Chances at CSOM

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Minnesota
1

Hello! I am planning on applying in early September to CSOM this fall. My feeling is that I am likely on the borderline for being admitted. Any response is greatly appreciated!!

GPA: 3.821 Unweighted (4.0 GPA both semesters of Junior Year)
ACT: 27 with 9 on writing (Planning to take again in September for 28+)
Class Rank: School doesn’t rank

Rigorous Course Schedule:

  • 2 Honors Classes Freshman Year
  • 1 AP Class and 2 Honors Classes Sophomore Year
  • 4 AP Classes and 1 Honors Class Junior Year
  • Planning to take 4 AP classes my Senior Year

Extracurricular Activities:

  • Vice President of my Senior Class
  • DECA for 2 years
  • Link Crew for 2 years
  • Key Club for 3 years (1 year as an officer)
  • Played on the basketball team for 4 years
  • NHS for 2 years
  • My church Youth Group for 4 years
  • Young Life Club for 4 years (2 years as a junior leader)
  • Counselor at FCA Camp for 2 summers
  • Counselor/Mentor at a Christian Camp in Minnesota for middle school kids for 2 summers
  • Counselor at a Christian Camp in Wisconsin for grade school kids for 2 summers
  • I have worked at a catering job for 2.5 years
  • Just recently got hired for an additional job at a sandwich place in town

Additional Information:

  • I am a Minnesota resident (In-state)
  • Both of my parents attended the University of Minnesota

My only fear is my ACT might be a little low for CSOM. Any comments would be great!
Thanks!!

2

Yes, sorry to say this, but that ACT is going to hurt your app for CSOM. Not impossible, but definitely a reach. Study up and try to get that up a couple of points. EC’s are good, and legacy are good, but from my experience, Minnesota (and CSOM) focus a lot on GPA and test scores. Good luck!

3

Thanks for the response!! I have begun to prepare for retaking the ACT in September to hopefully raise my score.

4

Another option to consider is to apply (as a secondary option) to a major that interests you, but is in another college (like History). Your numbers are solid for CLA or CFANS, for sure. After a year or two (and the first two years are fairly similar regardless of college), then try to change colleges into CSOM.

With AP credits, you may be able to be a junior before transferring- CSOM doesn’t consider ACT/SAT scores at that point- just collegiate GPA. Good luck! Hopefully your retest will make things more certain.

5

Yeah that’s a good poin! Although, I would prefer not to transfer from CLA to CSOM given how difficult it is to be admitted as a transfer.

6

point*

7

Technically, you wouldn’t be admitted as a transfer, but would be applying for a change of college. However, that’s not as easy as it used to be- especially for CSOM, so your caution is smart.

The easiest route would be to nudge that ACT up. A 29 or better will put you in a good chance.

8

Thanks again for your input! I will shoot for 29+ in September and see what happens.

9

If anyone is curious… I was just accepted today!!

10

@Zielske congratulations! Did you ever end up retaking that ACT?

11

Yes I did, however, my ACT score was a 27 again.

12

Wow. Well, it just goes to show that sometimes the perfect stats aren’t needed after all. The 27 was obviously enough to get you admitted along with your high GPA and other factors. Well done!

13

Yes, I was somewhat surprised as well!! And thank you again!

14

@Zielske Congratulations. Just goes to show that admitted profiles are just a guideline. I bet your Junior year grades had a lot to do with the decision and some people are just not good test takers. The science part on the ACT requires you to be a good graph reader, not sure how it really tests your science skill!

15

I believe my Junior year grades did help! I was taking 4 AP classes and had a 4.0 unweighted GPA both semesters.