<p>I intend to apply to the University of Michigan, and I'll be a member of the first class (2011) to apply using the Common Application. Thankfully, it sounds like my chances of admission are high according to students familiar with the present admissions process, but I'm a little bit worried that the influx of strong applicants who may now take more interest in UMich as a "low-hanging fruit" with the Common App will dilute my strength as a potential student. Is the switch really going to have a great impact on application numbers? Does any organization aggregate the application/admission numbers for pre- and post-Common App years? I'm trying to see whether there's a precedent that will justify or rebut the idea that the Common App will have a large effect on the admissions process.</p>
<p>Wondering the same thing for U of M as our son will apply for admission as a freshman in fall of 2011. Thankfully, (I think…) we are in-state, so we are hoping it will have less of an effect on his chances.</p>
<p>This is purely anecdotal, but I’ve heard that colleges usually experience the biggest jump in applicants the second year of their switch to the Common App.</p>
<p>MichMom07: I’m sure you would have found out about this eventually, but you might want to try having your son apply Early Action, a policy new to UMich this year. At the universities I’ve looked into, the percentage of EA applicants who are accepted is almost always higher than the percentage of accepted non-EA applicants.</p>
<p>Jersey13: That’s interesting to hear. Please let me know if you find any threads with more info.</p>
<p>ismailcc: he will do that for sure. A senior from his high school also applied to U of M for engineering “early decision/action” and heard immediately, as in the first day the university could let a student know. (It was good news!) Saves a lot of angst in the spring, no doubt. We will certainly make sure he secures a spot early, provided he gets in.</p>