- <a href="/live/image/gid/186/width/650/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image90782"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 800px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 1200px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 1201px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90782_DIV-A3-0220-0014.rev.1634160348.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2136"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"></div>
- <a href="/live/image/gid/186/width/650/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image90786"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 800px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 1200px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 1201px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90786_PEO-C3a-1020-0016.rev.1634160376.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2136"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"></div>
- <a href="/live/image/gid/186/width/650/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image98147"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 800px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 1200px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 1201px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg" alt="Our campus is even prettier in person." width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/98147_CAM-L-0719-0001.rev.1679093776.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2133"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Our campus is even prettier in person.</div>
- <a href="/live/image/gid/186/width/650/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image90785"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/500/height/240/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 800px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/186/width/800/height/383/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 1200px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 1201px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/186/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/90785_PEO-C3a-0418-0030.rev.1634160361.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2136"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"></div>
Join our community!
Lewis & Clark College brings together challenging, supportive academics; an institutional commitment to sustainability; conservatory-calibre fine arts offerings; leadership in overseas and off-campus study; and an inclusive, welcoming community. The icing on the (Voodoo!) donut is that we do this on arguably the most beautiful campus in the U.S. in the cool, progressive city of Portland, Oregon.
We’d love for you to join us.
Apply Now on the Common App Website Transfer Students International Students
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> Lewis & Clark students, on top of all of their regular academic responsibilities, try their best to be introspective and strive to improve themselves and their communities.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19604-lucinda-law">Lucinda Law BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Chico, California</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I was immediately drawn to Lewis & Clark by its natural beauty, and I was also on the hunt for a smaller school that offered close relationships with professors and peers alike.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19658-bijou-macdonald">Bijou Macdonald BA ’21</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Broomfield, Colorado</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I felt unusually welcomed when visiting Lewis & Clark as a prospective student, which is actually kind of refreshing when you’re looking at colleges. Some schools make you feel like a faceless competitor, but L&C made me feel desired.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19814-sam-peers-nitzberg">Sam Peers Nitzberg BA ’19</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Maplewood, New Jersey</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> The diverse community of international students, study abroad programs, College Outdoors trips, and small class sizes made me want to come to Lewis & Clark.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19821-uwella-rubuga">Uwella Rubuga BA ’19</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Dar es Salaam, Tanzania</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">L&C, in particular, was attractive to me because of its beautiful campus, its excellent English program, and its warm and welcoming environment.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16683-ashleen-smith">Ashleen Smith BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Madras, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I chose L&C because I knew I would be connected with people and places that allow me to expand my perspective on life, community, and the world.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18271-grace-blunck">Grace Blunck BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Milwaukee, Wisconsin</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aside from the campus being gorgeous, L&C was the only college where I could really see myself attending. I got a vibe that this would be somewhere I could thrive, and this ultimately is how I made my decision. I have yet to be disappointed.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16647-adam-schwarz">Adam Schwarz BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Daly City, California</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I wanted to attend Lewis & Clark because of the wide variety of classes offered. The close-knit community also piqued my interest because it meant that I would be able to make close connections with faculty and students.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14672-keilani-vega">Keilani Vega BA ’22</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Pasadena, California</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> At Lewis & Clark, I can be a massive chemistry nerd, a musician, an athlete, and a regular person all at the same time, which isn’t possible at many other schools.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18325-katya-schwieterman">Katya Schwieterman BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Paonia, Colorado</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I was drawn to Lewis & Clark’s beautiful campus, its proximity to Portland, and the stellar reviews I had heard of the school’s faculty and staff.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19828-sophie-vigeant">Sophie Vigeant BA ’19</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Tomales, California</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I chose L&C for the beautiful campus. The history can be felt in the buildings and the engaging landscape.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19827-donna-kerr">Donna Kerr BA ’19</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Hillsboro, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I chose to attend L&C because I wanted a warm campus environment, while also having the ability to immerse myself in a new city.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19888-tyler-langley">Tyler Langley BA ’22</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Los Angeles, California</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I wanted a school small enough that I would be able to regularly see familiar faces on walks around campus, but big enough that I would still have opportunities to meet new folks, and L&C does just that!</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18354-mack-mae">Mack Mae BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Ogden, Utah</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> L&C gave me a bustling community full of activities and events, rigorous academics, friends and professors who cared about me, Portland, and the space to cultivate myself into the person that I wanted to be.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19825-emily-davis">Emily Davis BA ’19</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Orinda, California</span></p></blockquote>
- <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_774"><p> I chose L&C because the liberal arts education was super exciting to me. I wanted room in my schedule to take an art class, or even yoga as my physical education. Studying abroad was also a priority for me.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17728-julia-salomone">Julia Salomone BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Parkland, Florida</span></p></blockquote>
February 2024 Update
Reply Deadline Extension for Early Action and Regular Decision applicants
In light of the government’s recent additional FAFSA delay, we have pushed back our deadline to reply to offers of admission to June 1. This applies to Early Action and Regular Decision applicants! We understand the uncertainty around the FAFSA process can cause stress to students and families. We are here to help! Please contact admissions@lclark.edu with any questions or concerns.
