UMichigan Ann Arbor Class of 2021 Results Only

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
81

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2330 800CR, 780 W, 750 M
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 780 Math II, 770 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Weighted GPA: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 6/205
AP (place score in parenthesis): AB Calc 5, APUSH 5, Lang 5, Bio 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP BC Calc, AP Literature, Honors Humanities (another english), AP Euro, AP Gov, AP Latin, Music Theory (taking AP on own), band
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Commended, AP scholar with Honors, University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony/ Frederick Douglass Award, University of Rochester George Eastman Award

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Youth symphony, Principal horn, Interlochen Arts camp for two summers horn, Jazz band guitar, Tri-M music honors society (VP), pit musician on both horn and guitar, 5 years private study french horn, All-State first chair, regionals, etc. Varsity golf (captain) and Swimming, Yearbook (Editor in chief), Girl Scouts for 12 years, strong interest in writing: maintain political blog, write for local newspaper, published short stories
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: 4 years, 2 hours a week every Saturday working for KEYS, organization that brings music lessons to underprivileged kids
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App 9.5, Supplementals 7… they were a little strange not going to lie. I wrote about how I am a political junkie and it was sort of weird, but I guess they liked it
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): English teacher… 8
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): APUSH teacher… he LOVED me, probably a 9.5
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): Probably pretty generic… she likes me but I haven’t really gone out of my way to become her best friend or anything like that… 7
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): Got one from my french horn teacher and I’m probably his favorite student just about ever. I’d say that was an 11.
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details):N/A

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Political Science/ French horn performance
State (if domestic applicant): Connecticut
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 250k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflections:
Strengths: theme of music in my application, strong
Weaknesses: never visited the school, had a couple of Bs in math
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Michigan looks for the grades above all else. In my school about 30 kids applied EA and they really only accepted the top five from that list. The rest were deferred.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: rejected at Stanford REA, waiting on a whole bunch of others

General Comments (if any): I applied to both LSA and SMTD, so I still have to audition for SMTD, but so excited to be in LSA!!!

82

Decision: Accepted, College of Engineering

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT (breakdown): 35 composite, 32 math, 36 science, 36 reading, 35 english
SAT II: didn’t send
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.9 on a 6.0 scale (my school doesn’t do a conversion)
Weighted GPA: n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): my school doesn’t rank or do percentiles, but approx. top 40%
AP (place score in parenthesis): n/a
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP BC Calculus, adv. Calculus-Based Physics, adv. US History (essentially APUSH), adv. English, AP Computer Science (1 term), senior science electives, Musical Production
(my school doesn’t have “official” AP classes, but they are on the same level)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): not an award, but Davidson Young Scholar

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 2 different a cappella groups (co-president of both), Suzuki violin 11 yrs, voice lessons, orchestra, chorus, musical theatre, sketch comedy group, (proctor in my dorm - think like a prefect in Harry Potter), volunteer peer tutor, campus tour guide, JV swimming, local competitive swim team, debate/oral interpretation for 2 years
Job/Work Experience: McDonalds: summer before 11th grade, 30-35 hrs/week
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered in an engineering school’s physics research lab: summer before 12th grade, 20 hrs/week
Summer Activities: competitive swimming, by-audition musical theatre intensive program, lots of travel, plus activities listed above
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8/10 probably. Michigan supplement was good - talked about a cappella for my extra-curricular and theatre for my community. Common app essay was possibly a bit negative, although my counselor said it was good. It was about my transition from public school to boarding school and balancing living in 2 different places
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): see below

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 9/10 or 10/10 11th grade physics teacher
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 9/10 or 10/10 11th grade math teacher
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 8/10 or 9/10 probably - my counselor switched halfway through the college process
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): choir director/musical theatre director; 10/10
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): 10/10 I had a HAIL interview with a local engineering alum. It was fantastic, we had a great conversation! She seemed to really like me. Learned some very helpful info about the College of Engineering as well.

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Engineering, undecided (maybe Biomedical or Environmental)
State (if domestic applicant): OOS
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: 4-year private boarding prep school
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Income Bracket: $200,000/yr +
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): both parents attended U-M, grandpa was a professor at U-M Flint

Reflections:
Strengths: combo of engineering + passion for music and theatre, test scores, legacy, interview
Weaknesses: grades, comparison to other students from my high school (it’s very competitive)
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: female engineer from underrepresented state + legacy
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: accepted SD School of Mines & Technology, rejected Northwestern, waiting on UVA and UW-Madison, applying RD to WashU, Stanford, and some Ivies

General Comments (if any): I’m so happy I was accepted! :slight_smile: Michigan is one of my favorite schools! Go Blue!!

83

Decision: Accepted LSA

Objective:
ACT (breakdown): 34C
Weighted GPA: 4.07
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 20-30%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Two 4s
Senior Year Course Load: 6 APs, two of which are half-year
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Commended, Science Award for a Project

[B]Subjective:*
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Not much
Job/Work Experience: Have been working for past 3 months, 14-20hrs/week
Volunteer/Community service: Big part of my extracurricular school
Summer Activities: Volunteer Trips, Summer Class in London
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Unique
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Good?

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Ross Preferred, Finance, Accounting, Economics
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Top 1%

Reflections:
Strengths: ACT
Weaknesses: GPA, OOS
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Visited, Emailed rep once, ACT score,

General Comments (if any):

I’m going blue

84

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 710 Math, 690 Reading (1400 composite)
ACT (breakdown): 32 Math, 33 Reading, 35 Engligh, 34 Science (33 composite)
SAT II: 700 US History, 700 English
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Weighted GPA: 4.4
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (4), English Language (5), Psychology (4), Calc AB (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Literature and Composition, AP German Language, AP United States Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Biology, AP Physics 1, AP Statistics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Humanitarian club (Vice-President), Best Buddies (President), Yearbook (Advertisements Editor), School Newspaper (Editor In Chief), Musical Theater (Principle role)
Job/Work Experience: Lifeguard (CPR Certified)
Volunteer/Community service: Started a food drive for underprivileged children in my community, volunteered at an extended school year program for special needs students. Organized and chaired tons of events through Humanitarian club at school to raise money for different causes. National Honor Society member.
Summer Activities: Work, Volunteering.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9, probably generously. I didn’t have anyone to review them, but I am a strong writer.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 9, German Teacher whom I’ve had for 5 years. He let me read it and it was very appropriate, complimentary, and impressive.
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 8/9, English teacher that I’ve had for over a year now. She seems to like me as a student and a person, so I have faith that her letter was good.
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 9, He told me he was very excited to write it because he had a lot of positive things to say about me. Didn’t read it.
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): N/A
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): N/A

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Cell and Molecular Biology
State (if domestic applicant): Pennsylvania
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <$50,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): low income family and gay lol, good choice to represent public schools in my area

Reflections:
Strengths: Well Rounded, strong writer, played up LGBT involvement, strong ACT score. Strong Letters of recommendation, leadership, strong gpa
Weaknesses: it probably looks like im doing too much lol
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I suppose my application was strong and the admissions team liked me! I’m very excited to be accepted into one of my top schools! :slight_smile:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted with Presidential scholarship to Temple University in Philadelphia, Accepted into Pittsburgh, Accepted into Northeastern, waiting on University of Washington in Seattle, Tufts University, and Boston University.

85

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2130 (740 CR, 690 M, 700 W)
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.35
Weighted GPA: 3.9
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (3), US History (4), Psychology (5), AB Calculus, Statistics, Macroeconomics, Literature
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature, Computer Science
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): n/a

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Student Organization Vice President (4 Years)
-Varsity Wrestling (4 years)
-Finance Club (Founder & President) (2 years, won 2nd place at a Trading Day competition)
-Economics Club (Treasurer) (2 years)
-Community Board (President) (3 years, organized and directed events to benefit the underprivileged, disabled, and elderly)
-Borough Student Advisory Council (2 years, selected as one of two students to represent the school in a city-wide panel of students to improve learning environment)
-UNICEF (Vice President) (4 years)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service:
-Two annual charity events that I participated in throughout four years.
Summer Activities:
-Legislative/Budget Intern for the New York City Council (2 years)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 7.5, wrote about an impoverished family I met during my internship and I had failed to help them, but how it also inspired in me a sense to work harder as a person.
8.5, wrote a pretty funny essay about the strict tradition of authentic Chinese food.
9, wrote from the bottom of my heart about why I loved the school.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 8

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 9, had this teacher from freshman to junior math and she was ecstatic about writing my recommendation and raved about it.
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 7, had this teacher for four years from freshman English to being my Student Organization advisor.
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 7, don’t really know much about it.
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): 9, from an elected politician detailing the projects I worked on throughout my internship and my sense of community/perseverance.
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): n/a

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Pre-Admit to Ross School of Business, concentration in Finance
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Specialized High School
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >$25,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
-First generation college
-ESL

Reflections:
Strengths: Showed sharp upward trend with anything below an A concentrated in freshman year (a bunch of C’s), spent a lot of my time in community work and taking leadership positions.
Weaknesses: GPA
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Visited the campus in October and fell in love, wrote strong essays demonstrating interest in the school.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Deferred Fordham, Deferred Northeastern, Deferred BC

General Comments (if any):

86

Decision: Accepted LSA

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2320 Old SAT (Math:800, CR:760, W: 760)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Math 2: 800 US History: 740
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8-3.9 (depending on how they recalculated)
Weighted GPA: N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 5s (Calc BC, Calc AB, World History, English Language and Composition, Statistics) 1 4 (APUSH)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus/Formal Logic, AP English Lit, AP Economics, AP Physics C, AP Spanish Language and Comp
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 4 year Varsity tennis(captain), Officer in Asian American Association, math team, dorm council, economics club(President/Founder)
Job/Work Experience: Intern for Senate Campaign (over 20 hours a week for 2 years)
Volunteer/Community service: Teaching ESL to Chinese senior citizens at Chinese school (like 300 hours)
Summer Activities: Yale YYGS PLE program, 2 service trips
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (9.5/10, I poured my heart into it and talked about my Congressional dreams how family story shaped it) Michigan Activity: (8/10, meh talked about tennis) Michigan Community (8.5/10, talked about Asian American community and how I’ve grown into a leader but it’s not that unique) Why Michigan (8.5/10, kind of generic but just gave a lot of specifics about classes and curriculum and how it fits my interests in economics/law school)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): See below

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 10/10, didn’t read but APUSH teacher that awarded me History department prize
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): Either 5/10 or 8/10, didn’t read but AP Stats teacher whom I have really no idea how he wrote it
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 8/10, didn’t read but I got to know her pretty well and demonstrated a ton of effort
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): none
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): none

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Economics
State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
Country (if international applicant): Murica
School Type: small private boarding
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $400k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflections:
Strengths: SAT, transcript difficulty, personal statement, solid extracurriculars
Weaknesses: Uncertain recommendations, maybe more leadership positions, GPA could be higher
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: See strengths
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: waiting on Chicago and the Ivy range

General Comments (if any):Just truly do your best

87

Decision: Accepted College of Engineering

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1460 (M:800, E/R:660, W: 21)
ACT (breakdown): 31 (Highest scores: E: 34, M: 35, R: 32, S:32, W:25)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
Weighted GPA: 4.136
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/328
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB (5), AP Calc BC (5), AP Physics 1 (3), AP Euro (3), APUSH (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): IB Spanish SL (5)
Senior Year Course Load: IB Biology HL, IB Econ SL, IB TOK II, IB Lit HL, Leadership, IB Math HL, IB Psych SL, AP Physics 2, DE Calc 3
Honors: Society of Women Engineers’ Merit Award, DECA State Qualifier, AP Scholar with Distinction, Michigan Math Prize Competition Level 1 Finalist, National Honors Society

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Student Assembly (Vice President)
DECA
India Association Youth Committee (Vice President)
JV Tennis
Jain Organization of Youth (Publication Officer)
Quiz Bowl (Captain)

Job/Work Experience:
Instructor at Mathnasium
Hostess at House of Fortune

Volunteer/Community service:
Soles4Souls
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Children’s Museum

Summer Activities:
Leadership Camp
Biotechnology Camp
Creative Writing Camp

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: 8
Activity: 9
Community: 8
Why Michigan: 8

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 9
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 10
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 8
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): Mathnasium employer: 9
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): N/A

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: middle/upper class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflections:
Strengths: Rigorous curriculum, IB Diploma, Math skills
Weaknesses: Test scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Have done a lot in comparison to others at my school
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to Wayne State and Michigan State

88

[B][size=4][color=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size][/b]

[B]Objective:*
SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 27 (2nd time), 26 (1st time) and essay 26.

