How to Apply to Chemistry at Lewis & Clark College: A Portland Liberal Arts College Where Chemistry Leads to a BA with an ACS-Certified Option, Test-Free and No Application Fee, 1 November Early Deadline, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Lewis & Clark College (L&C) in Portland, Oregon teaches undergraduates in its College of Arts and Sciences, and chemistry is offered by the Department of Chemistry, housed in the Olin Center on the undergraduate campus. Students apply to the College as a whole, not to a separate school. Here is what you need to know, based on the chemistry department and the Office of Admissions’ websites, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Biology, medicine and pharmacy are not covered in this article (the College’s separate biochemistry and molecular biology major is mentioned in one line in section 1).

1. Degrees and areas

• Chemistry major and minor (BA): the department page speaks of a “BA in Chemistry”, and the international admissions page says students graduate with a bachelor of arts (BA). The department page lists one chemistry major and one chemistry minor; the curriculum is organised into analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.
• Major requirements (as printed on the department page): at least 40 semester credits in chemistry, plus mathematics and physics. Required: CHEM 110 and 120 (General Chemistry I and II), CHEM 210 and 220 (Organic Chemistry I and II), CHEM 312 (Elements of Physical Chemistry), CHEM 365 (Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory) and CHEM 366 (Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory), CHEM 420 (Advanced Inorganic Chemistry); MATH 131 and 132 (Calculus I and II); and PHYS 141 (Introductory General Physics I). Also eight semester credits of electives, at least four of them in chemistry, chosen from a list that includes CHEM 315 (Aquatic Chemistry), 330 (Structural Biochemistry), 335 (Metabolic Biochemistry), 361 (Nanomaterials Chemistry), 370 (Analytical Spectroscopy), 380 (Renewable Energy), 443 (Medicinal Organic Chemistry), 464 (Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy) and some computer science, mathematics and physics courses (for example CS 230, MATH 225, 235, 255, PHYS 142, 201, 390).
• ACS-certified major: the department page says its curriculum is regularly reviewed and approved by the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training, and students may select the set of courses that leads to an ACS-certified major. On top of the requirements above the certified major needs CHEM 330 or 335; PHYS 201 (Experimental Methods in the Physical Sciences); four semester credits of CHEM 480 Senior Research or CHEM 499 Independent Research; one of CHEM 315, 336, 361, 370, 443 or 464; and a combination of CHEM 480, 499 and off-campus or summer research totalling 400 laboratory contact hours beyond the introductory chemistry laboratory. The page adds that students may instead meet the major with courses that reflect their own interests and prepare them for particular fields of further study.
• Minor: at least 28 semester credits (six courses, taken for a grade): CHEM 110, 120, 210 and 220 plus eight semester credits of 300- or 400-level chemistry (excluding CHEM 499); at most four credits from the CHEM 330/335 sequence may count, and PHYS 201 may replace one upper-level chemistry course.
• Teacher preparation: the page says a chemistry major may also complete a series of education courses to prepare for teaching chemistry at high school level after graduation.
• Popular minors: the department page says the most popular minors for chemistry majors are data science, Earth system science, health studies and neuroscience.
• Biochemistry and molecular biology (BCMB): the College has a separate biochemistry and molecular biology major whose director is a chemistry professor and whose office is also in the Olin Center; it is covered in the biology article, not here (see the program page). Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and similar professional degrees are outside this article: the chemistry page says students planning professional school will find the flexible major meets their needs; see the College’s pre-professional pages.

2. How admission works: apply to the College, then declare and plan

• At application: the admissions office says the College does not require portfolios or special applications for particular majors; the pages read do not say whether the intended major you list affects admission, or whether admission is by major, so ask Admissions.
• When and how to declare the major after enrolment: the pages read do not state the timing, any grade requirements or any cap on places; this is not published in them. The College’s online catalog is hosted on a third-party (CourseLeaf) platform and is not covered here; check the catalog or contact the department (chemdept@lclark.edu).
• The department’s sequence: the department page says most students take General Chemistry in the first year, Organic Chemistry in the second, Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry in the third, and Inorganic Chemistry in the fourth, and encourages majors to pursue a research project during or after the third year. It links example four-year plans for chemistry majors (PDF), which are not covered here.
• Internal transfer into the major: not stated in the pages read.

