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Baton Rouge, Louisiana | |
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information About LSU
- Where is LSU located?
- When was LSU founded?
- How many students are enrolled at LSU?
- What undergraduate degree programs does LSU offer?
- Does LSU offer degrees in Pre-Law, Pre-Med, or Pre-Dentistry?
- What is the student-faculty ratio? What is the average class size at LSU?
- Does LSU offer study abroad opportunities?
- If I have a disability, what office should I call or visit to find information about LSU’s accommodations for my needs?
Admission Requirements & Application Process
- What are LSU’s admission requirements for freshmen?
- What are LSU’s admission requirements for transfer and re-entry students?
- What are LSU’s admission requirements for international students?
- How do I apply for undergraduate admission to LSU?
- What materials do I need to send with my application?
- What are the application deadlines?
- How can I check the status of my admission application?
- What are the costs of attending LSU?
- When do I pay my tuition?
Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Tuition
- What kinds of scholarships are available at LSU and how do I apply for them?
- How do I apply for federal financial aid?
- How do I apply for the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)?
- One of my parents graduated from a school in the LSU System. Are there any scholarships for me?
LSU Honors College
- Does LSU have an Honors College? How can I learn more about the program?
- What are the requirements for the Honors College?
- How do I apply to the Honors College?
- When is the application deadline for the Honors College?
Campus Housing
- Are freshmen required to live on campus?
- When and how do I apply for campus housing?
- What is the difference between a residence hall and a residential college?
- Does LSU have women’s housing? Men’s housing? Co-ed housing? How does that work?
- What security features are available in the campus housing facilities?
- Can freshmen request to live in the on-campus apartments?
- Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus?
- How much does it cost per semester to live on campus?
- What is included in the housing rental rate?
- Can I tour the campus housing facilities?
- When will I receive my residence hall assignment?
- Where can I find more information about campus housing at LSU?
LSU is located in Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Learn more about Baton Rouge and Louisiana at these Web sites:
When was LSU founded?
LSU originally opened its doors in January 1860, as the Louisiana State Seminary & Military Academy in Pinevile, Louisiana.
How many students are enrolled at LSU?
Approximately 30,000 students (graduate and undergraduate) are enrolled at LSU. For a complete breakdown, visit LSU’s Office of Budget & Planning Web site.
What undergraduate degree programs does LSU offer?
LSU offers more than 70 undergraduate degree programs and several non-degree programs. If you cannot find your specific program on the complete list of degrees, contact a representative from LSU’s Office of Recruiting Services or the University College Center for Freshman Year.
Does LSU offer degrees in Pre-Law, Pre-Med, or Pre-Dentistry?
LSU does not offer degrees in Pre-Law, Pre-Med, or Pre-Dentistry. Students interested in Law School, Medical School, or Dental School are advised to graduate with a degree in a related field, but not limit themselves to a Pre-Law, Pre-Med, or Pre-Dentistry degree.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio? What is the average class size at LSU?
The overall student-to-faculty ratio at LSU is 21:1. Some lecture-style classes will be larger, but all professors are required to have office hours to meet with students. Typically, English classes average 30 students, math classes average 30 students, foreign language classes average 20 students, and labs average 15 to 18 students. Once students enter courses for their majors, all of the classes become relatively small.
Does LSU offer opportunities to study abroad?
Yes, LSU offers a variety of study abroad programs and student-exchange programs in places such as Australia, China, England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, and Senegal, just to name a few. If you would prefer to stay in the United States, national exchange programs are also available. Programs vary in length from a matter of weeks to a complete academic year. For more information, visit the Academic Programs Abroad Web site.
If I have a disability, what office should I call or visit to find information about LSU’s accommodations for my needs?
If you have a disability and require accommodations, contact the Office of Disability Services for more information.
Office of Disability Services
112 Johnston Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Telephone: 225/578-5919
TDD: 225/578-2600
Fax: 225/578-4560
E-mail: disability@lsu.edu
Web site: www.lsu.edu/disability
What are the admission requirements for freshmen?
See admission requirements for entering freshmen.
What are the admission requirements for transfer and re-entry students?
See admission requirements for transfer and re-entry students.
What are the admission requirements for international students?
See admission requirements for international students.
How do I apply for undergraduate admission to LSU?
LSU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions recommends that you apply online using LSU's Application for Undergraduate Admission. Whether you choose to submit a printed or an online application will not influence the office’s decision regarding your admission status.
What materials do I need to include with my application?
An application cannot be reviewed until the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received all necessary items. Find out what items you need to include with your application on one of the Application Checklists:
- Checklist for entering freshmen
- Checklist for transfer or re-entry students
- Checklist for international students
The deadlines for application are as follows:
- April 15 for all students applying for admission to the following summer term and/or fall semester
- October 1 for international students applying for the following spring semester
- December 1 for first-year freshmen and transfer students applying to the following spring semester
Processing of applications will continue after all necessary information is received.
How can I check the status of my application?
You may check the status of your Application for Undergraduate Admission online. You will need to know your assigned student identification number or your Social Security Number. If you do not have your student identification number, you may request it online, but you must have an e-mail address.
What are the costs of attending LSU?
For a complete list of tuition, University fees, and estimated expenses, see Current Tuition, Fee and Expense Information.
When do I pay my tuition?
A few weeks before you are scheduled to begin courses at LSU, you will receive a fee bill outlining your tuition, University fees, and course schedule. The fee bill will indicate when you should return the fee stub and your payment for tuition. You must return the fee stub even if there is a zero balance. If your fee stub and payment are not received by the deadline, you will be purged from the classes for which you scheduled.
What scholarships are available at LSU and how do I apply for them?
LSU’s Office of Student Aid & Scholarships Web site lists available scholarships and instructions on how to apply.
For a complete list of departmental awards, refer to the LSU General Catalog, which lists all departmental awards and the general criteria for each.
How do I apply for federal financial aid?
LSU’s Office of Student Aid & Scholarships Web site has a complete section about applying for federal financial aid for undergraduate students. You can also find information about federal financial aid programs for graduate students, law students, and veterinary medicine students.
How do I apply for the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)?
This program for Louisiana residents is administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. Information about TOPS—including bulletins, guidelines, deadlines, and the online application—can be found by accessing the "TOPS Portal" on the Louisiana Office of Financial Assistance Web site. You may also contact LSU’s Office of Student Aid & Scholarships for more details.
One of my parents graduated from a school in the LSU System. Are there any scholarships for me?
If you are a child of an LSU alumnus and you are not a resident of Louisiana, you may be eligible for the Bengal Legacy Scholarship. To apply for this scholarship, check “yes” on the application where it asks if your father or mother graduated from a school in the LSU System, and an application will automatically be mailed to you. For more information about the program, contact the Office of Student Aid & Scholarships.
Does LSU have an Honors College? How can I learn more about the program?
Yes, LSU does have an Honors College, and it’s considered one of the best programs of its kind. To learn more about the program, visit the Honors College online. You’ll find details about the Honors College, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions directly to students currently enrolled in the program. You can also call 225/578-8831 or e-mail honors@lsu.edu for more information.
What are the requirements for the Honors College?
The requirements for admission to the Honors College are posted online at www.honors.lsu.edu. Admission requirements vary depending on whether you are entering as an incoming freshman or as a transfer or continuing student.
How do I apply to the Honors College at LSU?
If you are applying to the Honors College as a freshman, you will find the Honors College application is part of the LSU Application for Undergraduate Admission.
If you are applying to the Honors College as a transfer or continuing student, then you will need to complete and submit the Transfer & Continuing Students Application Form in addition to the LSU Application for Undergraduate Admission.
When is the application deadline for the Honors College?
The deadline to apply to the Honors College is December 15, although you are encouraged to apply early. If you have any questions about this process, e-mail Jeremy Joiner, who is in charge of Honors College applications, at jjoine2@lsu.edu or call 225-578-8831.
Are freshmen required to live on campus?
Freshmen are not required to live on campus. However, living in the residence halls is strongly recommended. Living on campus is convenient and fun. Plus, it keeps you connected to the campus community and everything it has to offer.
The Department of Residential Life has created friendly living-and-learning environments for its residents. You may choose from a variety of options and can designate a roommate preference.
Any incoming freshman who chooses to live on campus must register a meal plan through LSU Dining for the first semester.
