Hi! I’m an incoming senior and with college apps starting up, I have a few questions regarding any additional preference I might have due to my family’s history at the University of Michigan. My grandparent was a former head football coach at Michigan (probably one of the most successful, had a very long career) , my mother, aunt, and uncle all attended. My cousin’s foundation was also sponsered by the university and the center of quite a lot of media attention regarding my family. My gpa is on the slightly lower side for Michigan (due to personal reasons) but my ACT is where it should be. Long story short, I was wondering if I’ll have a significant preference that might make up for my gpa.
It depends on how low is your GPA. Secondary legacy does not count much, but your family ties to the university would help.
With football being so important to Michigan, I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t get in.
If your grandfather was named Bo, you’re probably good. Otherwise, may not be as clear cut.
I’d think Gary or Lloyd would probably help, too. Brady or Rich, maybe not. It probably depends on how low your GPA is and what the reasons are.
I agree with the previous commenters, your legacy helps, but just that alone will not score you into the university alone. If your GPA is slightly as in .1 maybe .15 lower than average, then you can make up for that with college essays and interviews, but if you’re talking .2 or .3 lower, I would reconsider your decision. Just remember though, ED is always a decision if you’re 100% certain and you feel you can make it. Good luck!
Basically legacy can help, but generally not by much. The weight legacy carries is significantly less than the weight GPA carries in the admissions process. In addition, this is usually a factor that is only considered in the final rounds of decision making, that is if they have to choose from two otherwise equally qualified applicants.
“Slightly low” is subjective. What is your GPA exactly? Was it fairly consistent year to year, or was there maybe a semester or two which was out of the ordinary?
Which school or college are you applying to? LSA? CoE? Kines?
^^My previous comment assumed it was Bo
I think the OP is referring to Lloyd Carr, not Bo.
At any rate, umichhello, if your GPA is only slightly lower (say 3.6 or better) and everything else is where it has to be (challenging classes, ACT score 30 or higher etc…), being the grandchild of a well-regarded Michigan coach could tip the scale in your favour.
3.5, it was 4.0 in the beginning, but then a close family member died and sophmore year it went down. It has increased throughout junior year
Also, my family foundation has essentially been adopted by the university so I thought that might help. I was also wondering if anyone thinks it would be worth it to set up a meeting with the campus rep in order to explain the situation perhaps?
You could explain it in your application, there should be space for you to do so. I don’t know if admissions staff will do such individual advising appointments, as it will be impossible to meet the demand. 3.5 will make admissions quite a long shot, regardless.
How much do you think it would help if I compensated for an above average ACT
What’s your ACT and how does ot compare to their mid-50% scores?
Your family will have to come to bat for you. You can explain your GPA situation in your essay; and your school counselor can help there too.
Regardless of whether they’d admit you, if you’re pulling a 3.5 gpa, you might not have the discipline and study habits necessary to keep up. It’s an extremely tough school. My daughter knows several people who wiped out and went home. She also knows a lot of people who are doing their four year degree in five years, and people who have had to repeat classes. And these are kids who were super-achievers in high school.
Having a great ACT and poor gpa almost works against you…because it proves you’ve got the smarts, but you lack discipline. All kids that get into UMich are brilliant smart. The ones who succeed are also disciplined, responsible and persistent, even when they have a set back.
I’m not discounting your grief being an understandable factor. it can be a huge setback. That said, they will expect to see you pushing extra hard the last couple of years to make up for that bad year. You should be taking AP everything, or at the very least, the most challenging curriculum possible…because everyone else you’ll be learning with…has done this.
Could family pull strings and get you in? Very possibly.
Is it a good idea? Will it be a good fit? I have some concerns. I’m guessing admissions might, too.
I personally know a kid with a 3.7gpa and a 35ACT who got rejected. If you read through the acceptance stats list…I have never seen anyone with under a 3.8gpa get in. Possible exceptions…the art school, dance school, certain athletes, etc.
You might be in a position to get into UMich as a favor to your family. (If that doesn’t make you feel kinda icky, I don’t know what would) But the bigger question is not can you…but should you? Is this the best path for you? Will you be happy under that kind of pressure?
I would bet a good amount of money on you getting admitted. Good luck!
How much has your family donated to the university?
These days legacies don’t count for much. Back then, it did.
In fact, being first-generation counts more than being a legacy.
It’s true. Look
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/print-college-profile?id=1195
But this isn’t just any legacy…
We are talking about a family member of a former Head Coach of the Michigan football team, and a well-performing coach at that!
Not all legacies are created equal. There is no more prominent position at the university, except perhaps the U president. At certain feeder schools (e.g Greenhills, Cranbrook, Roper, etc.) even kids with 3.5ish GPA’s (and good ACTs) are accepted. If the OP’s grades are in the lower range of acceptable he should be fine. I hope the OP features his grandfather in one of his essays, especially the ‘why Michigan’ one.