Checklists & Deadlines

High School Seniors

Important Dates

Applications open August 15 for the following Spring & Fall semesters. 

Early Action
Priority Deadline November 15
Notification is mailed mid-December.

General Admission
Priority Deadline February 15 
Notification is mailed mid- to late-March.

Deposit/Deposit Refund Deadlines
Fall, non-nursing: May 1
Fall, nursing: April 10

Semester Start Dates
Fall 2026: Classes begin August 31
Spring 2026: January 12

Application Checklist

1. Submit the Application for Admission
   Apply to PLNU using the online application. This application also serves as your application for PLNU financial aid.
    

2. Submit two professional references, including name, title, phone, and email for each reference.
   Your spiritual leader and academic recommendation are facilitated through the application. Simply enter your recommenders’ email addresses in the recommendation section, and the recommendation site will be emailed to them. If your recommenders would prefer to mail in a paper letter, there is no need to use any form. Simply have them send the letter to PLNU at: PLNU Admissions, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106, and be sure your full name is included. You can also email your letter of recommendation to admissions@pointloma.edu.
    

3. Pay the $55 Application Fee Online or by Mail
   The application fee can be paid online. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you can mail a check to PLNU at: PLNU Admissions, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106. Please be sure your full name is on the check.
    

4. Request Official Transcripts
   Request an official copy of your transcripts to be mailed or electronically submitted directly from your school. If you are taking college courses, please submit an official “in progress” transcript from the college.
    

5. Submit SAT and/or ACT Scores (optional)
   SAT/ACT score is not required to be considered for admission. PLNU accepts both the SAT and/or the ACT. To Submit your score, sign in to CollegeBoard or ACT student and request for official scores to be sent to PLNU. Please use PLNU's school test score code 4605 for the SAT and 0370 for the ACT. We super score the 2 SAT sections and the subsections of the ACT to give you the best composite score.

6. Request an Admissions Interview (optional but strongly recommended)
   We encourage our applicants to complete an admissions interview with their admissions counselor, but an interview is not required. Students who wish to arrange an in-person or phone interview should contact their admissions counselor directly. Please contact us at least one month before the application deadline to arrange your interview, which can occur up until the application deadline. An on-campus interview is strongly encouraged.

Transfer Students

Important Dates

Applications open August 15 for the following Spring & Fall semesters. 
PLNU is currently not accepting Transfer Nursing Applications

Early Action (Applies to Fall semester only)
Priority Deadline November 15
Notification is mailed mid-December.

General Admission
Fall General Admission: Still Accepting Applications!
Notification: rolling

Priority Spring Deadline: October 1
Notification is mailed mid- to late-November.

Semester Start Dates
Fall 2026: Classes begin August 31
Spring 2026: January 12

Application Checklist

1. Submit the Application for Admission
   Apply to PLNU using the online application. This application also serves as your application for PLNU financial aid.
    

2. Submit two professional references, including name, title, phone, and email for each reference.
   Your spiritual leader and academic recommendation are facilitated through the application. Simply enter your recommenders’ email addresses in the recommendation section, and the recommendation site will be emailed to them. If your recommenders would prefer to mail in a paper letter, there is no need to use any form. Simply have them send the letter to PLNU at: PLNU Admissions, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106, and be sure your full name is included.
    

3. Pay the $55 Application Fee Online or by Mail
   The application fee can be paid online. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you can mail a check to PLNU at: PLNU Admissions, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106. Please be sure your full name is on the check.
    

4. Request Official Transcripts
   Request an official copy of your transcripts to be mailed or electronically submitted directly from your school. If you are taking college courses, please submit an official “in progress” transcript from the college.
   • If you have completed 25 units or fewer, you must additionally submit your official high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. SAT/ACT score is not required to be considered for admission, but may be submitted for consideration.
   • If you are applying for the upcoming fall semester, we must have your current fall grades, so wait to request transcripts until those grades have posted.

For more information about general education (GE), read our guide to selecting transferrable GE courses.

International Applicants 

Important Dates

Applications open August 15 for the following Spring & Fall semesters. 

International High School Students

Early Action
Deadline: November 15
Notification is mailed mid-December.

General Admission
Deadline: February 15
Notification is mailed mid- to late-March.

