<p>Four year sports, summer volunteering stuff, nothing special. White male.</p>
<p>Probably not, GPA is far more important to Michigan than test scores. The only chance you have is to have amazing recs and essays along with a 4.0 this semester taking 4 AP classes. Even then its a long shot.</p>
<p>Nope
gpa too low</p>
<p>While your 3.4 is a bit low, with your 31 ACT you have a shot. Here is a link to UM’s Common Data Set for 2010-11:</p>
<p><a href=“Office of Budget and Planning”>Office of Budget and Planning;
<p>Got to page 5 & 6 and you’ll see the stats for admitted freshman for that year. Your 31 ACT is in the “middle 50%” of admitted students range of 27-31. However only 10.4% of admitted freshman had a GPA below 3.5. But not all GPAs are created equal. What is the relative quality of your high school to others in your area? Did you challenge yourself and take a hard curriculum which could explain a lower GPA? Here is another link you might find helpful. It’s the rating sheet UM Admissions uses to evaluate candidates:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.admissions.umich.edu/prospective/prospectivefreshmen/Template_Rating_Sheet-REV2009-10.pdf[/url]”>http://www.admissions.umich.edu/prospective/prospectivefreshmen/Template_Rating_Sheet-REV2009-10.pdf</a></p>
<p>Here are some tips to give yourself your best chance:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>As you prepare your application keep in mind what UM looks for based on the info from their evaluation sheet. </p></li>
<li><p>Make sure your application is complete and accurate. Make sure all test scores have been sent to UM. Work hard on your common app and UM supplement essays.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure the teacher you ask for a recommendation will write a strong one. Rather than just ask," Mr Kline, will you write a letter of recommendation for me?" ; say something like,“Mr Kline, would you be willing to write a strong, positive recommendation for me?” If the answer is no, this gives the teacher a tactful out and you can ask somebody else.</p></li>
<li><p>Most important, apply by the early action deadline of 11/1. With their move to the common app last year UM received almost 40,000 applications. At the UM info event I took my son to the admission counselor stressed that you have better chances if you’re at the front of the line. Also if you apply early action by 11/1 you’ll get an answer by 12/23, giving you some time to find a plan B. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>huxley, where did you find this? I’ve been looking for this for so long and could never find it. It’s just so useful.</p>
<p>Thanks huxley,</p>
<p>I’ve taken all honors/AP math/science/history/english courses through 10/11th grade. At the end of my senior year I’ll have completed 5 AP classes, two in senior year, two in Junior, and one sophomore. Two 4’s and one 3. </p>
<p>Senior year I went a little easy and only taking AP math and social studies, as a way to increase my GPA. </p>
<p>I dont think Ill get good teacher recs, as I was never really a stand out student.</p>
<p>@Huxley do you know what if “academically disadvantaged school” is usually a good thing or a bad thing? </p>
<p>I go to an academically/economically disadvantaged school, but if my SAT and GPA are on par, will it make my chances higher or lower?</p>
<p>SAT100- It’s an advantage. Michigan is looking to get students from those schools as a way to “diversify”. Students admitted from disadvantaged schools generally have lower stats than students from other types of schools but generally perform much better than their peers. If your SAT and GPA are on par with non-disadvantaged students and you’re from a disadvantaged school, you are almost guaranteed to get in.</p>
<p>Well in that case Im screwed, because my HS is one of the top 10 schools in Michigan</p>
<p>@anthony thanks for the quick response, I am so happy atm 
My schools sat average is probably sub 1300 and it didn’t meet ayp last year so it definitely fits into that category. I generally thought my school would be my breaking point but I am glad to know it may just be my biggest advantage.</p>
<p>anthony:</p>
<p>I found it be using the search window for “common data set” and “Freshman Application Rating Sheet” on the first page of [University</a> of Michigan](<a href=“http://www.umich.edu%5DUniversity”>http://www.umich.edu).</p>
<p>SAT100 and cristopher:</p>
<p>Regarding the quality of high school. You have to do what you can in your application to position yourself as strongly as possible. This is like marketing a product and YOU are the product. Coming from either a good school or bad school can be postioned to your advantage:</p>
<p>Good school: “I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a demanding, high quality high school that expects the best from its students. I’ve been challenged and have learned and grown so much. The competition level is very high but I believe I’ve held my own and look forward to new challenges once I enter college.”</p>
<p>Bad school: “My high school has been somewhat difficult for me as my school district has fallen on hard times. We’ve had many budget cuts and resources are spread pretty thin. I’ve done my best to maintain a positive attitude and have worked hard within the parameters I’ve found myself in. I hope to make the best of my situation and look forward to enhancing my education once I get to college.”</p>
<p>cristopher:</p>
<p>Regarding teachers rec’s; you may be surprised. Even if you’re not a stand out few teachers will decline a request for help. </p>
<p>If you have a teacher you feel comfortable confiding in don’t be shy about being candid, “Mr. Kline, I’m very interested in going to U of M, but I think my GPA might be a bit low, I could really use a great application, can you help me?”</p>
<p>^also remember, Christopher, that if your school is very strong, that can also boost you a little. Make an appt with you guidance counsellor right away and ask for the naviance data re how many apply to umich, their gpa, and admit rate specific to YOUR school-- that will give you better guidance. I don’t want to discourage you, but I will say you’d be in a better position with a 3.4 if the gpa was the result of some circumstance that was difficult o overcome, such as family illness and a need to work, or extraordinary ec participation, or overciming a learning disability. Another thing that might improve your long odds would be to explain,
Not excuse, your performance and offer a strategy for performing at a higher level.</p>
<p>Ps I know two students locally who weren’t able to get in Freshman year. They went to the local cc, and both were accepted as juniors this year. They’ll be getting umich degrees for about half the price – always a nice option!</p>
<p>Cristopher, I know a couple kids from a top-10 in-state HS with similar stats to yours that got in. Teacher rec’s average, gpa just a little higher than yours. UM really values AP’s. IMO you have a shot. Apply early.</p>