I worked at the U of MN last summer for a Department Head. Do you think that letter of rec will help even if it’s a professor from a different college in the U of MN than what I’m applying to and even though letter of recs are optional?
I don’t see how it can hurt - and can certainly help. Are you thinking it’ll speed things along? You just applied a couple days ago, right? Your stats were pretty strong (75th percentile for ACT and high GPA) so you should be fine for getting in.
On another thread it sounded like you were holding back applying to other colleges till you got a decision. You may want to proceed with those applications anyway because you never know how the merit aid is going to work out. Shoot for Plan A, but have Plans B-D lined up just in case - especially if deadlines are looming. The timing of the U of MN decision is far less certain than whether you’ll get in.
Plus, you know the rule - To make the bus arrive, summon an Uber car. To get your U of MN decision, start applying to another school 
And don’t forget to check the Application Tracker. It will update long before you receive something via regular mail (or even e-mail).
Good luck!
Great advice you got there from Mamelot, though I really don’t think you need to add a recommendation letter. Your stats are strong, and that’s what UMN cares about most. But applying to at least one backup would most definitely be wise.
You seem pretty anxious, and I think perhaps you’re just wishing there was something more you could do besides wait for the decision. It’s not easy to do when you have your heart set on a particular school.
I think the waiting period can be a let down after the flurry of completing applications is over. I’m even going through this now, as a parent! I think that’s why I’m hanging out reading CC forums. 
Yes, I’m really anxious since the decision feels like forever. I applied mid October and this might sound cliche, but honestly it’s the only school I can see myself going to. I just wanted to know whether a letter would annoy the admission officers, because there’s little way to stand out when other applicants have similar academic stats. Maybe I’m a bit too paranoid. Thanks for the insight though!
University of Minnesota does not consider recommendations in admissions. You can read that here on page 9: http://www.oir.umn.edu/static/stsur/cds_2014_2015_TC.pdf
You are in-state, correct? Do we know whether CSOM has admitted in-staters yet and what their stats are? Most of the CC posts I’ve seen are OOS.
It’s a long wait till the decision is made. Applying to your back-ups might be a fun distraction. I just checked the honors program stats and those guys are in the 32 - 34 range (not that you wouldn’t qualify). Since you are right under that . . . well, another rule of mine is that when you have to worry about whether you will make Honors, you are probably a safe bet for admission overall.
In a more subjective admission environment where essays and rec. letters matter I’d say yeah that letter from the faculty member is going to help tremendously and could give you the edge. But in this situation where stats are the primary factor and your stats are fine, you might think about another way to further that relationship with the faculty member - perhaps doing research down the road for him/her once you get to UMN. Or undertaking a creative double major and having this person as a faculty advisor.
One more thing - by all means keep in touch with this person. Let him/her know that you have applied to CSOM and are awaiting a result and that you will let him/her know how it goes. You never know what might happen when you call to touch base (rather than just to ask for something).
Good Luck!
They don’t require it, but will accept it if you give it to them. Also I think a letter of rec from one of their own professors would be worth their time. They don’t want to be burdened by a large amount of letters of rec from high school teachers, but one from their own staff should be beneficial because it shows that their own staff think that I can handle their college’s work. Also, since the U of MN is so focused on numbers, it helps me stand out among people with similar academic stats as me. That’s my take on it.
I’m in state. CSOM has admitted in state students. One of my classmates was admitted 2-3 weeks ago. Another was admitted to Liberal Arts last week. I do know they both applied earlier than me probably in August.
Thanks. I’ll definitely keep in touch with him.
@UniversityGeek The advice @mamelot gave is very sound. Keeping in touch with the UMN Department Head wikll keep you in his head. Asking for something sometimes comes across as contacting only to use him. If you keep in touch to inform, he may very well put a plug in for you without you knowing.
This advise is also given when people are looking for a job. Ask for advise, not for a job. People are more helpful that way because they are not put on the spot.