COVID-19

What if I want to visit campus before I submit my enrollment deposit?

We would love for you to see the Hill. While we can’t welcome you to campus like we normally would, we have created a variety of virtual visit opportunities that are bringing “the Hill” to you!

Discover life at St. Olaf, meet your future professors, learn about internships and outcomes from a St. Olaf education, and hear from current Oles. Real people are ready and waiting to show and tell you what St. Olaf is like, and to help you see yourself as an Ole — open up the doors.

What if I’d like to talk to someone at St. Olaf?

You can register for a virtual connection with the admissions team and/or for information sessions with current students.

Is May 1 still your enrollment deposit deadline?

While May 1 is the enrollment deposit deadline, we understand that there may be uncertainties in your life right now. We welcome you to discuss options with us to help ease the situation as much as possible! Please contact your Admissions Officer prior to May 1 to discuss a deadline extension.

Will AP and IB credits be accepted with changes being made to the tests?

Yes. The College Board has announced a switch to online AP exams for 2019-20.  St. Olaf College will grant credit based on these scores, as outlined in our current credit policies.

Yes,  the IB Organization has announced that it will centrally score IB subjects and Diplomas (using the same scale as the IB examinations). St. Olaf will grant credit based on these scores, as outlined in our current credit policies.

What impact will taking my courses Pass/Fail this spring have?

There will be no impact to our admissions decisions or reading/review process for students taking high school courses Pass/Fail during this spring: February 2020 – June 2020.  St. Olaf College will accept Pass/Fail grades for PSEO courses taken Pass/Fail during this spring following our current credit policies.

Are you still accepting applications for admission for September 2020?

Yes, we are still accepting transfer and new student applications for Fall 2020.

How are you supporting current Oles?

• St. Olaf switched to online learning for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.  Most students have left campus and are now at home with family.  However, current students who were unable to return home are being supported on campus.
• Some students have been able to continue with earning their student employment award through remote work.
• Housing and meals continue to be offered to students who were unable to leave campus.
• Students who have left campus have received a prorated housing and meal plan credit.
• Follow along with the college’s communication surrounding COVID-19.

Can I visit campus?

We would love for you to see the Hill. While we have cancelled all campus visit programs through May 31 and suspended registrations for visits in June and beyond, we have created a variety of virtual visit opportunities that are bringing “the Hill” to you!

Please let us know if you would like to be notified as soon as we resume our In-person Campus Visit Program.

I’d like to talk to someone at St. Olaf.

You can register for individual conversations with the admissions team and/or for information sessions with current students.

Will AP and IB credits be accepted with changes being made to the tests?

Yes. The College Board has announced a switch to online AP exams for 2019-20.  St. Olaf College will grant credit based on these scores, as outlined in our current credit policies.

Are you changing ACT/SAT test requirements?

• Yes, prospective students applying to St. Olaf College for admission in the fall of 2021 and beyond will no longer be required to submit their SAT or ACT test scores with their applications. Switching to a test optional process aligns with our holistic application process and our commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Our own internal study completed this year shows that high school grades and a college preparation curriculum are the best predictors for academic success at St. Olaf.
• Students who believe their test scores represent their academic abilities are still encouraged to submit them with their application. As part of this change, St. Olaf will also accept scores from the Classical Learning Test (CLT).

What impact will taking my courses Pass/Fail have?

There will be no impact to our admissions reading/review process for students taking high school Pass/Fail courses during this spring: February 2020 – June 2020. St. Olaf College will accept Pass/Fail grades for PSEO courses taken Pass/Fail during this spring following our current credit policies.

How are you supporting current Oles?

• St. Olaf switched to online learning for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.  Most students have left campus and are now at home with family.  However, current students who were unable to return home are being supported on campus.
• Some students have been able to continue with earning their student employment award through remote work.
• Housing and meals continue to be offered to students who were unable to leave campus.
• Students who have left campus have received a prorated housing and meal plan credit.
• Follow along with the college’s communication surrounding COVID-19.

Are I-20s being issued?

Yes. We continue to issue I-20s to deposited students. Once you confirm your plans to come to St. Olaf, Jenny Howenstine will contact you to get additional information needed to issue your I-20. When your I-20 is ready, Jenny will send it to you electronically so that you can eventually make a visa appointment, and she will then send the physical copy (along with a copy of your admit letter) to you via Federal Express/DHL.

Am I able to get a student visa to study at St. Olaf College?

We are aware that U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe have stopped visa processing for the moment. We hope that as conditions improve, they will reopen and begin issuing visas again. We expect that there will be a lot of students who will apply once the embassies and consulates reopen. We recommend that you check their websites frequently, so that you are able to schedule your interview as soon as possible.

What support does St. Olaf provide to international students?

International students are supported through the Office of Admissions and the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion. International students come from more than 100 countries and represent 11% of the student body.

How are you supporting current Oles?

• St. Olaf switched to online learning for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.  Most students have left campus and are now at home with family.  However, current students who were unable to return home are being supported on campus.
• Some students have been able to continue with earning their student employment award through remote work.
• Housing and meals continue to be offered to students who were unable to leave campus.
• Students who have left campus have received a prorated housing and meal plan credit.
• Follow along with the college’s communication surrounding COVID-19.