I have a 3.55 GPA from the most challenging public high school in Minnesota with honors, IB and AP classes but didn’t really kick things in gear until my junior year so my fresh/soph GPA dragged down my cumulative GPA. I got a 3.9 my junior year and I ended my last quarter as a junior with a 4.1.
I took the ACT twice and got two 30’s, almost identical in scores. I really want to get into CSM but I know with my lower cum GPA, I would be a long shot. Should I apply now? Or should I wait take the ACT again in September and then apply?
Also, if you don’t get into CSM, how do you work a business focus in CLA? Thanks!
You can certainly apply now and hold off on sending scores before you retake the ACT in September. However, you might want to ask yourself whether a 3rd ACT will be noticeably different. You may also consider explaining your GPA situation on the optional personal statement and having a counselor or an instructor submit a letter on your behalf. Your grades are trending in the right direction which is very good news.
If you end up in CLA, you can always minor in management. My D3 is looking at CSOM and CLA and will either major in business/minor in economics or do the reverse. You may also be able to transfer colleges based on your freshman year GPA and coursework so you might look into that option as well.
Thank you so much Mamelot!! Would it make sense to apply and send “as is” but if not accepted or waitlisted, send Sept. ACT score? I plan to hire an ACT tutor. And, how do you major in business in CLA?
The students who wanted CSOM but got into CLA often major in economics. Also look at Applied Economics in CFANS. Your 30 would probably be good enough for CFANS.
The 30 is at or above the 75th percentile of accepted students to those colleges (CFANS and CLA).
@cheddarcheeseMN is correct that in CLA you would major in Economics and minor in Business. That would be an excellent course of study! There are three tracks for economics, all at varying levels of difficulty. The BS is the most rigorous but BA/Quant also looks pretty challenging I think! Those enrolled at CLA would need to fulfill a foreign language requirement but the BS track does exempt you from that. Check out your options here:
CFANS offers a couple of options regarding business and economics: a BS in Agricultural and Food Business Management (offered jointly with CSOM) and a BS in Applied Economics. Both are - or were at one point - oriented toward applications in the ag. business. CFANS is located on the St. Paul campus next to the state fairgrounds. Check out the details here:
You should begin your application now if you know you want to apply to UMN. As long as everything’s in by the Priority Deadline of 11/1 you should be fine sending in the application and transcripts, then waiting to see your best ACT score before sending that in as well. That will save you a few bucks. They won’t come out with waitlist decisions till well after the Nov. 1 deadline. Acceptances may be early . . . or may not. This year’s Priority Deadline is changed from prior years so not sure what’s going on w/r/t/ timing.
Thank you Mamelot! I was looking at CEHD as well, Business and Marketing Education. Do you know if people who are not accepted into CSOM typically choose this major?
@Amyskis - anecdotally, CLA-Econ is probably the most “typical” backup for CSOM. However, as you have discovered there are several additional opportunities for a business major within CEHD, CFANS and CDES. CFANS even offers a joint program with CSOM for its “Agriculture and Food Business Management” major. So many opportunities for a backup to CSOM. And the business minor is probably available regardless of which other college you enter so you can supplement your major with additional courses from CSOM.
Here is the link to all the majors and you’ll see how many colleges are listed under “Business”: