I’ve been interested in U of M for some time now because of its nationally recognized performing arts program. I’m currently a junior in high school about to start my senior year. My first SAT score was a 1950, and I’ve yet to receive the results of the other test I took. I currently have a 3.8 weighted GPA and a 3.5 unweighted GPA. I’m also from NJ (out of state). I have been in our school’s performing arts program for 3 years, have been in stage crew for 3 years, and I am in the thespian society. I am the president of our school’s cultural diversity club, and I manage boy’s varsity football. I have also been in debate club for 2 years and varsity debate for another 2 years. I am also in our school’s DECA organization (marketing/business club) and our Key Club (volunteering). Aside from that, I volunteer regularly at a local hospital (Virtua) and at a rabbit rescue center. While my grades aren’t the best, do I stand a chance at getting in? It’s my dream school and I’m quite sure my SAT score will be at least 100 points higher once I receive my second test scores back.
Muhlenberg is also nationally recognized in performing arts and seems like a better fit.
Michigan is a real stretch for an out of state applicant.
Thank you! I just looked into Muhlenberg, it seems like a much better fit for me and a college that I am more likely to be accepted into. Thanks for the help!
Look at Emerson,too.
Although School for Music and Theater has different criteria for admission, your GPA and test scores are both far below the admission 25th percentile for the school overall. Unless you have extreme talent on something related to your major (e.g. instrument performance), it would be very unlikely to get it with your current stat.
Michigan uses a weighting system where all “A/A-” becomes A, B-/B/B+ = B etc. They also give a boost for AP, and some known high schools also receive a boost. So your GPA might adjust up or down depending on your grade distribution. Admitted student average for freshman is 3.85. I would take the SAT one last time in Oct. and try to increase your SAT score to the 2150-2200 range - this will help you if you don’t get admitted to SMTD.
For the school of Music, Theatre and Dance average GPA is 3.6, SAT 1942/2400, (which is lower than the University as a whole) so you are in the ballpark with your current stats. It really depends on your audition. (Engineering has the highest with GPA 3.9 and SAT 1430/1600).
I would carefully prepare your portfolio for a good chance at the program.
Actually, UMich uses NO weighting system and do not consider subgrades in GPA calculation. It may adjust the GPA slightly in either direction but not likely a boost. They do not give a “boost” for AP but they do look at the course rigor as the second most important factor. Nevertheless, one you have sufficient rigor like 5-6 APs, additional AP does not really make much difference. So far the admission stats are up to 2014 only, it is getting a lot more competitive this year particularly for OOS students. So I would not really count on the stat from 2 years ago. Audition is indeed the most important factor though. I know a music performance major with ACT 25 (but GPA 3.9) admitted last year.