UMich Transfer Long Shot?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Greetings all,</p>

<p>I am a rather ambitious prospective transfer applicant to the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. I have a few blemishes on my academic record, however, so PLEASE CHANCE ME!!!</p>

<p>I am currently enrolled in a state school in Detroit, MI. I am in the honors college, where I am triple majoring in philosophy, mathematics, and cognitive neuroscience.</p>

<p>I did rather poorly in high school, finishing with around a 2.5, and my ACT score was only 28. However, I did graduate with highest departmental honors in music, and I was section leader in marching band, of which I was a member for three years.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I did not receive the 4.0 which I had envisaged for my first semester; however, I didn't all that poorly, ending up around with a 3.6 (3.59) overall. During this time, I was committing myself to a number of extracurriculars, being a volunteer, then an intern, then ultimately a statewide student organizer for the Obama presidential campaign. I also did extensive work with the homeless, was a member of my school's philosophy club, and presented a paper at an out-of-state undergraduate research conference.</p>

<p>This semester, I was a bit too ambitious, and rather foolish, signing up for 22 credit hours. Matters were only made worse when my logic course ended up being a nightmare; the prof has been in the department for 35+ years, and is rather set in his antiquated methods. 2/3 of the class withdrew, and the average grade on both midterms was a D-. So I withdrew, and now I have a big, fat, "WF" on my transcript.</p>

<p>I am going to retake the course in the fall, but Michigan averages the grades, so WF+A=C, which is as well as I can hope to do.</p>

<p>I received the following grades this semester:</p>

<p>Class, CreditsxGrade
Physics, 3x B-
Physics lab, 1x C
Ethics, 4x B-
Hist. of philos., 3x A
Macroeconomics, 4x A-
University band, 1x A
Metaphysics 3x B
Logic 3x WF</p>

<p>Thus, I will likely end with around a 3.39, recalculated by Umich as a 3.1. After retaking logic, this will improve only slightly. If I do well in calc II this summer, and in my courses in the fall, I will likely apply for fall '10 with a 3.6/3.3, respectively. I am also spending this summer working with a program which assigns students to teach mathematics to underprivileged, inner-city kids, volunteering at a local food bank, etc.</p>

<p>So... would I still have a chance at admission, despite the relatively low prognostication of a 3.3 GPA? If my essays are strong, and I have decent letters of recommendation, would it not just be a waste of time to apply? It is a dream of mine to attend Michigan, and it would be rather devastating if I were rejected. Any tips for admission?</p>

<p>Also, if it does seem all too unlikely that I'll get into Michigan, might I have a decent chance of being accepted to Michigan State? Thanks for your time and any response to my inquiry!</p>

2

<p>I don’t not know that much about these schools, but I’ll give it a shot. I think that for UMich, you’re a bit on the line; I like your ECs and your ambition, but the awful professor and slightly low GPA may work against you…I’m so sorry this happened to you! :(</p>

<p>I think that you can get into Michigan State, though, if that excites you at all! ;)</p>

<p>BTW, can you chance me back, as I am a high school sophormore…I would appreciate it!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/699897-am-i-track-ivies-duke-wake-vanderbilt-3.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/699897-am-i-track-ivies-duke-wake-vanderbilt-3.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Often, transfer acceptance rates are lower than regular admissions. Do you (anyone) know Michigan’s acceptance rate?</p>

<p>That said, I look at your profile and see a 3.1 with lots of outside activities. Based on that, I have to say UM is a long shot.</p>

<p>Furthermore, everything in your profile screams SLOW DOWN. 22 credit hours in one semester? That’s a crushing workload, one that seems to be reflected in your GPA. I think at this point you’d be better off taking fewer classes, doing very well in them and then seeing what might be available to you. Also, I’d recommend focusing in on one or two ECs. Your best chances would be to show academic discipline and commitment to a focused set of causes. After you’ve transfered you can decide if you want to open up the spigot a little.</p>

<p>Good Luck.</p>

4

<p>Big Dreamer: You certainly seem very well rounded. I would say that, at the very least, you are certain to be admitted to one of the non-ivies. As your mother is a Brown alumnus, and since you are otherwise qualified for admittance, you certainly have a shot there. Cornell, Penn, and Dartmouth would also be a great fit. With regard to these institutions, and especially if you are trying for Harvard(!) and Yale(!) I would try to bolster your academic resume with as spectacular a set of recommendations and essays as you can muster; this seems to go without saying, however, you ought not underestimate the degree to which personality factors into the admissions process. You have to consider that there are thousands of others at least as qualified as yourself who are denied at these institutions–you have to develop a means by which to stand out. I knew a kid in HS with 13 APs under his belt, 3.9+, and–after getting a 35 on his ACT–retook it and received a 36(!), did marching band, quiz bowl, debate, etc., etc… And was denied at every Ivy to which he applied, because he was short on the personality-side; his essays, etc., weren’t up to snuff. But if you produce some quality essays, etc., then you should be fine.</p>

<p>If any of your mom’s friends are alumni as well, have them write you letters of rec! Academic letters are important, but one more personal letter from an alumnus who knows you well will work wonders for you at Brown. </p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>I will likely have approx. a 3.35-3.4 by the time I apply to Michigan for the fall (2010)… Given my EC’s, and a number of letters of recommendation from alums, might my chances then be better than you are predicting?</p>

<p>Also, Though I am taking fewer courses this semester, they will prima facie look impressive, since a lot of them are graduate level (400-600+), given my advanced status. I am also 100% confident that I will receive A’s, given both my knowledge of the respective courses’ contents and the profs. Given a 4.0 in the following:</p>

<p>Spring/summer:
Calc I
Psychology 102</p>

<p>Fall:
Calc II (honors)
Discrete maths (600 level)
Neurophysiology/physical psychology (500 level)
Philosophy of Science (sat in on the graduate version of this class, know content and professor very well)</p>

<p>Logic retake (at Oakland University–prof is supposed to be veeery easy, as per his ratemyprofessors rating).</p>

<p>If I can pull A’s, I think that my overall 3.4 will look strong for Michigan, despite my “WF,” especially given my EC’s. </p>

<p>What do you guys and gals think? I will also have midterm reports to increase my chances when I apply next winter. 3.35-3.4 range is certainly better than the 3.1 I will have if they calculate my GPA now… Oh, and I noticed that above I neglected to mention my status as an honors student. I don’t know that that will improve my chances, but… </p>

<p>Thanks for any more input!</p>

6

<p>Thanks Phenomenologist, you’re so kind and helpful! I appreciate the advice and wonderful input! :wink: I think that I have good personality (from my dad; my mom’s the more academic one), as my classmates do like me very much and my teachers like me a lot more than the rest of my grade (my class is SO rowdy and aren’t awesome public speaker-hope this works to my advantage muahahahahahaha LOL); maybe this will help.</p>

<p>I actually think that you sound like a good candidate for this transfer, and I have a feeling that you will get in. I prematurely congratulate you for obtaining your degree from UMich!! :slight_smile: Best of luck to you! ;)</p>

7

<p>Thanks a lot! That is certainly an encouraging laud. Have fun at one of those prestigious institutions about which you posted. Post when you get in! Best of luck! :)</p>