Admissions - Undergraduate

Loyola University New Orleans encourages and welcomes applications from all qualified persons. The Office of Admissions strives to enroll diverse classes of students who can be successful at Loyola and who, upon graduation, will have benefited from Loyola’s Jesuit Catholic values-based liberal arts education.

The policies and requirements described on this page relate to all on-campus and online undergraduate admissions. Applicants who are applying to any of Loyola's fully online undergraduate degree programs are held to similar admissions standards as equivalent on-campus programs.

Admissions policies and requirements for Graduate programs can be found in the Graduate Bulletin, and the policies and requirements for College of Law programs can be found in the Law Bulletin.

Navigation

On this webpage, you will find the following Undergraduate Admissions policies and requirements:

• Admissions Policies
• Applicant Categories & Classifications
  • Degree Seeking
  • Non-Degree Seeking
  • First Time / First-Year
  • Transfer & Readmission
  • First-Time / First-Year
  • GED Applicants
  • International
  • Transfer
  • Readmission
  • College of Music & Media Applicants
  • University Honors Program Applicants
  • Non-Degree Seeking
  • Applicants with a Disciplinary History

  Admissions Policies

  The Office of Admissions evaluates secondary and post-secondary school records, standardized test scores, co-curricular activities, and a variety of other personal and academic credentials in order to determine admission. The Admissions Committee selects students with high standards of scholarship, personal character and serious educational aims. As such, the Admissions Committee does not discriminate based on the applicant’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veterans’ status, genetic information or disability in the admissions process. The Committee holistically evaluates all applications for admission and accepts those students whose credentials indicate a high probability for success. The admissions review process for online applicants similarly considers the student's ability to engage in online learning. The objective of the admissions process is to select the students who will benefit from the courses of study and services offered by Loyola University New Orleans and to maintain the academic standards that have brought recognition to Loyola as a Catholic, Jesuit University.

  Loyola refrains from providing commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid to any employees or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding financial assistance. Loyola also forbids any high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts, including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, or engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of procuring student enrollments.

  Applicant Categories & Classifications

  An applicant's category & classification are used to determine admissions requirements and eligibility for financial aid. When an applicant’s category cannot easily be established, the determination will be made by the Director of Admission or Executive Director of Loyola Online, as applicable. For more information on undergraduate classifications please see: Undergraduate Classifications.

  Degree-Seeking Categories

  Degree-seeking applicants intend to complete an undergraduate degree at Loyola University New Orleans.

  First Time in College / First-Year (Freshman)
  Applicants who fulfill one or more of the following conditions will be considered to be a first-year:

  • An applicant who, at the time of application, is enrolled in an accredited secondary school (a domestic high school or the international equivalent) or homeschool program.
  • An applicant who has earned a high school diploma, GED or equivalent certificate of completion but has not enrolled in any other accredited post-secondary institution.
  • An applicant who enrolled in a post-secondary institution but did not earn credit and/or has completely withdrawn from that institution before credit was earned. Note: complete withdrawal must be verified by receipt of a transcript reflecting the withdrawal and/or a letter from the institution verifying that no credit was earned.

  Transfer Students
  Applicants who fulfill one or more of the following conditions will be considered to be a transfer:

  • An applicant who, at the time of application, is enrolled in a post-secondary institution.
  • An applicant who previously enrolled at a post-secondary institution after earning a high school diploma, GED or equivalent certificate of completion.

  Second Degree
  Applicants who fulfill one or more of the following conditions will be considered to be a second-degree candidate:

  • An applicant who has earned an undergraduate (or international equivalent) degree.

  Readmission (Re-Admit)
  Applicants who fulfill all of the following conditions will be considered to be a re-admit:

  • An applicant who previously attended Loyola University New Orleans that left the University in good standing and with a cumulative GPA above a 2.0.
  • An applicant who previously attended Loyola University New Orleans and left the University in good disciplinary standing.
  • An applicant who previously attended Loyola University New Orleans and left the University in good financial standing.

  Provisional Readmission
  Applicants who fulfill one or more of the following conditions will be considered to be a provisional re-admit:

  • An applicant who previously attended Loyola University New Orleans and left the university with a cumulative grade point average below a 2.0.
  • An applicant who previously attended Loyola University New Orleans and left the University with any disciplinary actions.
  • An applicant who previously attended Loyola University New Orleans and left the University with any financial holds or outstanding balance.

  International
  Applicants who:

  • Do not hold United States citizenship or Permanent Residency will be considered to be international. Note: applicants who hold dual citizenship with the United States and another country will be considered as US citizens for the purposes of admission.

  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
  Applicants holding verified DACA status (credentials must be submitted to the Admissions Office) may apply for admission to the University. They will be considered for a waiver of the required Affidavit of Support for International Students, however, they will not be eligible for federal financial aid consideration.

  Non-Degree Seeking Categories

  Non-Degree Seeking applicants intend to take college-level courses at Loyola University New Orleans without the intention of completing a degree. Categories for Non-Degree Seeking students include Dual Enrollment, Early Scholars/Artist, Community Auditors, and Transient/Visiting Classifications. Non-degree students do not qualify for financial aid.

  Applicants who fulfill one or more of the following conditions will be considered to be non-degree:

  • An applicant who already has an undergraduate degree but wishes to take selected undergraduate classes in order to fulfill prerequisites needed for graduate school or other professional school.
  • An adult applicant (21yrs of age or older) who has not completed an undergraduate degree but wishes to take selected undergraduate classes in order to fulfill prerequisites needed for professional school, for personal enrichment or as a precursor to job placement.
  • An applicant who is currently enrolled in high school and wishes to take dual enrollment college courses through the Early Scholars/Early Artist Program or on site at their high school as part of a Loyola sponsored Dual Enrollment program.
  • Applicants in the Community Scholars/Senior Auditors program (65 years or older) that take non-credit classes (audit).
  • Applicants who are enrolled in another accredited post-secondary institution and wish to apply to Loyola in order to take credit-bearing classes. These applicants will be classified as Transient/Visiting.
  • An applicant who wishes to take non-credit courses is considered to be Auditing.

  Application Deadlines

  Application deadlines govern when an individual's application is reviewed, and provide timely response to applicants regarding their admissions status. Deadlines are the same for domestic and international students.

  First Time in College / First-Year (Freshman)

  Early Action– November 15
  Early Action is a non-binding, single date notification admissions process for first-year applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted, denied or deferred to regular admission during this process.

  Priority Admission– February 15
  Priority admission is a rolling admission notification process for first-year applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted or denied during this process.

  Regular Admission– April 15
  Regular admission is a rolling admission notification process for first-year applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted or denied during this process.

  Transfer Student & Readmission Deadlines

  Early Evaluation– February 15
  Early Evaluation is a rolling notification admissions process for transfer and re-admit applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted or denied during this process.

  Priority Admission– April 15
  Priority admission is a rolling admission notification process for transfer and re-admit applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted or denied during this process.

  Regular Admission– June 15
  Regular admission is a rolling admission notification process for transfer and re-admit applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted or denied during this process.

  Final Admission– August 15
  Final admission is a rolling admission notification process for transfer and re-admit applicants. Applicants who submit their online application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), and letter(s) of recommendation will be considered to be “complete” and able to be evaluated for admission. Applicants can be accepted or denied during this process.

  Application Requirements

  Required Application Materials for each category govern when an application has been completed and is ready for review.

  Note: The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request additional and/or supplemental credentials from any applicant. Requirements for credentials may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Admission, or the Executive Director of Loyola Online, as applicable.

  • First-Time / First-Year
  • GED Applications
  • International
  • Transfer
  • Readmission
  • College of Music & Media Applicants
  • University Honors Program Applicants
  • Non-Degree Seeking
  • Applicants with a Disciplinary History

  First-Time / First-Year

  1. A complete and accurate online application for admission submitted via the Common Application or the native online Loyola Application.
  2. Personal statement (essay) is required (on-campus admissions only).
  3. Official, verified sixth-semester high school transcript, up to the time of application, from an accredited secondary school and/or homeschool. Applicants possessing a General Educational Development Test (GED) may satisfy this requirement by presenting an official, verified copy of test results.
  4. Letter of recommendation. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, academic counselor or person who can attest to the strength of their academic potential. Applicants may submit more than one letter of recommendation if desired.
  5. Students who completed post-secondary work, including dual-credit, while in high school must submit official transcripts of their college work, whether or not they expect to receive credit.
  6. GED Applicants:
     Applicants that opt to take the General Educational Development Test (GED) as opposed to a traditional high school diploma must fulfill all other first-year application requirements. If any high school coursework was completed, applicants may be required to submit transcripts along with a personal statement outlining the student’s academic timeline and rationale for earning a GED. Personal statements are only required for on-campus admissions.

