Is Michigan impossible for me?

I was deferred from Michigan EA, and it’s my top school. My GPA and Test Scores are below the averages, but I hear about a decent number of kids with lower stats getting in so maybe my chances are greater than 0. I applied to LSA for polisci if that makes a difference. I already told my admissions rep that it is my top choice and I would attend if accepted. I also am Latino and OOS.

GPA (Unweighted):
10th grade- 3.25
11th grade- 3.7
12th grade- 3.8

SAT: 1900 C
650 M, 600 CR, 650 W

Unless you have really great ECs, I think you are unlikely to be admitted, even as a URM. Since you have only provided your GPA and scores, take a look at the following:

On UMichigan’s website, it lists the mid 50% SAT range as 2040–2280. That means, if admitted, you would be among a 1/4 of students with the lowest scores in the whole university. This does not make you a competitive applicant based on standardized testing alone.

On the same website, it lists the average accepted GPA as 3.8. Your upwards trend throughout high school is great, but even your grades during your best year are not as high as the average admitted GPA at the university. That does not make you a competitive applicant based on GPA alone.

You haven’t given us a whole lot of information to work with, since admission is based on far more than GPA and SATs alone. A great essay has been known to trump mediocre stats, whereas the opposite is rarely true. Being a URM does give you a small boost. I wish you the best of luck!

@thetsaria thanks for the feedback, I understand it’s unlikely to get admitted. I thought my upward trend would look good since instead of slacking off senior year I got a 3.8 which is Michigan’s average. I know my SAT is low but I heard Michigan cares more about gpa. My ECs are pretty good, nothing special, but I have solid essays. I still understand I probably won’t get in.

@obligatoryname The average GPA listed on UMichigan’s website is 3.85, just so you’re aware. At this point, I think the best you can do is do your best to write killer essays. Show it to anyone you can (teachers, friends, family members) for advice. Work closely with your guidance counselor on them as well, if possible. At the end of the day, a very well-written essay with a unique story will stand out and increase admission odds much more than higher scores.

@thetsaria Thanks for the help, I already applied EA and was deferred so I can’t change my essays now.

@obligatoryname Oh, okay. Good luck, then!

@thetsaria Thanks! I appreciate it.

@obligatoryname First of all, nice name! Second, I would prepare for a rejection but keep a flicker of hope.

@aBitOfLuck Yeah I guess I’ll need a bit of luck (pun intended) to get in. However, I know there are a decent amount of kids with my stats getting in. I still know that getting rejected is more likely though.

Did you send a letter of intent after you were deferred?

@Todd87 I’m out of state with definitely hurts. @yikesyikesyikes yes I said michigan is my #1 and would definitely attend if admitted.

Alright, that is good. You have done everything in your control… The ball is on their side of the court now. I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks @yikesyikesyikes. Would you recommend sending another letter of interest to tell them it’s still my first choice? I’m not sure because I sent the letter at the end of December, so it’s been a long time since then.

@obligatoryname -I would not, did they respond back confirming receipt?

@yikesyikesyikes yes the admissions counselor responded

What happened in 10th grade? Maybe you can explain what happen if it was a plausible reason.
Not sure if Umich looks at 9th grade but what was your GPA then? Also, what is your overall GPA Weighted and UW?

@obligatoryname
Alright- then leave it at that. I advise against sending another letter- unless a professional tells you otherwise.

@2020classx In 10th grade I just took hard classes and didn’t do that well. Freshman year was better, I think I got around a 3.55-3.6. My school only does UW gpa, but I would estimate my weighted gpa to be around a 4.1-4.2.

@yikesyikesyikes Ok thanks. I just wasn’t sure because my parents really want me to but I don’t have any updates to my application.