3. Prerequisites, laboratory work and research

• High school preparation: the admissions office says successful applicants will have completed a rigorous curriculum including at a minimum 4 years of English, 4 years of mathematics, 3–4 years of history/social science, 2–3 years of a world language, 3 years of lab science and 1 year of fine arts; Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or honors courses are viewed as further evidence of preparation. The apply page gives a slightly different list (“ideally” 4 years of English, 4 of math, 3 of history or social science, 3 of lab science, 2 of world language). The website does not separately state high school chemistry or physics requirements for the chemistry major.
• Mathematics and physics in the major: the major lists Calculus I and II and Introductory General Physics I (see section 1); the pages read do not say whether these courses carry additional grade prerequisites.
• AP/IB and waivers: after the minor requirements the chemistry page says that for students who have earned a 5 on the AP Chemistry examination the CHEM 110 requirement and associated credits will be waived (the page does not say whether this applies equally to the major); it also says the chair may waive lower-level chemistry, mathematics and/or physics courses for students eligible to begin in higher-level courses. The pages read do not say what IB chemistry, AP Physics or calculus credit replaces; that is in the online catalog or registrar pages, which are not covered here, so it is not published in the pages read; please ask Admissions or the department.
• Laboratories and facilities: the department page says it has more than 20,000 square feet of classroom, laboratory and study space, with funding from the NIH, NSF, Research Corporation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Keck Foundation and the Fairchild Foundation. The major requires the Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory and the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory; general and organic chemistry include laboratories, and in class students often solve problems in small groups at the blackboard, survey the chemical literature for presentations, or write papers.
• Undergraduate research: the department page encourages students to join research with a faculty member as early as the first year, through Independent Study and Senior Research (CHEM 499, 480) and the paid Rogers Summer Science Program; projects are often grant-supported and frequently produce publications coauthored by students and faculty. The student research page describes faculty research interests: environmental electrochemistry (Balko), nanoparticles and metal oxide thin films (Bentley), solar nanowires and water purification devices (de Paula), aqueous organometallic catalysis (Kuo) and NMR of spider venom peptides (Loening). Whether a thesis is required is not stated in the pages read; research credits for the ACS-certified major are in section 1.
• Study away: the department page says many students earn credit toward their degree on overseas programs, and the Berlin program offers an optional chemistry emphasis, designed and led by a chemistry faculty member.
• Department life and clubs: the page says the department hosts social events for majors and faculty (dinners at a faculty member’s house, a campus café, bowling, hiking); student groups include the Chemistry Club, Math Club, Physics Club and Pre-Health Club.
• Chemistry competitions: the pages read do not say how chemistry olympiads or similar competitions are viewed in admission. The admissions office says academic materials (such as graded writing samples or science research summaries) tend to be more helpful than non-academic ones, and they can be uploaded through the portal after applying.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Rounds and deadlines: Early Decision 1 (binding) 1 November at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time; Early Action (non-binding) 1 November; Early Decision 2 (binding) 15 January; Regular Decision (non-binding) 15 January. The international admissions page gives notice of decision as late November for ED, mid-December for EA and mid-March for RD. The pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply and fee: the Common Application; the College says in several places that there is no application fee.
• Materials: a 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 10th, 11th or 12th grade (it does not say it must be a science teacher); and the Common App personal statement. Optional: academic or nonacademic work and an interview.
• Essay: the personal statement; the pages read do not list a separate L&C supplemental essay prompt, so please check the Common App.
• Interview: the College says interviews are recommended but not required; they are led by Admissions Fellows (current students in a leadership role in the office), are a mix of informational and evaluative, and the notes go into the file. They must be completed before the deadline of the round you apply under (before 1 November for EA and ED 1, before 15 January for ED 2 and RD); virtual interviews can be booked online.
• Testing: test-free. The College says it adopted its first test-optional policy in 1991 and, starting with the fall 2025 entering class, a test-free policy: it does not ask applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores nor review them. However, the international application checklist still says SAT/ACT scores are optional, will be included in the holistic review if submitted and will not affect merit or need-based aid, and gives the SAT code 4384 and ACT code 3464; that contradicts the test-free policy page, so please confirm with Admissions. The international admissions page also says the College has not required standardized scores since 1991.
• Early Decision benefits: the College says admitted ED students are guaranteed a minimum merit scholarship of $35,000 a year (renewable for four years), have 100% of demonstrated need met (calculated from the FAFSA), are guaranteed one of their top three New Student Trip choices at $350 off, and are guaranteed a paid internship by the end of junior year (provided they complete the required career programming), plus a dedicated career consultant. You may apply ED to only one college, and applicants denied in EA or ED 1 cannot reapply in ED 2.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs: the Financial Aid office page gives estimated costs for 2026–27: tuition and fees $74,272, housing (double room) $9,962, food (14-meal flex plan) $7,590, books $800, personal expenses $1,652 and transportation $1,200, with a printed on-campus total of $95,476. The Admissions “Paying for College” page prints the same figures (tuition and fees $74,272, housing $9,962, food $7,590, and $3,652 for books, transportation and personal expenses combined) under the heading “Tuition Rates 2027–28”, and lists student health insurance at $5,655 a year (the 2026 cost; the 2027 cost is to be determined; it can be waived with comparable coverage). The two pages label the same numbers with different years, so please check the latest. A single tuition figure is listed, with no in-state/out-of-state distinction.
• Aid application: the FAFSA, school code 003197; the College says to file even if you think you will not qualify for need-based aid.
• Merit scholarships: all applicants are considered automatically; the Admissions cost page says awards start at $24,000 a year, while the Financial Aid page says $20,000 a year (the two differ). There are also performance-based awards in music and in speech and debate. The international page says the College does not award athletic scholarships.
• College-wide aid figures: the College says it distributed over $74 million in assistance last year, and that all entering first-year students in 2026 received scholarships or need-based aid.
• Oregon residents: the pages read do not mention in-state tuition benefits, priority or guaranteed admission.
• Chemistry-specific funding: the pages read do not mention a scholarship specific to the chemistry department.

