COVID-19 FAQ for Prospective Students

Will Pepperdine still require international students to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission for the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters?

No. For the 2021-22 academic year, submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional for all international applicants, including US citizens who are completing their secondary education outside of the United States. Please note, this is an updated policy in response to the sharp decline of exams offered due to COVID-19 and is subject to change for future terms. Applicants who still wish to submit standardized test scores may do so. Both official and self-reported scores are acceptable.

Can I self-report my TOEFL score?

No. If you wish to fulfill the English language proficiency requirement with the TOEFL, you must submit official scores. Otherwise, you may choose another acceptable method to demonstrate English proficiency.

The external exams for my curriculum (IB, A Levels, AP, etc.) were canceled or altered for the 2019-20 school year. Will Pepperdine accept the different method of assessment that was used to issue grades by the testing agency?

Yes. The OISS has heard from representatives from the various international organizations that administer external exams and we are confident in the efficacy of the new methods they have adopted to assess students for the 2019-20 academic year.

Because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), my high school classes were moved online. Will this affect how my transcript and application for admission are evaluated?

Please be assured that the international admissions team in the OISS will evaluate students on the work they are producing, regardless of the method by which it is produced. We are aware of the widespread school closures and the alternative methods of instruction that have been employed. We have also sought the insight of school counselors and trusted international education organizations in order to understand the context in which students are being evaluated.

Will I still be able to receive advanced credit for external exams?

Yes. Pepperdine will honor the scores given through the ad hoc methods of assessment that are being employed by the external testing organizations (IB, Cambridge, etc.) for this year. We will award college credit based on the scores received for given subjects, as outlined in our existing advanced credit policies.