University of Michigan Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi guys, </p>

<p>I was wondering if you would be willing to give me a honest assessment of my chances of entering the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor LSA/Ross. Here is my applicant package: </p>

<hr>

<p>HS Class of 2014, Male, Asian, 51 students in grad class
GPA: ~3.2 (UW), bad grade trend but massive increase senior year
SAT: 1950, Math 690, Reading 640, Writing: 660 (10 on essay)
ACT: 30
Class Rank: School does not rank due to intense competition among students
National Merit Commended Scholar</p>

<p>AP Classes (I basically took the most challenging courses offered at my school):
- AP Calc AB
- AP Stats
- AP Computer Science
- AP Literature
- AP Comparative Government
- AP Chemistry
- AP Biology </p>

<p>Extracurriculars: </p>

<p>Future Business Leaders of America -
- National Western Region Board Member (overseeing 10 states & 2 US territories)
- Local Chapter President (12)
- Local Chapter PR Officer (11)
- National 4th Place in "Emerging Business Issues" competition
- State 1st Place in "Business Plan"
- State 1st Place in "Digital Video Production"
- State Finalist in "Entrepreneurship"
- Multiple Regional Awards
- 2 National Conference internships</p>

<ul>
<li>Part-time job at Nordstrom, followed by Lucidoc Co.</li>
<li>State Representative for the National Teen Council </li>
<li>Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer for Rain Arcade, a start-up producing iOS applications; apps continue to bring in revenue to date</li>
<li>CEO of InternFox; nonprofit connecting high school students in Seattle area to internships (Internfox</a> · Home) </li>
<li>Selected by school district to create district-wide business plan competition</li>
<li>Chinese School class president; 1st place in Chinese culture competition; 2nd place in Chinese "spelling bee" competition;</li>
<li>Varsity tennis player</li>
<li>2 music certificates from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM); 1st Alto Sax player in school band, District Honor Band </li>
<li>School Government 12th Grade Senator </li>
<li>100+ hours of community service/volunteer work</li>
</ul>

<p>Great essays (one was about my experience and personal growth from delivering presents to kids living in impoverished neighborhoods on Christmas Eve my junior year)
Great letters of recommendation (1 from counselor, 2 from teachers, 1 from school district, 1 from manager at Nordstrom) </p>

<p>Additional Materials I Sent (colleges allow students to send in individual works or projects):
- 30 page business plan
- Culminating Project paper titled: "Equity Options Trading: Five Strategic Moves to Make - Jan. 2014" </p>

<h2>- Personal statement explaining my low GPA</h2>

<p>My experience in high school was quite unique. I come from a pretty rigorous high school (ranked #22 public high school in the US), but it's not a super famous/wealthy private prep school on the East Coast or anything. As a small school with only 350 students, we have a very set curriculum from 7th - 12th grade including Spanish & Art for 4 years, and part of my low GPA is due to being in advanced math but being a year behind in Spanish (I joined in 8th grade, so I started Spanish late). As a result, I went from Spanish 1 -> 2 -> 4; likewise I went from Art 2 -> 1 -> 4. </p>

<p>Ultimately, my low GPA is due to a lack of effort and hard work in high school, not to mention time-consuming extracurriculars. I explain all of that in my personal statement, and the lessons I have learned. </p>

<p>I know UM is a reach for me, with my low GPA and average SAT/ACT. What do you think my chances are of getting in? I'm quite passionate about business/finance specifically, and it's a same my school didn't have any classes for those topics. I know I won't get into Ross Pre-Admit, but LSA? </p>

<p>Sorry for the long post. Thanks for your help guys! I really appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>Also, sorry to add, but I’m applying to UNC-CH & Duke as well, so getting an evaluation on those chances would be really appreciated too. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I already got into Indiana’s Kelley pre-finance program & Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s economics program. </p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

3

<p>UofM is really big on GPA and test scores, since it is a state school. Your GPA is pretty low for UofM because UofM wants GPAs of 3.8 or higher. In addition, for standardized test scores, the average SAT is in the 2000’s and since you are an Asian, you will need an ACT score higher than a 30. So, your standardized test scores are also pretty weak. So, overall, your stats are a big disadvantage at a school like UofM, which is big on stats. However, your EC’s and the essays/ supplements you sent it are definitely great and unique. However, seeing that you said your bad grades are due to lack of motivation, I am not sure if your personal statement would enhance your app. But, UofM might be impressed with your supplements and EC’s. So, you do have a chance (don’t lose complete hope), but do not be surprised if you are rejected.
On a sidenote, Ross is pretty competitive, so I think u have even slimmer chance of getting in there.</p>

4

<p>I agree with neurogirl197. Your chances to UMich, Duke, and (I think, idk much about it) UNC Chapel Hill are very slim. Your ECs are good, but a 3.2 GPA is very low, and having a “lack of effort” is not going to look good. Apply anyways, but…</p>

5

<p>Honestly, if you applied to schools with a more holistic admissions process (some LACs for example) your chances of reaching would be much better. All the schools you listed almost exclusively care about your grades and test scores so your strengths like you EC’s and essays won’t do much to help you. Chance are pretty slim to none at all of them</p>

6

<p>The thing is that I’m looking to pursue a career in investment banking, which is notorious for being hard to break into. The reason I’m applying to those schools is because for the most part, they’re semi-target schools for major banks. I worry LAC’s don’t provide the same opportunity as large schools. And do you have any examples of LAC’s that would be a reach, but are still somewhat prestigious?</p>