The admission criteria for traditional first year students are

  1. A high school diploma awarded on the basis of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 figured on a minimum of 14 academic credits earned according to the following schedule.

English – 4 credits
Laboratory Science – 3 credits

One credit in laboratory-based biology; one credit in laboratory-based chemistry or physics, one credit from any area of science (with or without laboratory experience).

Mathematics – 3 credits  (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or higher mathematics)

Students with an ACT mathematics score of 17/SAT of 470 or lower are required to complete MTH0002 Developmental Mathematics before enrolling in any other mathematics courses. Developmental Mathematics does not fulfill any of the mathematics requirements for graduation.

Social Studies – 2 credits

Academic Electives – 2 credits  (English, foreign language, mathematics, science, music fundamentals, social studies)

Note: A high-school credit is defined as one year of study.

2. If an ACT/SAT score IS submitted:

    • An ACT composite score of 20 or an SAT composite score of 1030-1050. Applicants must request that scores be sent to Martin Luther College directly from ACT/SAT. The ACT test should include the ACT Writing Test. The ACT code number for Martin Luther College is 2127 and the SAT code number for Martin Luther College is 6435.
    • Applicants who score below the ACT of 20/SAT of 1030-1050 and have a high school GPA below 2.50 are generally denied admission with no appeal
    • Students with an ACT English score of 17 or lower may be required to take ENG0001 Essential Skills for College Composition as a co-requisite with ENG1303 Rhetoric and Composition during the first fall semester. ENG0001 Essential Skills for College Composition does not fulfill any of the English requirements for graduation.
    • Students with an ACT mathematics score of 17/SAT of 470 or lower are required to complete MTH0003 Developmental Mathematics which can be taken concurrently with MTH1012 Organizational and Personal Finance or before taking any other math courses. MTH0002 Developmental Mathematics does not fulfill any of the mathematics requirements for graduation.

3. If an ACT/SAT score IS NOT submitted:

    • A core 2.75 or higher high school GPA. MLC will compute the student’s core high school grade point average based on the high school transcripts submitted.
    • The focus on the core courses serves as a replacement for the ACT/SAT exam, assessing comparable aptitudes and skills. Admissions will use a core 2.75 GPA benchmark for processing non-ACT applicants. Students identified as in need of extra support in mathematics or English are required to take the fundamental courses, MTH0003 Developmental Mathematics and ENG0001 Essential Skills for College Composition, respectively.
    • Courses used in computing the core academic GPA: English (not including developmental courses), science, math (algebra 1 and higher), history, social studies, and foreign language.

4. Applicants who score below either the ACT/SAT or high school GPA requirements, but have positive recommendations may be admitted at the discretion of the director who may refer the application to the Admissions Committee. If admitted, the student enters with provisional acceptance. The provisions of acceptance are enrollment in EDU0002 Study Skills Seminar I and EDU0003 Study Skills Seminar II, a possible reduction in credit load, usage of the Academic Success Center, limited co-curricular activities, and meeting with the student’s advisor at least monthly.