I just got a deferral for computer science program in the undergraduate program. My SAT score is 1300 which is 750 in math and 550 in reading and language section. I am an international student, so it is a little bit hard for me in the reading section, but I got 96 overall in the first semester in English 4 class, will it help me to make the judge not suspect about my English academic skill? I just have studied in the U.S for one semester till now, and my GPA is 4.85 in the first semester and ranks 30/600 students, my GPA before I come here was 9.1 in 10-scale. They said it is not necessary to update any information in Self-report score system but I really want to show my first semester grade, should I update it? Also, how can I improve my application before the decision been remade in March, they do not have essay section in the application either, I can’t retake SAT because the next SAT is on March and when I receive the score, the result will be sent out already. Also, I heard that UMN only made admit and deferred decision for Early Action, is this true? Thank you so much!!
The last part of your question is not true. UMN has admitted RD applicants as well at this time. But they probably haven’t waitlisted any. It’s annoying that they don’t tell you to update your transcript with midyear grades. My son went ahead and did this anyway because he’s waiting on honors, but it’s doubtful they will pay attention to it.
Your stats are a tad low for CSE. Perhaps you can ask UMN to consider you for CLA, which also has a computer science major (and in fact, you would take most of the same courses as you would have with the major in CSE). With CLA you can double major (math? another science? your native language? Your choice . . . ) or take a lot more math and science in order to mimic a BS in C/S.
Good luck!
Hi, thank you for your advice. I think I will go ahead to update my grade with hope they will will consider it. I also see it weird when they said it’s not necessary to update it. They said: “Our additional review will focus on your application materials, the competitiveness of the pool of applications submitted, and the number of spaces available in each college. You do not need to take further action at this time; we will provide you with an update on your decision by March 31st”. I am also thinking of changing to B.A but I don’t know if they allow me to do that?
When I apply, I applied for 2 colleges: college of engineering and carlson school of management so the defer decision means I get 2 deferrals from both college or they just consider my first choice and they will consider my second choice when they review it?
Thank you so much!!
A deferral is from both choices. Had you gotten into Carlson the decision would effectively been a waitlist at CSE.
Realistically, you have a better chance of getting into Carlson now than CSE but CLA is probably your best bet. Call them or e-mail and see if they can switch you over to CLA, if that’s something you think will work for you. They are open tomorrow afternoon but closed in the morning due to extreme cold in the Midwest.
I got deferred last night from CSE and Carlson School of Management. I have a 3.7 GPA UW, 1440 SAT, and 31 ACT. I have tons of AP’s and Honors Classes as well. I am heavily involved with extra circulars(speech and debate), most notably FIRST Robotics. Through robotics, I have received many awards for Women in STEM/computing. I have a great leadership profile in robotics as well. What would be my chances for getting a call back by March 31st?
@PamKrojse - you took honors/AP Chem, Bio, and Physics, correct? Are you IS or OOS?
Also - sorry to ask - any C’s on the transcript?
I have taken AP Calc, AP stats, AP comp sci, AP lang, AP psych. Honors chem, (all math classes and English classes).
I do not have any C’s however I do have a B-
@PamKrojse - what about Bio - did you take it and if so was it just regular? Which course is the B-?
I took honors biology. The B- was in Honors chemistry. @JBStillFlying
@PamKrojse. Got it. Thank you for sharing. CSE admits tend to have at least AP Chem and Physics by the time they graduate - many will have taken AP Bio as well just because they geek out on science. Carlson might be a different story; however, a heavy course of science is recommended strongly and of course you have to do very well in them. Had you gotten A’s in honors science you would likely been a stronger contender for Carlson. If your heart is set on UMN you might consider pursuing CS (assuming that’s your first-choice major) in CLA. Many of the courses are the same as for the CSE kids. And a minor in business is an option. There’s no guarantee that they will switch you over to CLA for consideration in the regular round, but it’s certainly worth a call to Admissions to ask.
Got it! Thank you!!! @JBStillFlying
I also got deferred from CSE recently, CBS 2nd choice. 33 ACT with 3.5 uw GPA (I received 1 C in health class). I took 9 APs with passing on the majority. Strong ECs with leadership and in-state. What are my chances of getting into either CBS or CSE?
Anyone know when we are moved to regular decision pool, the decision are sent out on rolling basis like Early action or it will be all sent out on March 31st? I am intending to switch from SAT school day to ACT school day in February so that at least I can improve score but I don’t if I have enough time to get the score to update it before they send out the result?
@someonenotme - they have been accepting RD candidates already and will probably continue to do so. Waitlists will likely be put off till 3/31. Can’t see the harm in your re-taking the ACT as long as they allow you to submit for reconsideration. You should check with them first.
If they accept you in the meantime you needn’t worry about improving your score 
A little shame but can I ask what is different between being deferred or waitlisted. Because I read on the website, I shows that defer is for Early action only and in RD it only have waitlisted. Does deferred applicants still have more chance to get in than waitlisted?
@somonenotme - theoretically, yes - when deferred they still need to compare you against the RD pool and so the news might still be good at the end of the admissions cycle, whereas a waitlist means they have completed that task and can’t offer you admission after all (and very likely won’t). For UMN specifically, a deferral from your top two choices can signal an eventual waitlist because UMN has been assessing and admitting applications the entire time. A deferral in this case is on the admissions office “backburner” waiting for other acceptances to turn down the offer to attend UMN. If space opens up, then you are in. If not, then you are waitlisted until space opens up later on. It is possible to be called off the waitlist either before or after the May 1 National Decision Day. You might call UMN and ask how many deferrals from your colleges of choice were admitted during regular round last year, and also how many waitlists were eventually admitted. Unfortunately, UMN doesn’t provide that information on their website or in the CDS.