I can confirm the heavy deferrals when I applied (Fall 2014, HS Class of 2015, UMich Class of 2019).
Just came out of a rejection from Cornell. Was hoping that I would hear from Mich to get a baseline understanding of where I stood in the applicant pool. Any suggestions? Really in a disillusioned and lost state rn
Like all posts, this is merely my opinion, so please no flaming if you disagree…just my opinion…
The large number of deferrals is not related to the workload of reviewing so many applications. It is largely influenced by the desire to maintain a high yield percentage. By deferring the great majority of applicants, they are able to track acceptances over time before issuing unnecessary offers that could be declined and lower their yield. In essence they can use the large deferral pool as a waitlist to pull from over the next 4 months as needed. (Because of this, UM is a school where I believe letters of continued interest can be useful.) Top tier schools compete on many levels, and maintaining a high yield is a critical area. In fact, so much so, as has been discussed elsewhere on these boards, sometimes even very top applicants get deferred. The belief, which I find sound, is that UM is reviewing applications also with an eye towards who might accept. So, some top applicants, particularly OOS with no connections, are deemed suspicious - possibly using UM as a backup plan if they don’t get their preferred Ivy or similar. (Because of this, I feel that the “why Michigan” essay is very important, especially for OOS applicants without other connections.) I am not critical of this approach, because for better or worse, by playing this game UM has helped its overall rankings/perceptions. I had a daughter accepted EA OOS 3 years ago, but she went elsewhere. My son is an EA OOS applicant this year. Good luck all!
My husband received a letter similar to this in December 2016 when our older son was applying (he was accepted that December). Received the email today for our other son who also applied EA. The difference between the two letters is that the December 2016 did not state that we may not have a decision until spring, nor did it mention anything about transferring if not initially accepted.
I think the letter is basically a stop gap so admissions doesn’t get so many calls about why their kid didn’t get accepted EA. You all know that happens. I also would not read into this or others letters/emails you might get. Hindsight is 20/20. I don’t see anything wrong with this letter but it’s been two years for us and my son’s acceptance. I just wouldn’t dissect it that closely. It is what it is. The kids tend to handle this all better then the parents. Just let your kids know that it’s nothing personal. They will get accepted, rejected, deferred, wait listed from some great programs.
Also of course the school is trying to pick kids that will accept. Every school has that goal.
Also don’t compare your stats to someone that gets accepted. At some point it will just not make any sense to you. Essays do count and that could very well be the difference for many.
Good luck.
@MyGPAIsAnL The game has just begun. Sorry about Cornell. Many kids denied from Cornell, Northwestern, Washu, UT-Austin, Vanderbilt, etc get accepted to Michigan and visa versa. There are schools out there with your name on them, in this or the next round. Good luck.
Has anyone been able to access their Michigan portal? I applied in late October and I still haven’t received an email from Michigan regarding a portal.
@comet712 Check your spam folder and search for Michigan in it the same happened to me
@brantly @yikesyikesyikes
That’s interesting… guess ignorance is bliss!! 
We weren’t aware it was such a fortunate acceptance. Hopefully our daughter will have equally good news next week!
@comet712. Yes, we received the email like two days later and have had access to the portal. Go to. https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu/. Under students / prospective students and access that way. I do not remember how they sent the info, check your spam folder.
@comet712 - happened to my son. Over two weeks after he submitted his application he did not have an email with his portal info (had one that said his application was received and confirmed for EA). There was no other email with portal Info in his spam folder. He emailed his AO for our state and a day later he got an email with his portal info. If you email your AO take the opportunity to reinforce your interest in Michigan.
If decisions end up coming out on the 19th, will Michigan notify us on the 18th to tell us that decisions are coming out the next day, or will we have to painfully wait on the 19th to see if Michigan sends an email saying that decisions are out?
@jam151 you will get an email when they notify everyone good, bad or indifferent.
How do you check your application status? I never received a second email.
@kai0910 Assuming your first email just confirmed that your app was received EA and did not give you your Michigan ID portal info, first check your spam folder to see if an email with your Mich ID and log in info is there (which will allow you to access the portal). If not there, then email your AO and ask for it. Happened to my son and he received an email with log in info a day after he emailed his AO. Good luck.
@altmusicman I am in agreement. I received one and am frankly overqualified for U of M . 36 ACT, 800s SAT 2s, top of my class at prestigious private school, tons of leadership, community service, national recognition in one EC activity, varsity football, outstanding recommendations (“best ever…”), legacy There are better, I know, but not many at U of M. I actually liked the school, even over some Ivies, till they pulled this crap. Diminishes them. Other schools do “priority wait list” so you will be taken off wait list first but only if you promise to go. This yield thing is getting way out of whack.
Not much has changed…here is some advice from someone who has gone through the process (class of 2021).
With nearly 3 semesters under my belt as a Wolverine now (and loving every minute of it), I forgive them for the hell they put me through during the admissions process. Hang in there Class of 2023.
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Daughter has been texting me from school that she and her friends are in full-on panic meltdown …sigh. It’s gonna be a LONG week…