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What are Colleges Looking for?

Things to Consider When Registering

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Academic Factors

  • Coursework through high school graduation
    • (Admitted students typically exceed the University's high school requirements - see next slide)
  • Grades in academic coursework
  • Class rank/Grade Point Average
  • Rigor of academic curriculum based on what is available in the high school (including enrollment in honors, AP, IB, or college-level courses when available)
  • ACT or SAT scores
    • (Submitting an ACT/SAT score is not required for 2021 applicants. Check with specific colleges for 2022 and beyond
  • Applicant's academic interests
    • (Some colleges review a student's academic preparation related to the major/college for which they are seeking admission)

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Andover High School Minimum Requirements

*The most competitive applicants are go complete 4 years of Math, 4 years of Science and 2 (or more) years of a single foreign language.

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Context Factors

Individual circumstances are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application. Enrolling a diverse student body—with students bringing differing experiences, talents, and perspectives to their scholarly community—is essential to achieving the development outcomes of many colleges and universities.

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  • Outstanding talent, achievement, or aptitude in a particular area
  • Strong commitment to community service and leadership
  • Military service
  • Contribution to the cultural, gender, age, economic, racial, or geographic diversity of the student body
  • Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement
  • First-generation college student
  • Significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity
  • Personal or extenuating circumstances
  • Information received in open-ended questions

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Average GPA and ACT for accepted students from Andover HS

School

Average GPA

*accepted students

Average ACT

*accepted students

Anoka-Ramsey CC

2.90

21

University of MN, TC

3.89

29

University of MN, Duluth

3.47

24

MN State University, Mankato

3.36

22

Winona State University

3.4

23

North Dakota State University

3.37

24

University of St. Thomas

3.68

27

St. Cloud State University

3.21

22

Bemidji State University

3.2

22

University of North Dakota

3.38

24

School

Average GPA

*accepted students

Average ACT

*accepted students

University of WI, Madison

4.03

30

University of WI, Eau Claire

3.61

24

University of WI, Stout

3.24

22

University of WI, River Falls

3.36

23

College of St. Scholastica

3.5

24

Bethel University

3.46

24

Iowa State University

3.68

26

Gustavus Adolphus College

3.19

27

Concordia College - Moorhead

3.71

26

Anoka Technical College

2.66

19