<p>Hi everybody,
I intend to apply to UMN this year, major Aerospace Engineering. Well I know deciding now to apply may be a bit late, but I have already prepared those basic things for applying. I need to ask something, please help me out.</p>
<p>1/ My biggest target in UMN is to get into the honor program, quite tough! Since I'm gonna take SAT in December, there is no way the score can be reported in time because the priority deadline is 15 Dec. However I've got some good stats:
_ GPA: 9.3/10 in the freshman and junior years, 9.6/10 in the senior year (we only have 3 years of high school in my country)
_ Rank: 1st in my class, and probably top 5% (even top 1%) in my grade.
_ SAT II: 800 for both Math II and Physics.
_ I've got a silver medal in the International Physics Olympiad as well as some others prizes in physics.
My weak points:
_ I've already take the TOEFL test and only got 94 (quite disappointed)
_ SAT, as reasoned above
_ Not impressive extracurricular activity list (except for that I was the representative of students in my city to attend the national youth talent congress)
So what do you think about my chance?</p>
<p>2/ I've heard that it's very cold in Minnesota; and for people coming from the tropical area like me, it will be quite difficult. So what do you think about the climate in Minnesota, or more specific, in the area where UMN is located?</p>
<p>3/ Does UMN consider supplements such as letter of recommendation important factors for admission?</p>
<ol>
<li>I’m not sure if accepted you would be considered for Honors College, a lot may depend on your school since you mention its only 3 years. Though I assume if you meet the qualified GPA and test scores you will be highly considered for honors. </li>
<li>Yes it is cold in Minnesota during the winter period, as you will likely experience a period of temperatures below 20, 30 etc… </li>
<li>I know schools like Illinois will not read recs etc… only what they have required. Though I think Minnesota will read the recs, but not consider it in evaluation.</li>
</ol>
<h1>Coolbrezze: Thank you. I’m not sure about what you meant of “your school”. In my country, 3 years is the standard duration of high school. We all have to study the same compulsory curricular. The difference is just whether that school is a specialized school or not.</h1>
<h1>tonyCC: It depends A LOT on SAT. And i’m pretty sure that i’m no way good at it, especially when the December test is my first time taking SAT. Personally I don’t think that medal will help much.</h1>
<p>^
Oh I see, I figured it was normal for 3 years in your country of high school… I was just sure if it was same compulsory curricular etc… which you have explain it is. </p>
<p>Well Universisty of Minnesota- Twin Cities is a great school, I’m considering it myself. I think you have a good chance of admission, I just would try to get app in by priority deadline, seems like you will do great on the SAT considering your SAT II’s.</p>
<h1>Coolbrezze: Thanks, but it’s another story for me to deal with SAT. My native language is not English.</h1>
<p>I have another question:
A few weeks ago, I accidentally submitted UMN application (I didn’t pay the application fee, but couldn’t come back to the previous sections). I missed the personal statement because of that (my bad!). Even though it is optional to fill it out or not, I still think it is an important part, because there’s no other place to show something rather than numbers. I did sent an email to UMN, but no reply. What should I do now?
BTW, how important would you rate this part?</p>
<p>^
I’m not sure what your personal statement was going to be, but I know one of the personal statements ask if there is something that has affected your academics etc… which you think we should know please tell and how it will not affect next time… something like that. So I wouldn’t be too concern if you personal statement would have not been towards their question.
You can send the university any additional information in which you think they should know, even essays they will read ( I think) but wont be a factor towards admission. Perhaps you can send this personal statement through mail… I will search for the information on Minnesota website and you can read it from there.</p>
<p>Thank you very much What a relief!
(btw, in the application form for int’l students, it is “Educational interests”, not “personal statement” as I mistook; but I think they’re most likely the same)</p>
<p>Thanks for encouraging me, ansar & tonyCC. I appreciate that.
Which one will you recommend me to apply to when my parents’ contribution is merely 0, government’s is only 15,000USD/year for tuition fee and I have 4 weeks to prepare for SAT from the zero when my native language is not English? That’s my problem :(</p>
What a relief!