Plan Your Visit
Visiting our beautiful campus is the best way to get to know us. Whether you are just starting to think about college or you’re an admitted student (congrats!) on the brink of making your decision, we have virtual and in-person options for you.
- Top 100
Lewis & Clark is in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list.
- Green
Our commitment to sustainability has earned us a spot in the top 50 on Princeton Review’s 2024 “Green Colleges” list.
- #1
L&C is #1 when it comes to Niche’s 2024 list of “Best Colleges for Music in Oregon.”
- 96%
Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Classes of 2018–2022 were already changing the world through employment (76%), continuing studies (19%), and service work (1%), like the Peace Corps.
- #1
Lewis & Clark is number one on Niche’s 2024 list of Best College Campuses in Oregon.
Admission Requirements for First-Year Applicants
Lewis & Clark accepts the Common Application, and there is no application fee. We are a leader in test-optional admissions and have not required standardized test scores since 1991. As part of your application, you will need to submit:
- A secondary school report
- A personal essay
- A teacher recommendation
Optional Application Submissions
- Academic and nonacademic work
- Interview
- SAT or ACT scores
Lewis & Clark Admission Deadlines
Application | Deadline to Apply | Notice of Decision |
Early Decision (binding) | Deadline: November 1 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time | Late November |
Early Action (nonbinding) | Deadline: November 1 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time | Mid-December |
Regular Decision (nonbinding) | Deadline: January 15 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time | Mid-March |
Transfer | Deadline: Rolling (recommended all credentials submitted by April 1) |
Rolling |
- Avi Strok BA ’25
There is a great community in the SEED (Students Engaged in Eco-Defense) Club, where I’m able to help with the bee garden and other sustainability-related projects with other students with similar interests.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Los Angeles, CaliforniaMore about Avi - Yoana Stoyanova BA ’20
I am confident that there’s a community for everyone at Lewis & Clark, and if it’s not there it’s so easy to create it and find people with the same interests.
Economics | Sofia, BulgariaMore about Yoana - Frankie Spurbeck BA ’23
I love being part of LC Improv, and getting to be friends with my teammates has been a real source of joy.
Political Science | Data Science | Minneapolis, MinnesotaMore about Frankie
Learning at Lewis & Clark
We offer 29 majors, 33 minors, and robust preprofessional programs. You will graduate ready to take on the world with a bachelor of arts (BA) degree. Our liberal arts curriculum emphasizes the top things you need for success in any career: critical thinking, written and verbal communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
Find Your Pacific Northwest Home
Portland, Oregon, is the perfect launching pad for adventures throughout the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, and Lewis & Clark is the perfect community to find friends who will want to adventure with you.
Already Applied
Your L&C Portal gives you access to the most up-to-date information about your application credentials. The first time you log in, use the temporary PIN provided in the email sent upon receipt of your application.
Check Your Application StatusFinancial Aid
Admissions FAQ
If Lewis & Clark is the college that is clearly the best fit for you, there is no better way to indicate to us that L&C is your top choice than by applying Early Decision. Your college selection process may be completed months before many of your peers if you apply under Early Decision. Since the application is binding, if admitted, your selection is made and you can look forward to becoming a Pioneer while focusing on finishing your high school career.
The main advantage to applying under our non-binding Early Action plan is timing. Since you get your materials to us earlier (November 1) we are able to get a decision letter to you earlier (by January 1). The admissions committee will look for all the same criteria that we look for in the Regular Decision timeframe (see what are we looking for), so a student is not necessarily more likely to be admitted if they apply Early Action.
Keep in mind that there is one important difference between the early application plans and Regular Decision: under Early Decision and Early Action, we require grades through the end of junior year, along with an accurate list of senior year courses. Some Early Decision and Early Action applicants provide first quarter or trimester reports as well. Under Regular Decision, we require that you submit the first set of grades from your senior year. If it is important to you that the admissions committee reviews your senior grades, you may wish to apply Regular Decision. Finally, the Early Decision and Early Action plans are not appropriate for students who will be relying on the November SAT/ACT or later test dates to complete their files.
There is no fee to apply to Lewis & Clark.
You should strive to submit your materials by the application deadline. Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Admissions Office. If you are interested in applying after the January 15 deadline, contact the Admissions Office and speak with an admissions counselor about your options.
Please note: students whose applications are received after the deadline may not receive their admissions decisions until after April 1. Financial aid notification may also be delayed and funds may be limited.
It is not necessary for your teacher to use the Common Application Teacher Evaluation form. However, if your teacher will not be using the form, he/she should submit the evaluation on school letterhead, clearly print your full name on the top of the letter, and indicate the course(s) and grade level(s) in which he/she taught you.
We do not require a letter of recommendation from a counselor, only the Secondary School Report form.
However, it is in your best interest for you to get to know your guidance counselor. Beyond completing required college application forms, you may find that your counselor can also provide excellent guidance throughout your entire college search process. If it’s just not possible for you to get to know your counselor (and we certainly understand that situation may arise if you attend a large school) or if you have a new counselor at your school, you should (at minimum) have your current counselor fill in the blanks of the Secondary School Report form. That form provides vital information we need in order to complete your record at the college. You may have another high school administrator or former counselor provide a letter of recommendation addressing your preparedness for college, your high school performance in relation to the rest of your senior class, and other pertinent information. We will only accept such an evaluation in addition to the Secondary School Report form completed by your current high school counselor.
In our holistic admissions review process, we consider all material that a student submits. For students that do include their scores, we will take them into consideration. For students that choose not to send scores, we will rely on the materials we do have to make a decision. A student who does not send scores is not at a disadvantage and will be considered for all forms of aid including merit-based scholarships and need-based aid, which are awarded independent of test scores.
Please read more information about our Test-Optional Policy.
The admissions committee gives all applicants a comprehensive review before making an admissions decision. This is why we ask for a number of credentials to complete your application. The main priority of the committee is to make sure that the applicant is able to meet the college’s academic challenge and the expectations of our faculty.
While all credentials will be carefully reviewed, an applicant’s transcript is most beneficial in providing evidence of a student’s academic potential to thrive at Lewis & Clark. The committee examines course selection, curricular rigor, grade trends, and other academic factors reflected on the transcript.
Teacher and counselor evaluations, SAT and/or ACT scores (if submitted), the essay, and the actual application form reveal other dimensions of an applicant and are also important in the application process.
Non-academic activities are considered as well, since we need students who will play a role in our small, residential community, but these factors are only considered if a student is academically admissible. In the end, the committee hopes to admit students that are prepared for the challenge that an education at Lewis & Clark will offer while also contributing positively to the college community.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Featured News
Popular L&C Headlines of 2023
As the calendar year draws to a close, we’ve compiled a sampling of top stories from the undergraduate college, the graduate school, and the law school.
Admissions is located in Frank Manor House on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 32
email admissions@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7040
fax 503-768-7055
Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid
Eric Staab
Admissions
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 32
Portland OR 97219