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Eligibility & Credit
Eligibility
Visiting international students must meet the following requirements:
- Be in good academic standing with at least one year of university-level coursework; gap year students will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Receive approval from your home university, if required
- Provide proof of academic proficiency in English
Note: Exchange student applications will not be considered without a nomination from their home institution.
Credit
As a GO Minnesota student, you will take 12–16 credits per semester.
If you are interested in transferring the credit back to your home institution, you must speak with your university's international office about the correct process. We recommend you confirm this before submitting your Undergraduate Semester application.
Upon completion of your program, you will receive an official University of Minnesota transcript that includes the classes, credits, and final grades you earned.
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ESL Requirements
English Language Proficiency
You must meet the requirement on one of the following English language proficiency tests. Students with lower range overall and/or writing subscores must take English courses as part of their academic program at the University of Minnesota.
Alternative test options are available for students impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Please contact our office for more information.
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
| 79 | No ESL course required |
| 79 with writing subscore below 21 | ESL 3402 required |
| 68–78* | Two ESL courses required |
IELTS
| 6.5 | No ESL course required |
| 6.5 with writing subscore below 6.5 | ESL 3402 required |
| 6.0* | Two ESL courses required |
Minnesota Battery Test
| 75 | No ESL course required |
| 75 with writing subscore below 83 | ESL 3402 required |
| 70–74* | Two ESL courses required |
*not eligible to enroll in Carlson School of Management courses
Other Accepted Tests
- Germany: DAAD B2 or C1
- Denmark: Danish upper secondary school transcript: Minimum GPA of 4 at A-level English or 7 at B-level, or 60 ECTS of English
- Sweden: Gymnasiebetyg English Grade VG or C
Students submitting the DAAD, Danish Upper Secondary School transcript, or Gymnasiebetyg will be tested upon arrival and may be required to take additional English language classes.
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Program Dates
Spring Semester 2020
| Application Deadline | October 15, 2019 |
| Arrival Date | January 10, 2020 |
| Mandatory Orientation | January 13–15, 2020 |
| Semester Begins | January 21, 2020 |
| Spring Break (University Closed) | March 9–13, 2020 |
| Final Exams | May 7–13, 2020 |
| Departure | May 14, 2020 |
Fall Semester 2020
| Application Deadline | April 15, 2020 |
| Arrival Date | August 27, 2020 |
| Mandatory Orientation | August 31 - September 2, 2020 |
| Semester Begins | September 8, 2020 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday (University Closed) | November 26–27, 2020 |
| Final Exams | December 17–23, 2020 |
| Departure | December 24, 2020 |
Note:
- Dates are subject to change.
- Some applicants may be asked to arrive before the date listed above if they require additional English testing or have other requirements.
- Late applications are considered on a space-available basis.
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Costs
2020–21 Semester Program Fees
| Program Fee | one semester, 12-16 credits | $12,600 |
| University Fees | mandatory | $934 |
| International Health Insurance | mandatory | $1,170 |
| Housing and Meals (estimate) | $1,346/month x 4 months | $5,384 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $20,088 |
Fees, dates, and activities are subject to change.
Exchange students should check with their home institution for tuition benefit details.
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Scholarships
GO Minnesota offers a limited number of scholarships to qualified students enrolled in its programs. Scholarship awards are granted on the strength of a student's essay. This scholarship is not based on merit or financial need.
Eligibility
You must be accepted into a GO Minnesota semester or academic year program.
Scholarship application and essay must be submitted by the deadline.
Essay Question
Applications will be evaluated based on how thoroughly you answer the following question:
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Your response must be 250–500 words.
Deadlines & Award Amounts
| Term | Amount | Deadline Date | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall semester 2020 | $1,000 | May 15, 2020 | by June 15, 2020 |
| Academic year 2020–21 | $2,500 | May 15, 2020 | by June 15, 2020 |
| Spring semester 2021 | $1,000 | November 15, 2020 | by December 15, 2020 |
Academic year recipients will receive half of the scholarship in the fall and half in the spring. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA to qualify for the spring disbursement.
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Housing
University Housing
You have three different University housing options to choose from. They are all located close to classroom buildings, libraries, shopping, and recreational areas. Residents may participate in social, educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities, and benefit from the services, skills, and time of a committed on-site staff.
Radius Apartments
Radius is one of the newest on-campus housing options.
- Apartment-style accommodations
- Full kitchen and living room
- Private or shared bedroom
- Located near Dinkytown
Yudof Hall
Yudof is one of the most conveniently located on-campus housing options.
- Apartment-style accommodations
- Kitchenette and living room
- Private or shared bedroom
- Located near Coffman Memorial Union and Boynton Health Center
Centennial Hall
Centennial Hall offers a traditional U.S. dormitory experience.
- Single, double, or 3-person suite
- Shared bathrooms
- Meals provided in dining halls
- Located near Stadium Village
Off-Campus
You also have the option of living off-campus, giving you the freedom of selecting your own housing while also being close to all of the action. The Off-Campus Living office provides useful information for finding housing, including things to consider when searching for off-campus housing.
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Internship Add-On
Complete your semester or academic year at the University of Minnesota with a customized internship in Toronto, Canada!
GO Minnesota has partnered with The Academic Internship Council (AIC) to provide our students with this unique two-country opportunity.
After your semester in Minnesota, you will intern full time, 4–5 days per week, in a project-based internship for 8 weeks or more (you get to decide!). The program design provides you with a comprehensive academic, professional, and cultural experience. At the end of the program you will receive a certificate of completion from GO Minnesota and The AIC.
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Apply
Deadlines
- Fall semester: April 15
- Spring semester: October 15
Start your application. Apply early to give extra time for visa processing.