SAT II: 1210
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): -----
Weighted GPA: 3.9906
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4
AP (place score in parenthesis): Psychology (3) Chemistry (2)
IB (place score in parenthesis): ------
Senior Year Course Load: 1st semester: AP Macroeconomics online, AP U.S Government online, Yearbook, College Algebra, AP Environmental Science, College Prep English IV. 2nd semester: AP Microeconomics, dual enrollment Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1, Independent Study Yearbook, College Prep English IV, AP Environmental Science
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): ------

[B]Subjective:*
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student Council 10,11,12 (President) SADD 10,11,12 (Leadership team 11,12) NHS 11,12 Science Olympiad 10,11,12 Youth in Government 9,10,11,12 (Assistant Editor at conference 11)
Job/Work Experience: Worked two different jobs over the past two summers.
Volunteer/Community service: A local and newly renovated theater downtown I have volunteered there for 4 years. I also started volunteering last year at a non profit that helps girls borrow a dress for a formal event if they cannot afford one.
Summer Activities: Working, visited a few college campuses.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 10. I spent so much time researching and reviewing. My UMich essay was specifically focused on Ross. The community one would probably be a 6, I feel like it was generic.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): My biology and APES teacher (same teacher) wrote me an amazing letter. Not sure about the others, I think they just used a template.

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details):
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details):
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details):
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details):

[B]Other:*
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Business
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small Public
Ethnicity: Caucasian/Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: ----
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): ----

[B]Reflections:*
Strengths: I think I have a strong senior year schedule, and I’ve taken very competitive classes for my high school. I also believe my class rank is decent, along with my several ECs
Weaknesses: Test scores.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: UIUC- Accepted LAS, Deferred Business
UPenn- Rejected

[B]General Comments (if any):*
Not sure if I should send a letter of continued interest… I really want to go to U of M!
Congratulations to all that have been accepted, and good luck to those deferred like I have been!

89

[B][size=4][color=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size][/b]
[B][size=4][color=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size][/b]
[B][size=4][color=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size][/b]

[B]Objective:*
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 30
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Weighted GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A (Not offered at my school)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A (Not offered at my school)
Senior Year Course Load: Calculus, Spanish 2, Chem 2, U.S. History, Agriculture 4, A & P, College English
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Health science department award, computer science award, star in agribusiness in FFA, member of society of academic achievement, 1st place in Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering biology division.

[B]Subjective:*
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): FFA (Chapter reporter, section vice president); Class council (President 4 years); Student council; History Club; 2 Years Scholastic Bowl (JV Captain); 1 Year Marching Band
Job/Work Experience: 1 year as cashier at Menard’s (10 hrs./wk.); 1 year as cashier at Hy-Vee (10 hrs./wk.)
Volunteer/Community service: Humane Society, helped at children’s cancer fundraiser rodeo, relay for life set-up, BINGO at local nursing home, stocked cans at local food pantry
Summer Activities: ?? I can’t think of anything.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Personal Essay (9), Activity Essay (7), Communities Essay (9), College or School (9)

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): English Teacher (9) She loves me for some reason and I don’t know why.
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): Agriculture Teacher (8) I don’t think she can write very well, but she knows me the best.
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 9
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details):
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details):

[B]Other:*
Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Rural, Enrollment 200, No AP or IB offered
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 100,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

[B]Reflections:*
Strengths: I hi-lighted the diversity of my strengths well.
Weaknesses: Comma errors :frowning:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Not a boring student
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: UIUC (James Scholars)

[B]General Comments (if any):*

90

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 32 C
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.72
Weighted GPA: 4.05
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geography (4), APUSH (4), Seminar (4), Lang (5), Calc AB (5), Micro (4), Macro (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Gov/AP Comp gov, AP comp sci, AP Stats, AP Research, AP bio
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): United States Senate Youth Program delegate, foreign affairs conference attendee (on full scholarship)

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Statewide youth political organization (chair), girls’ education in developing world club (President/Founder), intern for National Organization for Women, Fellow for Hillary Campaign
Job/Work Experience: Tutor
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities: Intern on congressional campaign, worked in med school physiology lab as research assistant
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8, felt pretty good about them
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Probably both around 8

