Oregon · 78.5% acceptance · private · Tier 3
Lewis & Clark weights demonstrated interest in international engagement and environmental consciousness heavily—they're not just looking for stats hits, but applicants with genuine alignment to their Portland location and study-abroad culture. GPA matters more than test scores here (mid-50% SAT is notably low for a private college), so a strong transcript with rigor carries more weight than a 1330; conversely, they're lenient on standardized testing. They favor mission-aligned applicants over well-rounded profiles—a student with sustained commitment to one cause (international development work, environmental advocacy) will outperform someone with scattered ECs.
Use the "Why Lewis & Clark?" prompt to connect specific programs (study abroad destinations, environmental science offerings, international affairs center) to a concrete past experience and future goal—not general wanderlust. Name faculty, field research opportunities, or partnerships (e.g., their sustainability initiatives in Portland) that genuinely excite you. Admissions here reads for authentic fit to their particular Portland-based, globally-minded identity, so generic "I want to study abroad" statements underperform; instead, show you've researched their catalog and can articulate what *this* school enables that others don't.
If you only have time for one thing this month, do this: