Michigan and GPA

<p>Hi I'm a rising senior and currently have a 3.596 GPA in high school. I got 2 C's junior year. Are my chances at UofM out the window. I messed up junior year and don't have a legit reason why. My assumption is my chances are shot. I'm in-state and have a 31 ACT. My only hook would probably be my cerebral palsy, which is mild btw. So, I can probably write very good essays about my experiences. I'm very "diverse" in that sense, even though I'm asian. So are my chances slim?</p>

<p>that’s not a hook; more like an excuse. Your chances are quite slim because your GPA is not high enough and you dont even have a reason to justify it.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t necessarily say you have no shot because you are IS and your ACT score is up there. I think you have a chance, however, you have to get straight As your first semester senior year. I would take at least 3 APs and make sure they are straight As, not A-. Then you could send them a letter saying how you just weren’t focused but you have your mind straight now. Sure it’s a long shot but it’s worth trying. Maybe someone sees something in you and you get in.</p>

<p>If you raise your ACT, you will for sure at least make the wait list; you might even get deferred. Just do well senior year.</p>

<p>If I got deferred that would buy me some time to raise my grades and such. It would help immensely. However, should I still apply EA? This is what I’m worried about since I messed ip junior year</p>

<p>Yes, definitely still apply EA</p>

<p>I would definitely apply. Students get admitted with a 3.6. Some of the decision may be affected by what subjects you got the Charlies in. Since you are IS, the biggest factor is probably the history of your high school with U-M and whether U-M takes a lot of students from your high school. They will likely want to see you fall semester grades. Good teacher recs and a good word from the guidance counselor could tip the balance.</p>

<p>Actually I’d say don’t apply EA, if you can get straight A’s your first quarter & semster of senior year in a rigorous schedule, that would go a long way to help. Two C’s in junior year will be a big problem (sorry) if that’s the most recent grades they have to look at. I don’t think your GPA is that much of a problem if your school is very competitive. But I think you will have to try to explain the C’s-- you have some reason for the C’s, are you sure you have no “legit” excuse, i.e., were you really just partying & didn’t care? Higher ACT may not help because that will only make it look like you’re smart and didn’t try hard last year. Try to develop a personal relationship with admissions and think about how you’ll say (& show) that you screwed up but you really learned and won’t do it again… hopefully the rest of your school record is really good. But if you apply EA they will make a decision by December, with no senior grades, and you’d be too easy to turn down.</p>