Undergraduate

Full Application & Instructions

Ready to apply to a Hubbard School major? Here's what you need to do.

Remember, you are eligible to apply for major status, once you have:

  • Completed or enrolled in JOUR 1001, earning a grade of C- or higher
  • Completed 14 credits graded A-F

Note: Transfer courses need to be posted to your UMN record prior to Hubbard application review (submit final transcripts to UMN admissions to have coursework posted to your record). Check your APAS to verify transfer courses have been posted.

Please click on each step below and review all application information in detail before beginning. 

Contact Student Services, [email protected], if you have questions along the way! 

Step 1 - Respond to the application questions

The goal of these questions is to learn more about you, your interests in Hubbard School majors, and your career aspirations. Your responses will also serve as a writing sample for the admissions committee to assess your ability to think and write clearly. The committee will want to see that your interests in the major align with the course planning form you submit and correspond to the areas of study offered in the major.

Your name and student ID number should be placed at the upper right-hand corner. The online application will require the document to be in PDF format. Save the document as [Last name, first name, writing].

1. This part of the application requires you to edit a Microsoft Word document. If you do not have Microsoft Word, please download it to your computer for free from UMN IT. Alternatively, you can also use a UMN computer lab. 

2. Download the word document here:

 

Guidelines:
+ Be sure to write fully developed paragraphs in which you organize your thoughts. 
+ In addition, please make sure to proofread your submission by checking your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
+ It’s expected that you use your own voice and your own words and not artificially generated content.
+ To answer the first question, take a look at some of the areas you can study and professional areas in the journalism and strategic communication majors. 
+ Answer the two (or three, if applicable) following sets of questions.

    Step 2 - Complete a sample Major Program Plan

    Use the Major Program Plan to list the classes you will take to complete your major requirements and plan when you will take your courses. The Admissions Committee will review your plan to determine your attention to detail in choosing and scheduling your major courses, and your ability to complete the major requirements by the end of your senior year.

    Please review the following steps carefully. You can view a step-by-step video here. 

    1. This part of the application requires you to edit a Microsoft Word document. If you do not have Microsoft Word, please download it to your computer for free from UMN IT. Alternatively, you can also use a UMN computer lab. 

    2. Download the word document for your intended major from the list below:

     

     

    3. Follow the directions on both pages of the document.

    4. First, select your courses. Indicate the specific courses you will take to complete the various program requirements on the “Major Program Plan” page.

    5. Then, indicate which semester you will take each planned course by scheduling them on the “Major Program Timeline” page. 

    6. The online application will require your completed sample program plan to be in PDF format. Go to File, “Save As” and save as a PDF. Double check the PDF has your edits and label the file [Last name, first name, program plan]. 

    Tips: Be sure to pay attention to prerequisites, and check to make sure each class is offered during the semester you have it listed on your timeline. If you plan to study abroad, include that on your timeline as well.

    Keep in mind: The sample plan is a first draft. If you are admitted to the Hubbard School, you will work with our advising team to finalize an approved Major Program Plan as part of the declaration process. 

    Step 3 - Complete and submit the online application

    Complete the online application at the link below by April 26, 2024 at 1 p.m. All applications will be reviewed after this deadline. Admissions decisions will be made by mid May and admitted students will need to wait to register for majors-only courses until then.

    Note: you must be logged into your x500/umn account to access the application. 

    Hubbard School Major Application

    Your application will not be considered complete until you submit the online application with all required documents before the deadline. 

    • Online application
    • Writing Questions - PDF upload to application (Document should be saved as “Last name, first name, writing”)
    • Program Plan - PDF upload to application (Document should be saved as “Last name, first name, program plan”)

    Student Services will attach your grade report to your application. This report will include details of all the classes you have taken and the grade you received in each class. If you are a transfer student, your grades from previous institutions will also be visible.

    How your application is reviewed

    The admissions committee will conduct a holistic review of each application. Although there are no minimum standards for admission, the committee is looking for students to meet threshold expectations in most of the following areas of the application:

    • GPA: The committee is looking for a GPA of 3.0 or higher but will consider a GPA below 3.0 if other application materials demonstrate the applicant has the potential to be successful in the major. The student course report for students below a 3.0 GPA will be reviewed and the types of classes in which students succeeded and the general trend of academic success will be considered.
    • Writing Questions: The admissions committee is looking for a well-written responses that clearly and concisely answer the prompts.
    • Program Plan: The admissions committee is looking for a fully completed, thoughtful, and accurate program plan. 

    Once the committee has reviewed all applications, applicants will be notified of the committee's decision and any next steps via email. Applicants are notified two to three weeks after the application deadline.


     

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