Future Transfer Students

The first step to becoming a U of M student is to understand which majors are offered and how the University is structured.

• This U of M Major Key can help you research your degree options. Each profile includes information about the degree requirements, related careers, and learning abroad opportunities.
• When transfer students apply to the U of M, they are required to indicate a specific major on their application. Students can list a first and second choice major. Majors at the U of M are organized by college. The U of M has eight colleges that admit undergraduate students and five undergraduate health science programs. These colleges and health science programs have unique admission requirements and may also vary in their application process and deadlines.
• If the first and second choice majors are housed within two different colleges, your application will be reviewed by both colleges, which means you will be receiving two admission decisions.

Because your admission is based upon your intended major, it is important that you research your options and have a good idea of what you would like to study at the University of Minnesota before you apply.

• We understand that students change their mind or may be considering multiple majors and careers, and that’s okay. However, we encourage you to explore your options and speak with a Transfer Specialist before applying to the U of M to make sure you have the information you need to reach your goals.
• Be aware that transferring between colleges and majors after admission may be as competitive as initially transferring to the program. It is important to research your options before submitting your application.

Connect with a transfer specialist and visit campus

• Once you have an idea of what you would like to major in, it is important to connect with a representative from your intended college early. A Transfer Specialist can answer your questions about the application and admission process and help ensure you are on-track and ready to apply. Here is a checklist of questions you may want to ask during your meeting or information session.

Understand how your credits will transfer

There are two main categories of transfer credits to consider, the U of M Liberal Education requirements and major-specific requirements.

• The Liberal Education Requirements are a set of general education courses that are the same for every U of M degree. There are Liberal Education transfer guides to help you understand how your previous coursework meets these requirements.
  • Note: for students transferring from a Minnesota State university or community college, most of these requirements can be met by completing the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.
• Information regarding what courses to take and how to prepare for your intended major can be found on each of the following U of M college websites:
  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Education & Human Development
  • Carlson School of Management
  • College of Biological Sciences
  • College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences
  • College of Science and Engineering
  • College of Design
  • College of Continuing & Professional Studies
• Health Science Programs:
  • Medical Laboratory Sciences (formerly Clinical Laboratory Sciences)
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dental Therapy
  • Mortuary Science
  • Nursing
• For courses that are not listed on the above transfer guides, check out Transferology to determine how they will transfer and apply to your U of M degree requirements.
• This Overview of Transferring Credit webpage is another good resource that covers general transfer credit review criteria and policy. It also provides information regarding how the U of M works with the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), Credit for Military Training/Experience, AP, IB, CLEP, and more.

Now that you are ready to apply for admission, please remember that different colleges have different application deadlines and some require supplemental application materials. Use this application checklist to be sure you are not missing anything.

Once you have applied for admission, you can apply for housing, financial aid, and the University Honors Program:

• Housing: Because of limited on-campus housing options for transfer students, the U of M provides off-campus housing listings.
  • Note: New students do not need to wait for an admission decision to apply for on-campus housing. You can apply for on-campus housing once you have submitted an application for admission.
  • If you plan to live off campus, the Office of Off-Campus Living provides resources and support to commuter students, including a UMN Roommate Finder.
• Financial Aid: Understanding your options for financing your degree is a key step in ensuring you have a seamless transition to the U of M. It is important to consult with a financial aid counselor at your current institution or a U of M One Stop Counselor, who can talk with you about the financial aid application process, the U of M’s cost of attendance, and your current financial aid status.
• Honors: Students with a GPA over 3.5 should consider applying for admission to the University Honors Program (UHP).
  • UHP welcomes transfer students and offers advising and involvement in research, scholarship, and artistic and creative expression. UHP students are mentored by faculty.
  • UHP students have the opportunity to graduate with Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), a nationally-recognized symbol of academic achievement.
  • Note: New students do not need to wait for an admission decision to apply for admission to the University Honors Program. Interested students should apply to UHP before receiving notice of admission to the U of M.

Once you have been admitted you will begin to receive more information about things such as New Student Orientation and the resources and opportunities available for U of M students.