Im applying as an out of state student (California) but because of the distance, i wont have the opportunity to go and visit the school. Im looking primarily at this school as a back up incase i dont get accepted to the twin cities, but was wondering how good this school is. Ive read mixed reviews about this school, and was wondering if anybody that went here could give me a more specific idea of what this college is like.
I can tell you about the city of Duluth. It is really up and coming. D2 and I spent a weekend on vacation there last month, and we wondered where all the good looking 20-something hipsters had come from compared to visits in years past! New restaurants are opening, and the waterfront area is great. It is a good school for outdoorsy people, I think.
That said, it is cold on the lake in the winter. But very beautiful.
Sorry I can’t speak more to the academic side.
Why are you applying to MN from CA? If we knew what you’re seeking by going to MN we could tell you whether Duluth has it. 
Primarily for the new weather.The different seasons, the snow, the cold, i love all of that and know that is there, at this point, im just more concerned about the school and whether people have had good experiences there. Ive heard amazing things, and then other people saying “its like highschool all over again.”
What is your expected major?
Yeah, tell us your major and we can give you some more suggestions. There are a lot of interesting schools in the upper Great Lakes region. I recently visited Michigan Tech and Northland College – gorgeous area and a huge change from CA.
Yes, one reason I asked was because I was wondering if Michigan Tech might fit.
What about Gustavus Adolphus, Lawrence, St Olaf, Beloit, Marquette?
Duluth is fine, but UMN Duluth wouldn’t be my favorite pick among all “cold weather” universities.
It’s cheap even for OOS though.
Similar to it, you have UW Eau Claire, which has a good honors program.
The Lake Superior area is beautiful and is definitely more cold-weather-ish then Eau Claire. I have an acquaintance who loves Northland College. Lake Superior has this whole wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald theme going on that Beloit or Appleton doesn’t have. Love it there.
Im looking into Chemical engineering for my major. 29 ACT and 3.65 weighted gpa. 11 AP classes, and great upward trend in grades junior year if that means much. was looking at Duluth because it seems to have a good chemical engineering program and seems easy enough to get into. If you guys could give me any other suggestions for “cold midwestern colleges” that would be amazing!
@CheddarcheeseMN: I don’t think there’ll be much of a difference in terms of “cold” between various areas of WI and MN for a kid from CA. 
I agree the Lake Superior is beautiful but there are lakes about everywhere, too - not as big, but definitely a change compared to CA.
@Microthrix: look at posts 5, 6, 7.
Agree that it’s plenty cold and snowy elsewhere. The advantage of the Lake Superior area would be more that there’s a huge year-round outdoor culture. People are so into their ice fishing, xc skiing, ice sculpture, yada yada.
You are right to look for alternatives to UM-TC, ChemE is very competitive there, a 29 isn’t likely to get you admitted. I would reiterate the suggestion of Michigan Tech. Plenty of snow and natural beauty in that area, and a solid STEM school.
Looked at michigan tech, it really seems like a nice school! But wow is that OOS tuition high! Why does minnesota have such low OOS tuition compared to most other colleges? Does M Tech have good scholarship/ aid opportunities? Marquette also looks good. Its in a large city, and has a beautiful campus.
Run the net price calculator on each college website to see how the need based aid is. Going to be honest, I know a student with a 35 ACT, GPA probably around 3.7, NMF who did not get any significant merit aid from Michigan Tech. He is OOS, which may be a factor.
MN – agree it is a pretty good deal for OOS students.