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 8, didn’t read
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 8, didn’t read
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 7, didn’t read
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): n/a
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): n/a

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Indian American
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 180,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflections:
Strengths: Extracurriculars, essay, strong recommendations
Weaknesses: GPA
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: in-state w/ good extracurriculars and decent test scores
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

91

Decision: Accepted

[B]Objective:*
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7
Weighted GPA: 4.13
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): None
AP (place score in parenthesis): BC Calc, AP Comp Sci, AP Gov US, AP Physics C, AP Macroeconomics (All senior year)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:BC Calc, AP Comp Sci, AP Gov US, AP Physics C, AP Macroeconomics, Honors Humanities
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Honors Society, Illinois State Scholar

[B]Subjective:*
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Two A Cappella groups, Varsity Soccer, and DECA
Job/Work Experience: Soccer Referee
Volunteer/Community service: Temple, local group, scattered stuff like that
Summer Activities: 2 week class at Wash U, Community College Engineering Class
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9. Very well written and passionate.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 9. Very good relationships with teachers.

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details):
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details):
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details):
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details):

[B]Other:*
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Undecided (LSA)
State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: M
Income Bracket: Both parents retired
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

[B]Reflections:*
Strengths: ACT, Recs, Essays
Weaknesses: GPA, lots of kids from my high school apply there
Why you think you were accepted: Not many kids play a varsity sport and sing for all 4 years. I’ve always wanted to go to Michigan so I had some pretty passionate essays.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Illinois Engineering (Accepted), Purdue Engineering (Accepted), Miami OH (Accepted, Honors)

[B]General Comments (if any):*

92

[size=4]Decision: Accepted into LSA

**Objective: **
SAT I (breakdown): 750 CR, 770 Math, 790 Writing
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 740 Math II, 720 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.68
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/307
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (3), AP Music Theory (5), AP Human Geography (5), AP Chem (3), AP English Lang (5), APES (4), AP Psychology (5), AP Gov (5)
–[I self-studied for AP Psych, APES, and AP Gov last year out of interest in the subjects + hope to get college credit)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus BC, AP English Literature, AP Statistics, AP MicroEcon, AP Micro
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Nothing major per se. I have about 5 or 6 national debate awards, a few writing competition awards (regional, national, and international); won a lot of school awards as well, and some random national Latin awards

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Debate (Co-Captain)
-Broadcasting Club (Camera Director/Co-Founder; we received a pretty large grant from our school and have a few sponsorships from school alumni; we essentially broadcast our sports games/big school events live)
-Distinguished Speakers Club (invite and host notable speakers on campus, e.g. Rand Paul, Anthony Barr)
-Student Government (Speech and Debate Representative)
[these are my major activities; I’m in a few smaller clubs ]

Job/Work Experience: Private Tutor for first-generation students (weekends)

Volunteer/Community service: I started my own service project where I go out and just talk to homeless individuals on the streets in LA, take a portrait of them if they let me, and give them a care package of supplies (toiletries, snacks, etc.) and I’ve worked at soup kitchens

Summer Activities: (in no particular order)
-Volunteer at KYCC Summer Day Camp for low-income students (8 weeks)
-Model Congress Workshop in Washington D.C. (all-expense-paid prize from a writing competition)
-internship at a marketing company in DTLA
-worked at a scholarship company as an intake manager for the past two years as well

Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9 [I’ve been told by my teachers/peers that I have a very unique writing style, so that might’ve helped]

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 8

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 9 [I work with this teacher a lot: He’s the moderator for the debate team and another club I’m a part of. I also had him for APUSH, so he knows me very well.)
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 7-8
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 9 (I’m fortunately really close with my counselor)
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details):
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details):

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major: Business at Ross (fingers crossed)
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Catholic (private)
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: middle-class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflections:
Strengths: I’m very confident in my writing abilities, strong grades/test scores, atypical resume for my ethnicity, unique extra-curriculars, awards in my activities
Weaknesses: I’m not entirely sure, and not to sound arrogant or pompous but I felt really confident about my application
Why you think you were accepted: I don’t have a definite answer for this. I guess I just presented “who I am” in my application
Where else were you accepted: Deferred from Yale

General Comments (if any):
If you have any questions about my resume, essays, specific situation, etc. please feel free to PM me!

