Admission Policies
The rules of college admission.
The admissions policy for each college differs, but you can get an idea of how selective the process is by the type of school you're considering.
| Admission policy | Type of school | Typical ACT composite score | Typical SAT critical reading + math score* |
| Open - All high school graduates or GED holders are accepted until the school or program's enrollment capacity is reached. | All public two-year community and technical colleges and some private career schools in Minnesota. | None Required | None Required |
| Liberal - While most two-year colleges will accept any student with a high school diploma (or GED), some popular or difficult programs within those colleges are more selective. | Some programs within public two-year community and technical colleges and some private career schools in Minnesota. | 18 or higher | 870 or higher |
| Traditional - The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 50 percent of their high school graduating class. | Some public universities and some private colleges and universities. | 21 or higher | 990 or higher |
| Selective - The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class. | Some public colleges and universities and some private colleges and universities. Some specific programs at schools. | 24 or higher | 1110 or higher |
| Highly selective - The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. | Elite public and private colleges and universities. | 27 or higher | 1220 or higher |
| *Does not include the writing portion of the SAT. | Highest possible score: 36 | Highest possible score: 1600 | |
Talk with the admissions office of the colleges you want to attend to learn more about specific admissions requirements and exception policies.
