Chances at University of Michigan (College of Engineering)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am a PA resident looking to get into the College of Engineering

GPA: 4.0 (all A’s essentially)

Courses:

Freshman Year: Accelerated Alg. II, Honors Bio, Acc English 9, Acc US History 9, Computer Programming I, Intro to Drafting/CADD, German II

Sophomore Year: Accelerated Geometry, Honors Chem, Acc English 10, Acc US History 10, Intro to Java, Advanced CADD, German III

Junior Year: Elementary Functions, AP Chemistry, AP Physics I, Acc English 11, AP US, AP Computer Science, German IV

Senior Year (Current): AP Physics II, AP Calculus AB, AP English Lit and Comp, AP Euro, German V

That’s about almost all the hardest classes I can take at my high school.

Extracurriculars:

Cross country (captain for senior year)
Track and Field
National Honors Society
School Improvement Program.
TEAM+S (math and science competition)

SAT
1600
Math: 530
Reading 530
Writing:540

Class rank: 2/196

I have good teacher recommendations and I’m going to get a guidance couselor one, the only thing I feel that’s holding me back is my SAT score (I only took it once and I’m going for a retake, plus I’m taking the ACT as well this fall)

2

Why is there such a drop in your SAT considering your superb GPA? I would say reach. You are OOS and that SAT score would really look bad on your application.

3

Your SAT is too low, average admitted in 2014 was 1430 (E+M) and you have 1060. As an OOS student, you must have stats above average (slightly more relaxed standard for in-state) ACT range is 32-35, and most importantly, have a very high math sub-score. Engineering does not use the writing subscore. Try to score at or about the 75th percentile.

Did you take the SAT II subject tests? You should have taken math 2 and another science one (typically physics or chemistry).

I expect you will do much better on the ACT than SAT. My son, who also is applying to CoE and i s a science/math type, scored 4 percentile ranks higher on the ACT than the SAT.

Michigan values GPA above SAT/ACT but your current SAT score would raise a flag. CoE is the 2nd most difficult college to be admitted to at UM. Otherwise you look like a great candidate.

Aim for an ACT composite of 34 and math of 34-36.

4

Your SAT score suggests your school has inflated grades. Even with GPA 4.0, your chance at UMich would be very low unless you can bring up your SAT drastically or get a solid ACT score. Your current SAT is just around the national average while UMich, particularly CoE, is among the top 1% school in the country. The mid 50 SAT of 2014 enrolled freshmen is 2020-2210 for CoE. You need to bring it up 600 points for a decent chance from OOS.

5

The GPA of 4.0 is unweighted, my weighted for my school is weird like mine weighted is 5.493. I understand what your saying about grade inflation and how a 4.0 from my school doesn’t compare with others. I just figured my chances are good because I took the most rigorous stuff from my high school, I’m ranked 2nd and that if I got my SAT up to around 1900 or 2000 I would have a really good chance, plus essays really matter so I gotta focus on those as well. I thought GPA took precedence over standardized test scores and that if my SAT or ACT is within range at the very least my GPA would say more in this situation.

6

Even if you get 2000 in SAT, it is still below the 25th percentile of UMich. For OOS applicant, aim at 2200+ in SAT or 1500 in CR+M or 34+ in ACT.