93

Decision: Accepted
with 23k scholarships

[asize=4]Objective:[/size]
SAT I (breakdown):1460/1600
ACT (breakdown):34
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.7
Weighted GPA:3.87
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC 5, Bio 4, Microecon 4, gov 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: 2 dual enroll(calc 3 and anthropology), AP German,cs, lang, regular accounting
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): BPA national 2nd place

[asize=4]Subjective:[/size]
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): MUN Pres, BPA VP, 5 honor societies, German club pres, Captain of 2 varsity sports, piano for 10 years
Job/Work Experience: dishwasher and tutor
Volunteer/Community service:volunteered in india
Summer Activities: college classes, worked for the mayor
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9, counselor said it was the best essay he ever read and I’m not even a good writer
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 10
Teacher Rec #1:10 German teacher knows me very personally, we text all the time lol
Teacher Rec #2:8 econ teacher, i was one of his best students and he was always friendly with me
Counselor Rec: 8 know him pretty well, always nice to me
Additional Rec:
Interview:

[asize=4]Other:[/size]
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: business
State (if domestic applicant): michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:public
Ethnicity: indian
Gender: male
Income Bracket: high
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): n?a

[asize=4]Reflection:[/size]
Strengths: test scores, essays, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: gpa
Why you think you were accepted: tests scores and essay
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
waiting on like ten schools of varying degrees, accepted to UMICH, and michigan state, and indiana, rejected from brown, deferred from uchicago
[asize=4]General Comments:[/size] good luck everyone

94

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):1460/1600
ACT (breakdown):34
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.7
Weighted GPA:3.87
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC 5, Bio 4, Microecon 4, gov 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: 2 dual enroll(calc 3 and anthropology), AP German,cs, lang, regular accounting
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): BPA national 2nd place

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): MUN Pres, BPA VP, 5 honor societies, German club pres, Captain of 2 varsity sports, piano for 10 years
Job/Work Experience: dishwasher and tutor
Volunteer/Community service:volunteered in india
Summer Activities: college classes, worked for the mayor
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9, counselor said it was the best essay he ever read and I’m not even a good writer
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 10
Teacher Rec #1:10 German teacher knows me very personally, we text all the time lol
Teacher Rec #2:8 econ teacher, i was one of his best students and he was always friendly with me
Counselor Rec: 8 know him pretty well, always nice to me
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: business
State (if domestic applicant): michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:public
Ethnicity: indian
Gender: male
Income Bracket: high
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): n?a

Reflection:
Strengths: test scores, essays, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: gpa
Why you think you were accepted: tests scores and essay
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
waiting on like ten schools of varying degrees, accepted to case, and michigan state, and indiana, rejected from brown, deferred from uchicago
[au][aB][asize=4]General Comments:[/size]** good luck everyone

95

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2200 (Super- 730 W, 800 M, 670 CR)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 790 Math II, 800 Bio, 760 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.71
Weighted GPA: 4.01
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): Bio 4, Psych 5, Calc AB 5, Lang 5, USH 4, Euro 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Lit, AP Stats, AP Calc BC, AP Chem, Advanced Research in Synthetic Bio, Honors String Orchestra
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): meh… Scholar w/ Distinction, WFA Certificate, Honor Roll

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Cross Country, Stu-Gov, iGEM, Environment Club Co-Founder
Job/Work Experience: Infectious Diseases Lab Intern
Volunteer/Community service: Thailand Health Service Trip
Essays (rating 1-10, details):7-8 I had a good Common App essay (about taking care of my Grandpa who had Alzheimer’s).
Teacher Rec #1: 8-9 psych teacher: I worked my ass off in his class and got an A+. Maybe he wrote a decent essay
Teacher Rec #2: 5-6 AP lit teacher, I’m a decent kid in his class but not his most brilliant.
Counselor Rec: He likes me but I don’t know if he wrote a good rec.
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Biology
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Taiwan
School Type: private international
Ethnicity: Taiwanese-American
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: high
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): n?a

Reflection:
Strengths: SAT II
Weaknesses: GPA, Extracurriculars
Why you think you were accepted:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:Not showing enough interest in the school, my high school has a record number of students in past years who applied, got in, and didn’t attend… maybe that ticked them off.
Rejects: Columbia ED
Acceptances:

Good luck everyone… don’t stress too much about this process and just let fate decide everything.

