniors (Paideia II). These courses involve critical reading and writing skills in the study of significant texts and social history. All first-year students are required to take Paideia I.
Do Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses count for credit at Luther?
AP exam scores of 4 or 5, and IB Higher Level exam scores of 4 or better qualify for up to four semester hours of credit per exam. Exams taken at the subsidiary level in the IB program will not be considered for credit.
AP or IB credit does not exempt a student from Paideia, Luther's common first-year interdisciplinary course. Credits may be applied toward electives and those courses within a student's major in which exemption is allowed.
What are the most popular majors?
In terms of sheer numbers, Luther's business, biology, education, music, and psychology programs are currently most popular, but Luther graduates are—first and foremost—liberal arts students who are necessarily well-versed in a variety of disciplines. Many students pursue mulitple interests in programs of interdisciplinary study, adding cultural anthropology and sociology to their preparation for medical school, for example, or combining management and economics with their study of art history.
When do I have to declare a major?
Students do not need to declare a major until second semester of the sophomore year. This allows some time and flexibility to explore interests before focusing the field of study. Students considering more regimented curricula, such as nursing, education (requiring student teaching), athletic training, or premedical studies, should work with their advisers to meet basic requirements in those programs as early as the first year.
Residence Life
When do I choose a residence hall?
You'll receive your housing application—which maps out your preferences for room style and roommates—as soon as Luther receives your $200 enrollment deposit. Roommate matching takes place in June, and students receive notification of housing placement in July.
What about security in the residence halls?
Luther has professional security staff members on duty 24 hours per day, 365 days each year. An operator also mans the Union switchboard from 7 a.m. to midnight each day. Residence life staff lock the residence hall access doors at 10 p.m. and unlock them at 8 a.m. Resident assistants perform duty rounds in their halls to ensure safety in each building. Students are strongly encouraged to lock their room doors and carry their room keys at all times.
What's the male to female ratio?
Luther is currently 57 percent women and 43 percent men—better than the national average (58:42), according to the U.S. Education Department's statistics!
May I bring a car?
Yes. All students are permitted to park vehicles on campus. A permit is required for each vehicle ($65 a year). There is adequate parking on campus; however the lots are not necessarily close to all of the residence halls. For more information, contact the Information and Security Services Desk at (563) 387-2111.
Can I arrange a ride home with other students over breaks?
The Student Activities Council manages a "ride board," located near the Mail Center in Dahl Centennial Union. Students with room for passengers exchange messages with students needing rides. Students may also talk with admissions personnel to identify other students from their home area.
What is Decorah like? Is there stuff to do?
Yes, definitely. In fact, nearly 90 percent of students stick around on the weekends, making the most of our beautiful location. Decorah has a resident population of 8,000 and is known nationwide for its recreational opportunities, numerous cultural heritage events and festivals, pedestrian-friendly village center full of niche eateries and shops, and conscious efforts to thrive as a small town.
Students enjoy floating the Upper Iowa River (which runs through a portion of campus), biking and hiking in the area's limestone bluff country, and fly-fishing on renowned trout streams, as well as shopping, hanging out in local coffee shops and restaurants, and volunteering with local churches and service groups.
What is the social life like on campus?
Students lead and participate in more than 120 organizations, from Alpha Chi Omega (a co-ed service fraternity) to Ultimate Frisbee. Luther students also compete in 19 varsity sports (10 for men; nine for women) and manage their own intrarmural athletics league (involving nearly 75 percent of the student population).
Nearly 1,000 students are musicians in Luther's seven choirs, three bands, three orchestras, and two jazz bands. Other students produce and/or perform in theatre and dance productions, design service-learning projects as members of fraternities and sororities, and bring big-name performers, lecturers, and movies to campus as part of campus programming committees. There's always something interesting going on!
Who provides cell phone service in Decorah?
Area cell service providers include:
For a more detailed FAQ on residence life at Luther, click here.