FAQs

Students can choose from over 85 majors, concentrations, and pre-professional tracks. Because you are applying to the college and not a particular program, it is okay that you might not know what you want to major in when you apply to St. Olaf. You can indicate on the application what you are interested in now, and will then have the first two years to declare your academic major. About one-third of St. Olaf students will graduate with two majors.

St. Olaf College accepts credit earned through the College Board Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate exams, and Cambridge A Levels upon receipt of official documentation. With certain restrictions, students who score 4-5 on their AP exams or 5-7 on their Higher Level IB exams may receive credit and/or advanced placement. You can find more information here.

We have four deadlines: two “binding” Early Decision options, one non-binding Early Action option, and non-binding Regular Decision. If St. Olaf is absolutely your first choice and you know that you will enroll if you are admitted with sufficient financial aid, you are welcome to consider applying Early Decision. At St. Olaf our Early Decision deadlines are November 15 and January 8.

If you are still considering multiple schools you should apply by either the Early Action deadline of November 15, or the Regular Decision deadline of January 15. You may start your application at any time and are encouraged to submit all of the required materials by January 15. If you are concerned about meeting the January 15 deadline, let us know.

If you are an international student currently attending high school in the United States, you will be working with the Admissions Officer assigned to your U.S. high school. You can find your Admissions Officer here.

When you submit your application, make sure that we receive transcripts from both your current high school in the U.S. and your previous high school in your home country.

We no longer require the SAT or ACT. Read more about our Test Optional Policy.

Should you choose to submit SAT and/or ACT scores, The SAT-I (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test) should be taken no later than January and you should request that the results be mailed directly to St. Olaf. St. Olaf’s SAT code is 6638 and ACT code is 2150.

Refer to the SAT and ACT websites for more information about testing dates and locations:

SAT

ACT

Test scores will be considered official if sent directly from the testing agency or from a school official (directly, or if on an official transcript). We can review your application with unofficial scores (submitted by you via email or through your application), but we will require official scores if you are admitted and decide to enroll.

If English is not your first/home language nor your primary language of instruction, we require either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or Duolingo tests. The minimum TOEFL score is 90 (IBT), the IELTS minimum band is 6.5, the minimum Duolingo score is 110, . Visit: TOEFL.org, IELTS.org or Duolingo for testing information. A student who successfully completes all Level 4 MELP (Minnesota English Language Program) High-Advanced ESL Courses will have met this requirment.

We are able to offer up to full tuition scholarships plus loan and work study to international students who are admitted. Students receiving this maximum financial aid package would need to be able to access approximately $10,000 a year from family or outside scholarships to make St. Olaf affordable. Because financial aid is limited, the more financial aid that you require, the more competitive admission becomes.

Davis United World College Scholars Program:

There are more than 100 Davis Scholars currently studying at St. Olaf. Because of the Davis Scholarship, we are able to provide up to full comprehensive fee scholarships (tuition, room, and board) for students who have graduated from a United World College.

Cole and Hilleren Scholarships for students from Norway:

St. Olaf was founded by Norwegian immigrants and continues to have strong ties to Norway. If you are from Norway, you will automatically be considered for need-based scholarships specifically for students from Norway.

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