UMich (Ross School of Business) EA vs RD Choice

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

Hello,

I’m a HS senior who was planning on EA to University of Michigan. I realized just now that I also have to complete the Ross Admissions Portfolio prior to the deadline for preferred admission to Ross through LSA. I would be able to submit by the Nov 15 deadline but it would definitely not be top quality and this would compromise my UC and UT Austin essay and application. I am now considering applying RD to UMich but am unsure if this will significantly hurt my chances of getting into Ross (I live out-of-state too). Your input would be greatly appreciated and I’ve included some info about my profile to help you.

Major: Business Administration

Ethnicity: Indian Male

My GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.72 weighted academic

AP Scores: 5 on Euro, 5 on Spanish Language, 5 on Chem, 5 on APUSH, 5 on Calc BC, 4 on Lang

Current APs: Comp Sci A, Lit, Gov/Econ

SAT Score: 790/770/20, 1560 overall (1 attempt)

LORs: One from Euro teacher and one from Chem teacher (those were my best classes in sophomore and junior yr, respectively). Solid one from tennis coach who saw my progression in tennis (became starter and captain) and saw me in academics

Essays: Spent a good amount of time editing and revising my personal statement and most ppl who have read my essay think its pretty good (including student at Cornell).

ECs:

FBLA Leadership Roles
VP of Membership (Nothing major)
VP of Community Service (2 big community service events were organizing a series of business workshops for middle schoolers and a neighborhood toiletry drive)
VP of Competitive Events (Nothing major)

FBLA Awards
National: 7th place in Entrepreneurship competitive event (sophomore yr)
State: 3rd place in Entrepreneurship, 10th place in Intro to Business Procedures
Regional: 1st place Entrepreneurship, 1st place Management Decision Making, 2nd place Intro to Business Procedures, 4th place Personal Finance

Congressional Debate (Freshman)
Competed in regional tournaments year round, varsity 4th place at regional tournament, novice finalist at regional tournament

Parliamentary Debate (Sophomore to current)
Competed in regional tournaments year round, quarter finalist at regional tournament, qualified for state tournament (junior)

Tennis
3 years JV (doubles starter, captain, M.V.P award)
1 yr Varsity (expected)
No major out of school achievement

Other:
National Merit Semifinalist

Community Service:
Volunteer judging at middle school debate tournaments, volunteered to teach tennis to autistic kids

Thank you!

2

General advice is to only apply EA if your application will be as polished as it can be and you don’t need grades from 1st semester of senior year. EA admissions rates are typically higher BECAUSE EA applicants tend to have more deeply researched the school and put time and energy into their applications----if this isn’t true, I’d recommend waiting until RD to put your best foot forward.

3

I will disagree with this. Get going and see if you can complete the portfolio. Yes you want it polished but looking at your profile your more then capable. Get going. Use this weekend and see where you are. Yes it’s a very competitive process. If by the time to submit your not happy with it then go RD but with your profile I would go EA.

4

I would definitely apply as early as possible, but having a holistic, polished application is very important. In this situation, it would be compromising the quality of 3 applications. I would hold off.

5

Yes, I think not applying EA to UMich/Ross will decrease your chances.

RD deadline is 2/1. In a typical year, Ross will release first decisions on about 2/1. Ross begins reviewing accepted EA apps in early January, so you’ll be behind the “eight ball” from the start. Not impossible, but I think it decreases your chances not applying EA.

6

Yes, I think it is fair to say it will significantly hurt your chances to apply RD. However, it is tough to say whether your higher quality app would be worth that.