Should I even bother applying?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

I went to a campus visit today, and it seems like I really have no shot at getting in.

My UMich GPA is good (3.93), but my ACT is at the bottom of the middle fifty percent (30C). My ECs are by no means impressive. The most commitment I’ve shown was Drama Club (3yrs w/ 1yr as secretary), Spanish club (4yrs w/ 2yrs as president), and shadowing a doctor (a little over fifty hours). I have some volunteering, but it’s clustered in the ninth and eleventh grade. I have taken the most rigorous schedule my school offers, but I feel like 90%+ of applicants also did.

I know this sounds like bragging and obnoxiousness, but I seriously feel like I’m nothing special and have nothing to offer the university. So many alumni have gone on to do wonderful things. So many admitted freshman have spectacular resumés already, and/or have done spectacular things. I love UMich and feel like it’s the perfect college for me, but I also feel like I’m not the perfect person for it. I have no doubt that if I was admitted, I’d work my a** off to do as well as I can.

So, should I even bother applying?

PS, I’d be applying to LSA. Again, I truthfully am not fishing for compliments nor do I want to brag about anything. I just feel like crap.

Thank you to all who botherto read this and reply!

2

I think you’ve got a pretty good shot, depending on APs and any other hooks you might have. I’d say it’s definitely worth a shot, especially if you are one of the top ranked individuals at your school. My understanding is that schools generally compare applicants against others from their schools, so if you stack up well in that regard then you have a much better chance of getting in. Good luck!

3

I mean I got in with a 3.85 GPA and 29 ACT OOS this year for LSA so anything’s possible as long as you write good essays!

4

Absolutely apply!

5

Yes!! Make sure your essays are unique/compelling/a bit out of the box.

As Wayne Gretzky said - you miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take.

6

If you are a Michigan resident you really should apply. You need to get you SAT up. Study and practice on you free time.

7

“I went to a campus visit today, and it seems like I really have no shot at getting in.”

You are framing this the wrong way: the marginal cost of applying is probably very low, unless you are indigent and have such a busy schedule that your time (for essays) points toward a large opportunity cost (a fact pattern which is unlikely) whereas the marginal gain, relative to the next best alternative, may be quite high.

Apply and don’t look back. You might be pleasantly surprised.

8

Do give it a try. You never know. There are some students (25% of them) admitted with ACT below the 25th percentile.

9

Take the ACT again if you want, apply EA, add another EC if you can and keep the grades up 1st semester, in case you get waitlisted

Your “i have nothing to offer” attitude is the worst thing here. If you get in, you have over a year to figure things out before you even start

Not to be condescending but you’re just a kid. Don’t take it all too seriously, and enjoy your senior year

10

1940 SAT (UofM doesn’t superscore), 3.7 UW GPA, top 21% class rank, Asian (though I think affirmative action is illegal in the state of Michigan), I got in after being deferred early action. Though,it would help if you applied to LSA and early action, too. Don’t give up!

11

At least apply, you never know… you might be a Wolverine :slight_smile: