School highlights

• Meets the unique educational needs of those living and working in the metropolitan region as the premier urban public comprehensive system university in the Twin Cities.
• Focuses on providing high-quality, affordable educational programs and services in a student-centered environment.
• Provides more than 50 undergraduate programs and a number of graduate programs, with the option to create individualized degree programs.
• Has faculty who bring both practical and theoretical knowledge to their instruction.
• Reflects the area’s rich diversity in its students, faculty, staff and community partnerships.
• Demonstrates unwavering commitment to civic engagement.
• Offers daytime, evening, online and weekend classes on two main campuses plus several other locations, with comfortable class sizes and flexible, innovative scheduling (Minneapolis campus co-located with Minneapolis Community and Technical College).
• Awards credits for college-level learning that students gain through nonclassroom experience.
• Encourages creative learning strategies, such as online learning, internships and independent study.
• Collaborates with Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park on the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center.
• Works with the Peace Corps to allow volunteers to earn bachelor’s degrees while serving.
• Named the Outstanding Advising Technology Innovation winner by the National Academic Advising Association for the university’s online orientation.

Admissions

Admissions requirements

Metropolitan State University generally will accept you as a first-year student if you can answer “yes” to at least one of these questions:

• Did you graduate in the top half of your high school graduating class?
• Did you score 21 or higher on the ACT standardized test?
• Did you receive a combined score of 1,000 or higher on the SAT standardized test?

Check with the admissions office for details. Even if you don’t meet the minimum requirements, you may be considered for admission under special provisions.

What courses do I need to take in high school?

You should have completed these courses in high school:

• Four years of English, including composition, literature and speech
• Three years of math, including two years of algebra, one of which is intermediate or advanced algebra, and one year of geometry
• Three years of science, including one year each of a biological and a physical science, all with significant laboratory experience
• Three years of social studies, including one year each of geography and U.S. history
• Two years of a single world language, including non-English native languages and American Sign Language
• One year of arts (visual arts and the performing arts of theater, music, dance and media arts)

When should you apply?
Apply early in 12th grade for the best chance of being admitted. Some programs do not have room for all qualified applicants.

Transfer admission information:

If you have attended another institution and earned attempted or earned at least 16 college-level semester credits, you will apply as a transfer student. Transfer applicants should have a minimum of 16 transferable college level semester credits attempted with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. Some programs may require a higher GPA.

For students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or less, please note that your application will require additional time for consideration. Your transcripts will need to be received at least one month prior to the application deadline.

Transfer applicants must supply all transcripts from previous institutions by the deadline to be considered for following semester. If you are transferring from another institution in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Metropolitan State University will retrieve your transcripts for you via e-Transcript. However, if there are holds on your record from the institution, you must first resolve those holds before your transcripts can be retrieved.

Tuition & finance

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $6,642

FAFSA Code: 010374

How to apply for financial aid

Your key to receiving financial aid to help pay your college costs is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form. Many students don’t realize they could qualify for grant money and federally guaranteed loans, so be sure to find out by filling out the form.

Complete the FAFSA after Jan. 1 of your senior year. Find the form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up the form at your school counselor’s office. For help with completing the form, go to your high school counselor or the financial aid office at the college or university you plan to attend.

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for one or more of the following types of financial aid:

Scholarships
Scholarships are a great source of aid, and you do not need to pay them back. Many scholarships are available for students with special interests and backgrounds. Talk to your guidance counselor about what kind of scholarships you can get.

Grants
You may be eligible to receive federal and state grants of $300 to more than $7,000 per year. You do not need to pay these back.

Work study
Work study programs give you the opportunity to work on campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money to pay for college. Work study jobs are often very flexible, allowing you to work around your classes and personal schedules.