PSEO Appeal Process

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MinnState) has set the admission
requirements for participants in all MinnState Post Secondary Education Options (PSEO) programs. To be eligible, students should meet the following requirements:

• Juniors are required to be in the top third of their class, or score at or above the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test.
• Seniors are required to be in the top half of their class, or score at or above the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test.

There is a provision allowing for individualized reviews of students who are close, but do not quite meet these standards. Each appeal will be reviewed carefully and on occasion, an exception may be made.

To appeal you will need to do the following:

1. Apply for admission to SMSU.  You can apply online by clicking here or you can download the Application for Admission (PDF) and submit it to the Office of Admission.  PSEO students are not required to pay the $20 application fee.

2. Submit a letter formally requesting a waiver. This letter should:

• include information on why you do not meet the requirements (ex. you were ill and absent for a significant period of time the previous year.)
• explain what specific steps you have taken to improve your class rank
• detail which course(s) you are interested in taking as a PSEO student and how you expect to be successful in the course(s) if you are admitted
• be dated and signed

It is strongly recommended that you review your letter with a teacher or counselor.

3. Ask a teacher and/or counselor to submit a letter of recommendation. This recommendation should include specific information assessing your ability to complete the course(s) successfully.

4. Ask the Guidance Office to send the above mentioned letters to: