How to Apply to Mathematics at Lewis & Clark College: Test-Free, No Application Fee and No Separate Major Application, with a Major Built on Discrete Mathematics and Linear Algebra, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Lewis & Clark College is a liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon; mathematics is taught by the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and the program appears on the website as “Mathematics and Statistics”. Students apply to the College through the Office of Admissions, not to a department. This guide, based on the College’s website, is organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here, apart from a mention of the separate joint major.

1. Degrees and areas of study

• Degree: the international admissions page says students graduate with a bachelor of arts (BA); the College has 29 majors and 33 minors. The department says it offers one major and one minor, with several tracks depending on student interests; the track names are not listed on the pages read. The majors list also contains a separate “Computer Science and Mathematics” major; its page is disallowed in the College’s robots.txt and was not read.
• Mathematics major: at least 36 semester credits in mathematics courses numbered 171 and above, including CS 171 (Computer Science I), MATH 215 (Discrete Mathematics), MATH 225 (Linear Algebra) and MATH 233 (Multivariable and Vector Calculus); at least 16 additional semester credits at the 300 or 400 level, at least 12 of them in mathematics; and at least 4 more semester credits in mathematics or computer science courses numbered 171 and above. CS 230 Computational Mathematics does not count toward the major.
• Mathematics minor: at least 16 semester credits in mathematics courses numbered 200 and above, including MATH 215, MATH 225 and at least 4 semester credits in mathematics at the 300 or 400 level.
• The department’s description: the curriculum develops conceptual and computational intuition, sophistication in analysing complicated structures, and the interplay of the two with broadly based technical skills; entry into the mathematics and statistics curriculum is determined by placement or consultation with the department.
• Learning outcomes: majors should perform symbolic manipulations, use deductive reasoning and proofs and be adept with mathematical technology (Practice); construct proofs and communicate in writing and speech (Communication); place mathematics in its intellectual and social context (Context); and develop a passion for something mathematical (Passion).
• Sample courses: the department mentions calculus, differential equations, theory of computation, computer architecture and assembly languages, algorithm design and analysis, and combinatorics.

2. How admission works: apply to the College, not a major

• At application: the Office of Admissions says it does not require special portfolios or applications for admission to particular majors; items such as artwork, slides, performance recordings and creative writing portfolios are considered only as background. The pages read do not ask applicants to choose a major and do not describe a separate admission line or quota for mathematics.
• Declaring the major: the pages read do not say when students declare, or give any grade threshold or cap. The department’s majors page refers to the online catalog (not read); ask the department (mathsci@lclark.edu) or the Registrar.
• Moving into mathematics from another major: the pages read do not give specific conditions.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school mathematics: the application page asks for a rigorous secondary curriculum, “ideally” including 4 years of English, 4 years of mathematics, 3 years of history or social science, 3 years of lab science and 2 years of a world language; another page lists at a minimum 4 years of English, 4 of mathematics, 3–4 of history/social science, 2–3 of a world language, 3 of lab science and 1 of fine arts (the two pages word the language and social science years slightly differently). AP, IB or honors courses are viewed as further evidence of preparation.
• Placement exam: for students without advanced mathematics experience the College uses a quantitative reasoning placement exam, whose results are also used by other departments.
• AP/IB calculus: a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus AB, a 4 or 5 on the AB subscore of AP Calculus BC, or a 5, 6 or 7 on IB Mathematics HL is treated as equivalent to Math 131 (Calculus 1); such students are ready for Math 132 (Calculus 2) and for courses with a Math 131 prerequisite, such as Math 255 (Statistical Concepts and Methods). A 4 or 5 on AP Calculus BC is treated as equivalent to Math 131 and 132, and students may take any 200-level mathematics class: Math 225 (Linear Algebra), Math 233 (Calculus 3), Math 215 (Discrete Mathematics), Math 235 (Differential Equations) or Math 255. The department strongly encourages meeting a mathematics faculty member. For IB Further Mathematics and other advanced courses, the department asks students to consult faculty. Credit amounts are in the Advanced Standing section of the College catalog (not read).
• Honors sequence: the pages read do not mention an honors mathematics sequence.
• Mathematics competitions: the admission pages do not say how competitions are viewed. The department says it sponsors and encourages student teams each year in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, the Cyber Defense Competition and COMAP’s Mathematical Contest in Modeling.

4. Timeline and materials (first-year)

• Rounds and deadlines (11:59 p.m. Pacific Time): Early Decision 1 (binding) 1 November; Early Action (non-binding) 1 November; Early Decision 2 (binding) 15 January; Regular Decision (non-binding) 15 January. The international page gives notice dates of late November (ED), mid-December (EA) and mid-March (RD). The pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply and fee: through the Common Application, with no application fee.
• Required materials: transcript and secondary school report; one teacher recommendation from a teacher who taught you in an academic course (English, mathematics, science, world language, history or social studies) in grades 10–12 (the website does not say it must be a mathematics teacher); the Common App personal statement.
• Testing: test-free. The testing policy page says that starting with the fall 2025 entering class the College does not ask applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores and does not review them. The international checklist still says SAT/ACT scores are optional and, if submitted, are included in holistic review but do not affect merit or need-based aid; the two pages differ, so check the Office of Admissions for the latest. Codes: SAT 4384, ACT 3464.
• Interview: recommended, not required; led by Admissions Fellows (current students), a mix of informational and evaluative, with notes added to the file. ED 1 and EA applicants must complete it by 1 November, ED 2 and RD applicants by 15 January.
• Optional materials: academic work (graded writing samples, science research summaries) is more helpful than nonacademic work; upload through the L&C Portal after the Common App is received.
• What is reviewed: the record in core academic courses, especially grades in years 11 and 12, which the College calls the best predictor of success; also leadership, community service, work experience, extracurricular involvement, and expressed interest or an interview.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27): tuition and fees $71,092 (the same in the on-campus, off-campus and with-family estimates); housing (double room) $9,578; food (14-meal flex plan) $7,314; books $800; personal expenses $1,652; transportation $1,200; estimated total living on campus $91,636 (off campus $89,192; with family $79,614). Student health insurance is $5,655 a year, waivable with comparable private coverage. The pages do not distinguish in-state from out-of-state tuition.
• Aid: the Financial Aid Office says the only way to qualify for financial aid is to file the FAFSA with school code 003197, and that all entering first-year students in 2026 received scholarships or need-based aid. All admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships; the starting amount is worded differently on two pages: $20,000 a year on the financial aid page and $24,000 a year on the admissions cost page. Performance-based awards exist in speech and debate and music.
• Early Decision benefits: students admitted through ED receive a guaranteed minimum $35,000 a year merit scholarship (renewable for four years), 100% of demonstrated need met using the FAFSA, a guaranteed place on one of their top New Student Trip choices with $350 off, and a paid internship by the end of junior year (provided required career programming is completed).
• In-state priority or guaranteed admission: the pages read do not mention any.

6. International applicants

• English: native English speakers need not submit proof; other international students must. Minimum scores “to study without ESL restrictions”: TOEFL iBT 91 (paper 74 overall and 22 on each part), IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 115; also accepted are IB English A (higher or standard) with a predicted 5 or higher (IB English B does not qualify), SAT evidence-based reading and writing 660, and the TOEFL Special Home Edition or IELTS Indicator. International transfer applicants may show proof with a two-year academic associate degree from an accredited US school.
• Documents: Common App; official transcripts of all secondary school and college grades (original language plus official English translation); the Certificate of Financial Responsibility with proof of funds (official documents from employers, banks and tax offices); proof of English proficiency if applicable; school report; one teacher evaluation; and, for aid, the College’s International Student Application for Financial Assistance (the CSS Profile is not accepted; a similar form completed for another college is welcome in its place).
• Aid: the international aid page says international students are eligible for need- and merit-based scholarships and all applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Aid deadlines: 1 November for ED and EA, 15 January for RD. The College does not award athletic scholarships. Under the Davis United World College Scholars program, UWC graduates can receive a need-based grant of up to $40,000 a year; the Mary Dimond Scholarship is for a selected group of current international students. The international aid fact sheet carries 2021–22 figures and 2024 dates, so it was not used here.
• After admission: accepted students receive an I-20, pay the $350 SEVIS fee and apply for an F-1 visa at the nearest US embassy or consulate.
• Contact: admissions@lclark.edu; International Students and Scholars: iso@lclark.edu.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the admission pages read do not say whether the gaokao is considered or how. This is not published on the pages read; contact admissions@lclark.edu.
• Transcripts and exam materials: no China-specific requirements are published on the pages read; the general international requirements are in section 6 (transcripts in the original language with official English translations).
• International curricula: students taking AP or IB can see how calculus is placed in section 3; credit rules for other curricula are not stated on the pages read.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Department funds and research: the department’s Mathematical Sciences Student Assistance and Enrichment Fund helps eligible students with financial need and recognises an outstanding graduating senior; the department also mentions two other scholarships for continuing students and a memorial fund. The Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences runs the Rogers Summer Program, and the department lists past summer research by mathematics and computer science faculty (the cases shown date from 2010 to 2014).
• Outcomes: College-wide, not by major: within six months of graduation 99% of the Class of 2025 were employed, in graduate school or in service work (employment 78%, continuing studies 20%, service work 1%; 70% of the class provided updated plans). The mathematics pages print no department-specific employment data.

9. Transfer students

• Deadline: rolling, with all credentials recommended by 1 April (the page shows no year; check it); no application fee. Transfer applicants seeking need-based aid should file the FAFSA by the 1 March priority deadline.
• Materials: Common App (with activities and the College’s supplemental questions); official transcripts for all college coursework, including coursework before high school graduation; the full official high school transcript with verification of graduation (an official score report for a GED); one academic evaluation from a college instructor who taught you in a full-credit, traditional academic (non-performance, activity or studio) class after high school; a list of current and projected courses; a statement of good standing for some applicants; an interview is encouraged but not required.
• Credit: evaluated course by course only, with no block transfer, so an associate degree does not transfer automatically; grade of C- or better; no credit for CLEP, life experience, credit by examination or repeated courses; none for coursework over 20 years old; at most four semester credits of physical education. One quarter credit equals 0.67 semester credits. Class standing: 0–28 credits first-year, 29–60 sophomore, 61–68 junior; 128 semester credits are required to graduate, at least 60 at Lewis & Clark, so no more than 68 transfer. Transfer credit can count toward general education, the major or electives; whether a course meets a major requirement is a question for the department or program chair. Admitted students receive a preliminary statement with the offer and an official evaluation after the enrolment deposit.
• Mathematics: the department’s placement page asks students transferring in mathematics credit to consult a mathematics faculty member. Portland Community College students in math and science fields can use the College’s course equivalency sheet. The College also has a separate checklist for international transfer applicants (not read).

Application checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED 1 and EA 1 November; ED 2 and RD 15 January; no application fee; test-free; one academic teacher recommendation; personal statement
• FAFSA (school code 003197)

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL iBT 91, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 115 (native English speakers exempt); Certificate of Financial Responsibility with proof of funds; International Student Application for Financial Assistance (no CSS Profile)
• How the gaokao is used is not published

After entry:

• Place into Math 131/132/215/225/233 using AP/IB calculus and the placement exam; the major needs at least 36 semester credits

Transfer students:

• Rolling, all credentials by 1 April recommended; FAFSA priority 1 March; at most 68 credits transfer; confirm mathematics course equivalence with the department

Sources: Lewis & Clark College, Mathematical Sciences: majoring and minoring; Mathematical Sciences: math placement; Mathematical Sciences: for current students; Mathematical Sciences: learning outcomes; Mathematical Sciences: opportunities; Admissions: apply; Admissions: what we are looking for; Admissions: test-free policy; Admissions: Early Decision benefits; Admissions: international students; Admissions: international checklist; Admissions: international financial aid; Admissions: transfer checklist; Admissions: transferring credit; Admissions: paying for college; International Students and Scholars: English proficiency; Financial Aid: undergraduate students. The dates on the admission pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry; the cost pages cover 2026–27. See the College’s website for the latest.