I am an in-state rising senior interested in UMN College of Science and Engineering.
ACT: 31 (35 R, 31 E, 29 S, 28 M, 8 writing)
GPA: 3.993 UW
PSAT: 1430
SAT: I took the SAT once but won’t get my scores back until July
My school doesn’t rank, but I can possibly request it in the fall.
Courses: Honors English, AP Psych, AP Calc AB, AP Lang, and senior year I’ll be doing PSEO English and Human Geo, and AP Calc BC.
I got a 5 on the AP Psych exam, and will most likely be getting 4s or above on AP Lang and Calc (based on mock exam performance).
I meet/exceed all of the U’s required courses.
ECs: Gymnastics for 5 years (Captain for 2 yrs), Girl Scouts for 7+ years, STLF (volunteering club) for 3 years, freshman orientation for 2 years, and French speaking competitions for 2 year.
I am a woman and my dad went to UMN CSE, if that makes a difference. I am most worried about my ACT score, I would like to take it again to get my math and science scores higher. They are lower then I would like them to be, especially because of my AP performance, and I am sure I could get them up, but it would be my 4th time taking the ACT and I’m worried that might be too many times. Also my writing score is not great, but does that matter that much for CSE? I will also be most likely doing well on the AP Lang exam if that makes a difference. So I guess what are my chances? And is there anything I can do to better my odds?
I don’t think it will hurt to take ACT again, but, with a near perfect GPA and course work (rigor) along with those ECs and PSEO, I think you have a very good chance of getting into CSE.
Be sure to have a good narrative for your reasons for choosing CSE. What major, why UMN, why that college, etc. They should have a short space for you to expand upon all this (if the upcoming app. is like a couple years ago). Your dad’s legacy will help, as will being a woman.
If you blew away the AP Calc. AB then submit that score and you might get around the low(ish) Math ACT. This year less than 20% of students scored a 5. Another 17 scored a 4. The ACT will be a primary factor but UMN might admit on Composite more than subscores, even for CSE, and they probably won’t turn away someone with high Math proficiency. You might contact your admissions counselor and get his/her advice, or check with your GC. If the former, you needn’t disclose that it’ll be the 4th ACT as they don’t require that you send all your scores. Just say you are considering re-taking ACT if the Math is too low but want their input (and don’t hesitate to mention that 4 or 5 on AP Calc AB )
If you already took the ACT all those times, the odds of doing better are small. If you can’t change your approach to prep, I’d accept these scores or focus on SAT.
Hey there! I’m an in-state senior as well who was accepted to CSE. I agree with Lauren8040, people are being way too harsh on your ACT score. My composite score was 30 and I still got in. If it assures you any bit, my math sub-score was the same as yours. I’m a female as well, and I wrote the optional diversity essay about what I can bring to the table as a girl in STEM. If you haven’t submitted it yet, you could definitely play this to your advantage in the essays. I feel like some are being a little too negative here, you have a great chance of getting in and seem like a solid applicant. Good luck!
In all fairness, it’s quite possible that under-represented groups are admitted with slightly lower ACT/SAT scores. Doesn’t mean they aren’t qualified, but the competition among white and asian males for STEM at a top uni. is quite fierce and so naturally those admitted will have to have higher scores. They want the best of each group at CSE.
In addition, CSE - and all the admitting colleges at UMN - is paying close attention to UW GPA and course rigor. Stellar academic performance can excuse slightly more modest test scores; the opposite isn’t nearly as true.
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