Hey, I’ll start with my stats(Junior this year):
32 ACT first time(30 28 34 35)
3.58 UW 3.7 W
5 APs
4 years varsity swim(2 years as captain)
3 years Model UN
Starting this summer, I am taking courses at Inver Hills Community College to both satisfy my high school requirements and start working towards the Liberal Arts curriculum at UMN(almost all courses at inver transfer to the u). I want to study computer science, but I also want to continue with my Spanish education(started immersion kindergarten). I want to get a BA because I will be able to work towards a double major in CS and Spanish, which is easier without all the CS electives required in the CSE. I also think CSE is a bit of a reach with my GPA, but I’m hoping to get a 34 the next time I take the ACT, so maybe that would help out. I have already met with counselors at my school, UMN, and Inver, and they have helped me select some courses etc. What do you guys think of this plan? I’m taking ~10 credits this summer, about ~30 next year. Possibly the following summer too depending on how many more courses I need for the liberal arts curriculum. That way I will be able to graduate early and move onto graduate work, or have more time for a double major.
Check out this thread if you haven’t already. It’ll give you an idea of what type of stats are required for CSE and CLA.:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-minnesota-twin-cities/1921374-umtc-fall-2016-applications-admissions-thread-p1.html
You are correct CSE is a bit of a reach given your current stats but less so if you hit a 34. Even so, it seems that everyone is getting in with very high uw GPA’s and lots of AP’s, particularly in Math and Science. Since you wish to double major, CLA might be your best option, as you are saying. If you do college next year, just make sure your GPA doesn’t suffer. While adcoms may adjust a bit for the difficulty level in AP and PSEO, they are still for the most part looking for evidence of academic strength and perseverance. Many come into the U with some of their Liberal Ed. taken care of so if you can swing it - go for it! Do keep in mind that it can be difficult to fulfill EC’s at the high school level if you are taking a lot of college courses - Swim and/or Model UN may have to go or at the very least be cut back. As you have been active for several years in both, that won’t hurt you at all going into senior year.
Good luck to you!
Setting a goal and blending HS and college gen eds is a great idea! Keep some of the MN PSEO program specifics in mind. Your HS might not recognize classes taken during the summer toward your HS graduation requirements. PSEO also does not pay for summer classes. Good Luck!