Instruction: Reference Forms

Instructions for Applicants
A completed application includes the following:

1. The printed application form (pdf file form) must be completed and submitted along with the autobiographical essay.

2. Application fee of $35.00 payable to LTSG

3. Autobiographical Essay
Attach a copy of your ELCA candidacy entrance essay OR a typed “Autobiographical Essay” setting forth in approximately 1200 words:
    (a) The significant events in your life, your Christian experience, your relationship to the church;
    (b) An assessment of your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate for a church career; and
    (c) Why you decided to attend Seminary.

4. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended 

5. Pastoral, Academic or Professional, and Leadership References (see Recommendation Instructions)

6. Those applying for the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies or Affiliation must also have support from their church body. 
Lutheran applicants for the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies or Affiliation must contact their synodical office. The ELCA candidacy policy is:
ELCA seminaries will normally not extend an offer of admissions to an ELCA applicant until receiving notification of a positive entrance decision (“readiness for theological study”) by a candidacy committee. An applicant who has entered, but not yet completed the entrance step in candidacy, may receive a provisional offer of admissions by the seminary. Such a provisional offer may be withdrawn without a subsequent positive entrance decision by the candidacy committee by December 1.
Non-Lutheran applicants for the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies must provide a letter from their judicatory body that states support for this academic and field experience venture.

7. Those wishing to transfer seminary credits must request that the dean of the theological school write a letter of honorable dismissal to the director of admissions. This is required in addition to an official transcript of the work at that school.
All should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. When recommendations and other application materials are in hand, the admissions committee will act and notify the applicant of its decision immediately. It is recommended that applicants begin the application process nine to twelve months prior to the time of anticipated enrollment. Deadlines for applications are August 1 for Fall term, November 15 for January term, and December 1 for Spring term.

1. Complete the top section of each Reference form with your name and the program of study you are applying for admission. Check whether or not you want to waive your rights of access to the recommendation and sign your name.

2. Give the recommendation forms to the reference persons designated on the application form. The Pastoral Reference Form is to be given to your pastor. If you indicated a second pastoral reference on your application, please give the other Pastoral Reference Form to that person. The Academic/ Leadership Reference Form is to be given to a person who has known you in an academic or professional setting and a non-relative lay person who has known you in a leadership role.

3. Attach to each form stamped envelopes addressed to the seminary’s Office of Admissions for each form’s direct and prompt return to our office.