Chance Me- University of Michigan

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

CHANCE ME: College of Engineering, 2023 EA, Freshman, 3.9, 29, Ohio

Unweighted GPA: 3.9

SAT/ACT total/composite (do not “superscore”, list the total/composite for each sitting): 29 E:24 M:27 R:29 S:34
28 E:25 M:24 R:35 S:27

Highest ACT Math: 27

Highest ACT Reading: 35

Highest ACT Science: 34

Honors/AP/IB/Dual Enrollment Coursework by Year:
9th: Honors Physical Science
10th: Honors bio, Honors Geometry, Honors Alg. 2, Honors English 10, DE American History
11th: Honors precalc (had to retake, please see note at bottom), AP physics 1 (dropped), DE government, De digital design, AP computer science

12th: DE Econ, DE ENGL 1100, AP Chemistry
Level of Rigor for your coursework when compared to you HS peers (1-5, with 5 being most rigorous): 4

In-State/Out-of-State/International (specify your state/country if you are not a Michigan resident): OOS, Ohio

Extra/Co-curricular Activities and Leadership Positions + Accomplishments/Awards/Recognitions:

Science Fair (Worked with professionals, solved a problem, made an engineering product related to biomedical engineering)

AspireIT program Leader (Taught CS and engineering to local middle school girls through a grant; was in charge of EVERYTHING)

MAGIC Mentorship with CS Professor from X University (Made an app, presented it in California to professionals, worked with a CS professor from a top school)

Robotics
(Made software for robot, worked on electrical components.)

Internship at local software company (Learned languages, made internal app.)

Diversity Confrence (Spoke about importance of diversity in STEM)

Various Hackathons (group leader, pretty self explanatory)

Other Awards/Recognitions:

Intel ISEF finalist, earned a scholarship from University of Arizona

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing National Honorable Mention

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Ohio Winner

District + State Science Fair superior rating

School/College applying to: College of Engineering

Intended Program/Major: Computer Science and Engineering

Quality of College Counselor Recommendation (1-10, with 10 being highest): 8, my pervious guidance consoler left my senior year, so I had a new one. New GC said my schedule was rigorous and that I was a strong applicant for the University of Michigan. She thinks that my other accomplishments will outweigh my tests scores/circumstances that went on junior year.

Quality of Other Recommendation Letters: (1-10, with 10 being highest): 10, my GC read the letters and told me that they were AWESOME.

Quality of Essays (based on feedback from teachers, trusted people who are either great writers or who have been admitted to a selective University) (1-10, with 10 being highest): 7-8, I didn’t really have many people review them. I know my why UMich essay was really strong, in my other essays I tried to highlight aspects of my personality as well as thinks that excited me.

Hooks/Special Situations (race does not typically matter @ Michigan): Legally blind, Female in CS, Low income

Other Notes: In my junior year I got behind in my classes (eyes tried) because of ACT testing. My gudaince consoler mentioned this in her LOR. I got behind especially in the sequential STEM courses. She specifically talked about my math course in the LOR; I got an A retaking it in the summer. In my first two years I had a 4.0, my junior year I got a 3.7 with two Bs.

2

I think this is a high reach for you. That 27 math composite is very, very low for Michigan engineering. OOS admission has become very very competitive. You have great ECs but I don’t think they are going to overcome the ACT.

3

@momofsenior1 Yes, I am aware. When I went to the admissions tour two years ago, they said not to apply to Michigan engineering with a math ACT below 28. Although I felt like if I applied LSA, it wouldn’t make sense given my ECs, even though they have CS in LSA.

So you’re basically saying it’s very unlikely just given my math ACT?

4

Michigan only “considers” ECs in their application process per the common data set which is what stands out to me with what you shared. GPA and course rigor are most important. Standardized test scores are listed as “important”.

I agree with you that applying to LSA doesn’t make sense with your interests.

It’s obviously worth a try to apply but have match and safety schools on your list.

FWIW, UMich was brutal in terms of admission at my daughter’s school last year (also in OH). Naviance data said she was a shoe in for admission as everyone with stats even lower than hers were admitted in years past. She ended up being wait listed, as was her school’s valedictorian, who had a 36 ACT. They both visited, had HAIL interviews, and showed lots of interest.

5

@momofsenior1 Wow, that is pretty brutal.

I’m curious - Did she end up at OSU? U Mich and OSU are pretty comparable.

6

No, she’s in the honors college at Purdue. She didn’t apply to OSU. (We moved out of state after she graduated).

7

@momofsenior1 Ahh. I would apply to Purdue, but they apparently don’t give much financial aid to OOS students so I wouldn’t be able to attend even if I got admitted.

My mom keeps pushing me to apply there, though.

8

Yes, Purdue isn’t great about aid. Smart to focus on schools that fit in the budget!

Note that the application deadline to qualify for merit awards at Purdue has already passed.