Common Admission Questions

In order to be considered for admission a student must submit an application for admission, an official high school transcript, and ACT or SAT score unless applying Test Optional. At Bethany, we look at each student individually, taking into consideration his or her total application. Applications are evaluated on the following criteria, listed in order of priority:

• Grade point average in college prep classes
• Standardized test score: ACT or SAT I; Bethany does not require the essay portion of the ACT, but does recommend it. Bethany’s ACT code is 2086; the SAT code is 6035.
• Class selection
• Overall grade point average
• Motivation
• References
• Recommendations

This process allows the admissions committee to evaluate ALL the academic credentials of an applicant without creating benchmark numbers that must be met. Students who would like an indication of their potential acceptance at Bethany are encouraged to contact us.

We review applications as they are submitted and typically notify applicants of our admission decisions within 10 business days. The priority deadline to apply for fall semester is May 1. Applications should be submitted no later than July 1 (for fall semester enrollment) or December 10 (for spring semester enrollment). Applications are considered after these dates, but there is no guarantee of acceptance for the upcoming semester. Financial aid deadlines are earlier.

*Per federal guidelines, the institution admits as regular students only persons who have a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, and are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Minnesota. If Bethany Lutheran College has reason to believe that the high school diploma or GED documentation is not valid, or that the documentation was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education, the documentation will be rejected and will not meet the requirements for Admission.

Students who score 50 or higher on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or 3 or higher on the Advance Placement Test (AP), or 5 or more on the higher level exams of the International Baccalaureate (IB) are given advanced placement with college credit. In addition, students who have taken college coursework through a postsecondary option program on the campus of an accredited college or university (PSEOP) or at their high school through an accredited college course (CIS) may transfer academic credits with a grade of C or above.

No. Wireless internet and network access is available campuswide, and all residence hall rooms have wired connections available. For more on Bethany’s computer capabilities, visit the Information Technology Services page. If you don’t have a computer, not to worry. Bethany currently has five computer labs (with both Mac and PC terminals) and the student-to-computer ratio is 6:1.

Bethany’s admissions process mirrors the College’s approach of working with the abilities, qualities, and talents of each student. We do not make an admission decision under the restrictions of pre-determined minimum guidelines or numbers. Rather, we review each applicant on an individual basis on a variety of factors in an attempt to identify a prospective student’s capability to experience academic success in a due amount of time.

Applications of prospective students to Bethany are reviewed under the following criteria in rank order: core GPA in college-prep classes, overall GPA, and standardized test score (either ACT or SAT). Other factorsthat might be considered include class selection, academic and character references, letters of reference, and an interview.

Bethany does not require the essay portion for the ACT, but does recommend it. Bethany’s ACT code is 2086; the SAT code is 6035. 

We review completed applications daily (application, transcript, and test score) and typically notify applicants of our admissions decisions within 10 business days.

Students can be accepted in one of two categories. Regularly accepted students enter Bethany with no academic restrictions. Conditionally accepted students, in an effort to increase the potential for academic success, are either encouraged to consider or required to attempt a lower number of credits their first semester and/or utilize Bethany’s tutoring program via our Academic Success Center. Students can also enter Bethany on a part-time basis.

Applications should be submitted no later than July 1 (for fall semester enrollment) or December 10 (for spring semester enrollment). Applications are accepted after these dates, but there is no guarantee of consideration for the upcoming semester.