Navigating the Class Schedule University of Minnesota PSEO Navigating the Class Schedule

What is PSEO? Dual enrollment Financial coverage Eligibility

Class Selection 1xxx-2xxx level classes Prerequisites and recommended classes Placement Factors in choosing your class Depending on your high school and its requirements, not all graduation requirements can be met at the University of Minnesota. The courses listed here cause some of the most frequent concerns for students: Micro Economics is a prerequisite for Macro Economics—if your high school requires macro, you will have to take micro first; we recommend that students fill their econ requirements at high school. Professors of science classes assume that students have had that subject in high school; in fact, high school chemistry is a prerequisite for chemistry at the U of M. If a student has NOT taken chemistry (either in high school or at another college), he or she will NOT be able to take chemistry at the U. Physics, on the other hand, is available to students who have not had the subject in high school, but depending on the student’s math background, he or she may need to take more physics courses than necessary. There is no direct one-to-one correspondence between high school math and placement at the University. Math placement can only be determined by AP scores, math placement test scores, or previous college math experiences. A student taking calculus at high school cannot automatically begin in calculus at the University, nor can a student taking high school pre-calculus assume he/she will start in calculus. While the U offers a wide variety of English courses, the only option for British literature is an Introduction to Shakespeare course, which does not offer many sections. If your high school requires British literature, you may have to take that course either at high school or at a different college. Credits between high schools and college do not align; according to the PSEO Statutes, 4 credits at the college is equal to 1 year at the high school. However, many college classes may only be 3 credits. Be sure to find out from your counselor exactly how many college credits you need to fill your high school requirement. Because PE and Health are not required for UM students, the U doesn’t necessarily have offerings that will fill your high school requirements. Be sure to discuss this with your high school counselor before assuming you can fill them at the U. Finally, if your grades and GPA are your priority as you look at high school graduation, PSEO may not be the best option. This is often the time that advanced students receive their first B in a class. Because the state and its taxpayers are funding your PSEO classes, you are not permitted to drop a class you are otherwise passing just because it will affect your high school GPA.

Key to Success - Independence You build and manage your schedule New class style Grades often based on a few big assignments See http://www.cce.umn.edu/documents/dcp/pseo-about-pseo.pdf PSEO Act created in 1985. Its purpose was to allow high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take advanced coursework in colleges and universities that would not normally be available to them in their high schools. While progressing toward a college degree is usually a nice benefit from the program, it’s primary purpose is to support high school graduation. Students who are interested in PSEO must have very good time management skills. High school seniors who are applying to colleges need to understand that their college applications and campus visits will take more time than they expect, and could negatively impact their grades leading to difficulties with college admission. See http://cce.umn.edu/pdfs/dcp/ahs/High_School_vs_PSEO.pdf for a list of some of the differences between high school and college. PSEO students are also responsible for managing their own affairs. Once on campus, they are considered as any other college student, which means that parents and guardians cannot act on their behalf; all students on any college or university campus fall under the Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA: see http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html for more information). College and universities may not release any information about students (even minors) without the student’s express written consent. Finally, transportation is a very significant consideration. PSEO students are eligible for the University’s discounted bus pass, but busses do not always run at convenient times or to certain locations. Transportation is the family’s responsibility and should not be considered lightly.

Key to Success – Asking for Help You build and manage your schedule Work is more heavily weighted outside of class Grades often based on a few big assignments Student’s responsibility to check in with instructors See http://www.cce.umn.edu/documents/dcp/pseo-about-pseo.pdf PSEO Act created in 1985. Its purpose was to allow high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take advanced coursework in colleges and universities that would not normally be available to them in their high schools. While progressing toward a college degree is usually a nice benefit from the program, it’s primary purpose is to support high school graduation. Students who are interested in PSEO must have very good time management skills. High school seniors who are applying to colleges need to understand that their college applications and campus visits will take more time than they expect, and could negatively impact their grades leading to difficulties with college admission. See http://cce.umn.edu/pdfs/dcp/ahs/High_School_vs_PSEO.pdf for a list of some of the differences between high school and college. PSEO students are also responsible for managing their own affairs. Once on campus, they are considered as any other college student, which means that parents and guardians cannot act on their behalf; all students on any college or university campus fall under the Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA: see http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html for more information). College and universities may not release any information about students (even minors) without the student’s express written consent. Finally, transportation is a very significant consideration. PSEO students are eligible for the University’s discounted bus pass, but busses do not always run at convenient times or to certain locations. Transportation is the family’s responsibility and should not be considered lightly.

Risks Tougher to get top grades Grades earned follow you Problems can sneak up on you

Timeline Application live on website: February 1 Application POSTMARK deadline: April 6 Notification: by June 1 Orientation and registration: late July/early August

Application Basics Application & instructions are available on our web site starting Feb 1: ccaps.umn.edu/pseo Late applications rarely admitted The applicant is always considered solely responsible for ensuring their application is complete and received on time 1100 applications for 500 seats

Post-Secondary Notice of Student Registration Balance sheet Required Materials Application form Post-Secondary Notice of Student Registration Balance sheet High school transcript Transcripts outside the U of MN (if you took prior PSEO) Required for ALL students. See the instructions on the website for more information: http://www.cce.umn.edu/Post-Secondary-Enrollment-Options/Admission/index.html. Essay topics are also included in the Application Instructions document.

Optional Materials PSAT, SAT, ACT Aspire, or ACT scores Additional statement These items may be required for home school students, students who have taken other PSEO courses, or students whose native language is not English who have been in the country for fewer than 5 years. Again, all required information is in the Application Instructions document: http://www.cce.umn.edu/Post-Secondary-Enrollment-Options/Admission/index.html.

Core Review Criteria Minimum GPA: 3.60 (unweighted) 49% of admits with 4.00-3.95; only 5% below 3.75 Rigor of coursework If applicable: Grades from any prior college course work See http://cce.umn.edu/pdfs/DCP/PSEO/admissioncriteria.pdf for more information about Admission Criteria.

Secondary Review Criteria College aptitude test scores Additional statement See http://cce.umn.edu/pdfs/DCP/PSEO/admissioncriteria.pdf for more information about Admission Criteria.

PSEO Office 107 Armory 15 Church St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 (ph) 612-626-1666 pseo@umn.edu ccaps.umn.edu/pseo