My GPA UW is a 3.72 with an upward trend. However, this junior year my GPA slipped in the second trimester due to a death in my family. Will Michigan see this or will it raise red flags? I had a 3.8, 3.2, then 4.0 respectively.
My sat score is a 1360 (610 reading, 750 math) but I’m retaking hoping to get 1450 + next week.
My course rigor is hard, especially junior year: AP Micro/Macro, Computer science, Lang and comp, AP stats, AP Calc AB, AP environmental, All honors math and Spanish IV, Engineering magnet
Activities:
DECA state competitor (4 years)
Varsity Swimming ( 4 yrs)
Shift leader at a local sandwich shop (1 year)
Student councel(1 yr)
Internship at local start up downtown(summer)
Volunteer(100+ hours)
NHS (1yr)
Club swim for 12 yrs
I think my supplemental essays will be good because I have lived in Ann Arbor my whole life and think I have a good essays
I’m also a URM
A great letter of rec from the counselor, Intern boss, and Stem teacher
Do I have a chance of getting in? Michigan is my dream school
Being instate yes but get that Sat up. You can explain your drop on the application. Keep your grades up since they will want your midterm grades. Apply early and know that like everyone gets deferred…
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/freshmen-applicants/student-profile
I think you have a legitimate chance.
With that said, UM do not admit many student from the EA round, so be prepared to be deferred, which isnt necessarily game over compare to other institutions.
Last SAT available before EA deadline is Sept, so study study study. Research study tips and really work yourself. Try to hit high 1400s and you should feel good about yourself. BTW dont need the writing part any more.
Good luck.
How do I explain it though? Will AO’s consider this or will they not care
They care. Death in family is a legit excuse. Just how much the person meant to you and you you didn’t realize how much it affected you academically. You learned from it and will be in a better place to handle something like this in the future. Also… Sorry for your loss.
Reach out to your regional school assigned counselor today and ask the same question. This gives them a chance to know who you are and it’s a great mature question.
Ask your guidance counselor to include the death in your family in his/her LOR.
The stats might be a little below average for Michigan, but certainly worth applying. Retaking the SAT could certainly help. You look solid for Michigan State, though.
If you are from Ann Arbor, the public high schools around there are very competitive in terms of students who want in at UofM. Like you, most kids grow up thinking that one day they would go there. As a result, they get more applications per high school in your area compared to others around the state - so your stiffest competition may be your own classmates.
Although they say they don’t use rank, make sure to get yourself in the top 5% (if not 3%) of your class. Check your Naiviance report to see what level/qualifications those selected in prior years achieved to earn admission acceptance.
Best of luck!