What Concordia looks for in an applicant

What does Concordia look for in an applicant?

Our admission process identifies students who will be successful here at Concordia, students who will thrive and flourish in our classrooms, contribute to the life of our community and be happy and successful after they leave Concordia.

Our community of students includes a rich mix of personalities and experiences from all over the country, pursuing academic studies in a wide variety of disciplines taught by experienced professors and assisted by a dedicated support staff.

All of our communities -- academic, social, cultural, recreational -- exist in a Christ-centered atmosphere. Our aim is to give our students the best opportunity for success here at Concordia and far beyond.

Application process and requirements

To be considered for acceptance, freshman applicants must submit an application along with a high school transcript with a record of grades through the junior year and ACT/SAT test scores.

Since the university uses a rolling admission process, students are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

In most cases, to be admitted as a freshman student, the applicant must:

  • graduate from an accredited high school or its equivalent
  • have average or better grades and test scores (18 ACT/870 SAT – 3.0 GPA)
  • rank in the upper half of their class
  • demonstrate good moral character, social adjustment and emotional stability
Recommended high school program

Applicants are required to graduate from an accredited high school or its equivalent with 16 units or 160 semester hours. Even though no definite courses are required, students are encouraged to plan a comprehensive college preparatory program in high school that includes the following:

English four years
Mathematics three years
Social Studies three years
Science (biology and either two years
  chemistry or physics)
Art
Music
Physical Education
Foreign Language

What if I don't meet all of these requirements?

Test scores and GPA’s are not always enough

We recognize that there are students who do not meet our academic standards but for whom transcripts and test scores do not tell us the whole story. They cannot measure the motivation of an art student who is consumed by their talent and is just beginning to understand how to balance all the important things in their life. They cannot measure the motivation of a student who has overcome adversities of one kind or another to even finish high school. They cannot measure the drive of a student who has wanted to be a teacher since the fourth grade and who has taught Sunday school and been involved in tutoring to get some experience.

We want to hear your story

We especially want to hear from those students where simply looking at a transcript or at test scores does not give us a complete picture of their likelihood for success in our academic community. After you have submitted an application please send the admission office a 150 word essay on “Why you are a good fit for Concordia.” We will add this essay to your application and our admission committee will view it along with all other submitted material.

How do I compare?

Class of 2013
  • Applicants: 1495
  • Admitted: 1058
  • Enrolled: 344

Academic profile

  • GPA – 3.44
  • ACT – 23
  • SAT – 1057
  • High School Rank: 24 % from top ten percent of class; 48% from top quarter of class; 75% from top half of class. 

Program profile
Concordia's top ten majors

  1. Secondary Education
  2. Elementary Education 
  3. Business
  4. Director of Christian Education
  5. Early Childhood Education 
  6. Pre-Medical
  7. Graphic Design
  8. Pre-Physical Therapy 
  9. Biology 
  10. Psychology

Personal profile

  • Female: 46.8%
  • Male: 53.2%

Student origin

  • Nebraska: 44.2%
  • Other states: 55.8%

Religious affiliation

  • Lutheran: 59.6%
  • Christian: 12.2%
  • Catholic: 7.5%
  • Other: 20.7%

Activities

  • Athletics: 44%
  • Intramurals: 50%
  • Art, music and drama: 55%
  • Clubs and organizations: 60%