College Admissions

1. College Admissions Part II

2. The Common Application • The Common Application is a single application that you can send to multiple schools. • The Common App is an option for anyone applying to one of the 488 four-year universities for an undergraduate degree that accept it. • The whole point of the Common Application is to make your life easier. Instead of filling out 6-10 different applications you fill out one application for as many colleges as you please (from that list of 488). • Some colleges do expect you to answer additional “supplemental questions” so you should check with the colleges you are applying to early and not miss any deadlines.

3. Most colleges charge a fee to apply. This covers the cost of reviewing and processing your application. Fees range from $25 up to $90 per application. Many college tests (AP, ACT, CLEP) charge fees too Fee Waivers Through a variety of programs many students can have all or part of the admission or test fees waived – they don’t have to pay it. See your dean to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver Application Fees

4. Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) The transfer curriculum allows you to start your BA or BS degree at one Minnesota College and finish it at a different school. • Each institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system certifies the courses for the ten goal areas within the MnTC. • You choose courses in each goal area as required by the institution where you are intending to complete the MnTC. To complete the entire MnTC, you must earn a minimum of 40 credits in the ten goal areas, as well as the requirements for each of the goal areas. • Passing grades (A-D) for MnTC courses apply including transfer courses; however, a cumulative MnTC GPA of 2.0 is required to complete the entire 40 credit package.

5. Transfer Curriculum – Goal Areas • Goal 1: CommunicationEnglish Composition: One or two courses (4-8 credits); Speech/Communication: One course (3 credits) • Goal 2: Critical Thinking • This goal is often fulfilled automatically when all of the goal areas are completed. However, some institutions may require completion of one or more courses in this goal area. • Goal 3: Natural SciencesInstitutions require two science courses. Biological Science and Physical Science (two courses 7-8 credits) • Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical ReasoningA college-level math or logical reasoning course is usually required depending on the student's long-term major. One course (3-5 credits) • Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral SciencesThree courses are typically required. Some institutions require courses from three different subject areas or they may require at least one social and one behavioral science course. Common subjects are Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology. • Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine ArtsThree courses are typically required. Some institutions require courses from three different subject areas or they may require at least one fine arts and one humanities course. Common courses are Art, English (literature), Humanities, Music, Philosophy and Theatre.

6. Theme Goal Areas – These can overlap with other classes in some cases – see your dean Goal 7: Human DiversityOne course (3 credits) Goal 8: Global PerspectiveOne course (3 credits) Goal 9: Ethical and Civic ResponsibilityOne course (3 credits) Goal 10: People and the EnvironmentOne course (3 credits) When and where can you start the transfer curriculum? You can start the transfer curriculum while you are in high school through Early College You can also start work on the transfer curriculum at a community college Transfer Curriculum

7. Almost any activity - including journalism, drama, charity, sports photography, art, yearbook, and others – will register with admissions boards. But it’s the level of your commitment and contribution that will make you truly impressive. College exists to educate all sorts of people: from the super geniuses to those dedicated to subjects outside of the classroom. Your extracurricular activities should be a reflection of yourself. They are a way to showcase your best traits, whether it’s team work, the ability to stick with your commitments or your personal talents and help you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Extracurricular activities

8. College Letters of Recommendation • These are often required at selective or highly selective colleges and by some scholarship programs. A good recommendation can help you get admitted to these schools and programs. • Most of the colleges and universities’ admissions officers use the letter of recommendation to complete the full portrait of who the student is. Test scores can tell colleges how a student performs academically, but they do not provide insight into that student’s personality and leadership skills. • Most universities feel that a well-rounded education is about more than just the ability to perform well on a test. Colleges want to know what a student will be able to contribute to campus life, and how likely students are to meet their goals with respect to chosen majors or prospective careers.

9. Who should write a recommendation for you? Think about what you are applying for and ask someone who knows you well and can speak to your success in those areas: • Your teachers in subjects related to your college major (e.g. if you’re planning on majoring in engineering, you should try and get letters from your science and math teachers) • A guidance counselor who has seen how you’ve matured and grown as a student • A coach, theater director or any other after-school supervisor who has seen how you apply yourself to programs outside of classroom work