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PRE@Mac

June 24-27, 2025
Your launchpad to college: we want to help you get there.

THE 2025 APPLICATION AND NOMINATION FORM WILL OPEN ON MARCH 1.

PRE@Mac is a free residential immersion into the college experience for Minnesota high school students graduating in 2026 or 2027. We’re looking for bright, motivated high school students with identities traditionally underrepresented in higher education. We’ll introduce you to the tools necessary to navigate a successful college search and application process that will set you up to thrive at your college home.

Contact [email protected] if you have questions about the program.

Sample of Past Sessions

ACADEMICCAMPUS RESOURCESCOLLEGE ADMISSIONS
The Liberal Arts: An Interdependent Learning Experience

Sample classes with Macalester faculty		Get In Formation: Your Story, Identity, and Sense of Belonging

College to Career: How a College Education Helps Land a “Good Job”		Navigating the College Admissions Process

College Essay Writing Workshop

An Inside Look: Mock Admissions Committee

Plus, As a PRE@Mac Scholar, you’ll live in a campus residential hall like a college student and be mentored by Macalester students!

Application Requirements

  • Completed application form
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcript

FAQ

  • When and where does PRE@Mac take place?

    PRE@Mac 2025 is an in-person program held at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.
  • Who is it for?

    PRE@Mac is for Minnesota high school students graduating in 2026 or 2027 who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC).

  • What does it cost to attend Pre@Mac?

    PRE@Mac is 100% free to apply and attend for all participants.

  • What tools do I need?

    We will provide you with a list of supplies you’ll need to bring, and a list of the items supplied by Macalester.
  • Will I have a roommate?

    Traditionally, participants will share a room in one of Mac’s residence halls with another program participant. You will be matched based on gender identity. 
  • Does Cafe Mac accommodate dietary restrictions?

    Yes! Cafe Mac provides vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at all meals and we will work with our dining facilities regarding food allergies.
  • How do I apply?

    Nomination and application forms open in March. Interested students should apply by using the Apply Now button found here when the application period is open. In addition to the form, you need to send in one letter of recommendation written by someone from your high school (such as a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal) or a college access advisor who can speak to both your academic ability and your involvement/responsibilities outside of school.

    You do not have to be nominated to apply.
  • How do I know if I am selected to participate?

    All applicants will be notified by email in mid-May.
  • Can my parents attend?

    We invite the people supporting you through the college admissions process to attend the closing financial aid session.
  • Do I have to sign something promising I’ll go to Macalester for college afterward?

    We certainly hope you’ll come to love Mac as much as we do, but this is about helping you find the college option that’s right for you—even if that’s not us.
  • Will there be bagpipes at this?

    There might be bagpipes.

Still curious? Send questions to multiculturalrecruitment@macalester.edu—we’d love to hear from you!