Experience.
Experience... an education that prepares you for a fulfilling and meaningful life Deciding on a college is about finding the right fit. The right college for you will make you feel at home, as well as challenge and inspire you. It will strengthen your talents and open new doors. It will prepare you for the future and change your life. The right college will fit not only who you are now, but also the person you want to become. College is an investment in your future. The Luther experience will contribute to your success as you pursue a life of meaning and purpose.
Exactly What Employers Want
✓ Written and oral
communication skills
✓ Critical thinking and analytic
reasoning Ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings Complex problem-solving skills Ethical decision making Teamwork skills in diverse groups Creativity and innovation Knowledge of science and technology Information literacy Awareness of global issues
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
You will experience …
A World of Ideas Luther’s academic environment is rooted in reality and rich with experiences. As such, it will challenge you to meet the demands of a changing and complex world.
Sharpen your intellect in an engaging curriculum.
Beginning with the Paideia program and throughout your time at Luther, you’ll explore important ideas in a community of learners. Small classes and discussionbased courses will expose you to diverse viewpoints and inspire you to see familiar subjects in entirely new ways. And a comprehensive focus on interdisciplinary thinking will teach you to apply what you know about one subject to your studies on other topics. Expand your thinking with meaningful research.
Luther is big enough to offer the type of research opportunities you’d find in graduate school, but small enough to ensure you can take part. In the sciences and mathematics, you’ll join professors in the labs, help design and run experiments, and publish your findings. In the humanities and social sciences, you might serve as a research assistant for a professor who is writing a book or initiate a project of your own, such as producing a short film or organizing an archaeological dig. Develop on-the-job skills with off-campus learning.
More than two-thirds of Luther students complete at least one internship, externship, or paid work experience before graduating. These opportunities allow you to see academic interests in the context of work and investigate possible career fields. You’ll network with professionals and build your résumé—while also gaining more insight into your own interests, talents, and aspirations.
( ) The Result
At Luther, you will graduate with knowledge and experien ces that will serve you well throughout life.
You will be able to write well and voice your opinion with clarity and confidence.
You will be able to assess data and apply mathematical skills and scientific reasoning in a multitude of contexts. You will have a flexible set of skills that you can apply in numerous directions and in a variety of situations.
You will experience …
Ways to Stretch Yourself Intellectually, Personally, and Creatively Gain leadership skills when you organize a service project. Discover your passion for politics while volunteering for the presidential caucuses in Iowa. At Luther, the opportunities to learn life’s essential lessons will be all around you—both in the classroom and out.
Cultivate leadership through campus activities.
Find the causes that are meaningful to you.
The hours outside of class are yours to fill, and Luther students tend to take an active role in campus life. They plan concerts by artists such as Jason Derulo, Colbie Caillat, and Fun. They form intramural teams and start up special interest clubs. They broadcast radio shows and organize tutoring in Decorah. They compete at the NCAA Division III level on 19 athletic teams. With more than 110 organizations and so much happening on campus, you will have countless opportunities to fuel your own interests, enjoy the camaraderie of teamwork, and take a lead in student life.
There’s no shortage of occasions to serve others, build community ties, and put values into action at Luther. Through service learning courses, spring break mission trips, or international volunteer programs, you will further your understanding of civic duty, ethics, and individual responsibility— and make a difference in the lives of others.
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Develop an outlook that transcends borders.
An international perspective is woven throughout your Luther experience. You’ll have classmates from more than 50 nations and coursework that incorporates global thinking. You will have the chance to gain an appreciation for other cultures and traditions firsthand by living, working, or volunteering overseas.
The Result Luther’s experience-based learning opportunities enable you t o ap ply what you know to what you do.
You will have the confidence to collaborate with people who have diverse backgrounds, talents, and interests. You will be a capable entrepreneur, ready to manage projects and find solutions for challenging problems. You will have a deeper understanding of your role in your community and as a citizen of the world.
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You will experience …
An Education That Lasts a Lifetime As a Luther graduate, you will have lifetime access to Luther’s Career Center and worldwide alumni network.
When you ask Luther grads about their college experiences, you’re likely to get long and enthusiastic replies. A Luther education is about so much more than a degree. It’s about the people you know and the things you do. It’s about the friends you make and the traditions you embrace. You’ll feel a Luther connection for the rest of your life.
Make lifelong friends in this welcoming community.
Students come to Luther from cities and small towns across the nation and from around the world. Collectively, they bring diverse interests and talents that enliven the Luther community. Luther students tend to be friendly, funny, and enjoy working with others. They appreciate the outdoors and are committed to the environment. They’re open to new ideas and welcome a little adventure in their lives. They know the value of hard work and have big dreams. And although they are motivated to achieve, they create a campus community that is warm, welcoming, and incredibly collegial. Get to know professors who are committed to your success.
Faculty members choose to teach at Luther because, just like you, they were looking not only for a campus that met their professional needs, but also for a community where they could be engaged. Like you, Luther’s professors aren’t commuters. They are accessible and available because they live right in Decorah. You will get to know them—and they will get to know you. You’ll come to appreciate that they are as likely to discuss a research proposal over an impromptu cup of coffee as they are to join fans on the sidelines at the big Norse game.
Take advantage of all there is to do. There’s so much to do while you’re a student at Luther, and the only thing stopping you from accessing it all is time. Four years will go by very quickly, and before you know it, you’ll be walking across the stage to collect your diploma. Current students suggest including these top experiences in your Luther education. Soon enough, you’ll be ready to add your own favorites to this list.
n Plant and harvest something in the gardens
on campus
n Canoe or float down the Upper Iowa River n Go to Christmas at Luther
n Play intramural black light volleyball n Picnic at Dunnings Spring
n Toss a disc on Farwell Clearing n Explore Ice Cave
n Watch football from the Union deck on a fall afternoon n Bike to the fish hatchery and feed the trout n Take a picture in front of the Luther bell
What’s the best part of the Luther experience? Ask Luther students, and you’ll get a variety of responses. For some, it’s the intellectual give-and-take enjoyed in enthusiastic class debates and late-night conversations with friends. For many, it’s the close relationships established with faculty who are experts in their fields, with students who have completely different interests, or with mentors who generously share insights and access to their professions. For others, the best part of Luther is a specific, life-changing experience: seeing the impact of community service firsthand, making a breakthrough in a one-of-a-kind research project, or exploring the world through study abroad. In the end, we believe the best thing about a Luther education is actually you—the person you’ve become, the knowledge you’ve gained, the skills you’ve honed, the life you will lead.
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Experience the best of Luther College and become the person you want to be.
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Luther Alumni Students come to Luther with a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and ambitions. At graduation, they leave as artists, writers, thinkers, leaders, scientists, athletes, volunteers, and entrepreneurs. Typically, within eight months of graduation, 96 percent are employed, attending graduate school, or engaged in an internship or student-teaching experience. They join a worldwide community of alumni who share a lifelong affinity for Luther College.
1861:
178 faculty,
1,000
Approximate drive time to Decorah:
8,500
2,000
Luther College is founded
acre campus in Decorah, Iowa, population
shaped by compelling academic rning, a global outlook, and an . We invite you to visit campus to o create an education that meets roves valuable for years to come.
urself.
Luther by the Numbers
12:1 student-to-faculty ratio,
100% of classes taught by faculty
3.5 hours from Des Moines 2.5 hours from Minneapolis 2.5 hours from Madison 5.0 hours from Chicago
average number of alumni who return for Homecoming each year 700 College Drive Decorah, Iowa 52101-1042
2,500 men and women from 39 states and more than 50 countries
50
Over miles of trails running through and around Decorah for biking and hiking
800.458.8437 563.387.1287 admissions@luther.edu admissions.luther.edu students play
1,000 1,875 play
Approximately or sing in ensembles and intramural or club sports
60+ fields of study, including 10 preprofessional programs
41 study abroad destinations since 2010,
70% of Luther students
91
plus others!
78%
of students study abroad
countries where alumni live
35
NCAA Postgraduate Scholars
volunteer approximately 130,000 hours each year
Become. Go. Ex Relate. Learn. Ima
700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1042 | 800.458.8437, 563.387.1287 admissions@luther.edu | admissions.luther.edu