Minnesota Acceptance Rate
So, you’re thinking about applying to the University of Minnesota (better known simply as ‘Minnesota’), and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! Of course, there are a lot of factors in the admissions process, and it’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll be admitted or not. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores. So, using those as a measure, we can give you an estimate of your chances.
Test Type
With an acceptance rate of 44.6%, admission to Minnesota is extremely competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the very top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1600, or an ACT score of around 35.
Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and You’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at Minnesota’s admission statistics.
Minnesota Admissions Statistics
Minnesota’s acceptance rate in 2017 was 44.6%. For students applying to the class of 2021, out of 46,165 applicants, Minnesota admitted about 20,579. The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.78, the average ACT score was 28, and the average SAT score was 1360.
For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 26, and the 75th percentile score was 31.
For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1250. The 75th percentile score was 1480.
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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.
Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.
As we said, admission to Minnesota is very competitive. Even if Minnesota is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.
Generally, you should have at least three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores), three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores) and three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores) on your list.
OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at Minnesota’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.
Minnesota Application Requirements
To apply to Minnesota, you’ll need to fill out their Online Application, submit your high school transcript, submit your SAT or ACT scores (including writing score), and pay the $55 non-refundable application fee. Everything should be submitted by November 1st for Early Action, and January 1st for Regular Decision.
Here’s a full list of application requirements:
- Fill out the Online Application
- Submit an ACT score or SAT score (including writing score)
- Submit your high school transcript
- Pay the $55 non-refundable application fee
The application deadline is November 1st for Early Action and January 1st for Regular Decision. March 1st is the financial aid application deadline. Early Action notifications are released at the end of January, and Regular Decision applicants find out their fates at the end of March.
Have you been admitted to Minnesota? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.
Minnesota Admitted Students Profile
If you matriculate at Minnesota, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.
Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:
- Roughly 48% are male and 52% are female
- 8% of students are international
Minnesota has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:
- International: 8%
- Underrepresented minority: 0.7%
- Two or more races: 4.1%
- White: 75.9%
What do these admitted students plan to study? Minnesota offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:
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- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
Now, how are you going to pay for this?
Minnesota Tuition Figures
At $36,383, Minnesota’s cost of attendance is astronomical. But, don’t panic! Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $10,140.
Here’s a fuller look at Minnesota tuition and financial aid in 2017:
- Total budget: $36,383
- Average financial aid package: $10,140
- The average student debt of a Minnesota graduate is $26,644
Now, what is life like at Minnesota? Let’s take a look.
Minnesota Location
The University of Minnesota main campus is located in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, better known as the “Twin Cities”.
The campus itself has a variety of architectural styles to explore, from the Norman castle-like Armory building to the recent Frank Gehry-designed Frederick R. Wiseman Art Museum. A walk around campus will reveal an abundance of architecture that many other schools don’t normally offer.
Remember, you’re going to Minnesota for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.
Minnesota Academics
Minnesota has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:
- Actuarial Science
- Biostatistics
- Computer Science
- Dairy Science
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
- Family and Community Services
- Geography
- Health Teacher Education
- Insurance
- Journalism
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Media Studies
- Nutrition Sciences
- Occupational Therapy
- Philosophy
- Rhetoric and Composition
Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at Minnesota.
Student Life at Minnesota
Minnesota has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and politics interests, and various media and publications.
Here’s a sampling of Minnesota’s student activities:
- AIGA Student Group
- Biology Without Borders
- Archery Club at UMN
- Campus Creative Writers
- Carlson MBA Association
- App Developers
- U-Tango
- AIESEC
- ASL Club
- Acts 2 Fellowship
- Bass Fishing Team
- Aerial Yoga
- Alpine Ski Team
- Frontier Soccer Club
- Ice Box
- Spikeball Club
- The Art of Living Club
Are you an athlete? Minnesota’s got plenty of options for you.
Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. So, if you’re not up to varsity level, remember there are plenty of club and intramural sports to try out for, too.
Minnesota’s sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Cross-Country
- Swimming & Diving
- Hockey
- Wrestling
- Track & Field
- Tennis
Who might you become with a Minnesota degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:
Notable Alums
Minnesota has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.
Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:
- Nobel Peace Prize-winner Norman Borlaug
- Olympic ice hockey coach Herb Brooks
- Musician Bob Dylan
- US Vice President Hubert Humphrey
- Author Garrison Keillor
- US Vice President Walter Mondale
- NASA astronaut Deke Slayton
- Journalist Thomas Friedman
- Wells Fargo Bank CEO John Stumpf
- Target CEO Robert Ulrich
- Actor Henry Fonda
- Actress Jessica Lange
And this is only a partial list!
Remember!
Getting into Minnesota is very competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no. If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are. If you work hard, you’ll end up at a school that’s right for you, and still get a great education.
If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.
Our expert teachers and tutors will not only share with you tried and true methods for improving your score, but also help you correct deficiencies in any subject that you’re having difficulty with—English, Writing, Mathematics or Science.
Additionally, online classes can be watched On Demand, so if you miss a class due to your busy schedule, you can catch it online later. We have helped hundreds of students get the scores they need to attend the school of their dreams.
For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!
Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Prep Expert Founder & CEO
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