I am currently having a 3.1uw 3.3weighted gpa and a SAT of 1530 with 6/6/6 on writing and I am applying to college this year. I do not have good ap test scores, too. Is there any chance I can get into Umich or are there anything I can do to get there. Thanks so much for your help!!!
Are you in-state or OOS? Major?
I am an OOS from Missouri and I am planning to apply math or history department of Umich
Such a high test score and low GPA will be interpreted as a bright but lazy student. That is not something a selective university wants.
No, you won’t get into U Michigan, or any school that is very selective.
I think you’re going to have to shop outside the top 75-100 to find your spot. Take a shot or two, but don’t fall in love.
Course rigor and unweighted GPA are considered “very important” to UMich. The average unweighted GPA for an enrolled student is 3.88 on a 4.0 scale and 98% of the Class had a unweighted GPA of 3.5-4.0. And the large number of recruited athletes probably represent much of the lower group of GPA’s. The SAT score of 1,530 is at the 75th percentile.
Also, OOS students will need higher scores and grades. Sorry, your chance is very slim.
Reality check needed. If you understood what Mich looks for, the killer competition, and factors beyond scores, you’d understand how difficult this will be. You haven’t mentioned a reason they should overlook lukewarm academics for an admit to a top out of state college. Etc. Or why they should turn down a holistically well rounded and academically successful kid, for you.
You have a LOT of time to learn what they want and even shine at some of that. But it’s your task to master. Think about that.
Thanks for the answer guys, but Umich is really a dream for me so I will try my best to do anything I can do for it and cross my finger for the result.
One question: Why is U.Michigan your dream?
Also, can you explain the apparent discrepancy between your GPA and your SAT? Is there an upward trend in your GPA? Are you looking for a university that is very significantly more difficult than high school was?
Do you have a budget? Out of state public schools are usually more expensive than in-state public schools.
I definitely agree with others that Michigan is a high reach for you at this time.
I know we’re tough on this, but it’s like having an Olympic dream. The dreams drive the effort you make, and in what directions.
So, “key” IS your record. Not the dream of one particular college. Plus, you haven’t mentioned ECs, including the sort of challenges and impact you chose to take on. Rising seniors should understand about holistic. Best place to start is with what the target colleges say and show.
The more you understand what any individual highly competitive college “looks for,” the easier it can be to compare yourself and your record. And then (try to) fix any problem spots. It’s just not enough to dream.
Hi there, thx for the answer, I have this big difference between my SAT and GPA because I can do well in tests but not participations . Classes I was taken usually put participation as a big part of GPA. I can easily get A in tests but in contrast maybe C and D in participation. Also, I do not take really good notes and my class also value that as a small part of the whole GPA. Umich is my dream school because I have visited several colleges around the country and especially like the campus and the atmosphere in Umich.
UMich really values demonstrated interest. You can start communicating with your regional admissions officer who will be looking over your application and start asking questions about the school to show your interest. If everything else checks out (extracurricular, essays, recs) you still have a chance.
Go for your dream, but realize its likely a low probability given your GPA. Too many highly qualified candidates. Best of luck!
One thing is point out is that the math department at UMich is one of top 10-15 in the country and the math classes are brutal even for those with 5’s on AP BC exams and high SAT math scores.
File this note under “be careful what you wish for.” 
Why can you not do well in “participations”? What, exactly do you mean by that? Class attendance? Raising your hand and taking part in class discussions? Doing work that is given to students to do in class? Group work? How is participation graded? I’m just trying to understand how this impacts your GPA to such an extent. If it’s an issue of something you just prefer not to do (as opposed to some kind of impairment that you’ve unfairly suffered and worked to overcome) I’m afraid a very selective school will simply reject you for not having the proper motivation to work hard and, yes, participate. Are you extremely shy, have you experienced bullying from classmates or have other reasons not to participate?
Do you have some other talent? Are you an athlete or artist? If not, you are best off going to your local university or community college , doing extremely well, and transferring.
GPA is the single most important factor in most college admissions decisions. UM had an average GPA last year of 3.9.
A good one day test score simply won’t make up for a metric earned over four years.
Unless you can fight for the starting QB job, or have something similarly spectacular, your chances are quite slim.
Unfortunately, this will be true of most schools. GPA is simply considered the best indicator of college success.
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“GPA is simply considered the best indicator of college success.”
Because it speaks to drives, actual efforts, and the willingness to do what it takes, ongoing, to reach goals. Not just stating “dreams” and then looking for fixes. That should have come after freshman year, when the issue was snacking clear.
Top colleges want to see you have what it takes to thrive at their schools, the true record, not just emotions. If there’s some “Why Us?” question in the app, liking the campus is not a sufficient answer. They’re building a class of kids THE COLLEGE wants. That STARTS with academics. Being a great artist on the side, writing a great essay, or bugging your adcom with emails, etc, can’t show that, academically. That’s where, so to say, “the rubber hits the road.”
They don’t guess or assume.
Recruited athletes are the only ones where academics might fall to second place. If there’s some extraordinary accomplishment in a specific arena, OP hasn’t told. I usually find that’s because an applicant doesn’t understand what top colleges do value and look for. They haven’t done the due diligence, put in the energy and smarts. That’s a “participation” gap, too.
So everyone here is being upfront and honest. The difference between your GPA and Sat is one that will look like you had a good tutor and you got a great score. But if you can’t back that up with a great unweighted GPA, then no, you won’t get into Michigan. Even if you did people underestimate how seriously difficult the school is. They will tell you to expect a full grade drop your first semester to year from high school. Math in general is something that they are known for and as stated it’s brutal. The best students have a difficult time with it.
The avg for LSA is 3.9 unweighted with a 32-35 Act. Taking mostly the most rigorous courses your school has and being challenged by AP and the like.
I would look for schools that would fit your profile better
Good luck.