Transfer Admission Requirements

University of Minnesota transfer admission criteria

Applicants may be admitted if they meet the entrance requirements of the college or program to which they have applied, and of the major they wish to enter.

Transfer applicants are considered for admission based on an individual review of their applications by the college to which they are applying. In general, transfer applicants must have completed (or be completing) at least 26 semester credits at the time of application. It is rare for students enrolled in their first term of college to be admitted for the spring semester.

Individual colleges and programs review each application using the academic and context review factors listed below, in addition to the program-specific criteria described in the next section. These criteria include the specific prerequisite course and credit requirements for the individual college or program. 

Transfer Holistic Review

Academic Factors

Because the greatest predictor of college success is preparation, the strongest consideration in the decision is given to a student's academic record. We know that COVID-19 might have changed your school's course offerings and grading systems. Our promise to you is that we will look at the overall trend of your academic performance—not just a single semester—to understand your preparation. The following academic factors are considered:

  • Grade point average - cumulative, and in specific courses related to the student's intended major.
  • An especially challenging pattern of coursework, especially in courses related to the student's intended major.

For transfer applicants with fewer than 26 transferable college credits complete, the following factors are also reviewed:

  • Successful completion of the high school course requirements (see below).
  • High school rank percentile (students from non-ranking schools and those with GED or other high school equivalency are given full consideration).
  • ACT or SAT scores (ACT/SAT scores are not required through 2025. Learn more about ACT/SAT scores for transfer admission).
  • Rigor of the high school curriculum.

Context Factors

Individual circumstances are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application. Enrolling a diverse student body—with students bringing differing experiences, talents, and perspectives to their scholarly community—is essential to achieving the development outcomes of a University of Minnesota education. Our university community is strengthened by our students representing different races, economic backgrounds, geographic origins, genders, religions, ethnicities, sexualities, talents, and beliefs.

Our holistic review takes into consideration the individual circumstances that make each individual student unique. We consider the following context factors in our decision review:

  • Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude, or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record.
  • A pattern of steady improvement in academic performance.
  • Participation in extracurricular programs related to your intended major.
  • Non-academic experience in a field related to your intended major.
  • Evidence of exceptional talent or ability in artistic, scholarly, leadership, or athletic performance.
  • Evidence that enrollment would enhance the cultural, gender, age, economic, racial, or geographic diversity of the student body.
  • Outstanding high school, college, or community involvement.
  • Military service.
  • Work experience, paid or unpaid.
  • Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement.
  • Extenuating circumstances.

Specific College Requirements

View a full table of specific college admission information, or see the detailed information on each individual college and program by selecting your college of interest from the list below.

Current University of Minnesota System Students

  • If you are transferring from one of the University of Minnesota’s campuses: you will need to fill out a Change of Campus or Change of College form.
  • If you are coming from within the Twin Cities or Rochester campuses: you must complete a Change of College form.
  • If you are coming from the Crookston, Duluth, or Morris campus: you must complete a Change of Campus form.

Visit the One Stop website for detailed information.

Readmission

  • If you are returning to a degree program from an absence of one year or longer, you must complete an Application for Readmission.
  • If you are returning to a degree program but have not been granted a formal "leave of absence" or did not register for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer session) shall be placed on "inactive" status. When returning from "inactive" status, you must fill out the Application for Readmission and submit the completed form to your college office. This form is available from your college office. You can find your college's contact information at z.umn.edu/ReadmissionCollegeInfo. You must also submit any official transcript(s) of any outside course work since your last attendance at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to the Office of Admissions. You can work with the advisor in the college you’re wanting to reapply to in order to learn about sending transcripts to the Office of Admissions.
  • For more information, please visit the OneStop Return to the University webpage.

High School Course Preparation Requirements

Most successful transfer applicants will have completed the high school preparation requirements listed below. Both high school and equivalent college coursework will be reviewed for the fulfillment of high school preparation requirements.

  • Four years of English, with emphasis on writing, including instruction in reading and speaking skills and in literary understanding and appreciation;
  • Four years of mathematics, including one year each of elementary algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra;
  • Three years of science, including one year each of biological and physical science and including laboratory experience;
  • Three years of social studies, including one year each of U.S. history and geography (or a course that includes a geography component such as world history, western civilization, or global studies);
  • Two years of a single second language; and
  • One year of visual and/or performing arts, including instruction in the history and interpretation of the art form (e.g., theater arts, music, band, chorus, orchestra, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, media production, theater production.).