International admissions brochure 2014 15 web

Discover A Larger World

Dream. Explore. Develop. Excel. Become.

An introduction for international students.

Explore Luther Each year, nearly 2,500 students are drawn to Luther College, which is located in picturesque northeast Iowa. From here, these students experience a larger world.

A L UTHER EDUCATIO N IS HI G HLY R E G A R D E D

We are ranked among the best national liberal arts colleges in the country; our students have received recognition as Fulbright, Rhodes, Gates, and Goldwater scholars, to name a few.

Make Connections A Luther education connects students with vital global issues and ideas in many ways—through scholarship on campus and through off-campus studies, internships, and service around the globe.

Campus conversations reflect the experiences and passions of almost 150 international students from nearly 60 countries.

ENGAGE IN GLOBAL STUDY

Each year, more than 400 Luther students expand their worldviews through international study, ranking Luther among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad before graduation— more than 65 percent.

PREPARE FOR A LARGER WORLD

The paths students follow to reach Luther are as varied as the paths they take once they arrive.

And while on campus, all students learn to live out a central element of the college’s mission—to move beyond immediate interests and present knowledge into a larger world. From northeast Iowa, the view is quite expansive.

I NT E NS I V E LE A R NI NG

is a Luther hallmark, from the interdisciplinary Paideia program that all students experience, to January Term classes on and off campus, to senior research projects.

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Luther College is a four-year, university-level, residential institution of 2,500 students.

One of the outstanding colleges in the American Midwest, Luther offers more than 60 majors, minors, preprofessional, and special programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree.

FOUNDED IN 1861 by Norwegian immigrants—and named for

16th-century reformer Martin Luther—the college is affiliated with the Lutheran Church and welcomes students of all beliefs and backgrounds to its 1,000-acre (405 hectare) campus.

Enthusiasm for Learning Our students arrive on campus ready to make connections and experience the larger world.

Although their backgrounds and life experiences vary, they all share a generous spirit, enthusiasm for learning, and a desire to live life fully and thoughtfully.

WHERE WE COME FROM

Luther has an interesting national and international flavor, with our students coming from nearly 40 U.S. states and 60 countries.

“

At Luther, I have been challenged to explore the ways in which I may combine my studies and individual efforts with the insights and actions of those around me.

Collectively, we strive to make a difference in our community and in the world.

”

—FRANCISCO DE JESUS NETO, TIMOR-LESTE

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED SINCE 2004

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chile China Colombia Curaçao Democratic Republic of Congo Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador El Salvador Ethiopia France Germany

Ghana Guatemala Guinea Haiti Honduras Hong Kong S.A.R. India Indonesia Iraq Italy Jamaica Japan Kazakhstan Kenya Latvia Lesotho Liberia Libya Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mexico Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nigeria Norway Pakistan Palestine

Qatar Philippines Russia Rwanda Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Swaziland Sweden Taiwan R.O.C. Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uganda Uruguay Vietnam Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe

Welcome to Decorah, Iowa Luther is located in Decorah, Iowa, a picturesque community of nearly 8,500 people situated in the American heartland.

Decorah is a true college town— friendly, cultured, eclectic, and safe. It’s the perfect place to spend four years.

TRAVELING TO DECORAH

n 110 kilometers (75-minute drive) from

an excellent regional airport in Rochester, Minnesota. n 235 kilometers (2.5-hour drive) from the international airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota. n 435 kilometers (5-hour drive) from the international airport in Chicago, Illinois. n Students may ride an airport shuttle, at a nominal cost, to and from campus and the Minneapolis and Chicago airports at the beginning and end of each academic year, and for all major breaks.

in being designated one of “America’s Best Small Towns”—offering varied shops, multiethnic restaurants, museums, and galleries, along with biking, paddling, cross-country skiing, and more.

DECORAH TAKES PRIDE

What We Study The liberal arts are the foundation on which students build their education. Following a tradition that dates back to the earliest universities, students broaden their knowledge of the world by studying the social and natural sciences, languages and literature, religion and philosophy, mathematics, and the fine arts. Luther students develop a breadth of knowledge through the college’s general requirements and a depth of knowledge through a chosen major.