96

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 31 (34 eng, 32 math, 31 science, 29 reading, 23 writing)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8
Weighted GPA: 4.325
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 7/114
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (2), APUSH (2), AP Chem (4), AP Physics 1 (2), AP Lang (3), AP Micro (3), AP Macro (4), AP Gov (3), AP Bio, AP Lit, AP Calc BC, AP Psych (did not send test scores)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Lit, Latin 1 (online), religion, AP Calc BC, and AP Psych
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Interact Rotary, Girl Scouts (elementary troop leader), Math team member,
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: math tutor (8 hours a week)
Summer Activities: Notre Dame DNA learning center (2015), Michigan Math and Science Scholars (2016)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8, my essays highlighted my volunteer experiences with Girl Scouts and my experiences doing research with MMSS
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): I have good relationships with my two recommenders, both of whom had me for Freshman-Junior year and one has me Senior year also. My counselor has changed 3 times during high school, so his recommendation was not as helpful.

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biopsychology, Cognitivity, and Neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): MI
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private, Catholic
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflections:
Strengths: MMSS participant, strong essays, strong grades
Weaknesses: lower ACT than preferred, low ECs
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Instate, multiple APs, multiple high school visits with the admissions counselor, strong grades, MMSS participant
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: Fordham University, Loyola University of Chicago, Providence College, Case Western Reserve; waiting for: UVA, NYU, and Brown

97

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 34 (34 english, 32 math, 32 reading, 36 science)
SAT II: 770 chem, 800 math ii, 800 biology m
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8
Weighted GPA: 4.46
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (4), AP Chem (4), AP Bio (4), AP Psych (5), AP Comp Sci (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C E&M, AP Calc BC, AP French, Honors Choir, AP Gov, AP English Lit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Theatre (on stage and off stage roles), Science Olympiad (several regional medals), Karate, Class Board
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Math Tutor (5 hours/week)
Summer Activities: Psychiatry Intern
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8, my essays were all about my love for science and how it is like being the child of immigrants
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Waived my right to see them. N/A

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Astrophysics, Biology, Pre-Med
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflections:
Strengths: heavy courseload, good essays
Weaknesses: not very good leadership in my ECs
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: my test scores and essays
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: UW Madison, Depaul, UIUC. Deferred: UChicago

98

[B][size=4][color=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size][/b]

[B]Objective:*
SAT I (breakdown): 800 math 750 reading/writing
ACT (breakdown): 34
SAT II: 710 Math I 730 literature :confused:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7
Weighted GPA:4.2
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 AP Bio 5 Psych 5 Language and Composition 5 APUSH
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stat, AP Economics, AP Calculus AB, AP Literature, AP US Govt and Politics, Chemistry
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): ?

[B]Subjective:*
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS (Historian), Freshman class president, Political Club (President), Mock Trial (Lawyer), Yearbook (Sports Editor in Chief), L.E.O. (Vice President), Student Government, Model United Nations, Football (Captain), Lacrosse (Captain), School spirit group (Captain), School Newspaper, Science Club
Job/Work Experience: Volunteer Counselor in Training for 2 years - waterfront lifeguard 1 year - swim instructor 1 year
Volunteer/Community service: Local Soup Kitchen, Local food pantry, youth football league, local relay for life (captain), salvation army fundraising, school orientation, local special olympics
Summer Activities: (the jobs) also lacrosse team
Essays (rating 1-10, details): why Umich - 7 could’ve def. been better - commonapp - 8
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 10
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 8
Teacher Rec #3 (rating 1-10, details):7
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 9
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details):

[B]Other:*
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: undecided - business to ross
State (if domestic applicant): CT
School Type: small public elite
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Income Bracket: $150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): not many

[B]Reflections:*
Strengths: my test scores are great - my extracurriculars are solid - my recommendations are solid
Weaknesses: I should’ve put more effort into having a hook they could define me as - in my application it is unclear “what” “type of student” I am - I’m all over the place - my school is also very competitive which deflates my gpa and rank
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: they didn’t get to my application or cause I’m OOS and not a “special interest” student
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: deferred - UVA rejected - UPenn and UNC accepted -Villanova and Northeastern

