Defer Information

Thank you for applying to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The admissions committee has completed a very careful review of your application, including an individualized and overall assessment of your application, including your individual responses to questions, your coursework, grades, and the additional information you provided. The committee has not yet made a final admission decision and has updated your status to "defer."

Please know that when we make admission decisions, we are not trying to keep applicants out of the University. Rather, we must ensure that the number of new freshmen is reasonably in line with the resources and services designed to support student success (e.g., course availability, academic advising, and campus housing).

Competitive Admission Rate

Admission to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is highly competitive. For example, for Fall 2023 admission, we received more than 39,000 applications for a freshman class of approximately 6,700 students. While we were very grateful for the strong interest in the University of Minnesota, the number of applications submitted and the strength of the applicant pool has created a competitive admissions situation.

Please note, for Fall 2023, due to a significant increase in the number of highly competitive applications for the School of Nursing, admission to the nursing program was especially competitive.

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What is a defer admission decision?

Applicants who are deferred admission are neither admitted nor denied, and will be reconsidered for admission.

Each year, the competitiveness of admission is determined by these three things:

  • The number of applications received
  • The academic qualifications of the students who applied
  • The number of spaces available in the freshman class

While we know how many spaces will be available in upcoming freshman classes, we have multiple application deadlines and are still learning how many applications will be received by the January 1 application deadline, and the academic qualifications of those students. Students who receive a "defer" decision are still being considered for admission and will receive an update after the entire application pool has been reviewed. Deferred students will receive either an admit, waitlist, or deny decision by March 31.

Was my application reviewed?

Our admissions committee has carefully reviewed your application in its entirety, including your coursework, grades, and any additional information you provided. While a final decision has not been made, the committee has reviewed your application file and will continue to consider it for admission.

Why do some students receive an admission decision sooner?

Applications completed by their corresponding deadlines will receive an admit, defer or deny decision by its provided date. The University of Minnesota sends admission decisions on a rolling basis beginning in the fall. Because our committee conducts holistic review and is considering students for direct admission to eight U of M colleges, our review takes time to complete.

Am I at a disadvantage because my high school does not provide high school rank information?

No. Students whose high schools do not provide high school ranks receive full consideration for admission, through an individualized and overall assessment of the application. For a complete list of the factors that we consider to make an admission decision, see a list of holistic review factors

Do you really read every application?

Yes! Each and every application is read very carefully by more than one staff member in the Office of Admissions before a decision is made. This 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 takes time to complete.

What can I do while I wait for my defer decision?

The admissions committee has received your complete application and has all the information needed to reconsider you for admission. However, if you have your senior year first term grade available, this information is helpful for our reviewers and we encourage you to update your Self-Reported Academic Record with this information.

Can I apply for housing even if I’m deferred?

Any student who has applied for admission, including those who received a defer or waitlist decision, may apply for housing. Please note, as part of the housing application, students must submit a non-refundable $50 application fee.