LUTHER’S APPROACH

AREAS OF STUDY

Accounting* Africana Studies Anthropology* Art Asian Studies** Athletic Training* Biblical Languages* Biology Business (Management) Chemistry Chinese*** Classical Studies** Classics Communication Studies Computer Science Dance Economics Education, Elementary* Education, Secondary** English Environmental Studies French German Greek*** Health Hebrew*** History Intermedia Arts* International Management Studies*** International Studies Italian*** Latin*** Linguistics** Management Mathematics Mathematics/Statistics*

Museum Studies** Music Norwegian*** Nursing* Philosophy Physical Education Physics Political Science* Predentistry+ Preengineering+ Prelaw+ Premedicine+ Preoptometry+ Prepharmacy+ Prephysical Therapy+ Preseminary+ Preveterinary Medicine+ Psychology Religion Russian Studies Scandinavian Studies Social Welfare** Social Work* Sociology Spanish Theatre Women and Gender Studies * major only ** minor only *** coursework only + preprofessional program (major chosen from several relevant disciplines)

to a liberal arts education aims to inspire in students an unshakable curiosity about the world, a deeper understanding of themselves and their beliefs, and a way of seeing the importance of their own lives and work.

Learn outside the classroom Learning at Luther is all about engagement— students become fully involved in their learning, both in and outside the classroom.

Active Minds and Bodies THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC

Musically, Luther’s campus is alive with the sounds of 7 choirs, 3 bands, 3 orchestras, and 2 jazz bands in which almost 1,000 students of all majors participate. In addition, vocal students can stretch their talents through a fully staged opera performed each spring and an opera scenes program each fall.

Students can choose to participate in one or more of the over 110 student organizations, including volunteer service groups, political and advocacy associations, academic honor societies, and cultural and social groups.

JOIN THE TEAM

Varsity athletics—10 sports for men and 9 for women—attract the participation of nearly 30 percent of Luther students. Dozens of recreational and club sports, from ultimate Frisbee to rock climbing, are offered as well.

Students have lots of ways to remain active at Luther.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING EXPERIENCES

Luther’s lively campus atmosphere is highlighted by incredible theatre, dance, and art experiences, with a campus calendar overflowing with distinguished speakers, cultural activities, and lots of opportunities for thoughtful conversation and reflection.

What Else You Should Know about Us

n The student-faculty ratio is 12:1; the average

class size is 20. n Nearly 90 percent of faculty members hold a

doctorate or the highest degree in their fields. n 91 percent of Luther professors live within

11 kilometers of campus; their proximity to campus makes for easier connections with students. n Luther operates on a 4:1:4 calendar; students enroll in two traditional semesters of approximately four months each and a onemonth January Term in which they concentrate on one course, study abroad, or participate in an internship, research, or self-directed study. n Nearly 90 percent of students live on campus in one of nine residence halls. n 10 languages are taught on campus: Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Norwegian, Russian, and Spanish. n Upon graduation, typically 20–25 percent of Luther students immediately go on to graduate school or professional school; more than 96 percent are employed, in graduate school, continuing their education, or engaging in volunteer service.

MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AVERAGES

Iowans appreciate four distinct seasons—lush, green springs; warm, breezy summers; crisp, colorful autumns; and bright, snowy winters.

MONTH

HIGH

LOW

MEAN

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

-3°C 1°C 8°C 16°C 22°C 27°C 29°C 28°C 24°C 17°C 8°C -1°C

-13°C -11°C -4°C 2°C 8°C 14°C 16°C 16°C 10°C 4°C -3°C -11°C

-8°C -5°C 2°C 9°C 16°C 21°C 23°C 22°C 17°C 11°C 3°C -6°C

come to Decorah every year via its bald eagle cam. Perched 80 feet high in a tree near the local fish hatchery, the camera captures a bird’s-eye view—literally—of a pair of eagles and their brood. Learn more at www.decoraheaglecamalerts.com.

MILLIONS OF VISITORS

Become.