When and how do I apply for campus housing?
The housing application is completely separate from the Application for Undergraduate Admission and should be submitted after you apply for undergraduate admission. You do not have to be admitted to LSU to apply for on-campus housing, but you do need to submit your admission application first.
Once you receive an e-mail notifying you that your Application for Undergraduate Admission has been processed, you may apply for campus housing. You can complete and submit the online housing application in the “Incoming Students” section of Department of Residential Life Web site at www.lsu.edu/housing. You will need to pay the $150 housing reservation fee with a credit card or online check when you submit your housing application.
There is no deadline for submitting your housing application, but assignments are processed as applications are received. Therefore, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
What is the difference between a residence hall and a residential college?
LSU’s residence halls provide traditional on-campus housing for students. LSU has single-sex residence halls and co-ed residence halls. Residential Colleges adds a structured academic component to students’ living environment.
Students who choose to participate in one of LSU’s four Residential Colleges will live in the same building, attend some of the same classes, participate in extracurricular programming related to their course work, and meet for study sessions in the hall. All residential colleges are co-ed, with alternating floors for men and women. The experience creates a “campus within a campus” and can ease your transition to college life.
For more information about residence halls and residential colleges, visit the Department of Residential Life Web site.
Does LSU have women’s housing? Men’s housing? Co-ed housing? How does that work?
The Department of Residential Life offers single-sex and co-ed housing.
- Women's housing: Blake, Evangeline, and Miller Halls.
- Men's housing: Louise Garig and Kirby-Smith Halls.
- Co-ed housing: Acadian, Beauregard, Annie Boyd, Broussard, Herget, Highland, Jackson, East & West Laville, Lejuene, Taylor, and McVoy Halls.
Each floor of a co-ed facility is designated for men or women, and co-ed roommates are not allowed. Card-access security controls on each floor prevent unescorted guests or residents of the opposite sex from entering a floor other than their own.
All residential colleges (Acadian, Broussard, Herget, and East & West Laville Halls) are co-ed.
What security features are available in the campus housing facilities?
See a complete list of the security features available in the on-campus housing facilities.
Can freshmen request to live in the on-campus apartments?
LSU’s East and West Campus Apartments are reserved for upper class students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors). Should there be vacancies after upper class students have reserved their rooms, freshmen may be considered. However, this is unlikely to occur. Freshmen should indicate their top residence halls on their applications.
Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus?
Yes, incoming freshmen can register and have cars on campus. Parking at LSU is designated by zone. Where students park is determined by where they live. Students will register for parking when they register courses at orientation sessions.
How much does it cost per semester to live on campus?
Your payment for campus housing will depend on the hall you choose, the number of roommates you have, and whether or not your register for a residential college.
See a complete list of housing rates, or you may contact the Department of Residential Life at 225/578-8663 or reslife@lsu.edu and request that one be mailed to you.
What is included in the housing rental rate?
Rental rates include local telephone (with features such as call waiting, caller ID, and call forwarding), basic cable service, and all utilities. For an additional charge, high-speed data connections are available. All hall lobbies and other featured areas offer wireless networks for convenience.
Can I tour the campus housing facilities?
Tours of the housing facilities are offered every weekday, excluding holidays, at 1:30 p.m. and again at 3:00 p.m. Tours begin promptly at the Department of Residential Life's main office, 99 Grace King Hall. You do not need to schedule your tour in advance, but you should arrive on time. If you would like more information about tours, contact the Department of Residential Life at reslife@lsu.edu or at 225/578-8663.
When will I receive my residence hall assignment?
Assignment notices will be mailed in June for the fall semester, by December 20 for the spring semester, or by May 20 for the summer term. Assignments after those dates will be processed as applications are received. To check your assignment online, log in to your PAWS account, and choose “Student Services.” Select “Student Housing,” and go to “View Application Status.”
Where can I find more information about campus housing at LSU?
For more information about on-campus housing at LSU, visit the Department of Residential Life at www.lsu.edu/housing, e-mail reslife@lsu.edu, or call the main office at 225/578-8663.
Undergraduate Admissions
1146 Pleasant Hall • Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-578-1175 • Fax: 225-578-4433
admissions@lsu.edu