6. International applicants

• English requirements: native English speakers need not submit proof; other international applicants do. The International Students and Scholars page lists minimum scores “to study without ESL restrictions”: TOEFL iBT 91+ (paper-based 74+ overall and 22+ on each subscore), IELTS 7.0+, Duolingo English Test 115, IB English A (higher or standard) predicted 5 or higher (IB English B does not qualify), SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 660, and others such as ECPE and Cambridge FCE/CAE/CPE at grade A. International transfer applicants may show proof with a two-year associate degree from an accredited US school.
• Materials: the Common Application; official transcripts of all secondary school and college grades, in the original language with officially translated English copies; a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (submitted through the Common App) and proof of available funds (official documents from employers, banks and the tax office, translated into English, with the currency noted if not US dollars); English proficiency scores if applicable; the School Report; a teacher evaluation; and, for aid, the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (the page links the 2027–28 form), or a similar form completed for another college. The CSS Profile is not accepted. There is no application fee.
• Aid: the website says international students are eligible for merit-based scholarships (all applicants are automatically considered) and need-based aid, that the College awards no athletic scholarships, and that some named scholarships are for international students only; the Davis United World College Scholars programme gives UWC graduates a need-based grant of up to $40,000 a year, and the Mary Dimond Scholarship is for a selected group of current international students. Aid application deadlines: 1 November for ED and EA, 15 January for RD; documents can be uploaded to the portal or emailed to admissions@lclark.edu.
• Visa: after you accept an offer the College sends an I-20; you then pay the $350 SEVIS fee, book a US consulate appointment and apply for an F-1 visa with the admission letter, I-20, passport and proof of financial support.
• Other: the website says international students make up about 13% of the student body, from 69 nationalities; International Students and Scholars provides advising and immigration services. The international recruitment contact is Joshua Ferchau, associate dean of admissions and director of global recruiting.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the admission pages read do not mention the Gaokao. Whether Gaokao results are accepted and how they would be used is not published there; you can contact admissions@lclark.edu.
• Chinese school documents: the pages read give only the general international requirements (transcripts in the original language with official English translations); China-specific guidance on school transcripts or school-leaving examinations is not published there.
• English scores: see section 6; the minimum Duolingo score at this College is 115.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see sections 5 and 6.
• Department scholarships: see section 5; the Rogers summer research program is described in section 3.
• Outcomes (department page): the department page says alumni work at companies such as Nike, Schrödinger, Intel and Thermo Scientific; others pursue advanced degrees to become high school teachers or to practise medicine, dentistry or pharmacy; many go to graduate school in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry, and some win competitive fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Hertz Foundation. College-wide, the website says 99% of the Class of 2025 were employed, in graduate school or in service work within six months (70% of graduates reported). The pages print no employment numbers or salary data specific to chemistry.