At Luther, you will develop the self-confidence that gives you the freedom to try new things. Become a Luther

student, and discover what more you will become.

When to Apply For priority consideration, completed applications must be submitted to the Center for Global Learning by: MARCH 1 FOR FALL SEMESTER

(term begins in late August) OCTOBER 1 FOR JANUARY TERM

(term begins in early January) NOVEMBER 1 FOR SPRING SEMESTER

(term begins in February) Students may apply after the priority deadlines, but consideration for both admission and financial aid is given to applicants who meet the deadlines.

APPLICANT PROFILE, 2014

Total applied (international and U.S.)...... 3,560 International applied................................... 445 International admitted................................. 146 International enrolled.................................... 39 Total enrolled (international and U.S.)........ 600 Total international students on campus..... 150 Total countries represented on campus....... 60

How We Make Luther Affordable Each year, Luther awards a significant amount of scholarships and financial aid to international students. A typical academic award usually combines scholarships and grant money (which does not have to be repaid) with on-campus work.

The college’s funds are not limitless, however; students should expect to pay for a portion (generally one-half to two-thirds) of their own college costs. The average amount of scholarships/ financial aid awarded in 2014 was $27,200.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

n International admissions information/application

www.luther.edu/admissions/international/ n Majors, minors, and preprofessional programs www.luther.edu/academics/majors/ n The Luther Catalog www.luther.edu/catalog/ n Profiles of students, faculty, and staff www.luther.edu/spotlightarchives/ n Music at Luther www.luther.edu/music/ n Athletics at Luther www.luther.edu/sports/ n Employment/graduate school information www.luther.edu/value/outcomes/ n International student orientation, organizations, and support provided by the Luther Diversity Center www.luther.edu/diversity/

WHAT IT COSTS

Costs for the 2014–15 academic year: n Tuition—$38,170 n Room and meals—$7,350 n Fees—$455 n Health insurance—$906 n Estimate for books/personal expenses—$3,819 n Estimated total—$50,700

To Apply for Admission INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO LUTHER COLLEGE MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

n An application for admission. International applicants must complete the Common

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Application—including the admissions essay/personal statement—found online at www.commonapp.org. We prefer you submit the Common Application online; however, you may submit a paper application by downloading, printing, and completing a PDF of the Common Application, which is also found online.

Two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or advisers.

Original or certified copies of your secondary school transcripts or mark sheets.

These copies should be signed by the proper authorities.* The results of your final secondary school examination (school leaving certificate) and the results of any national examination (if your country administers a national examination). If you have not yet taken these examinations, submit them later once you have completed the exams.* Proof of English language proficiency. Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam are the recommended form of proof. Such proof is not required, however, from applicants whose language of instruction has been English or of those who have studied the English language extensively. In addition, students who are completing the IB Diploma may or may not be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS results.

Scores of 550 paper-based or 80 Internet-based are needed on the TOEFL; band 6 or higher is required on the IELTS (6.5 or higher preferred).

SAT or ACT test scores. These scores are not required for admission (since we know they may not be offered in some countries), but we do recommend you take them.

The results of these exams may be used to enhance the level of your academic scholarship.

A completed, signed, and verified International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA), indicating your ability to finance your travel to and study at Luther College.

You should print off the PDF of the ISFAA form at www.luther.edu/admissions/ international/financing/. In addition, you should provide certified bank statements, parental wage statements, or other documents that provide evidence of your ability to finance your portion of costs related to your studies.

For transfer students only, we also require original or certified copies of universitylevel transcripts. *Please note: An original or certified copy of a document must include a stamp/ seal and signature from school official or notary, which certifies the document as a copy of an original. Each document should be submitted in English. If the document is not available in English from the school, please submit a complete and literal translation using the same format as the original document.

LUTHER COLLEGE

Center for Global Learning 700 College Drive Decorah, Iowa 52101 +1-563-387-1062 (from outside the U.S.) +1-800-458-8437 (from within the U.S.) +1-563-387-1060 (fax) www.luther.edu/admissions/international global@luther.edu