The admissions policy for each college differs, but you can get an idea of how selective the process is by the type of school you’re considering.
| Admission policy | Type of school | Typical ACT composite score | Typical SAT I combined score |
| Open – All high school graduates or GED holders are accepted until the school’s enrollment capacity is reached. | All public two-year community and technical colleges and some private career schools in Minnesota. | None Required | None Required |
| Liberal – While most two-year colleges will accept any student with a high school diploma (or GED), some popular or difficult programs within those colleges are more selective. | Some programs within public two-year community and technical colleges and some private career schools in Minnesota. | 18 or higher | New SAT comparison numbers will not be available until Spring 2008 |
| Traditional – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 50 percent of their high school graduating class. | Some public universities and some private colleges and universities. | 21 or higher | |
| Selective – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class. | Some public colleges and universities and some private colleges and universities. Some specific programs at schools. | 23 or higher | |
| Highly selective – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. | Elite public and private colleges and universities. | 27 or higher | |
| Highest possible score: 36 | Highest possible score: 2400 |
Talk with the admissions office of the colleges you want to attend to learn more about specific admissions requirements and exception policies.