International Transfer Students

General Admission
Fall Deadline: February 15
Notification is mailed mid- to late-March.

Spring Deadline: October 1
Notification is mailed mid- to late-November.

Semester Start Dates

Fall 2026: Classes begin August 31
Spring 2026: January 12

Application Checklist

1. Submit the Application for Admission
   Apply to PLNU using the online application. This application also serves as your application for PLNU financial aid.
    

2. Submit two professional references, including name, title, phone, and email for each reference.
   Your spiritual leader and academic recommendation are facilitated through the application. Simply enter your recommenders’ email addresses in the recommendation section, and the recommendation site will be emailed to them. If your recommenders would prefer to mail in a paper letter, there is no need to use any form. Simply have them send the letter to PLNU at: PLNU Admissions, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106, and be sure your full name is included.
    

3. Submit Two Essays
   The prompts for the essays can be found on the application.
    

4. Pay the $55 Application Fee Online or by Mail
   The application fee can be paid online. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you can mail a check to PLNU at: PLNU Admissions, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106. Please be sure your full name is on the check.
    

5. Send Official Transcripts
   This includes any high school and/or college transcripts. All documents must be translated into English and evaluated by an approved evaluation service before being sent to the admissions office. PLNU is not responsible for evaluating foreign transcripts or coursework.
   
   See FAQ below for list of approved evaluation services.

6. Submit Official Proof of English Proficiency

   • Submit TOEFL, IELTS or DuoLingo English Test score. TOEFL, IELTS or DuoLingo scores can be waived if you take the SAT or ACT.*
   • *students in countries where test centers are currently closed may submit an IELTS Indicator score.
   • Minimum scores: TOEFL: 80 iBT; IELTS: 6.5; DuoLingo; 110

7. Request a Phone, or Skype Interview (optional but strongly recommended)
   We encourage our applicants to complete an admissions interview with their admissions counselor, but an interview is not required. Students who wish to arrange a phone interview should contact their admissions counselor directly. Please contact us at least one month before the application deadline to arrange your interview, which can occur up until the application deadline.

8. Submit bank statement(s) or financial support letters
   Please note: If admitted, and before enrolling, students will be required to submit bank statement(s) or financial support letter(s).

Applying as a Veteran or Active Duty Military

If you are a veteran or active duty military applicant, our admissions counselors with help you with everything from submitting transcripts and academic planning to VA benefits and other financial aid. We’ll even have your transcripts evaluated before you apply for admission to see which of your military credits can be transferred.

The most important thing to know is that your application process is the same as any other student. There are just a few steps to take when applying for your VA benefits.

Admissions

1. Apply to PLNU
   Apply to PLNU using the online application

2. Send Official Transcripts
   Send official transcripts from other colleges and universities to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Drive
   San Diego, CA 92106

3. Order Official Military Transcripts
   Contact admissions@pointloma.edu or talk to your transfer admissions counselor for an unofficial transcript evaluation request

4. Veteran app fee waiver

Financial Aid Advisor

1. Apply for VA benefits and a Certificate of Eligibility.
   Apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

2. Complete PLNU’s Military & Veterans Education Benefits Application Packet
   Get the packet by emailing veteranservices@pointloma.edu.

3. Complete Change of Program Form (if transferring Post-9/11 GI® Bill benefits from another institution)
   Available online.

4. Apply for Financial Aid (if applicable)
   Apply online.

Put Your Military Benefits to Work

All undergraduate programs can be completed in 36 months or less to accommodate terms of eligibility for your military benefits. Because our undergraduate degrees will not require you to use your maximum benefits, you can use any remaining eligibility toward one of our graduate degree programs.

If you are a recipient of VA educational benefits, such as the Post 9/11 GI® Bill or Yellow Ribbon Program, we’ll help make sure all assistance is applied accurately and efficiently.

Learn more about VA educational benefits.

What if I'm planning on doing ROTC?
PLNU serves as a cross-town affiliate for ROTC programs with the Navy, Marines, Army, and Air Force. If you are planning on doing ROTC and are currently a high school senior, the process for applying to PLNU is exactly the same as for non-ROTC students.

For military-specific questions, please email veteranservices@pointloma.edu.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.