  (Updated for clarification of requirements July 26, 2024, to remove reference encouraging test score submission.)

  International

  International applicants are defined as any student that does not hold US citizenship or US Permanent Residency. These applicants are required to provide additional documentation. In addition to submitting first-year or transfer application materials, international students must provide proof of English proficiency and certification that they have adequate funds to meet their educational expenses. These documents include, but are not limited to:

  1. A copy of their current passport ID page, national ID card or VISA ID page.
     1. A copy of the (F1-type, J1-type, H-type, R-type, J-type, etc.) visa ID card is required, if applicable.
     2. Documentation from the U.S. State Department regarding progress towards either a permanent residency card or naturalization proceedings, accompanied by a personal statement from the student outlining the anticipated timeline for establishing residency is required, if applicable.
     1. Loyola awards academic credit for Advanced Level (A Level) exam results on the GCE (General Certificate of Education). The academic credit to be awarded is at the discretion of the Dean's Office in consultation with the academic department.
     2. Please see detailed Credit By Examination regulations and eligibility charts.

     NOTE: the Affidavit of Support may be waived for certain applicants who hold a VISA which permits them to study in the US and for applicants that hold certified official status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act.

     (Updated July 26, 2024 to add Cambridge English exam)

     Transfer

     1. A complete and accurate online application for admission submitted via the native online Loyola Application.
     2. A personal statement (essay) is required (on-campus admissions only).
     3. Official, verified transcripts from every institution attended, regardless of whether or not credit was earned. Applicants with fewer than 12 credit hours must also submit official high school transcripts. Applicants possessing a General Educational Development Test (GED) may satisfy this requirement by presenting an official, verified copy of test results.
     4. Letter of recommendation. Transfer applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a current professor, a recent academic counselor or anyone who can attest to the strength of their potential as a student at Loyola. (on-campus admissions only)
     5. Students who completed post-secondary work, including dual-credit, while in high school must submit official transcripts of their college work, whether or not they expect to receive credit.
     6. Evaluation of transfer credit will be conducted according to Loyola transfer regulations. Loyola and major program residency rules govern how much transfer credit can be applied to undergraduate degrees.

     Readmission

     Students who did not take an official leave of absence, those who withdrew from the University voluntarily or had a medical withdrawal, and those who were suspended and/or dismissed must reapply for admission through the Office of Admissions. No application will be considered for any student with an outstanding financial balance owed to the university, or who has an active hold on his/her record. No application will be considered for students who are ineligible to return to a previous college or university. Various criteria may be considered during the evaluation of the student’s application for readmission, including but not limited to: cumulative grade point average, major grade point average, prior academic record and prior disciplinary issues. A student's academic status at the time the student withdrew, or was withdrawn from the university, remains in effect at the time of readmission. Readmission to the university is distinct and separate from financial aid eligibility and review. Readmission decisions are made at the discretion of a committee consisting of members from the Offices of Admission, within on-campus admissions or City College as applicable, Scholarships and Financial Aid, and the Associate Dean of the College in which the student was most recently enrolled, among others. A student cannot be readmitted after being academically dismissed. Courses that were taken at Loyola more than 10 years before the date at which the students returns to the university do not count for credit toward graduation, though the Office of the Dean of the college that houses the transfer student's major can waive this limitation, and this limitation does not apply to students in fully online programs.

     Applicants with a 2.0 GPA or below
     Applicants that left the university with a cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 or below will be subject to joint evaluation by the Vice President of Enrollment Management, Executive Director of Loyola Online for online students, Dean's Office of the student’s receiving college and others to determine the potential for academic success and future graduation.

     Applicants that were suspended and/or dismissed from Loyola University New Orleans
     Applicants must first contact the Office of Admissions to receive introductory counseling for re-admission and instructions for completing the re-admit application. Applicants will be subject to evaluation by the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Executive Director of Loyola Online for online students, the Dean’s Office of the student’s receiving college and others, in order to determine the potential for academic success and future graduation. In many cases, an interview will be required.

     Upon re-admission to Loyola, the student will be required to fulfill criteria outlined by the admissions committee, including but not limited to: the development and implementation of an academic plan, financial aid counseling, and student success services advising. All students who have previously been suspended from the university and have been granted re-admission will be admitted provisionally. As per that policy, these students will be required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average and to make satisfactory academic progress, as established by the admissions committee upon acceptance. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the student being dismissed from the University. The admissions committee may apply additional stipulations to a student’s readmission, depending on the specific circumstances of their case.

     In some cases, the admissions committee will exercise the right to re-admit a student who has been previously suspended, or dismissed from the university and whose cumulative GPA cannot mathematically be brought up to the required 2.0 within one semester. In this instance, the admissions committee will provide the student with the required GPA that he/she must earn in order to continue in coursework at Loyola.

     College of Music & Media

     In addition to fulfilling all application requirements for general admission, applicants that have selected a major housed within the College of Music and Media must complete and submit all audition and/or interview requirements for their intended major. Such applicants must audition, interview and/or submit a portfolio of work in order to complete the supplemental application requirements and be considered for admission and talent-based scholarships. Admission to CMM is separate and distinct from that of the general University. As such, applicants can be admitted to Loyola but not granted admission to their degree program within the College of Music and Media. In such cases, the applicant will be given the option to switch majors to another degree program housed elsewhere within CMM or the University.

     University Honors Program

     In addition to fulfilling all application requirements for general admission, applicants that have selected to apply to the University Honors program must complete and submit a supplemental application to the UHP. Applicants can be admitted to Loyola but not granted admission to the UHP. In such cases, the applicant will be given the option to enroll as a general admission student.

     Non-Degree Seeking

     Non-degree status indicates that a student is taking coursework for credit but not in pursuit of a degree. Students within this status may continue enrollment in consecutive terms or apply for an official leave of absence. Any gaps in attendance will result in the need for re-application for the following term. Students within this status that wish to pursue a degree program must apply for degree-seeking admission through the Office of Admissions and provide all required documentation as applicable under their application classification (transfer or re-admit). Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships. Coursework taken while in a non-degree status is subject to evaluation for the purposes of fulfilling degree requirements. Non-degree students may choose to audit courses if they desire. Additional paperwork will be required and, as per the Audit policy, no credit will be awarded for coursework taken in this status.

     Concurrent Enrollment (Early Scholars and Early Artists Program)
     Qualified high school students may participate in concurrent enrollment coursework at Loyola through the Early Scholars / Early Artist program. This program is available to high school students only and provides the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Applicants must re-apply for admission each term and must have earned a C or better in coursework to be eligible to re-apply for a future term. Academically challenging college-level courses are available during the fall, spring, and summer terms.

     Please note that the Early Scholars / Early Artist program is different from Loyola's Dual Enrollment program. Dual Enrollment admissions criteria for programs sponsored by Loyola at high schools are available from high school partners and follow both Loyola admissions criteria and any additional state guidelines for dual enrollment programs in the state the high school is located.

     Applications for admission to the Early Scholars/Early Artist program are due on August 15 for the Fall term, December 15 for the Spring term and May 15 for the summer term. Availability of classes may vary from semester to semester.

     • Complete and submit the Early Scholars/Early Artist Non-Degree Seeking Application and personal essay.
     • Be currently enrolled in an accredited local high school (grades 9-12 only) with the intention to graduate OR be enrolled in an accredited local homeschool with the intention to either earn a state diploma or GED.
     • Submit an official verified high school transcript (or homeschool transcript) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
     • Submit official verified standardized test scores. Students must present SAT and/or ACT testing scores. Students wishing to pursue courses in mathematics must present a Math sub-score of at least 580 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Vice President of Enrollment Management if the student presents compelling evidence of success in the classroom.
     • Letter of permission and recommendation from the high school guidance counselor and/or principal.
     • Letter of permission from principal or assistant principal (not required for summer enrollment).
     • Letter of permission and signature of approval from the student’s parent or legal guardian.
     • For Early Artist applicants: an audition, interview and/or portfolio review is required.
       

     Applicants with a Disciplinary History

     Applicants with a criminal and/or disciplinary history may apply for admission to Loyola University New Orleans. Applicants are subject to a thorough evaluation by the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Executive Director of Loyola Online, and the Office of Enrollment Management, as applicable. Applicants that have been admitted to the University and then disclose that they have a criminal and/or disciplinary history are subject to a review and potential recension of their admission.

