For Motivated High School Juniors and Seniors

The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (U of M) allows motivated high school juniors and seniors to take classes at the University for both high school and college credit. Tuition, course fees, and required textbooks are provided at no cost to the student.

  • 1,600 Applicants per year
  • 3.93 Average unweighted GPA of admitted students
  • 45% Students who apply to U of M PSEO are admitted

Is PSEO the Right Choice for You?

Attending PSEO at the U of M is exciting, but it’s also a major change compared to high school. We recommend conducting a self assessment to be sure PSEO is the right choice for you. If all of the descriptors below resonate with you, then you’re a great candidate for PSEO! Your next step is to apply.

Are You Proactive in Your Education?

  • There are three main qualities every PSEO student should have: an independent learning style, good time management skills, and willingness to seek help when it’s needed.
  • U of M PSEO students actively use peer tutoring services, the writing center, and instructor office hours to excel in PSEO.

Do You Have a Proven Track Record of Academic Success?

  • Admitted PSEO students have usually pursued the most rigorous high school courses available to them.
  • Grades earned in PSEO will remain on your U of M college transcript and can impact freshman admission to college.

Do You Fully Commit to Academic Priorities? 

  • The U of M does not consider high school activities, such as band and sports, to be excusable activities. If these commitments conflict with an exam in a U of M class, instructors may not accommodate you.
  • The amount of outside work required in PSEO classes and significant commute times can make time management challenging.
  • Juggling your high school and PSEO courses can be tricky. Carefully consider your course load and extracurricular activities, and prepare for the investment.

To better understand your responsibilities as a PSEO student, read the PSEO Student Expectations Agreement.

Application Timeline | 2025−26

There is one application period per school year.

* PSEO orientation takes place online and is self-paced. There are no required on-campus orientation events. Orientation information will be provided to students upon admission to the program. Students who complete summer orientation may choose to defer their enrollment until the spring semester.

Eligibility

To be eligible for PSEO, students must meet the Minnesota Department of Education criteria that is detailed in the section titled Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Reference Guide. The following is a brief overview of the eligibility criteria:

Grade

  • PSEO is open to 11th and 12th grade students.

High School GPA 

  • 3.600 (unweighted) for general PSEO or World Languages options 
  • 2.000 (unweighted) for American Indian Studies or School of Music options 
  • Exceptions are granted for international or no-GPA high schools

Minnesota Residency

Free Period or Study Hall

  • Public school students must have a high school free period or study hall during the day.

International Students

  • Students who hold J–1, J–2, F–1, F–2, or B visas are not eligible to participate in PSEO.

Age

  • Age 15 and under: If your birth date is on or after May 14, 2010, review the U of M policy regarding minors enrolled in classes prior to applying.
  • Age 21: If you are 21, consult the Minnesota Department of Education's School Attendance Age Limitations to confirm if you are eligible prior to applying. 

Four Admissions Options

You may choose from four admissions options and will be asked to indicate your preference on the PSEO application. All students who complete an application and have a GPA of 3.600 or above, will also be considered for the general PSEO program.

Application

Request a PSEO Application

Application Period Opens: February 17
Application Deadline: April 15

Step 1: Gather and Complete Your Required Application Documents

High School Transcript

  • Your transcript must contain your grades from 9th grade through the current school year. If grades from the current school year are not on the transcript, a report card or grade report is also required.
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
  • If using Parchment or another transcript service, send the transcript to yourself before uploading it to your online application.

College Transcripts (if applicable)

  • Transcripts are required if you have received grades for college courses taken outside of your high school.
  • Transcripts are not required for U of M courses or concurrent enrollment courses taken at your high school.
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
  • If using Parchment or another transcript service, send the transcript to yourself before uploading it to your online application.
     

Step 2: Request a PSEO Application

  • Applications will be available starting February 17.
  • Upon receiving your request, a link to your application will be sent to your email address.
  • Minnesota public school students: You will need your 13-digit MARSS number to request an application. This number is provided by your high school counselor and will appear in the “Public Student SSID Number” field of your Post-Secondary Notice of Student Registration Form (2025–26).

Step 3: Submit Your Materials

Upload Required Application Documents

  • Using the application link sent to your email address, upload your required documents and submit your application by the April 15 deadline.
  • If a high school official has agreed to submit documents on your behalf, indicate this in your application. When you submit your application, an email request will be sent to your high school official asking them to upload the documents for your application.
  • If you are having issues uploading your application documents, you may send the required application documents via email to [email protected].
  • For information about late and incomplete applications, see Frequently Asked Questions.

Watch for Confirmation Email

  • You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been reviewed for completeness. This process takes several business days. Please allow extra processing time in the last two weeks before the application deadline.
  • Admission decisions will be sent by May 22.

Apply to Multiple PSEO Programs

Class seating availability for PSEO students is on a space-available basis. We cannot guarantee seating.

Given the competitive admissions process and the challenge of accessing these courses, we encourage you to apply to multiple PSEO programs to broaden your options. Admitted students have the opportunity to take courses from multiple PSEO programs within the same term.

It's important to note that the U of M Twin Cities does not offer on-campus housing. If you're interested in a residential experience, you might want to explore programs at U of M Crookston or U of M Morris. Both offer online PSEO courses and the ability to live on campus to attend classes. Students must attend classes full-time to live on the Morris or Crookston campuses, and must pay for their room and board. 

You may also want to consider local options such as Augsburg University, our neighboring institution.

Courses

Selecting Your Courses

Courses are offered on campus or online. You can attend full-time (3–4 classes per semester) or part-time (1–2 classes per semester).

New PSEO students register for courses in July. You will get support and guidance from your PSEO academic advisor before you register.

PSEO students select specific courses for a variety of reasons, and depending on which requirements they hope to fulfill. The most common types are: high school graduation, college liberal education, and/or college major and future career requirements.

High School Graduation Requirements

One 4-credit U of M course is generally equivalent to a one-year course at the high school. Work closely with your high school counselor to make sure you fulfill your graduation requirements. See the PSEO Student Handbook for a list of courses that meet high school graduation requirements.

U of M Liberal Education (or “General”) Requirements

Liberal education requirements are courses that every U of M undergraduate must complete, no matter what major they pursue. Review the list of courses that fulfill liberal education requirements.

U of M Major and Career Requirements

College students eventually choose a major or academic area of focus, and credits earned in PSEO may be used to fulfill the course requirements for specific majors. Review which courses fulfill requirements for majors, such as computer science, business, and design, among others.

PSEO credits may also fulfill admissions requirements for graduate-level programs you may want to explore or pursue after earning your undergraduate degree, such as medicine, pharmacy, or law. Learn more about these programs and careers.


Course Availability

Seating in classes is available on a space-available basis. We cannot guarantee seating for PSEO students.

It is especially difficult for new PSEO students to enroll in the following:

  • Online courses, particularly those that satisfy high school requirements such as economics, English, or math
  • English courses, for example, Composition, Introduction to Literature, and Creative Writing

Information Sessions and Tours

Virtual Information Sessions

We invite you and your family to our virtual information sessions. PSEO advisors will provide an overview of the U of M Twin Cities PSEO program and discuss how and when to apply for the 2025–26 academic year. You will also hear from a panel of current PSEO students. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

Upcoming Sessions

Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Register for February 19 Session
 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Register for March 26 Session
 

High School Visits

PSEO staff members are available to attend high school events to share information about the U of M PSEO program with students, parents, and guardians. To request a visit, please contact us at 612-626-1666 or [email protected].

Campus Tours

The Office of Admissions offers campus tours for students who are interested in attending the U of M as freshmen. If you would like to schedule a visit, sign up for a General Admission session.

Questions?

PSEO staff members are available to answer any additional questions you may have.

Feel free to also reach out to some of our students in the PSEO Student Association ([email protected]) to learn about their experience in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 9th and 10th graders eligible to apply to PSEO at the U of M? 

