<p>I heard that Michigan values GPA a ton and that everything else (SAT, ECs, essays, etc.) pales in comparison to HS GPA. How much truth is there to this? I got deferred two weeks back, and I'm just wondering, does this deferral somewhat reflect my chances at my other schools of choice? I had a low GPA, which was probably the reason why I got deferred. </p>
<p>Also, does Michigan care about course rigor? Because some girl in my school (rich, white, no hooks) got in with a really high GPA, although she had a really easy course load (she took like 1 easy AP class throughout high school and my school offers over 20 AP classes). She didn't really have anything else that was spectacular besides her GPA, and this led me and probably a ton of my surprised classmates to think that Michigan doesn't really care about course rigor. Again, is there any truth to this or is this girl a really special case?</p>
<p>GPA counts more than anything else. Course rigor comes second. Test scores third. Then everything else. It’s not worth getting a bad grade in an AP class if you could get an A in the regular class.</p>
<p>me and a friend had almost the same credentials–took almost the same classes 9-11th grade (or pretty much the exact same), and got similar grades (except she got a B+ in an honors class that I got an A- in). i got a 33 on the ACT, while she got a 35. we both took only one AP 9-11th grade and it was the same AP the same grade. she got accepted, i got deferred. she’s taking 4 APs this year, and I’m taking 2. i got deferred because i did not take enough APs. she’s a white female with legacy, and I’m an indian girl with no legacy. idk what you can take out of this, but it does say some things. All i can say is, this didn’t really make sense to me. I am biased, I know, but still :/</p>
<p>i have no idea. I know the reason I got deferred was because of my lack of APs, but… yeah. I’m still sore about it. Really very sore. Still waiting for a final decision</p>
<p>@tomofboston: Don’t be mean! @mam1298
Don’t give up hope yet! I got deferred too … but I’m trying my best to remain positive. Just display your interest. @OP: Earlier data that Michigan published indicated the following: GPA is classified as very important. SAT, EC, and essays are only classified as important.</p>
<p>I bet Michigan’s initial decisions (deferral or acceptance) are more based on the numbers, but not just GPA. Since there are so many applicants and rolling admission, I would imagine they don’t look as closely at the essays. GPA, test scores, and class rank are probably the most important, with rigor and extracurriculars coming next.</p>
<p>Yes, it did go over my head. Wow. Harsh. Didn’t think I had to be Grammar Girl on an informal forum. </p>
<p>Well, that leaves me baffled because I had a higher GPA, getting a higher grade in that one class and taking all the same classes until this year (I only met her this year, too). But that was my admission counselor’s exact wording–I needed more APs. Oh, well. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m starting to sound…yeah. Good luck, everyone! :)</p>
<p>Yes Michigan likes a high base GPA and rigorous high school curriculum. Generally the standardized test scores are reflective of the GPA and rigor of curriculum…test scores are like validation. This is no secret.</p>
<p>Yes, high GPA is important at UM but its not the /only/ thing that they’re looking for. I heard that a young man at my high school got in with a relatively low (around 3.1 -3.3) GPA and a pretty low ACT. On the other hand, he had amazing essays and ECs that probably overshadowed the low stats. GPA is important but its not everything.</p>
<p>How much do they value GPA? It really depends on your courses and what school in UM you’re applying to! My GPA is a bit above their average, but my SAT was only 1990 and my ACT was not that good. I’ve take 5 AP’s through highschool, OOS, no legacy, Chinese/Vietnamese. But since I applied to the School of Art & Design (they judge applicants 50% grades, 50% art portfolio), I got in! If I applied with those stats to their Law school or school of engineering, I doubt I’d be in haha. So an important factor is also prospective major.</p>