     Admission Types

     General Admission
     Acceptance to the University is granted without condition for the term the student applied for. On-campus students must pay an enrollment deposit in order to confirm acceptance of a general admission offer. Online students must submit the intent to enroll form in order to confirm attendance.

     Provisional Admission
     Re-admitted students returning from suspension will be provisionally re-admitted to the University. Provisionally admitted students begin coursework at Loyola on academic probation and must earn the required cumulative 2.0 GPA to be removed from academic probation and continue into the subsequent semester. Students must pay an enrollment deposit in order to confirm acceptance of a provisional admission offer.

     Deferral to Regular Admissions
     First-year applicants that apply for Early Action may be “deferred to regular admissions.” In this instance, the applicant has the opportunity to submit new, updated and/or additional credentials (grades, test scores, letters of recommendation) for consideration in the final admissions evaluation. If students opt not to send new, updated and/or additional materials, the admissions committee will make a second evaluation of the student’s application and render a final decision.

     Denial of Admission
     Applicants that have been denied admission to the University have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals committee requires the submission of updated documentation in addition to a written statement from the applicant outlining the rationale for appeal. The appeals committee will review the applicant’s credentials along with the written appeal and updated information before rendering a final decision.

     Deferral of Acceptance (GAP semester or year)
     The Office of Admissions permits accepted students to defer their acceptance for a period of no more than two terms. Students are not permitted to take coursework elsewhere unless granted prior approval by the Vice President of Enrollment Management . A clear criminal and/or disciplinary history is required in order to complete the terms of the deferral and receive reinstatement. Academic performance following the student’s acceptance to Loyola must have been maintained in order to complete the terms of the deferral. Merit- based scholarships will be held, provided the student abides by the terms of the deferral. Talent based scholarships are not eligible for deferment and must be re-evaluated for the term in which the student wishes to enroll.

     Admissions Recension
     Acceptance to Loyola University New Orleans is contingent upon continued successful academic performance following initial acceptance and is subject to final review by the admissions committee prior to enrollment. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to rescind admission in cases where the student’s academic performance has fallen below the standard.

     If Loyola University New Orleans has reason to suspect an applicant's essay, high school diploma, academic transcript, test scores or other information is fraudulent or not valid, the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Executive Director of Loyola Online, or their designate will investigate the matter. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to rescind admission in cases where fraudulence is found.

     Applicants that have been admitted to the University and then disclose that they have a criminal and/or disciplinary history are subject to a review and potential recension of their admission.

     Enrollment Requirements

     Enrollment Deposit
     All on-campus incoming students must submit an enrollment deposit in order to secure their place in the incoming class. The amount of the deposit can be found online at https://www.loyno.edu/admissions/submit-your-deposit. The deposit is payable online via the student’s application portal with a credit card or electronic check or by personal check made payable to Loyola University New Orleans. Students who wish to pay by money order or cash must pay directly at the Bursar’s Office with a receipt given to the admissions office. Online students are required to submit an intent to enroll form and do not need to pay a deposit.

     NOTE: Enrollment deposits or a portion of enrollment may be waived only at the discretion of the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Executive Director of Loyola Online, and/or their designee, as applicable.

     High School Diploma
     Applicants must have earned either an American high school diploma, international equivalent, or the General Educational Development Test (GED) prior to enrolling. This criteria will be verified by submission of an applicant’s final high school transcript (or international equivalent) reflecting successful graduation.

     Final Transcripts
     All incoming students must provide proof of high school graduation and proof of good standing with any previous institutions no later than the last day to drop classes as defined by the academic calendar. Students may certify these requirements through one of the following means:

     First-Year Students
     First-year students must supply an official copy of a certified final high school transcript reflecting the graduation date, receipt of diploma, and final grades. Students who are enrolled in homeschool must supply a final accounting of grades via a transcript or other official documentation, certification of a state awarded diploma or GED certification. Students that have opted to take the GED must submit the most recent high school transcript (if applicable) certifying complete withdrawal, GED test results and any other supplemental documentation requested by the admissions committee.

     Transfer Students
     Transfer students must supply official transcripts from all institutions attended, including those where no credit was earned (a letter from a school official may be substituted where no transcript is available).