Waitlist Information

Thank you for applying to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The admissions committee has completed a very careful and holistic review 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 placed your application on the waitlist.

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).

If space becomes available in the freshman class, we will automatically re-review your application and consider you for admission. The number of students who will be offered admission from the waitlist will be based on the number of admitted students who confirm their enrollment. If space becomes available, we will admit the overall strongest applicants who remain on the waitlist. We will provide an update to all waitlisted students by June 20.

Competitive Admission

Admission to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is highly competitive. For example, for the upcoming academic year, Fall 2026, we have received a record number of approximately 50,000 applications for the freshman class of about 7,200 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: Due to the number of highly competitive applications for the School of Nursing for Fall 2026, admission to the program was especially competitive.

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What factors do you consider when making an admission decision?

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. Admission decisions are based on a very careful, overall assessment of each student's academic and context factors. Note that no single factor is the deciding factor in the decision.

Holistic Review

Academic Factors

Because the greatest predictor of college success is academic preparation, the strongest consideration in the decision is given to a student's high school record. Our promise to you is that we will look at the overall trend of your high school performance to understand your academic preparation. The following academic factors are considered:

  • Coursework through high school graduation (Admitted students typically exceed the University's high school requirements. See course requirements.)
  • Grades in academic coursework
  • Class rank/Grade point average (if available)
  • Rigor of academic curriculum based on what is available in the high school (including enrollment in honors, AP, IB, A-Level, or college-level courses when available.)
  • ACT or SAT scores (Submitting an ACT/SAT score is not required on applications for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 terms. All students*, whether or not they submit a test score, will receive full consideration for admission, scholarships, and the University Honors Program. For more information, please visit our ACT/SAT FAQ)
  • English Proficiency test score (when required)
  • Applicant's academic interests (We review a student's academic preparation related to the major/college for which they are seeking admission.)

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, ethnicity, gender, or other identity as prohibited by law, 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 broad diversity of the student body
  • Personal or extenuating circumstances
  • Military service
  • Information received in open-ended questions

What is the academic profile of students who are admitted?

Admission decisions are based on an individual, overall assessment of each application, using the academic and context factors listed above. Explore a breakdown of the academic profile of admitted freshmen

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.

If I am on the waitlist, what are my chances of being admitted?

Admission to the University of Minnesota is highly competitive. For example, for the upcoming academic year, Fall 2026, we have received a record number of approximately 50,000 applications for the freshman class of about 7,200 students. This strong interest in the University—combined with the academic qualifications of the applicants—has resulted in a very competitive admission situation.

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. The number of students who will be offered admission from the waitlist will be based on the number of admitted students who confirm their enrollment.

When will I know if I am admitted off of the waitlist?

We will provide an update to all waitlisted students by June 20 on space availability. If space becomes available, we will admit more students from the waitlist.

I received an email with a Waitlist Response Form asking if I would like to remain on the waitlist. Will my response to this form help my application being reviewed from the waitlist?

Yes, understanding if you remain interested in enrolling at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities will be taken into consideration as we review all students and determine space availability.

A student's response to the waitlist response form will help us understand their interest as we reconsider applications should space become available and we are able to make more admissions offers. Those who choose to stay on the waitlist will be reconsidered first.

Submission of this form will be included in our overall holistic review process along with many other aspects. These include academic preparation, context factors, and space remaining in the program of interest. This form can also be accessed through a student’s Application Tracker Checklist.

Should I send a statement of interest or other materials?

No, a statement of interest does not complete the step to communicate your wish to remain on our waitlist. To indicate if you wish to remain on the waitlist, you must submit the Waitlist Response Form. We also highly recommend that you update your most recent term grades via the STARS (Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record).

I’m no longer interested. How do I withdraw my application?

Applicants may officially withdraw their application by completing the Official Withdrawal Form or responding "No" to the waitlist response form found in their email. Thank you for taking the time to let us know that you will not be enrolling at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

What about housing and financial aid for students who are admitted from the waitlist?

Students offered admission prior to April 18 will have a May 1 enrollment confirmation deadline and they will be eligible for the freshman housing guarantee if they apply for housing by May 1. This information is explained fully in a student’s admission packet. 

Any student offered admission April 18 or later will have two weeks from the date of admission to confirm their enrollment. Their admission packet will include information about applying for housing. Our Office of Student Finance will provide students with their estimated financial aid award notices as quickly as possible, if the student has submitted a FAFSA. Students should ideally submit a FAFSA by the end of May in order to get an initial finance aid offer in June. We are committed to providing students who have submitted their FAFSAs with their financial aid award before their enrollment confirmation deadline.