07/16/2026
With our applications for 2027 opening on August 1, please see the important updates to our application requirements, most notably to our Test Optional policy, letter of recommendation requirement, and priority deadline.
Test Optional Policy Update
Beginning August 1, 2026: first-year undergraduate students applying to the LSU flagship campus for any 2027 term whose cumulative, weighted high school GPA is lower than 3.5 will be 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 will have the option to include ACT or SAT scores for admission and merit-based scholarship consideration. Applicants will indicate on their Common Application whether or not they wish to have their test scores evaluated.
Beginning August 1, 2027: all first-year undergraduate students applying to the Baton Rouge campus for any 2028 term will be required to submit either an ACT or SAT score to be considered for admission and merit-based scholarships.
What this new policy means for applicants:
LSU is still continuing its holistic, comprehensive review process in making admissions and merit-based scholarship decisions.
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.
Additional factors that are evaluated include academic performance in a student’s high school curriculum, rigor of coursework, grade trend, and performance in coursework aligned with intended major.
LSU is seeking to admit students who are most likely to succeed at our flagship institution. Evidence-based research at LSU and across the country confirms that standardized test performance is one key predictor for a student’s academic success.
Now Optional: Letter of Recommendation
Beginning August 1, 2026: first-year undergraduate students applying to the LSU flagship campus are not required to include a letter of recommendation as part of their application.
If submitted, the Admissions Committee will evaluate the letter as part of the comprehensive review process, however, applicants will not be negatively evaluated for not including a recommendation letter.
LSU encourages students applying to the Ogden Honors College to include a letter of recommendation, as this can provide more context and insight to the Honors Committee. Additionally, like the personal essay, we encourage students who believe their application will be strengthened by a letter of recommendation to include it.
New Priority Deadline
LSU's priority deadline to apply for any 2027 entry term is December 1, 2026. Applying before this deadline assures the student will receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships and admission to the Ogden Honors College, if indicated on the Common Application.
Students who apply after December 1 will still be considered for scholarships and Honors College admission based on availability. The regular decision deadline is February 1, 2027.
