My son is interested in a Chemistry major. He has two options, Liberal Arts or the College of Science and Engineering. He gets a BA for one and a BS for the other. It is easier to get into the College of Liberal Arts. Is applying to the College of Science and Engineering still difficult if you aren’t applying for engineering?
How difficult would it be to transfer colleges if he wants to get a BS?
I can’t answer your UMN specific question, but one thing I’d suggest your son do is look at the online course catalog and understand exactly what the difference in coursework will be between getting the BA in the Liberal Arts college and a BS in the College of Science and Engineering.
UMN is not a hard admit - even engineering - but as I say that - it’s relative to other top schools.
We don’t know anything about the students stats, rigor, or overall profile so it’s hard to say. He may get in now and not need to transfer.
They don’t give great info so ask to speak with a transfer advisor.
The requirements from outside seem reasonable.
But maybe you get in now ?
The biggest practical difference is that a BA through the College of Liberal Arts requires 4 semesters of a foreign language (or proficiency demonstrated in another way such as passing the department testing or having received a Gold or Platinum seal of biliteracy in high school.) The BS through the college of Science and Engineering has no such requirement.
In terms of how hard it is to be accepted into CLA vs S&E if you want chemistry, I’m not sure. However, I do know that UMN has the reputation of easy internal transfers. (A relative of mine switched from a BA within the CLA to a BS within another of UMN’s schools exactly for the reason that they were having trouble passing the foreign language requirement. It was a pretty easy transfer.)
S23 applied to UMN and exactly what @fiftyfifty1 said.
Look at the graduation requirements for both degrees. CLA will have a language requirement. S&E probably has a higher-level math requirement to make up for it. There are many programs at UMN that are in both CLA and another school (sometimes with slightly different names). I believe you can apply to multiple schools on one application and they give you preference of order so he can list the same major with S&E first and CLA second. Transferring to CLA is easy. Not sure about S&E.
UMN has rolling admissions, so apply early as it seems to pay off. You can use the Golden Gopher application which I believe comes out before the Common App.
Hello, I don’t know any specifics regarding UMn, but in general I would always prefer a BS to a BA in STEM subjects if the school offers both options. The flexibility of the BA comes at the expense of additional math/science courses. I would think the BS would better position your son for grad school or chemistry tech jobs. One final thought, I would almost always choose the engineering equivalent major over the science major, e.g. chemical or materials engineering over chemistry degree, mechanical engineering over physics, etc. Better job opportunities and better pay. You also are still positioned well for grad school with engineering degree, even if decide to switch to science grad school instead of engineering grad school. Almost forgot, engineering is usually harder to get accepted in, and often very difficult to transfer into within many schools.
At UMN, there are chemistry majors in the schools of Liberal Arts, Engineering, Ag and Natural Resource Science, and Biological Sciences There are many paths and outcomes rather than the engineering route.
The College of Liberal Arts has some great multidisciplinary programs. S23 was drawn to their Biology, Society and Environment major rather than doing a straight bio or biochem degree.
Just to clarify - you want to be in the Engineering/Sciences school but are thinking an easier path to be safe - correct ?
That’s why you need to share your stats. It may be no issue.
He is a Junior and OOS. Has a 3.6UW at a good/great public in PA. Weighted is higher but not sure how much. Decent but not great rigor. We have a block schedule. One semester Freshman year wasn’t the greatest (3.0). The rest has been at least 3.5. Had a 4.0 one semester as a sophomore. Senior year he plans to take AP Chemistry. Maybe AP Comp Science. He will also take regular Calculus.
Some schools care a lot about the UW GPA. Does Minnesota? Looking at the stats for the various colleges it is clear that the College of Science and Technology has higher stats. And yes, we are looking for the easiest path to acceptance.
The test will matter.
The college will likely weight to its scale. But none of those #s go over a 4.0 so I’m going to assume those are not weighted. But you can ask.
If taking regular calc vs AB, that might be a hinderance - to college coursework at higher math levels as well as admissions.
There’s likely an admissions counselor you can get guidance from in that college.
The other question to ask - many schools - you apply and if you’re short for engineering but not the college, they’ll offer you a spot in liberal arts as an alternative. Or you can select two majors.
It’s a question to ask if they do…
Good luck.
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