Just submitted my Umich App.....nervous as hell

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>GPA 3.35
Upward trend
Dip in grades junior year...two of my family members passed away, along with one of my friends...</p>

<p>Took mostly AP/AC classes...will graduate with 6-7 AP's.
Very strong public school</p>

<p>33 ACT
Retaking hopefully for a 35 this fall</p>

<p>Ec's probably the strongest part of my app....simplified list here,
of course I "fluffed" them up considerably on my app</p>

<p>Symphony Orchestra
Played at Carnegie Hall
Numerous state awards</p>

<p>Business Professionals of America
Leadership
Two national level awards
Three state level awards
7 Regional level awards</p>

<p>School Paper
Editor-in-chief
Several awards</p>

<p>Photography
Published photographer
Attended international photography convention
Finalist in nationwide photo contest</p>

<p>Two Varsity letters (not good enough to get recruited though)</p>

<p>Vice President of three smaller clubs (may not list....too "laundry list")</p>

<p>Riflery
Pro Marksman
Marksman
Marksman 1st class
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooter Bar I
Sharpshooter Bar II
Sharpshooter Bar III
Sharpshooter Bar IV
Sharpshooter Bar V</p>

<p>Bunch of smaller clubs and awards.</p>

<p>Instate (I got to feeder school....over a hundred sent to umich every year)</p>

<p>Low income, extremely low EFC (zero last time I used the calculator)</p>

<p>Amazing recs (teacher told me)</p>

<p>Writing/english is my strong suit so hopefully a very strong essay.
(wrote about growing up in the projects)</p>

<p>Rec from Umichigan retired professor on my behalf</p>

<p>Letter from psychologist/social worker to explain my grade slip.
(yea I know, kinda low blowish, but I wanted a "formal" explanation
for my slip in grades)</p>

<p>I'm worried because not only is my GPA low but it's so... varied.
I got all A's and a small number of B's sophomore year, but I got all A's and 2-3 C's junior year....I have a "professional" explanation for this but I still don't know how the adcoms will see this....</p>

<p>I'm confident I can pull much better grades this year. If I can show them i'm capable of a 3.8-4.0, I hope that will "match up" to my test scores.</p>

<p>If I can get a 3.8-4.0 senior year, what are my chances at umich?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>1st of all how does a dip in your grades equal and upward trend?
2nd of all what you get your senior year won't matter unless you get deferred since you already submitted your app</p>

3

<p>You are interesting, and just by reading this I want to meet you.</p>

<p>I have alot of respect for people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds that work hard at what they want. I think admissions will notice this too.</p>

<p>Your gpa is sort of low, but ACT shows you aren't dumb.</p>

4

<p>Yea, I know my gpa is low. submachine, I guess it isn't much of an upward trend. Grades jumped sophomore year, then junior year I didn't do that great.</p>

<p>I think UofM is one of the few colleges that put a space for economic background on their app...does this mean this influences decisions?</p>

5

<p>Good Luck. If you do get in, you will probably get a good amount of aid. My EFC was like 1600, and I got a lot of money. I got a "Michigan Grant" 7,636, the "M-Pact Scholorship" for 1,000, plus pell grant, workstudy, and other State of michigan awards. Good luck to you.</p>

6

<p>yea, the instate tuition is a great deal for me. I just found out I got 3k from my MEAP scores. Another reason to make umich my number 1 choice.</p>

7

<p>Badkarma, your GPA will hurt you a little bit, but 3.3-3.4 with a 33 ACT score will at the very worst get you deferred. At that point, your Senior grades will come in handy. Overall, you have a decent chance, especially if you can adequately demonstrate your Junior year dip was due to grief.</p>

8

<p>To be very honest, I'm hoping to get in "first round."
I know with my GPA that is highly unlikely, but i've seen so many cases....three of my friends last year got deferred and waited for a looong time and ended up getting a letter that said "go to uofm dearborn" or something like that. Another one of my friends that graduated two years ago didn't even HEAR from uofm PERIOD after he got deferred. Sent emails, met people, but ended up giving up and going to a small college in chicago.</p>

<p>Do you think i'll get in if I get a 3.8-4.0 senior year?
I'm retaking the ACT's to aim for a 35-36, and hope to send the higher ACT scores in along with my (hopefully) great 1st semester senior grades.</p>

9

<p>There are no guarantees of course, not with the way universities are become increasingly selective. But I'd say that if you can maintain a 3.8 GPA your senior year, given your ACT score and your personal circunstances, your chances are pretty good.</p>

10

<p>Couple questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The professor told me to write a rec and give it to him so he can rewrite it on his official UofM letterhead and sign it. Kinda wierd? What should I write about?
Even allowed?</p></li>
<li><p>How will UofM view an essay that is a few words over the limit? Do they really care?</p></li>
<li><p>Should I add anything to my app like a copy of the photos that I used to win the photo contest thing, a few sample t-shirts/graphics that I use for my tshirt company, etc? Would they even consider these?</p></li>
<li><p>Would it help to send in a higher ACT score with my senior year grades or do they only count senior year grades when looking at a deferred app again?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks, and any more thoughts on my chances would be appreciated.</p>

11

<p>if you get rejected for some reason, it wont be because of your 33, so stop worrying about that. (--at least thats what ive heard about my 32 lol)</p>

12

<p>They don't care if you're over the limit. Their old grading system didn't care if you scored a 33 or 35, I don't think they would care either.</p>

13

<p>didn't they switch to a holistic review method though? That's what i've been hearing, however, that if you're over the limit they don't care. hmm...</p>

14

<p>Yes, they switched to a holistic review method. That's what they want you to believe.</p>

15

<p>You've applied so you're that much closer! Nothing in life is guaranteed, but if it makes you feel any better I know several students that just started at UofM LSA who had similar ACT scores, in state. They all were very interesting kids, with interesting hobbies and lives and are very mature socially and intellectually. Definitely "above average" kids but not grade grubbers so maybe there is something to be said for "holistic" admissions. I also know several kids that I would have guessed were "shoe-ins" who did not get in much to the dismay of their parents. Good luck to you!</p>

16

<p>I am going to submit mine tomorrow. I would have done it today but my mom and dad said it was bad luck, plus my uncle said it was a bad omen. :) lolololol</p>

17

<p>That is wierd.
Michigan "says" they review holistically, but its a mixed bag as far as my experiences go. I mean, half the time it seems like they only care about GPA (high test score/low gpa kids get deferred/rejected) but then again it seems like sometimes they look at things holistically (3.6 + 31 ACT + Amazing business EC = Ross preadmit?!)</p>

18

<p>No need to retake for a 35. A 33 is more than sufficient for U of M. They want to maintain their average at 28-32, so you're A-OK as far as testing goes.</p>

<p>I think you should be prepared for deferral. I'm not trying to be negative, but with a 33 and a 3.3-3.4 they will be looking for one thing: senior year grades. I think that since you've already applied, you'll be one of the first to be accepted or deferred (I doubt they reject very many with a 30+). If you can get a 3.8-4.0 senior year I think you'll be accepted maybe 2nd round, but just be glad about that - don't worry about WHEN you're accepted.</p>

19

<p>"it seems like they only care about GPA (high test score/low gpa kids get deferred/rejected)"</p>

<p>This happens a LOT - but most frequently in the kids who wait to apply until November or later.</p>

20

<p>Renin, Michigan wanted to maintain a 25-29 mid 50% ACT range in 2000. Today, as you point out, that range has increased to 28-32. I'd say in a couple of years, the range will be 29-33. It is rising rapidly. Obviously, 33 is sufficient, but it is no longer considered that unusual at Michigan.</p>