No, the common app correctly reflects everything. UMN initiated the process to download that into STARS (a self reported grade system), which C26 only discovered when they went to set up STARS for Pitt only to find UMN had already created their STARS account. There were a few other glitches in the download too. Does your son’s UMN portal mention STARS? If so I suggest he go into it to check everything is correctly populated.
I see! And someone would use this in place of reporting it on the Common App then?
If the school requests it. UMN says it accepts either but created STARS for C26 without saying anything, but the portal does say STARS received.
I haven’t even seen his portal! But I will definitely have to ask him. He did say weeks ago when he had logged it that it showed green checkmarks for everything ‘required’ (clearly the LOR was not listed haha). I would assume unless he’s notified otherwise, that there would be no reason for him to set up a STARS account? He’s still working through other apps but so far has not come across that yet.
It’s very confusing, honestly. When my daughter applied in August, Common App required her to fill in the “Courses & Grades” section, and didn’t offer STARS as an option. But I think they updated something in the meantime, and now it seems to be offering STARS as an alternative to filling in the Courses & Grades? And then @SJ2727 reported that UMN autopopulated the STARS from Courses & Grades? (My D had already set up STARS for Pitt, so hers didn’t seem to autopopulate, but it did auto-link itself to UMN without her input.)
Oh wow - that is really interesting, and confusing! My son did fill out the Courses & Grades in common app and that’s what was submitted to UMN. I’m going to have him login to the portal next to me when he gets home so I can take a peek and make sure there’s nothing he’s overlooked!
I’m not sure either C26 or I saw this before - so not sure if we missed it or didn’t think it was relevant or if it’s been added since we looked, but it is implied in this that UMN will end up with a STARS for you (bolded bit):
FAQs for Courses and Grades (self-reporting your transcript)
I am working on my Common App
As part of your application for freshman admission to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, you will self-report your high school transcript through the Courses & Grades section on Common App. Scroll down for examples and frequently asked questions about the Courses & Grades section.
I have submitted my Common App
If you’ve already submitted your Common App, you will use the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) to update your course and grade information on your application. Log into Application Trackerto access the STARS platform where you can update the course and grade information you already reported. Jump to FAQs about the STARS platform.
NOTE: Freshman applicants can submit either Courses & Grades (on Common App) or the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record (STARS).
My daughter also just received an email saying her application is complete (as her optional recommender finally submitted the letter this week). She had applied in August and had been marked complete in the Application Tracker since August, so the email was a little surprising. Either way, I guess the waiting game continues, and any advantage she hoped to gain by applying early to Nursing is gone.
Please post when your kid receives the portal invite so I know if we should be worried. (Still nothing for my daughter.)
Interesting. My daughter has 2 LOR - one is from a teacher and one is from a coach. She turned in her app last week and her teacher rec has already been downloaded with her app. The coach hasn’t submitted his yet, but said he will do it soon, but I don’t want it to hold things up. If she removes him, can she add him back in once he is finished and submits to common app? Can you still assign a recommender after an app is submitted?
My son received the portal invite this morning. I am sure you too will be getting it very soon.
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Can I clarify @eahud126 @librarymom3 and @GeorgeCostanzasGhost - do you know if your students added the recommender via the common app? (C26 didn’t as it is all done via Maia and the common app specified that too).
@librarymom3 , my understanding is that once the common app is submitted to a particular college it’s final and you need to contact the college directly with any subsequent changes,
Yes, my son had invited his recommender via the Common App!
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I could be wrong, but I am not sure whether there is an actual admission advantage to applying to UMN significantly before the EA deadline (other than hearing back sooner). It’s known to be an advantage at Pitt, but I have not heard this about UMN.
That’s so frustrating! Exactly the same experience we had as well. My son worked extra hard to get his app completed early September hoping for an advantage into CSE. I just wish we had known UMN doesn’t consider your app complete until it’s received!
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In the more competitive colleges like CSE, CBS and Carlson, I’ve definitely seen people say there is a slight advantage to applying early, but who knows!
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Mine added the recommender to the common app herself. Thank you for the info. It sounds like we will just need to be patient. ; )
We are out of state, but I remember with my 1st that merit scholarship and honors college notifications came later.
I also seem to remember merit arriving in the postal mail… not in the portal?
Yes, I think you’re right, that sounds familiar.