BECOME A TIGER
Freshman
We are building the next winning team at LSU, and we are looking for students eager to use their strengths and talents to make a positive impact in Louisiana and beyond.
Your ability to be successful at LSU is demonstrated through several factors, which is why we review every application comprehensively. Factors we evaluate include overall high school performance, rigor of coursework, grade trend, performance in courses related to your intended major, and standardized test scores (if submitted).
The Common Application for ALL 2027 ENTRY TERMS will open on AUGUST 1.
High School graduates looking to start at LSU next month (Fall 2026) can apply here.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit Common Application Online
LSU uses only the Common Application for first-year applicants. The Common App serves as the application for admission, as well as the application for merit-based scholarships offered by LSU. This application is also used as your Ogden Honors College application, if you are interested.
- Access the Common Application, and create an account as a First-Year Student
- Click College Search tab and type in "Louisiana State University" and add LSU to My Colleges
- Once all sections under the Common App and Louisiana State University tabs are complete and have a green check next to them, you may submit
- Application Fee: $50 (Eligible students can use a Fee Waiver.)
Priority Deadline for Scholarships: December 1
Regular Decision Deadline: February 1
Note: Required materials listed below do not have to be submitted before the Common App. Please do not delay submitting the application because your materials are pending.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Your academic record is required from all high schools you have attended and can be submitted using your choice of the options below.
Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)
Grades
You may self-report your grades and test scores using STARS (Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System), which can be accessed in your LSU Admissions Portal after submitting your application.
Applicants must report grades exactly as they appear on the high school transcript. We strongly recommend having a copy of the transcript available when entering grades into STARS. Click the button below for more information.
Test Scores
Test scores can be self-reported through STARS or by emailing your admissions counselor an official score report or a screenshot of your ACT or College Board portal. Your full name, test date, and all scores from the test date must be visible.
Transcript Sent By High School Counselor
In the Common Application, you will list your high school counselor’s information,
and they will be prompted to send your transcript to LSU using their choice of one
of the following methods:
- Parchment Express (Naviance)
- The Common App
- Slate.org
- Email a copy to admissions@lsu.edu
- Mail an official transcript in a sealed envelope to the address below:
LSU Office of Admissions • 1146 Pleasant Hall • Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Any first-year applicant whose cumulative weighted high school GPA is lower than 3.5 is required to submit either an ACT or SAT score to be considered for admission and merit-based scholarships.
Applicants whose cumulative, weighted high school GPA is a 3.5 or higher has the option to include ACT or SAT scores for admission and merit-based scholarship consideration.
You will indicate on the Common Application whether or not you would like your ACT or SAT scores included in your evaluation for admission and university-administered scholarships.
A student’s standardized test score is only one of several factors considered in an application evaluation. Test scores alone do not determine a student’s admissions decision, and there is no minimum test score required for admission.
Test Scores Not Included
If your cumulative, weighted high school GPA is a 3.5 or higher, and you select the option on Common App to not have your SAT or ACT scores considered as part of your application, your admission and scholarship decision will be made without looking at your test scores, even if you had previously submitted them.
Our admissions committee is trained to understand the context of a high school curriculum and how a student’s performance in high school will predict their potential for success at LSU. If you choose not to submit test scores, you will not be viewed negatively.
Please review our Test Optional FAQ page if you have more questions about your selection.
Test Scores Included
If you are required to include your SAT or ACT scores, or if you select the option on Common App to have your scores considered as part of your application, your admission and scholarship decision will be made with your highest submitted score.
LSU considers super score for admission and scholarship evaluation.
There are several ways you can submit your ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration:
- Self-report scores using the STARS (Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System)
- Self-report scores on the Common Application
- Enter LSU’s code when registering for ACT or SAT as an institution that automatically
receives scores.
- ACT code: 1590
- SAT code: 6373
- Email an official score report or a screenshot of your ACT or SAT online portal to your LSU Admissions Counselor or admissions@lsu.edu. The student’s full name, test date, and all scores from that test date must be visible.
| Profile Type | Middle 50% Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| GPA | 3.6 - 4.1 | 3.9 |
| ACT* | 24 - 39 | 27 |
| SAT* | 1170 - 1330 | 1250 |
*Excludes test-optional students
For the middle 50 percent range, 25 percent of admitted students exceeded this range and 25 percent fell below this range.
100%
of undergraduates can participate in research
95%
of students are on financial aid or scholarship
$20K More
LSU graduates earn $20K more per year than the national average