@gradtke how do you know they admit RD applicants on a rolling basis? I didnt think they were rolling…
My S received a deferral, as did a couple dozen others from his school in California. However 5 kids were admitted EA leading many to believe that Michigan may not take many more from the school. I don’t know much about caps and quotas, but if Michigan is looking to build a diverse student body, then it makes sense that there is going to be an unofficial cap on the number of students accepted at each OOS high school.
We have major legacy status and my D got no specific legacy deferral
I’m sort of confused right now. Many people are saying that writing a letter of continued interest will help your chances, however, in the letters as well as in the blog they stated they do not want any sort of additional material as it won’t affect their decision in admitting you. Will it actually make a difference if I send one or could it potentially come off as “desperate”?
@az103 The RD result is rolling, i.e. no fixed date. It does not mean it is FIFO and has a certain turn around time like some other schools. Basically, it can be any time between the RD application deadline and early April.
Deferred
I am honestly surprised that I am even being considered. This school is a huge reach for me on every level. I know this is a post-decision only thread but I’d like someone to please explain to me how I even got considered.
College of LSA for Psychology
SAT: 1210
GPA: Unweighted 3.3 Weighted 3.9
Rank 79 Out of 800 (Top 10%)
AP Classes: US History, Physics, Lang and Comp, Lit and Comp, Psychology, and Calculus AB for a total of 6.
AP Scores: 4 for U.S. history, 4 for Lang and Comp
Extra-Curriculars: Best Buddies (volunteer for the mental disordered and intellectually disabled, relates to my major), Intramural Weights,
Awards: Perfect Attendance Junior Year, SAA Award by the U of Illinois system (Salute to Academic Achievement…Sr. Year)
Teacher Rec: Had teacher for both a regular (sophomore) and AP english (Senior) class, so she saw me rise through the ranks and become a better student.
Financial Aid: Yes
Income Bracket: Very low
School Type: Large Public School, Moderate Competition, Very highly acclaimed Sports Teams
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino
Gender: Male
State: Illinois, applying oos
Technically First generation: (Grandpa went to college)
We were here last year so I wanted to give some input since I have a new outlook. I have experienced this for 2 straight years with my boys. One son applied last year and one this year for COE OOS. Both applied with practically identical stats. Both very high test scores, 4.0 UW gpa, same classes in HS including many APs 10th-12th, tons of ECs including academic, sports and volunteering, and both recognized National Merit Scholars. Both considered ideal applicants on the higher end of range. Son 1 was deferred then waitlisted last year. He ended up withdrawing his application in April and going elsewhere. Son 2 was just accepted EA.
So what was different? Son 2 had much better essays and had differed types of rec letters. He is a great writer and really conveyed the desire he had to attend Michigan. He spent a ton of time on every essay. His recs were broad, and weren’t just STEM.
They definitely look at more than just the numbers as shown with my 2 practically identical boys. There is something else they want while reading applications. If you are already at the top, try to figure out what else it could be and show that your heart is at Michigan. Don’t just rely on your stats.
Good luck everyone!
I got a 1100 on my SAT, i have a 4.0076, I’m number 6 out of 348 in my class, im in 4 extra curriculars, and i was deferred. Any chance of me getting accepted?
@DomBoy i feel the same way, i don’t know how i was considered either, i got a 1100 on my SAT
Guys I think this first round was accept or defer. Our rejections will be coming shortly. 
I dont believe so. There are people with really high stats they have accepted. If people get a letter with the phrase “after an individualized review” the think your stats are low. for the others they have not completed the review.
think about this
Last year Regular Decision closed Feb 1st. Next round of admissions went out Feb 9th or so.
Just to complete all the reviews required, any decisions released in Feb would likely be students who applied before Dec 15th.
My Take on OOS applicants…
If the students are really really strong, they give them admission in Dec itself to entice them to come to UM. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best. If you have NOT received a “second notice” for grades, you are in good shape
Cheers
Does anyone know (confirmed facts - not speculation) how many apps MI gets (EA and RD), how many are normally accepted through EA and RD, and how many accept to attend (final size of freshman class)? I’ve seen some of these numbers, but not all of them.
@RKD2 can you please give the exact wording from a deferral that asks for mid-year grades. I have seen both of the deferral letters and both of them ask for grades in a way.
@confused6789
Here’s one:
“Strong recent grades that are available before mid-February 2018 may improve your status in the deferred pool of applicants. Therefore, please ask your high school counselor to forward them when they become available. Beyond that, we are confident that the information you have given us is more than sufficient for a final decision. The most successful candidates send us only what we require.”
Here’s the other:
“The quality of grades earned in academic courses is one of several critical factors taken into consideration in evaluating a student’s competitive admissibility. To give your application a final evaluation, we will need any recent grades that are available before mid-February 2018.”
It seems like the first one it is suggesting you send grades. The second one sounds like you are required to send them. I think those who got the second letter also have a note in their MI portal that shows that recent grades need to be sent. I don’t think those who got the first letter have that same requirement in their portal. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.
They both ask for recent grades so not sure why you think one does and one doesn’t. The first asks you to have your GC to forward when available because strong grades may improve status and the second says they will need recent grades because grade quality of grades is a significant factor. Honestly there is virtually no difference as much as everything tries to make a difference.
There is definitely a difference. The one requiring grades means if grades are NOT submitted by the time requested your application will be denied without any further review. The one just suggesting updated grades means your application will be reviewed no matter what with or without updated grades.
I would not bet the bank on that thinking.
Now that the dust has settled a bit start applying to RD schools now. Have a few that are schools that are maybe schools you know you can get into.You might have to lower your expectations a bit. Michigan is not a back up school or safely school and many are finding that out the hard way. I know many that only applied to Ivy’s and got rejected by all of them. There are tons of great schools out there! Good Luck.
@RKD2 Do you know what “second notice” for grades means?
@cudontknowme You are free to believe that but I’d argue your reading comprehension is a bit lacking. Both letters make it clear that you’d be well advised to submit updated grades.
Also, try reading some posts from previous years on this topic.
@BearGirl92 It could mean this is the second time they have requested grades/updated grades. To be on the safe side, I’d submit updated grades.