<p>ACT: 29
Unweighted GPA: 3.8
Rank: #5 (Top 10%)
EC's: NHS, Model UN, Marching Band, Acaemic Competition in Education, good amount of volunteer hours, chief writer for for the school newsletter
Teacher Recs: 2 /Very/ good Teacher recs.
Counselor Rec: Likely won't be great, new counselor this year.
State: Arkansas
School type: Public
Ethnicity: White
((Possible?))Hook: Very passionate about space, plan to work within the commercial space industry.
AP Stuff: AP US History, AP Lang and Comp (Got a 4 on the AP l&c test)
General classes: 4 sciences, 4 maths (up to pre-cal), 4 englishes, 2 foreign languages, some other stuff I'm surely missing.</p>
<p>Also, I am wondering if the fact that I am coming out of Arkansas might be a disadvantage, as very few people around me are going out of state.</p>
<p>And lastly, It looks likely that I will get at least in the 30's on my next ACT, so I don't think 29 will be my final score. Been /realllly/ hitting the books as of late. I know a lot of folks say this and don't do better, but I am serious. I know a lot more than I did last time I took the ACT. </p>
<p>Okay, not lastly. I hear they do not take freshman years into account when calculating GPA? I don't think it would affect much, as I'd still have ~3.8 Unweighted, but should I recalculate? </p>
<p>Anyway, chancing/answers to these questions would be appreciated, thanks.</p>
<p>Your GPA is below their admission median GPA of 3.9 for CoE. The mid 50 ACT for CoE is 31-34 with a median of 32. Being OOS, your chance for UMich CoE is not very positive. If you can bring your GPA and ACT score near the medians, you would have a better chance.</p>
<p>My ACT score will indeed come up, but I am now a senior. Would I perhaps be better off not applying through early action and waiting until first semester senior grades are out or are senior grades not factored into GPA at all? And if not, would a good ACT score increase my chances?</p>
<p>Also being one of the few people from my state applying for the school. Would that affect anything?</p>
<p>You’re a slight reach. Your GPA & ACT are slightly below average, you have non-resident status, and lack advanced math + science courses. You definitely still have a chance though, so the application would definitely be worth it. I would just recommend that you don’t hold your breath and make sure you apply to many other institutions. </p>
<p>
Don’t skip early action. Seriously. Applying early action will boost your chances (Michigan considers it a display of demonstrated interest) and it will only work in your favor. If they think that they either don’t have enough information to make a decision or that you are on the borderline, they will deffer you so that you can send them your 1st semester grades and more test scores if necessary. It’s very rare for Michigan to outright deny someone if they applied early action, so take advantage of the opportunity, it’s not going to hurt you.</p>
<p>
There may have been a miscommunication in the other thread. I meant that they no longer exclude freshman year. Currently they do consider freshman year (although your sophomore and junior years are certainly considered more important).</p>
<p>Alright, thanks. I’m taking the ACT again this month and will hopefully get the scores sent off before Nov. 1st as well as my application. </p>
<p>Though by advanced I suppose you mean AP. Unfortunately, there are no AP science courses at my school at all other than AP biology, and in order to get 2 foreign language credits, I was entirely unable to take it due to scheduling. I have taken Physical Science, Pre-AP Biology, Chemistry, and am currently taking Physics. Not sure if that changes anything but I thought I’d go ahead and mention it. </p>
<p>Hoping to make a much higher grade on the ACT, and the practice tests are giving me confidence. I suppose I’ll find out.</p>
<p>Looking at Purdue as well, as far as other institutions go.</p>
<p>If you could bump up your ACT to 31+ that’d be great. Apply EA - you cannot be declined during early period, only deferred. If you get a 4.0 first semester that should help.</p>
<p>KronOmega said it all right. The one thing I’d add is that being from a state with a smaller # of enrollees will help as Umich does look to geographically diversify. This helped someone I know well</p>
<p>I agree with KronOmega. If you like Michigan you should apply but you may very well be deferred in EA so just prepare yourself. My S3 got deferred at EA with almost identical stats and courses, similar ECs and strong athletic background, stronger foreign language from a highly ranked in state school. And it can get drawn out for many months at that point just an FYI. I’d agree Purdue is a good one to have on the list. Getting into the 30s on the ACT will def help in that EA round. Being in the top 10% at your school will help I think. That is still a very nice thing to have on an application. Congrats and good luck.</p>
<p>Yes, they do require the writing portion. But I’m fairly certain it wouldn’t “make or break” your acceptance. At most it would probably give you the upper edge if compared to a similar applicant in the event that you performed well.</p>
<p>I think to have a good shot at Michigan engineering as an OOS applicant at this point, you probably need something like a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a 32+ ACT. I don’t mean to discourage you from applying if your stats end up below that; just trying to temper your expectations and give you some targets to aim for. But if you come in below those figures and you love the school, apply anyway. Who knows?</p>
<p>I do think it’s an advantage to be from an “underrepresented state.” Michigan does like to have at least some representation from all states. and usually draws a few enrolled freshmen from Arkansas, but it’s typically in the range of 1 to 4 per year. So partly your chances might depend on who else from Arkansas is applying in your year.</p>
<p>If my GPA were to come up to a 4.0 my senior year (now) would that still count for my overall average after deferral once I sent in my first semester grades?</p>
<p>Trends make a difference so yes, it may help if you were in a situation where they asked for your first semester grades to complete your review.</p>
<p>However, I think you might be able to trump all the stats if you can effectively communicate your passion and focus on your discipline…make sure that comes through in your essays and your recommendations because it will help you overcome the solid but not quite exceptional (for UMich) stats ;)</p>
<p>They’ll want a mid-year report from your GC if you’re accepted or deferred in the EA round. That will include your first semester grades, so it could make a difference if you’re deferred.</p>
<p>Might be getting into stuff there is no real answer for, but would it be better to explain why you are passionate about the school or passionate about your major of choice? (Of course some of both, I’d imagine.)</p>
<p>I know the essay is chiefly supposed to be about who you are and contain introspection and such, but would references to the above be a good thing to include or not?</p>
<p>Absolutely if you can authentically describe your area of passion. I would focus on you love of space, but perhaps in closing reference why Michigan is the next frontier in your exploration :)</p>