@jack4222 and @BuffetBoi536 which colleges did you apply to? Also were those weighted or unweighted GPAs?
Addendum: sorry @buf just noticed: 3.6 UW and 30 ACT - to CSE. Did you have a backup college?
@JBStillFlying 3.6 UW. I applied to CLA and CSE. I believe I got waitlisted for both.
@BuffetBoi536 that is harsh and not what they used to do. They have been increasingly viewing CLA as a “destination college” - in other words, accepting those who specify it as first choice. But waitlisting those who still placed it as a choice - and who have the stats - seems dishonest. Can you call Admissions and ask to have CLA as your first choice or is that not a good option for you? What is your planned major?
@JBStillFlying I’m planning on going into computer science. Do you think CSE would be too much of a reach to me? If so, I guess I could change my first choice to CLA.
@JBStillFlying I applied to CSE and CLA as well. GPA is unweighted. I heard something similar about them preferring students who designate CLA as a first choice so when I was initially waitlisted I talked to an admissions rep about changing it but the rep said it wouldn’t make a difference and advised against it.
@green1234 My application tracker changed to one sentence then my communication center changed to admit then finally my application tracker chaged at midnight,
@jack4222 - There are no words - wait: I have a few. 1) They shouldn’t invite you to list a 2nd choice if they aren’t going to honor your stats-appropriate placement in it. 2) Is CLA so competitive this year that they are waitlisting ACT’s at or above the 75th percentile? Or 3) Are they afraid you’ll take - wait for it - SCIENCE courses outside the College (insane concern since they offer CS/Physics/Chem/Bio through CLA)? 3) Are all these waitlists signalling a size reduction for CLA? 5) Future applicants - take note and think carefully about which colleges you’ll be applying to next year. If CSE/CBS/CSOM are clear reaches, you are best off applying directly to CLA or one of the other colleges. Also, if you are OOS, you are best off on the higher side of the mid 50 range at the very least.
@BuffetBoi536 you might check with Admissions about switching but what @jack4222 has said it doesn’t sound like it’ll help. Still, never hurts to ask. Your stats are at or below the 25th so yeah, it’s a reach (even assuming that you took the proper honors and AP science courses) - but it made sense to apply the way you did because in the past they would typically accept to CLA.
@JBStillFlying is Wisconsin considered OOS? Regardless my son has several friends from his HS in WI that were admitted with sub-30 ACT so not sure if there is a common thread for those who were waitlisted with possible exception of good but not outstanding GPA. AP classes do not appear to matter much.
That seems to make sense; however, people with GPAs less than mine have been accepted into CLA while I stay on the waitlist.
Important to remember while scores/GPA is the majority of what admissions committees for big state schools like UMN consider- theres a pretty solid chance they’re going pick the student with the better EC’s, letters of rec, extenuating circumstances, etc. Maybe all of those built up or just one or another. Not always about the scores although we may think, and it normally is, the case.
@rstdane1, WI might be its own pool due to the reciprocity agreement. That’s true as well for MN students applying to UW-Madison. Numbers admitted might depend on things like how many from each state are applying to schools in the other. This year it did seem like a lot of MN kids were deferred from the early round at Madison - not sure how it all worked out in the end.
Thanks JBSF. I suspect he’ll still get an offer from CLA but like most of the young folks experiencing the interminable stringing along (since Nov. 1st!) he’s lost some enthusiasm for the place. I do NOT expect the published April 15 date to provide an up/down answer.