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Make the transition to Biola a smooth one. Find out steps to apply here.

Homeschool Students Admissions Process

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My time at Biola has produced immeasurable growth in me, in spiritual maturity, academic success, intellectual curiosity, social confidence, relational depth, and internal peace.

Read More About Joshua’s Experience

“My transition from a faith-centered, tightly knit homeschool community to Biola was very smooth, due mainly to the fact that Biola, and Torrey Honors in particular, are focused on maintaining manageable class sizes, creating more opportunities for personal interaction with the professors, and cultivating camaraderie and fellowship amongst the students.

I have learned to think with maturity and reason, but even more importantly I have learned how to subject my thinking to the guidance of the Spirit. I have learned to pursue artistic excellence, but even more importantly I have learned how to pursue it for the glory of God. I have learned the value of human sympathy, but even more importantly I have learned how to sympathize. My time at Biola has produced immeasurable growth in me, in spiritual maturity, academic success, intellectual curiosity, social confidence, relational depth, and internal peace.”

Joshua Field

Even though I transitioned from [a] consistent homeschooling experience to a college environment for the first time, I have found many of the core aspects I valued in my previous education here at Biola University

Read More About Tiara’s Experience

“I grew up homeschooling my entire life, specifically learning through the Classical Conversations homeschooling program. My parents decided to take this path for my schooling because they believed it would offer me an unparalleled education especially because of its high student-teacher ratio, opportunity for personal investment, and constructive evaluation. Even though I transitioned from that consistent homeschooling experience to a college environment for the first time, I have found many of the core aspects I valued in my previous education here at Biola University, and especially in the Torrey Honors program. One of the hardest transitions I anticipated was being away from my family, but here at Biola I am experiencing how the professors and faculty genuinely care and want to connect with their students. I am building meaningful relationships with teachers and peers to an extent I was unable to do before, and that uplift and challenge me to grow. Overall my transition from a homeschool environment to Biola University has been encouraging and I am extremely grateful to be attending such a genuine Christian institution.”

Taira Gondai

My literature-rich homeschool experience was a natural path into the Torrey Honors College, Biola’s Great Books program. My professors also welcomed exploration outside of class

Read More About Abigail’s Experience

“My literature-rich homeschool experience was a natural path into the Torrey Honors College, Biola’s Great Books program. My professors also welcomed exploration outside of class and encouraged me to reach out with any questions. Indeed it was my professors, classmates, and other members of the Biola community who made my experience what it is. While I was preparing to do a devotional for a class, I ran into my dorm's senator, who asked me what was going on in my mind lately. I shared my worries with her about the devotional, and to my surprise she offered to pray for me and also shared a Bible verse. She even followed up later over a meal and shared her own prayer requests. In moments like these I realized that it was a blessing to ask others for help, not something to be avoided.”

Abigail Ho

Steps to Apply

Complete and submit your FREE undergraduate application for admission

This year, we’re making it easier for you to apply and waiving your application fee. Enter the code BUWANTSYOU to apply for free!

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Complete three short response questions

Complete these three brief questions within the application.

Prompts:

  1. Describe how and when you made a decision to follow Christ. (300–400 words)
  2. Using personal examples, share about your recent spiritual growth. (300–400 words)
  3. Why are you interested in attending Biola University? (100-200 words)

Check to see if your program has additional requirements

The following programs require an additional application process. Review admission requirements for:

Submit your transcript

Submit transcripts, current through the time of application, in the “Supplemental Items & Documents” tab within the application. The homeschool transcript should include a letter grade assigned for each subject studied, beginning in the ninth year of schooling, as well as the signature of the homeschooling parent or agency representative.

Note that an official transcript is required once you have been admitted. The official transcript must be submitted upon completion of course of study and must include graduation date or the date when studies were completed. Official transcripts may be submitted by one of the following ways:

  1. Sent directly from the institution to Biola using a digital service, such as Parchment.
  2. Sent directly via email from the Homeschool Administrator to admissions.transcripts@biola.edu.
  3. Physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the Homeschool Administrator. Final official transcripts must be submitted upon completion of course of study and must include graduation date.

In the absence of a transcript, you must take the GED or California Proficiency Exam. Scores from the test must be sent directly to Biola before the application deadline. If a final transcript is submitted, these tests are not required.

OPTIONAL: Submit your scores from the SAT (Code 4017) or ACT (Code 0172)

Biola is a Test-Optional University

We do not require freshman applicants to submit SAT/ACT scores. The Admissions Office will continue to make admissions offers and award academic scholarships based on students' academic achievement, spiritual commitment and their ability to succeed at Biola.

If you've taken these tests, you may submit your scores to strengthen your overall academic qualifications and reduce the need for placement exams later in the enrollment process. We do not penalize students who do not submit tests scores. Learn more about Biola's test-optional process.

Note: International students are still required to submit one test score for proof of English proficiency (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or IB English).

Admission Requirements

Please note the following admission requirements for first-time college students.

  • The student must be a believer in the Christian faith (the applicant's statement of faith will be articulated in the personal essay section of the application).
  • The student must have at least a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA. Note: The average unweighted high school GPA for incoming freshmen at Biola is 3.54.
    • The Nursing Program has a separate GPA requirement. Please refer to the admission requirements for the Nursing Program.
  • The student must have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent degree (GED). The following is a recommended homeschool curriculum:
    • 4 years of English
    • 3 years of Mathematics
    • 2-4 years of Foreign Language
    • 2 years of Science
    • 2 years of Social Science

Note: Elective courses in fine arts and PE are encouraged. Prospective nursing candidates must have one year each of chemistry and algebra. Biology majors must have one year each of chemistry and physics.

NOTE: Deficiencies in the student's homeschool curriculum may be made up while at Biola.

Application Deadlines

To qualify for an application deadline, all materials must be received in the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline date. If a student qualifies for a specific application deadline, they will be notified of admission by the corresponding notification date.

Apply for Fall Semester

Deadline Type Apply By Notified By
Early Action 1 November 30 January 15
Early Action 2 January 15 February 15
RegularMarch 1As Processed
Rolling AdmissionsWe are still accepting applications for Fall 2024

Important Notes

  1. If a student submits their application by an Early Action deadline, they will learn about admittance earlier than the standard application and notification dates. Early Action is non-binding. Students have until May 1 to notify Biola of their intent to attend.
  2. Some programs have different application and notification deadlines and may require separate application. For more information please visit application steps for Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, Torrey Honors College, Conservatory of Music and the Pre-Clinical Nursing Program.


Apply for Spring Semester

Deadline Type Apply By Notified By
Early Action October 15 As Processed
Regular November 30 As Processed

Note: Applications are still accepted after the application deadline, but are processed if space is available and time allows.

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