Hi! I’m a current junior and Minnesota is my top school and I’ll be applying this fall. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me my chances of admission into CLA with a major in political science and/or economics (CSOM is second choice).
GPA: 4.048 W & UW
Rank: 5/237
ACT: 32 C
Past Courses: AP Human Geography, AP Bio, AP Chem, APUSH, AP Lang/Comp, along with several “advanced” classes.
Planned Senior Courses: AP Lit/Comp, AP Gov, Wind Ensemble (top band), Dual-Credit Anatomy and Physiology (might trade out with AP Physics), AP Statistics, and maybe throw Economics in there as well.
EC’s: Band, Color Guard (4 years), Piano (6 years), Community Service (~200 hours), Girls’ State, NHS (Officer for the 16-17 school year and probably for the 17-18 school year), HOSA (Officer for the 16-17 school year, and hopefully for the 17-18 school year) and qualified/attended Nationals two years in a row, Assistant Director for our musical this year, on our newspaper, etc.
I also have some pretty unique hooks that I could demonstrate through essays!
Thanks!
CSOM is actually the harder school to get into. As a direct entry business program there will be precious few available slots should you decide you would like to transfer in later on. One strategy might be to apply to CSOM first choice and plan a businsess major with a poly-sci or Econ. minor (or both minors but not sure whether that’s possible in 4 years). If you pursue this route, make sure to take Physics your senior year as it is required for entry into the more selective colleges at UMN (along with Bio and Chem). Haven’t seen the stats for this next incoming class (those will be posted in the fall) but based on history you should be fine for being admitted to CSOM.
The difficulty with the above strategy would be getting Econ. courses. As a Bus. major you will take the first year sequence. However, the major is so popular that it might be hard to get additional courses unless you declare as a major (not sure how difficult it might be if you declare an Econ. minor but you’ll have prriority over those taking as an elective, obviously). If Econ. is truly your first choice of a major (as opposed to the more econ-theoretical applications of business such as Finance or Business Analytics) then stick to CLA as your first choice college. As the stats for entry to CLA are lower than for CSOM, you won’t have any difficulty getting in and you stand a better chance of being admitted directly to the Honors Program.
If they run Sneak Previews or other admission events this summer, definitely attend both CLA’s and CSOM’s so you get a feel for both. (CSOM will fill quick so make sure you are on their e-mail or regular mail list). CLA is a liberal arts experience, so lots of opportunity to double major and add a minor (including a business minor), while CSOM is very much focused on course-work and professional development for a career and/or advanced degree in business. Both are going to be rigorous academic experiences, but different in their scope and focus so it’s important to understand the differences and the similarities. One great thing about UMN is the huge study abroad program available to the students so definitely take advantage of that. If you are in the business school, you will automatically be planning a study-abroad. In CLA it’s not required but strongly encouraged. BTW, you will have a foreign language requirement in CLA, but not in CSOM.
Speaking of FL, did you take any during high school? Because all colleges like to see that (some require it). UMN is no exception.
Any hooks will make for interesting reading - keep it positive and talk about how they will help you contribute to the rich and vibrant diversity of the university community. The application is increasingly adding “optional” essays. They have always advertised No Essay / No Rec. Letter and so far tons of kids have been admitted w/o either. However, if they offer you the chance to write an essay, consider taking them up on it. Also, as the university becomes more of a competitive process for admissions, it’s very possible that one year they will actually start requiring either essay or LOR, so it’s good to prepare for that possibility.
Good luck to you!
Thanks so much for your response! I did take 2 years of Spanish during high school (our school only offers Spanish as a foreign language), but couldn’t continue because I was taking too many classes. Also, thanks so much for your insight to CSOM and CLA, I’ll have to think about them both and weigh the options. Thanks again! 
Two years of Spanish will satisfy the FL course requirement so you are good there!
Hello! I am a junior this year and will be applying this fall. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me my chances of admission into CFANS with a major in Food Science or Nutrition.
GPA: 3.6
Rank: school does not have rank
ACT: 27
Coursework:
APUSH, AP Calc A/B, AP Literature and Comp, AP Language and Comp, AP Psychology, several other advanced/honors classes
Planned Senior courses: AP Stats, AP Computer Science, AP Physics, CIS Writing, CIS Lit, Gov
EC’s:
- JV Tennis
- Varsity Speech
- NHS (officer both this year and next year)
- Economics Team
-150+ hours of volunteering
Thanks!
I also have taken 3 years of spanish and will complete all of the required coursework for admission!
@golden22 I think you have a great chance at either school!
@ion1544 I think you have a fair chance. Improving you GPA would probably help a lot, though! You could also improve your ACT, but I think it should be about average for CFANS!
@ion1544 Hopefully we both get in! Is the U your top choice school?