9. Transfer students

• Deadlines: transfer applications are evaluated on a rolling basis; review of fall applications begins after 15 January and there is no set completion deadline, but the College strongly recommends submitting all credentials by 1 April; you are notified about three weeks after your file is complete. Spring-entry dates are not stated in the pages read. There is no application fee.
• Materials: the Transfer Common Application, including your activities and work experience and the L&C supplemental questions; official transcripts for all college coursework (those currently enrolled must include the current year’s fall grades); an official high school transcript with verification of graduation; one academic evaluation from a college instructor who taught you in a full-credit, traditional academic (non-performance, activity or studio) class taken after high school graduation; a list of current and projected courses; some applicants may be asked for a statement of good standing; FAFSA by the 1 March priority deadline for need-based aid; and an interview with a transfer admissions counselor, encouraged but not required.
• Credit transfer: the College evaluates credit course by course, with no block transfer, so associate’s degrees do not transfer automatically; credit requires a grade of C- or better; there is no credit for CLEP, life experience, credit by examination or repeated courses, none for coursework completed over 20 years ago, and at most four semester credits of physical education/activity; one quarter credit equals 0.67 semester credits. Class standing depends on transferred credits (0–28 first-year, 29–60 sophomore, 61–68 junior). A degree needs 128 semester credits with at least 60 earned at L&C, so no more than 68 semester credits can be applied. Admitted students receive a preliminary statement of transfer credit, and the registrar issues the official evaluation after the enrollment deposit; whether earlier coursework satisfies major requirements is decided with the department or programme chair.
• Chemistry: the pages read do not state a minimum transfer GPA, requirements for entering the chemistry major, or the chemistry, calculus and physics sequence expected; the chemistry page says lower-level courses may be waived by the chair for students eligible to begin in higher-level courses, and the admissions office says to contact the department or program chair about whether earlier coursework meets major requirements. The checklist for international transfer applicants is not covered here. The transfer checklist’s example years (for instance “applying for fall 2024 admission”) are out of date; please check the latest.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED 1 and EA 1 November; ED 2 and Regular 15 January; Common App; one teacher recommendation (academic teacher, grades 10–12); test-free; no application fee
• FAFSA (school code 003197)

International applicants (including China):

• English scores (TOEFL iBT 91, IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 115 and others); Certificate of Financial Responsibility and proof of funds; International Student Application for Financial Assistance (CSS Profile not accepted); transcripts in the original language with English translation
• Gaokao use is not published; ask Admissions

After entry:

• Take CHEM 110, 120 and Calculus I, II in the first year; note the 400 laboratory contact hours needed for the ACS-certified major, and contact faculty early about research or the Rogers summer program

Transfer students:

• Rolling review, submit everything by 1 April if possible; one college-instructor evaluation; up to 68 credits transfer, C- or better

Sources: Chemistry; Chemistry: majoring and minoring; Chemistry: student research; Biochemistry and molecular biology; Rogers Science Research Program; 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: transfer application information; Admissions: transferring credit; Admissions: paying for college; International Students and Scholars: English proficiency; Financial Aid: undergraduate. The dates on the admission pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry; the cost pages are labelled 2026-27 or 2027-28 (see the text). See the College’s website for the latest.