questions from a confused UM prospective student

<p>First off here are my stats:</p>

<p>Intended major: molecular bio and pre-med
Unweighted GPA for 9th-11th grade- 4.0
Weighted GPA- 4.35
Class rank- 3/530
ACT- 30 (36 English, 31 Math, 27 Reading, 27 Science)
SAT Subject tests:
Biology: 730
AP/Honors courses taken jr/sr year:
AP Bio
AP Chem
AP AB Calc
AP Language and Composition
AP Literature and Composition
AP Government
AP US History
Honors Pre-Calc
College Physics (counts as an honors class at my school, but the credit is from a community college so it won't transfer to any good schools)
ecs:
*Debate- 9th-12th grade (varsity)
*Orchestra- 7th-12th grade (varsity; section leader for both semesters in 9th grade)
*National Honor Society 11th-12th grade
*French National Honor Society 11th-12th grade (officer: program chair)
*Presidential Volunteer Service Award- Silver
*Over 250 hours of community service at 3 different hospitals and two different libraries
*City Youth Council 11th-12th grade (Officer: Public Relations Coordinator)
*Will probably attend the National League of Cities conference in November
*Science Olympiad (12th grade only)
*Math Club (11th-12th grade- It's called "math club" but I only competed in science events at the competitions and got a first and fourth place trophy at regional contest)</p>

<p>..................................................................................................</p>

<p>Judging from the average act/gpa for UMichigan admits, I think I should be able to get in even though I'm an out-of-state applicant.
Assuming I do get in, here are my questions:</p>

<p>1)What are my chances of getting into the honor's program? Will it be harder for me to get in the honors program since I'm an out of stater?</p>

<p>2)I'm planning on retaking the ACT and taking the math II SAT subject test. Should I apply before or after I take these tests in October? If I apply after, I won't be able to apply EA. </p>

<p>3)If I decide to apply early and get a higher ACT/SAT score after I send my application, may I send in my higher score? Can these new scores be used to get me into the honors program or will they only use the ACT/SAT scores I provided on my application for honors acceptance?</p>

<p>4)How likely is it that I will get some sort of merit aid? Is merit aid given with regard to state residency or only gpa and sat?</p>

<p>1) Very Good. </p>

<p>2) Before</p>

<p>3) Yes</p>

<p>4) Possible, more likely with if you get a near-perfect ACT on your retake.</p>

<p>You have a good chance of getting into Michigan, but your ACT score needs to improve slightly (up to 32) if you want a realistic chance of getting into the honors program and significantly (up to 34) if you want a realistic chance of getting merit aid. Be sure to apply as soon as possible because merit aid is generall given out on a rolling basis.</p>

<p>Alexandre's analysis is absolutely correct.</p>

<p>Okay, so being out-of-state doesn't put me at a disadvantage for getting in the honor's program right? It just makes it harder to actually get in the university.</p>

<p>Yes, that's correct. It is my understanding that honors really doesn't care about your residency status when they look over your app.</p>

<p>Yeah , honors and merit aid is highly doubtful with only a 30 ACT.</p>

<p>Being out-of-state means you will generally get very, very little financial aid.</p>

<p>Andy_jay, I am not sure I would say "very little" financial aid. Michigan meets roughly 85% of demonstrated financial need for OOS and 100% for in-staters.</p>

<p>yeah, but i guess if you count financial aid is being loans. those are real helpful. it's what i got; a ****ing 2k UNSUBSIDIZED load.</p>

<p>barron123, what state are you from? Some states have UM clubs that grant scholarships to prospective students from their state...</p>

<p>okay, I knew 3 people in my little part of my honors hall last year that got in with 30's so you might even get into honors without improving your score</p>

<p>That's good to hear, HauckT. CellBioGuy, I am from Kansas. Can anyone tell me the advantages of being in the Honors program?</p>

<p>I have friends in the Honors Program, and when I ask them why, they can only give me one answer: South Quad.</p>

<p>lol, what's so special about South Quad?</p>

<p>i think honors is stupid. i didn't even like living in south quad cus it was a lot more boring than a lot of the other dorms.</p>

<p>"lol, what's so special about South Quad?"
good food; I didn't live there, but I ate there sometimes.</p>

<p>It's not North Campus, that's whats special about it :)</p>

<p>It's in a very good location. Classes are very close, since honors classes are usually in Angell Hall, which is pretty much right across the street from South/West Quad. The food there is also on the better end compared to other residences halls. It's also a shorter walk from Michigan Stadium for the games. Close to Hill street, and not far from Washtenaw Ave, where there are a lot of frat and house parties.</p>