College AdmissionsCollege Admissions

Part IIPart II

The Common ApplicationThe Common Application The Common Application is a single application that you The Common Application is a single application that you

can send to multiple schools. can send to multiple schools. The Common App is an option for anyone applying to The Common App is an option for anyone applying to

one of the 488 four-year universities for an one of the 488 four-year universities for an undergraduate degree that accept it.undergraduate degree that accept it.

The whole point of the Common Application is to make The whole point of the Common Application is to make your life easier. Instead of filling out 6-10 different your life easier. Instead of filling out 6-10 different applications you fill out one application for as many applications you fill out one application for as many colleges as you please (from that list of 488). colleges as you please (from that list of 488).

Some colleges do expect you to answer additional Some colleges do expect you to answer additional “supplemental questions” so you should check with the “supplemental questions” so you should check with the colleges you are applying to early and not miss any colleges you are applying to early and not miss any deadlines.deadlines.

Application FeesApplication Fees Most colleges charge a fee to Most colleges charge a fee to

apply. This covers the cost of apply. This covers the cost of reviewing and processing reviewing and processing your application.your application.

Fees range from $25 up to Fees range from $25 up to $90 per application.$90 per application.

Many college tests (AP, ACT, Many college tests (AP, ACT, CLEP) charge fees tooCLEP) charge fees too

Fee WaiversFee Waivers Through a variety of programs many students can have all or Through a variety of programs many students can have all or

part of the admission or test fees waived – they don’t have to part of the admission or test fees waived – they don’t have to pay it.pay it.

See your dean to see if you are eligible for a fee waiverSee your dean to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)(MnTC)

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

Transfer Curriculum – Goal AreasTransfer Curriculum – Goal Areas Goal 1: CommunicationGoal 1: Communication

English Composition: One or two courses (4-8 credits); Speech/Communication: One English Composition: One or two courses (4-8 credits); Speech/Communication: One course (3 credits) course (3 credits)

Goal 2: Critical ThinkingGoal 2: Critical Thinking This goal is often fulfilled automatically when all of the goal areas are completed. 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 However, some institutions may require completion of one or more courses in this goal area.goal area.

Goal 3: Natural SciencesGoal 3: Natural SciencesInstitutions require two science courses. Biological Science and Physical Science Institutions require two science courses. Biological Science and Physical Science (two courses 7-8 credits)(two courses 7-8 credits)

Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical ReasoningGoal 4: Mathematical/Logical ReasoningA college-level math or logical reasoning course is usually required depending on the A college-level math or logical reasoning course is usually required depending on the student's long-term major. One course (3-5 credits) student's long-term major. One course (3-5 credits)

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral SciencesGoal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral SciencesThree courses are typically required. Some institutions require courses from three Three courses are typically required. Some institutions require courses from three different subject areas or they may require at least one social and one behavioral different subject areas or they may require at least one social and one behavioral science course. Common subjects are Anthropology, Economics, Geography, science course. Common subjects are Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology. History, Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology.

Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine ArtsGoal 6: The Humanities and Fine ArtsThree courses are typically required. Some institutions require courses from three Three 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 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 course. Common courses are Art, English (literature), Humanities, Music, Philosophy and Theatre. and Theatre.

Transfer CurriculumTransfer Curriculum

Theme Goal Areas – These can Theme Goal Areas – These can overlap with other classes in overlap with other classes in some cases – see your deansome cases – see your deanGoal 7: Human DiversityGoal 7: Human DiversityOne course (3 credits) One course (3 credits) Goal 8: Global PerspectiveGoal 8: Global PerspectiveOne course (3 credits) One course (3 credits) Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Goal 9: Ethical and Civic ResponsibilityResponsibilityOne course (3 credits)One course (3 credits)Goal 10: People and the Goal 10: People and the EnvironmentEnvironmentOne course (3 credits) One course (3 credits)

When and where can you start When and where can you start the transfer curriculum?the transfer curriculum?You can start the transfer You can start the transfer curriculum while you are in high curriculum while you are in high school through Early Collegeschool through Early CollegeYou can also start work on the You can also start work on the transfer curriculum at a transfer curriculum at a community collegecommunity college

Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities

Almost any activity - including Almost any activity - including journalism, drama, charity, sports journalism, drama, charity, sports photography, art, yearbook, and photography, art, yearbook, and others – will register with others – will register with admissions boards. But it’s the admissions boards. But it’s the level of your commitment and level of your commitment and contribution that will make you contribution that will make you truly impressive.truly impressive.

College exists to educate all sorts College exists to educate all sorts of people: from the super geniuses of people: from the super geniuses to those dedicated to subjects to those dedicated to subjects outside of the classroom.outside of the classroom.

Your extracurricular activities Your extracurricular activities should be a reflection of yourself. should be a reflection of yourself. They are a way to showcase your They are a way to showcase your best traits, whether it’s team work, best traits, whether it’s team work, the ability to stick with your the ability to stick with your commitments or your personal commitments or your personal talents and help you stand out talents and help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.from the rest of the applicants.

College Letters of RecommendationCollege Letters of Recommendation These are often required at selective or highly selective These are often required at selective or highly selective

colleges and by some scholarship programs. A good colleges and by some scholarship programs. A good recommendation can help you get admitted to these recommendation can help you get admitted to these schools and programs.schools and programs.

Most of the colleges and universities’ admissions officers Most of the colleges and universities’ admissions officers use the letter of recommendation to complete the full use the letter of recommendation to complete the full portrait of who the student is. Test scores can tell portrait of who the student is. Test scores can tell colleges how a student performs academically, but they colleges how a student performs academically, but they do not provide insight into that student’s personality and do not provide insight into that student’s personality and leadership skills.leadership skills.

Most universities feel that a well-rounded education is Most universities feel that a well-rounded education is about more than just the ability to perform well on a test. about more than just the ability to perform well on a test. Colleges want to know what a student will be able to Colleges want to know what a student will be able to contribute to campus life, and how likely students are to contribute to campus life, and how likely students are to meet their goals with respect to chosen majors or meet their goals with respect to chosen majors or prospective careers. prospective careers.

Who should write a Who should write a recommendation for you?recommendation for you?

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