Chances for Reg. Decision?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>Hi,
So I really am interested in going to University of Michigan but I know it's probably a reach. But still, do I even have a chance? Should I bother applying??
I live in Los Angeles, CA and go to a reputable high school
Planning to Major in Biological Sciences, go to medical school, and ultimately become a doctor.</p>

<p>GPA (not the best...) 9-12: Weighted: 3.730. Unweighted: 3.46 Weighted 10-12 (UC/CSU GPA): 4.0. Unweighted: 3.67
Rank: Within the 18%
SAT: 2030-- 670 Math, 630 Critical Reading, 730 Writing
Subject Tests: 720 US History, 660 Math 2
APs- APUSH:5, AP Eng Language:4, AP Euro:3</p>

<p>Freshmen Year:
Honors Bio
English
Spanish 1
Geometry
Media Arts</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
Honors Eng 10
AP European History
Chem
Spanish 2
Algebra 2</p>

<p>Junior Year:
AP US History
AP English Language
Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry
Spanish 3
Physiology and Anatomy
ASB (Student Government)</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP Government & Economics (AP Econ not offered at school)
AP Spanish Language
AP English Literature
AP Calculus AB
ASB
Physics</p>

<p>Awards/Honors (not majorly important):
• RUHS Principal’s Honor Roll (12, 11, 10)—4.0 GPA or better
• California Scholarship Federation (CSF) (12, 11, 10)
• CSF Gold Sealbearer—Was in CSF for at least six semesters
• Academic Letter and Pin–3.5 GPA or better for six semesters (12, 11)
• President’s Award for Educational Achievement (11)
• AP Scholar (12)
• National Spanish Honor Society (12)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/Community Service:
• Associated Student Body (ASB) (12, 11)
Senior Year: ASB/Senior Historian
• Middle Eastern Club (12, 11, 10)
− Senior Year: Co-President
− Junior Year: President
− Sophomore Year: President/Founder
− “Peace for the Middle East” Fundraiser—A school-wide fundraiser in which our club sold wristbands to raise money for impoverished Middle Eastern countries, specifically Pakistan, Palestine, and Afghanistan). We raised over $150 and sent it to an organization called Islamic Relief USA who works in those countries.
• Friendship Circle (12, 11, 10, 9)
− A chapter of a local organization. Volunteers hang out and socialize with special-needs kids to make them feel more comfortable and wanted at school and in the community.
− Senior Year: Secretary
− Bake Sale Fundraisers—Helped sell baked goods to pay for the cost of sending special needs kids to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
− Skechers Pier-to-Pier Friendship Walk—Donated and walked to raise money for RUHS’ Friendship Circle Club.
• People to People International (12, 11, 10)
− A chapter of a humanitarian organization.
− Senior Year: Secretary
− Delivering toys at a Family Crisis Center to children in families who couldn't afford presents during Christmas
− Helping out with an organization called Project Needs by stocking up pantries in a church with food for Thanksgiving and passing out food to needy people.
• Link Crew (12, 11)
− Selected student organization made up of Seniors and Juniors that helps Freshmen get more acquainted with the school through many events during the summer and throughout the school year.
• Key Club (12, 11, 10, 9)
• Junior States of America (12, 11, 10, 9)
− A chapter of an organization. Students engage in debates over controversial topics to make them more active and educated members of society.
− Senior Year: Vice-President
− Sophomore and Junior Years: Secretary
• Cervantes (National Spanish Honor Society) </p>

<p>• Volunteer at Little Company of Mary Hospital (12, 11, 10) (Over 250 hrs.)
• Youth Group Leader at Mosque (12, 11, 10, 9)
− Small group of students who try to encourage more teenage Muslims to become better acquainted with Islam and to be devout followers of the religion by organizing fun activities.</p>

<p>If it helps, I'm also from a low-income family raised by a single mother. I'm half-Black and half-Asian (Pakistani). Mother was born outside of the US and didn't manage to complete a college education.
Thanks so much you guys, I really appreciate the help!</p>

2

<p>Your one weakness is definitely your GPA. If you are accepted, it will be in spite of your GPA and not because of it. However, your upward trend is promising and admissions should take note. Your test scores and course rigor are decent and your extra curriculars are excellent. URM, first generation student(?), and coming from a single-parent household help your chances as well.</p>

<p>I’d say it’s definitely worth applying to LSA for you. Put a lot of effort into your application and get good recommendations.</p>

3

<p>Agree with entenduintransit</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much for your help!! I do agree, my GPA is pretty bad. I wish I worked harder Freshmen year, but what’s done is done :frowning: Anyways, I know some schools don’t really look too much into essays, but should I work really hard on mine? You said that I need to work hard on the app, but will they take into deep consideration, or no? I hope that makes sense…</p>

5

<p>Of course you should work hard on the essays.</p>

6

<p>They take into consideration everything you give them. You might as well give them something that is of the most exceptional quality you can muster. Essays are moderately considered at UMich, and it’s entirely possible that they could be what puts you over the hump for acceptance.</p>

7

<p>Well, I mean I wasn’t going to just do them last minute. I was wondering how much work should be put into it, though. Okay, well thanks a lot guys! Let’s hope I get accepted!</p>

8

<p>If your high school college counselor has a relationship with Michigan I would have that person call Michigan and advocate for you why you would be a strong candidate. You definitely have some pluses going for you and if your school has some sort of track record of sending strong students this will not hurt.</p>

9

<p>I don’t know if my counselor has a relationship with UMich but I do know that we have had a few people accepted from my school, but only 1 or 2 each year have actually gone there…not sure if that’d be helpful or not…</p>

10

<p>To be honest, I don’t think the GPA is as bad as you’re making it out to be. Yeah, UMich generally accepts people from the 3.8+ range, but still, I’d doubt the vast majority of the admitted students have done nearly as many extracurricular activities as you have, and for as much time. Plus, your courseload is of very high importance to the admissions officers, and it’s clear that you’ve been taking very challenging classes. </p>

<p>Take good care to write VERY high quality essays, and make sure the recommendations you get are of good quality, and it certainly is not beyond your reach. You can do it!</p>

11

<p>Wow really? Thanks a lot! I guess it’s just b/c most of my friends have like 3.8 UW, 4.3 weighted so I feel a little bit below avg… Alright, I’ll make sure to work really hard on my essays. I’ve already gotten my recs so I’ll ask to see them. Unfortunately though, I’ve only had my counselor for like 2 months b/c my old counselor left due to conflicts, so she doesn’t really know me that well. I think she wrote about how she knows, based on my transcript, that I’m a (somewhat) intelligent student but she didn’t have me for long so she can’t really say much…that’s definitely not good, right? Or do you think they’ll understand?</p>