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Fall 2013 Freshman AdmissionWe very much respect that your application is important to you and we are working very hard to get admission decisions to students as soon as possible. Each application is reviewed individually to ensure that everything a student submits is carefully considered and that each student receives a fair and consistent admission decision. To date, applications have increased 13 percent over last year. We have received more than 41,000 applications for a freshman class of approximately 5,400 students. Because of the especially competitive nature of the applicant pool--as well as the individual, holistic assessment completed for each application--our review does take some time to complete. We have prepared several Frequently Asked Questions below to provide detailed information about how we review applications and make admission decisions. |
We very much respect that you are eager to receive an admission decision. We carefully read each application individually to ensure each student receives a fair and consistent admission decision. We use a comprehensive and thorough review process that does take some time to complete.
Admission decisions are mailed on a rolling basis. All applicants who submitted a complete application by the December 15 priority deadline will receive an admission decision by February 28, 2013. Decision letters are mailed to students and are also posted on Application Tracker. Please be assured that your application will receive very careful, individual consideration.
Students who submitted a complete application by the December 15 priority deadline have received one of the following decisions:
Please note: We carefully consider students for admission to the colleges of interest listed on their applications, in the order in which they are listed. If we are not able to offer admission to the first-choice college, we consider applicants for admission to another University of Minnesota college that best matches their academic interests and preparation. Because of this, it is possible that a student may be admitted to a college that was listed as an alternate choice on the application, or to a college that was not listed on the application, but that we have determined best matches the student's academic interests and preparation, based on a very careful, overall assessment of the academic record and the additional information provided in the application.
We believe that selecting students from a highly talented group of applicants requires a very careful, individual, overall assessment of each student's application materials. Each application is reviewed in its entirety and all application materials are carefully considered.
Applicants are considered for admission to the college choices listed on their applications in the order listed. Please note: If we are not able to offer admission to the choices listed on the application, applicants are automatically considered for admission to other colleges that we determine may be a good fit with their academic interests and preparation.
Admission decisions are based on a very careful, overall assessment of each student's academic preparation and performance, as well as the additional information provided in the application, based on the primary and secondary factors listed below. Although the strongest consideration in the decision is given to the primary factors, no single factor is the deciding factor in the decision.
We do not use automatic criteria or formulas to make an admission decision. There is no score that automatically leads to admission. However, test scores and high school rank (if available) are still among our primary review factors. See the question above ("What factors do you consider when making an admission decision?") for more detailed information.
Overall, the average admitted freshman for fall 2012 had a 28 ACT composite and was ranked in the top 15 percent of his or her high school class. The table below provides the average high school rank percentile and standardized test scores of last year's admitted freshman applicants, by college. The data presented in the table are a composite picture of admitted freshman applicants, intended to give you an idea of where you fit in comparison to last year's applicants; they are not admission criteria. Admission decisions are based on an individual, overall assessment of each application.
| Average High School Rank Percentile | Average ACT Composite | Average SAT (Math + Reading total out of 1600) | |
| Biological Sciences | 94.3 | 30.3 | 1385 |
| Design | 82.2 | 26.8 | 1226 |
| Education and Human Development | 83.4 | 24.7 | 1168 |
| Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences | 82.2 | 26.2 | 1229 |
| Liberal Arts | 83.3 | 27.3 | 1277 |
| Management (Carlson School of) | 88.9 | 29.4 | 1325 |
| Science and Engineering | 92.9 | 30.6 | 1381 |
Students whose high schools do not provide high school ranks receive full consideration for admission. For a complete list of the factors that we consider to make an admission decision, see the question above. ("What factors do you consider when making an admission decision?")
Yes! We know that your application is important to you and your family, and we are very grateful for your interest in the University of Minnesota. Each and every application is read very carefully by more than one staff member in the Office of Admissions before a decision is made.
Our comprehensive and individualized review process ensures that each application is given a thorough, fair, and consistent review. Because we are committed to ensuring that each application receives very careful consideration, our review does take some time to complete. We are working very hard, including nights and weekends, to ensure that we each student is given the time and attention needed to make a fair admission decision.
Admission to the University of Minnesota is highly competitive. To date, applications have increased 13 percent over last year. We have received more than 41,000 applications for a freshman class of approximately 5,400 students. This strong interest in the University--combined with the academic qualifications of our applicants--has resulted in a very competitive admission situation.
Based on an individual, overall assessment of their application materials, some students will be placed on a waitlist. For these students, we have determined that they have the academic preparation necessary for success at the University of Minnesota. However, until we determine the number of admitted students who confirm their enrollment, we do not know whether space will be available in the freshman class.
Each of the colleges at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has an enrollment limit to ensure that students have access to resources and services necessary for their success. This enrollment limit is the specific number of students that the college can accommodate. To provide our enrolled students with access to the courses, academic advising, and other important services designed to support and enhance their success, it is important that we not exceed each college's enrollment limit. Because we do not know how many admitted students will confirm their enrollment, we do not know how many spaces will become available to students whose applications are on the waitlist.
If space does become available in the freshman class, we will automatically re-review the applications of students who have received a waitlist decision. The students with the overall most competitive applications will be admitted based on an overall assessment of primary and secondary review factors. Students with a waitlist decision will receive an update on the status of their applications no later than April 15, 2013. This update will be provided in an email.
Any student who has applied for admission, including those whose applications have been placed on a waitlist, may apply for housing beginning in December at http://www.housing.umn.edu/applying. As part of the application, students must submit a nonrefundable $25 application fee.
Each year, the University of Minnesota welcomes more than 2,000 transfer students to campus. Students are able to transfer after three or four semesters of full-time coursework, if they meet the admission requirements for the program in which they intend to earn a degree. To optimize the chances for successful transfer to the University, you should:
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has partnered with seven public two-year campuses around Minnesota to offer the Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program (MnCAP). Students enrolled in MnCAP are guaranteed transfer admission to one of the participating U of M colleges and majors when they meet certain conditions. Students enrolling in this program work closely with dedicated staff at the community colleges and the University of Minnesota Office of Admissions to define the specific conditions for transfer.
Participating University of Minnesota colleges include the College of Biological Sciences; the College of Design (select programs only); the College of Education and Human Development (select programs only); the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; the College of Liberal Arts; and the College of Science and Engineering.
Participating community colleges include Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Century College, Inver Hills Community College, Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Normandale Community College, North Hennepin Community College, and Saint Paul College.
Visit http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/admissioninfo/mncap_intro.html for participating colleges and more information about this program.
