Admissions

Since 1991, Lewis & Clark’s Test-Optional Portfolio Path has allowed students to achieve a more personal representation in the admissions process.  Designed to reinforce success in the classroom, the test-optional path allows an applicant to provide an academic portfolio demonstrative of the student’s intellectual curiosity, depth and breadth of curriculum, and overall preparation for college work.  Students who choose this option still submit the Common Application and other required documents.  In addition, applicants must also provide a total of two academic teacher recommendations and a portfolio of graded academic work.  Applicants may choose whether or not to include standardized test scores in their applications.

An academic portfolio must include the following:

• One sample of analytical writing (expository writing, essay exams, research papers…NOT creative writing)
• One sample of quantitative/scientific work (science lab report, math/statistics or science test or work).  Sample should demonstrate student’s ability to use numbers to work through a problem.
• Two academic Teacher Evaluations (total of two; written by academic teachers from 10th - 12th grade courses, with preference given to junior and senior years)
  • One letter should be from an English, social studies, or foreign language teacher
  • One letter should be from a mathematics/statistics or science teacher

Additional important criteria:

• Students should indicate on Lewis & Clark’s Member Page on the Common Application their intent to apply using the Test-Optional Portfolio Path.
• First-year applicants must submit work from their junior or senior years in high  school.
• Transfer applicants must submit college-level work, preferably completed at their  current institution (or the institution most recently attended).
• All work must be graded; instructor comments or markings can be helpful.
• First-year students must submit teacher evaluations from classes taken 10th - 12th grades with preference given to junior and senior years.
• Transfer applicant recommendations must be from instructors of recent college/university courses.
• If artwork is to be included as additional material, do not submit originals. Instead, please submit slides, files on a disc, or photographs of the work. Online gallery links are also acceptable.
• Students must request that their school counselor remove SAT and/or ACT scores from official transcripts if they plan to apply without standardized scores.

The preferred way to submit a portfolio is via email.  Other methods include fax or USPS.  See contact info to the right.   Please note: portfolio contents sent to us by mail or fax will not be returned.