99

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/a
ACT (breakdown): 35 (32 Writing, 33 Math, 34 Science, 35 Reading, 36 English)
SAT II: 1400 (Didn’t send)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 Michigan GPA, 3.99 HS GPA
Weighted GPA: 4.2 something
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Don’t rank.
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/a
IB (place score in parenthesis): Tests aren’t until May. Going for full Diploma. SL History, SL Biology, SL Chemisty, HL Math, HL Literature, HL Spanish
Senior Year Course Load: Product Team, IB Exam Prep, Theory of Knowledge II, SL History, SL Biology, SL Chemistry, HL Math, HL Literature, HL Spanish
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Senior Year and potentially from the other years as well: Quizbowl (Co-Captain), horseback riding, Middle School Mentoring for Conflict Resolution (Lead mentor, co-wrote a year of curriculum), National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, FRC Robotics (Leader of Business Team and general Lead Student), Drama, Math Modeling Competition
Sometime in the past four years but NOT my senior year: Science Olympiad, Volleyball
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: Mentoring Middle Schoolers about conflict resolution, Mentoring middle schoolers in Science Olympiad, Volunteered in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica
Summer Activities: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the above trips to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Didn’t mention them in my app, but also did some Comp Sci camps at Michigan and a Robotics camp at MSU
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
MAIN COMMOM APP: 9-10. About my Robotics team and an innovative solution I came up with at a competition and how that shows us that in order to solve problems you’ve got to view the world from different angles.
MICHIGAN SUPPLEMENTS: 9-10. I linked events and activities in my life to the idea of leadership and how that fits in with various aspects of Ross in the Why Michigan essay and otherwise tried to show diverse interests and a love for leadership and hands-on learning.
ROSS SUPPLEMENTS: 9-10. Found one relatively major typo sentence in my business solution essay that just didn’t make sense, but otherwise talked about utilizing school requirements for service to help communities incubate businesses, which is applicable to an area near me. For my artifact I took a picture of a parody of a song my class of 5 wrote in Costa Rica as our final project and then performed that was reflecting on what we’d learned in Costa Rica. The picture itself was of the notebook I took up with me when I performed with my speaker notes and all scribbled over it. I then connected that to a Costa Rican phrase that I have since be applying to my life and briefly described how and what that’s taught me.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 10. Legitimately, if he couldn’t convince a college to take me no one could. Have had him for both literature and history. Literature I had him for 3 semesters, history 2. I didn’t read it, but I’m sure it’s wonderful.
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): N/a
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 8. Not sure how he feels about me honestly, but he really does care about everyone doing well and put a lot of effort into our recs. Again, didn’t read, but probably 7-10 somewhere.
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): N/a
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): N/a

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Filed FAFSA, got the Regents $1,500 scholarship
Intended Major: Business!
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public consortium
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: High
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Multiple, brother currently attends. Visited Ross. Going for IB Diploma

Reflections:
Strengths: GPA, ACT, In-State, Essays, Recs
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: The above. I put a ton of work into both high school and my essays.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at Iowa, MSU, Western Michigan, a small private in Florida, and have applied to Florida.

General Comments (if any):

Best advice for non-seniors: Do what you love, don’t do things just to build a resume of stuff! The difference is really obvious once you start writing about your activities!
Best advice for those still waiting: Consider your other options, but most certainly do not lose hope! Everything will turn out as it is meant to.

I’ll see y’all in the fall. Go blue!

100

S OOS. Accepted
[B]Objective:*
SAT I (breakdown): 2250 800M, 700 Reading 750 W
ACT (breakdown): none
SAT II: 800 math2.
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Weighted GPA: 4.35
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): guessing top 10 out of 450
AP (place score in parenthesis): 7 total
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: 3 apps, one honor, two classes at local college
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): no major awards

[B]Subjective:*
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student body president
Job/Work Experience: tutor
Volunteer/Community service: help kids with disabilities play sports
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 7. just ok.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):9-10. Student Gov teacher wrote an outstanding one,

[B]Other:*
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major:Ross
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:public
Ethnicity:
Gender:M
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

[B]Reflections:*
Strengths: Leadership, GPA, and community involvement
Weaknesses: only 7 apps. Should have taken two more Junior year
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Leadership and holistic approach
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

[B]General Comments (if any):*