In the interest of ongoing support for public health and information-sharing in the coming months and into fall, the University will continue to provide widespread access to COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff.
As of August 23, 2021, The University has announced that vaccines will be required for students now that the FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine. Full vaccination policy details about the timing expectations and exception process are online.
The Office of Admissions will follow the U of M face mask policy. As of May 11, 2022, admissions visit and event attendees are not required to wear a mask.
Those who wish to continue to wear a mask for any reason are encouraged to do so and should be supported as such. Those who are feeling sick should stay home, and all are encouraged to continue practicing good personal hygiene, such as regularly washing hands. The University will continue to monitor the current situation, as well as follow the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health.
"We will continue to closely monitor the status of the pandemic, as well as vaccination rates," Gabel said. "Unforeseen changes in the pandemic may cause us to adjust our planning, but for now we are confident that this decision is supported by the trends related to pandemic, vaccination rates and the high degree of compliance that Minnesotans overall have shown to reduce the spread of the virus."
The information about campus impacts and admissions impact changes often. Please access the following resources for the most up-to-date information:
- Twin Cities Campus COVID Updates: Please reference the system-wide Safe Campus website which provides frequently updated information on safety measures, back-to-campus plans and more.
- Undergraduate Admissions Adjustments: We have made a variety of adjustments to the application process to support students and their families during this time.
- Flexible Application: We know it is important to be flexible and acknowledge that many elements you intended to include on your application may look different this year. Your activities, sports academics, and family responsibilities have likely changed, and we encourage you to use the short-answer questions on our application to tell us about your circumstances.
Your application will be read in its entirety, and we promise to review your experiences with compassion and understanding. Rather than using equations to grant admission, we get to know your individual story—and that includes the ways in which you faced the challenges of COVID-19.- Sports and Activities - Sports, clubs, teams, and other group activities have all had to change since spring 2020. We understand you may not be participating in any of these activities at this time. In the short-answer questions on the application, please share what you have done over your high school timeframe and what adjustments you've had to make in 2020 and 2021.
- Grades - Many high schools adjusted their grading scales to accommodate the shifts in courses last spring. We are expecting to see different grading patterns and will look at the trend of all your high school grades—not just last spring—to understand your academic performance.
- ACT/SAT test scores are NOT required - Freshman applicants for Fall 2022 or 2023 admission are not required to submit an ACT or SAT score. This policy change was made to ensure every student has the opportunity to submit a complete application. You will select on your application whether or not you would like an ACT/SAT score considered in the review of your application. Important note: once you submit your application, your decision on whether to have an ACT/SAT considered as part of your application is final and cannot be changed. Learn more on our ACT/SAT page
- Holistic Review: We’ve long believed in the importance of reading each application in its entirety. When you apply, we will take the time to understand you as a whole person rather than as a single number or score.
The U of M has proudly joined 350 colleges across the country in signing Care Counts in a Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID-19. Care Counts is a promise to you on what admissions professionals value as we read your applications this year: self-care, academic work, service and contributions to others, family contributions, and extracurricular activities.
- Explore the University in-person or virtually: The University is now offering in-person tours of the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses. The Office of Admissions also offers Virtual Tours, Information Sessions, and Admissions Counselor Appointments. Visit our Visits page to learn all of the options!