I am going to be a senior at a decently large (350 per class) highschool in Minnesota. I have already applied to the U of Minnesota directly into the Carlson School of Management and was wondering what my chances are.
GPA: 3.87
ACT:30
18th percentile in my class
In my opinion my diversity short essay (1,000 characters or less) and my "why this major " essay (600 characters or less) were very strong. Thanks!
Is that a weighted GPA? If not, what is the unweighted?
Rank a tad low but the ACT is right where you want it to be. Your GC might be able to give you additional feedback on that. Be sure to keep your grades up this semester in case you don’t hear back in the fall, then submit an updated transcript as soon as available. We know someone who had similar stats to yours and was admitted last year.
The primary factors for admission are course rigor, GPA/class rank, and test scores. However, the essay and “why this major” will help!
Here are the stats by college: http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/academics/profile.html
We attended the CSOM Sneak Preview last week and they shared that the admit rate is around 28% so it’s one of the more selective colleges at UMN.
Good luck to you!
I thought the Univ of MN app didn’t have any essays. Is this something for CSOM?
@uwalumom the diversity statement is new this year and completely optional and no - not for CSOM specifically. My D3 completed it because she had a good angle of discussion. I doubt it affects admission status if you are a strong candidate but it might help you otherwise. Can’t recall if the “why this major” is new or not but that’s a very short description to help the adcom determine fit.
There are 3 essays on Minnesota’s application. When a University writes “optional” do you really think that is what they mean? Always do the essays.
- Please include an explanation of why you would like to study the major(s) you have selected (maximum 600 characters)
- Please share briefly how you feel you might contribute to, or benefit from, the diversity of our community of student scholars. (Please limit your answer to 1,000 characters)
- If you have additional information or special circumstances that you would like the admissions committee to consider in its holistic review of your application, please share that information below. (Maximum 4,000 characters)
Primary factors remain course rigor, GPA/rank, and test scores. With the committee having over 46,000 applications to go through and acceptances beginning as early as October, most of the strong applicants can probably skip #1 and #3. If you feel that your application is enhanced by making a diversity or other statement - or if you feel that letters of recommendation will assist your application, you should go ahead and have those completed and sent. The adcom looks at everything.
Gosh, I swear I saw that on the Minnesota website - something about how we’ve made it so easy for you apply with no essays. I guess they weren’t counting the optional ones…
I actually got my ranking wrong. I am actually in the 14th percentile now. And that is my unweighted gpa. My weighted is around 4.4. What do you think my chances are now?
Schools will mostly look at unweighted GPA in order to compare students since weights can vary significantly among districts and schools. Once that playing field is thus leveled, those applicants with honors and AP/IB courses will be viewed relatively more favorably. Course rigor definitely matters.
A 3.87 unweighted GPA is excellent as long as you are taking advantage of the most rigorous courses at your high school. And your ACT is right where it needs to be. You have an excellent shot at being admitted. Good luck!
Does anyone have any idea of when I’ll hear back? I applied July 23rd and UMN is definitely my top choice. At what point should I lose hope and know that they will either deny me or put me into CLA? Any info would help!
Not sure when you’ll hear back, but here is some perspective to keep your hopes up.
My OOS (Texas) son got accepted into Carlson earlier this week. He submitted all of his application materials in late July except his high school transcript which was finally sent in late September.
He has a 3.93 UW GPA and is ranked around top 7% (50/698). His ACT is 30 and new SAT is 1350…he submitted both.
He has taken numerous AP classes and dual credit classes. This year, he’s in AP Calc BC, AP Bio, AP Eco, Dual Credit English and a couple electives.
He has participated in theater all 4 years.
He has been on the Varsity swim team and water polo team all 4 years (Captain this year).
He has some volunteer hours and is in NHS, Mu Alpha Theta (math club) and Theater club.
He has no employment experience.
On the application, he did not answer the optional essays.
Minnesota is probably (but not for sure) a back up plan as he has been accepted to Texas A&M business and is waiting for University of Texas business (which probably won’t come until Feb '17). He’ll probably go to UT if he gets in…if not, we’ll see if Minnesota offers any scholarship to bring the OOS cost down to the in-state level.
Good luck…I think you have a very strong chance!
@ccb123 your stats are consistent with the ranges for Carlson. You have an excellent chance - it may just be a matter of when they get around to your application. Check out the Acceptance thread because I thought I saw another ACT=30 get admitted recently.
@JBStillFlying the last sentence of my application tracker got off. I saw you said that you got notified soon after that happened to you. Do you think this means I’ll hear back soon?
@ccb123 - When that happened we were hoping it meant that my daughter wouldn’t have to wait till January. She was accepted a couple days later.
Crossing fingers for you!
Admitted to CSOM this morning! OOS.
Admitted yesterday morning!