<p>I am currently a high school junior in KS looking at my college options and I am really interested in the University of Minnesota. I am taking my ACT in April but I currently have a 4.0 GPA and a 4.125 WGPA and I am involved in just about everything in my school.</p>
<p>Is it hard to get into the U as an out of state student?</p>
<p>Also is the University and Minneapolis a great place for college?</p>
<p>For your first question:
It all depends on what college at the U you want to be in. But, with a 4.0 UW GPA and a decent ACT (above 27/28), I would consider you pretty much a shoe-in. However, people have gotten postponed with 33 ACTs so you never know. You should be fine.</p>
<p>Your second question:
YES! I am not a current student, but right now I am planning on attending there this fall. I have been to Minneapolis >10 times and it's an amazing place. You will never be bored. There are also so many companies (including Target and Best Buy) headquarterd there, that you will for sure get the oppurtunity at amazing internships. The U itself is a top ranked Uni. in several categories (especially if you are looking into Business, Biology, Chemistry, and other sciences). I think it is really underated and should be ranked at the same level as UW-Madison. From everything I've heard, the U is def. an amazing place. For sure check out the U!</p>
<p>NormalGuy, you have good numbers so far, just keep working hard, study for the ACT, and make sure to not only get involved but have leadership positions in the things that you are involved in. It is much better to be in a few things but having leadership positions in those than to be involved in 10+ things with no leadership positions. </p>
<p>As far as the U and Minneapolis, I personally love it, but I'm a bit biased. Make sure to try to visit and see how you feel on campus. You'll know if it's the right place for you. Don't let the size of the school scare you. Everyone always asks me if it's "too big" and no, it's not. Once you're actually taking classes and meeting people it feels more intimate and you'll be surprised how many of your friends you see around campus everyday.</p>
<p>Speaking of size.... I really want to go to a bigger school. But I go to a high school with about 450 enrollment. Will the size of Minneapolis be a difficult transition for me?</p>
<p>I don't think you'll have a problem. It may take a little bit to get used to, but you'll be fine. I know someone that graduated from a class of less than 20 students and she loves it here!</p>
<p>NormalGuy:</p>
<p>I went to grad school at the U. My wife went to undergrad and grad school there. I also worked right downtown near the U for more than 12 years. I don't know what state you're coming from but if it's not a contiguous state, then you're probably not used to similar weather. Just be prepared to freeze your azz off. The famous skyway system is downtown not on campus. I remember trying to ride my bike from Dinkytown - former college kids hotspot area that's gone downhill - across campus in 20 below zero weather. By the time I arrived across the bridge to the Carlson School, my fingers were almost frozen to the handlebars and my lips were completely numb.</p>
<p>I know crime has gone up. The downtown area, especially the warehouse district with all the bars and clubs, used to be scintillating. It still is just not as much because of the shootings right outside on First Avenue. </p>
<p>Frankly, I thought the action was better and less crowded out in the burbs. Even after I got married, I had women trying to pick me up in the burbs. Strange place, Minnesota, especially Minneapolis.</p>
<p>^
1. The OP said they are from Kansas, for sure not as cold as up here in Wisconsin or Minnesota.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Dinkytown isn't as good as it use to be? I mean I know it's nothing like State Street at UW-Madison, but is it still a pretty good place to hang?</p></li>
<li><p>How bad is crime near/around the U? Aren't the Twin Cities pretty safe compared to most metro areas that size?</p></li>
<li><p>Lol! Women trying to pick you up in the 'burbs? My sister and her husband live out in a southern suburb of the cities and I don't know if it's just me but are most of the southern suburbs (Edina, Eden Prairie, etc.) really nice? (AKA are they a good place to live after college graduation and if I plan to work in the Cities)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sorry to take away from the OP but Plainsman raised some questions of my own (as of right now I am planning on attending the U this fall).</p>
<p>Edina, Eden Prairie, Lakeville, Wazata, Prior Lake, not only the richest cities that have public schools so nice they don't need private schools, are very nice cities with low crime</p>
<p>OP, </p>
<ol>
<li>I think as long as you do pretty well on the SAT/ACT you'll be fine. I got into the College of Liberal Arts this year as an out of state student (Florida) with the Gold National Scholarship (covers the difference between out of state and in state tuition). Here were my stats:
GPA: 4.4
SAT: 1820.... which is about a 26-27ish on the ACT.
Lot's of EC's and a ridiculous course schedule. </li>
</ol>
<p>So keep working hard, do as well as you can on the SAT/ACT, and apply early! I think depending on what school you apply to, you'll get in if you do those things. </p>
<ol>
<li>I've only been to Minneapolis once, and it was a few weeks ago to tour the campus. I thought Minneapolis was an awesome city!!! The campus was pretty big, but still pretty navigable. It kinda depends on what you want for a school. I happen to love the urban environment it's in, but if you like a more laid back area, it may not be for you. I don't know much about the night life or anything like that because I don't go there, but the city itself seemed awesome. The only thing I'm concerned about is the crazy cold.... but I'm from Florida, and you are from Kansas, so you may be better suited to handle the cold.</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Long, drawn out, evil laugh</em></p>
<p>Brace yourself for the cold...</p>
<p><em>Continue evil laugh</em></p>
<p>Haha. </p>
<p>I may be from Florida, but my parents are both originally from South Dakota, and most of my relatives live there. I have visited South Dakota many times in the winter, so I know what the cold is like. Granted, it may take some time to get used to the it ;) </p>
<p>I would really like to visit Minneapolis in some other seasons, though. It looks absolutely beautiful in the Spring, Fall, and Summer.</p>
<p>I live in Kansas too!</p>
<p>I got in</p>
<p>I've never been to the school but i know it's good, slightly underrated though</p>