Transfer Admission

For your students whose best path to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is through transfer admission, we encourage you to introduce them to our transfer process and requirements. We also invite students to register for a Transfer Visit Day information session at z.umn.edu/TransferCampusVisit. 

Who is a transfer student?

A student is considered a transfer student if they are a high school graduate who has registered or enrolled at a college, university, or any other school after graduating from high school. If the student is currently in high school and enrolled in PSEO, College in the Schools, or have earned AP credit, they are still considered a freshman. 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.

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. 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 learning and development outcomes of a University of Minnesota education. 

Our holistic review takes into consideration the individual circumstances that make each individual student unique. While we do not consider an applicant's race and ethnicity, we consider the following context factors in our decision review:

  • Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude, or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record
  • Participation in extracurricular activities related to your intended major
  • Strong commitment to community service, leadership, and educational involvement
  • Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement
  • First-generation college student
  • Significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity
  • Contribution to the cultural, gender, age, economic, or geographic diversity of the student body
  • Personal or extenuating circumstances
  • Military service
  • Information received in open-ended questions
     

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.).

MnCAP - The Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has teamed up with seven public two-year campuses around Minnesota to offer the Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program (MnCAP). When you enroll in the Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program, you will be guaranteed transfer admission to one of the participating U of M majors when you meet certain conditions.

Please note: This program is only open to students transferring to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. You are considered a transfer student if you are a high school graduate who has registered or enrolled at a college, university, or any other school after graduating from high school. If you are a high school student and are enrolled in PSEO, College in the Schools, or have earned AP credit, you are still considered a freshman.

Also, if you have previously enrolled in a degree program, are transferring from one degree program to another on the Twin Cities campus, or are transferring from another University of Minnesota campus, you do not qualify for MnCAP and you must follow the steps to complete the Change of College form instead.

Participating U of M colleges include:

In order to be eligible for the program, you should enroll in one of our partner community colleges, and follow the GPA and course requirements outlined your desired participating MNCAP program.

Partners in Transfer - MnCAP Community Colleges

Admissions information for our community college partners is provided below. When you register for courses, make sure the advisor you are working with knows that you are interested in transferring to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities through the Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program, and which major you hope to pursue, so that you can plan accordingly.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College
General information and admissions: 763-433-1100
Century College
Admissions: 651-773-1700
Inver Hills Community College
Admissions: 651-450-3902
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Admissions: 612-659-6282
Normandale Community College
Admissions: 952-358-8201
North Hennepin Community College
Admissions: 763-424-0724
Saint Paul College
Admissions: 651-846-1555

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What University majors are available through this program?

Many of the University's majors participate in MnCAP. They are all majors for which students can take introductory level courses and other prerequisite courses at one or more of the participating community colleges. Check the list to see which U of M majors are offered at each of the community colleges (note that not all majors are offered at all seven colleges). If you are interested in a major that you don't find on this list, please contact the Office of Admissions about criteria for transferring with a different major.

What are the requirements for admission to the University under this program?

Prior to enrolling at the University, you should do the following:

  • Complete the AA degree or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
  • Complete the appropriate prerequisite and introductory courses for your intended major, with grades of C or higher. If you enter the MnCAP program as an undeclared major, you must have declared a major in one of the participating colleges by the time you apply for transfer to the U of M.
  • Meet the priority application deadline for the term you wish to begin.
  • Meet any additional admission conditions for individual U of M colleges.

See specific requirements for your major and college of interest.

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