No. PSEO law does not cover 9th graders, and PSEO for 10th graders is not offered at the U of M. Visit the Minnesota Department of Education website to see a list of schools that offer PSEO for 10th graders

What is the minimum high school GPA to apply?

For general PSEO or the World Languages option, the minimum GPA is 3.600 (unweighted). For the American Indian Studies or School of Music options, the minimum GPA is 2.000 (unweighted). There are exceptions for international or no-GPA high schools. Contact PSEO if you have questions.

Is PSEO free for students?

Tuition, course fees, and required textbooks are provided at no cost to the student. Transportation and parking are not included, and these costs vary. Students whose families are at or below the federal poverty level may request some transportation reimbursement to participate in PSEO courses on campus.

What courses are offered? Are online courses available?

The U of M offers hundreds of courses, including those on-campus and some online. Visit Courses for detailed information. 

How many courses do PSEO students typically take each semester?

Full-time students take 3–4 courses per semester; part-time students take 1–2 courses per semester.

Will my U of M course credits transfer to other colleges and universities?

Accepting transfer credits is a decision that is made by the individual college or university. Check with the institution(s) you are interested in to learn about their transfer credit policy. Visit the PSEO Student Handbook to learn more about transferring credits.

When can I apply for PSEO? When are admission decisions made?

The annual application period opens February 17, 2025.

The application deadline is April 15, 2025.

Admissions decisions are made by May 22, 2025.

Is there a separate application for spring term?

There is no separate, spring-only application or admissions cycle. Students who are admitted to PSEO are eligible for both fall and spring classes. Admitted juniors may continue their senior year without reapplying.

What factors are considered for PSEO admission?

Applications to the U of M Twin Cities PSEO program are evaluated on a holistic basis. Approximately 45% of applicants are admitted to the program. As a result, we are unfortunately unable to admit many well-qualified students. Seniors have a greater chance of being admitted than juniors. 

Primary Admission Considerations
  • GPA: The average unweighted GPA of an admitted student is 3.93.
  • Rigor of courses: Honors, accelerated, advanced, enriched, concurrent enrollment, AP, IB, PLTW, other PSEO courses, and the grades earned in those courses
  • Class rank: If available
Secondary Considerations
  • Grade trends
  • Extenuating circumstances affecting grades (e.g., illness): If you have experienced extenuating circumstances that caused a temporary downtrend in your academic performance or impacted your ability to take more rigorous courses, you will have the opportunity to share that information on your application. The minimum application requirements (e.g., GPA) still apply. 
Not Considered
  • College entrance exam scores: ACT, SAT, PSAT, etc.
  • Standardized test scores
  • AP, IB, or other exam scores
  • Résumés
  • Letters of recommendation: Except when required for application to the American Indian Studies option

What if my application documents are submitted after the deadline?

Students must request an application (Step 2) by April 15. For applications requested by April 15, late application documents and corrections may be submitted through May 1.

What if my application is incomplete or unsigned?

Be sure all forms include the required signatures. Forms missing required information or signatures will not be accepted.

How do I complete the PSEO Notice of Student Registration (NOSR) form if I’m changing schools?

If you are a Minnesota student changing to a public or private school, your current high school should complete the NOSR form. We will contact you before the start of fall semester to request a form signed by your new school.

If you are an out-of-state student moving to Minnesota, complete only part 1 of the NOSR form. We will contact you before the start of fall semester to request a form signed by your new school.

If you are a student enrolling in home school for fall, your homeschooling authority (parent/guardian) will complete and sign part 2 of the NOSR form. All fields in part 2 are required except the "Public Student SSID Number," which may be left blank.

Is housing available?

There is no on-campus housing available to PSEO students at the U of M Twin Cities. Some programs with a housing option include U of M CrookstonU of M Morris, and Augsburg University.

Current Student Resources

Current PSEO students and high school counselors can find more information and resources below:

PSEO Mission

PSEO empowers motivated high school students to earn college credit while completing their high school education. We provide comprehensive student services and access to resources in order to help students save time, explore their academic, personal, and career goals, and prepare for postsecondary success.

Other Important Links