So I know that the College of Biological Sciences is based on the St. Paul campus, but am I going to be taking my classes there or on the Minneapolis campus? The major I’m going to be focusing on is biochemistry if that makes a difference. Thanks for your help.
I would say that you’ll have classes in both places. It’s so easy to go between Minneapolis and St. Paul with the campus bus that it won’t seem like a big deal. It’s a short ride.
@UMNMom thanks for the info!
At least freshman core classes, all or mostly all in Minneapolis. Electives and later years, maybe more of a split. You will have some flexibility when scheduling to make sure you can get to where you need to go in time.
@illinoisx3 staying on main campus at least during my freshman year would be nice just to get to know the campus.
Where the department or college is located may not have much to do with where you take your classes. Not sure this applies to all the colleges equally, but available space more than any other factor tends to determine where courses are offered.
@JBStillFlying thanks for the information
At least for my child in CBS, there was one elective at StP 1st semester, and one required lab there 2nd semester. Future semesters vary depending on the major within CBS as well. The connector is easy and apparently only a minor hassle if your dorm is farther away from the stops. There is a dorm on the StP campus but it is apparently not desirable for social reasons.
@illinoisx3 thanks for the information!
The flip side to “not desirable for social reasons” is peace and quiet for those who like to study and sleep rather than party in their dorms 
The Super Block can get a bit rowdy, and it’s not like you aren’t allowed on the main campus because you dorm over in Bailey. BTW, there are several LLC’s over there including the Design House so if you are in CDes that might be your dorm. And with 499 others living around you, including a load of freshmen, you probably WILL have some semblance of a social life. The St. Paul campus is smaller - more like a small college than a sprawling university - with its own student union. But the sprawl is a mere few minutes away by bus. the U has a private road for the go-between so very easy to get back and forth.
@JBStillFlying That’s very interesting information! As the housing opens up this Thursday I have some decisions to make as I was planning on applying to the Biology LLC in Frontier. But maybe the smaller campus and student body at St. Paul wouldn’t be a bad idea either!
@Henxnr you don’t really have to make a decision on housing till May. The housing app. and deposit get you in the queue but you can rank and re-rank all you want between Nov. and May.
@Henxnr My daughter likes her suite in the Bio LLC in Frontier. It’s relatively quiet, too as it seems all of the Bio suites are at the last section at the end of the hall. It’s also reasonably close to all her friends in the other nearby dorms, sororities, apartments on campus and dinky town, etc. Other than having to clean their own bathroom, I haven’t heard any complaints except that the food at Centennial is apparently inferior to 17th ave, where she ends up eating sometimes. Next door, Pioneer is being totally renovated with a new dining hall (replacing Centennial) and I think will be open for fall 2019 so if you want a new dorm, that might be worth checking as well. As for Bailey, “Social death sentence” is the phrase I heard. I’m sure it’s not that bad but I’d definitely look for opinions from people who lived there before making it a top choice. That’s a good idea anywhere.
LOL. I actually live in the neighborhood where Bailey is. If you want a quieter, more laid back experience, it might be a good fit for a student. The buses are very easy access and run very frequently if you need to be on main campus. There is also a nice bike path. Saint Paul Campus has a smaller, quieter, LAC feel vs. the main campus. I can see why a particular brand of student would call Saint Paul Campus a social death sentence (lol) but I know other students who’ve been very happy there. The U of MN has a varied student body for sure.
Good to have options for everyone:-) I understand Middlebrook is a quieter option as well, also separated somewhat from the main east campus by the river.
Yes, Middlebrook is nice if you want something a little quieter too! Middlebrook is actually closest to downtown Minneapolis and houses the Honors and Arts LLC too so has a slightly different vibe is well. If my kid ends up going to the U, he will try for Middlebrook!
We were told once that Middlebrook was “social suicide” but my kids take that as a good sign LOL because it means they can get some work done in their rooms. Middlebrook has the Honors LLC and those with bookish kids have told me it works well (you have to be in honors to live there). The arts LLC and some of the foreign language LLCs are there as well. Thought Middlebrook had one of the better dining halls but that might have been replaced by 17th Ave.
Point is there is something for everyone. The better your place in the queue the more likely to get your first choice.
@Henxnr If the Bio LLC interests you, my daughter and her roommate both got into the queue in mid-January if I recall correctly. Probably not a bad idea to put in your deposit earlier if there’s a good chance you are going to UMN and want choice of dorm or one of the suites that has its own bathroom (and cleaning duties).
@illinoisx3 yeah the Bio LLC is my top choice unless pioneer is available when the November 1st application opens. I liked the feel of 17th but as it’s mostly for athletes that may not be where I want to live. Middle Brook sounds really nice but the draw for me is being around people that have similar interest and easier to make friends early on and form study groups as those in that area have a decent chance of being in my classes. Decisions decisions! Thanks for all the help!