University of Michigan Deferred Applicants Class of 2022

Deferred with 35 ACT and 5.5 GPA LSA OOS. They deferred everyone with high stats because they didn’t think we would go there

@Ploince that’s not necessarily true. My friend got in with a 1550 SAT and 35 ACT 4.0 UW. I got deferred with a 1520 SAT 3.93UW 4.55 WGPA . We are both OOS. Although she was a girl going for engineering so maybe that could have been a hook for her

My D has similar high stats (GPA/SAT/SAT2’s) and was accepted OOS LSA. Course rigor matters, essays matter, EC’s matter, location (state) matters, high schools matter. It’s far more than just the GPA and test scores.

I thought my D’s essays were her best for UM. I think the essays made the difference, but just a guess.

From my understanding a large portion of the EA admits we’re female engineering students, nursing school, and less populous lsa majors. So most of the male engineering applicants got deferred no matter their stats.

Sorry for the negativity, but this process is so broken. Part of this is our fault. Collectively, we 40,000+ EA applicants gifted Michigan $2.4M in application fees. Of us, 6,000 were accepted. Everyone else deferred. How is that okay? In any way? Shouldn’t there be some explanation? Acknowledgement? Apology?

@SingingBusDriver mentioned in another thread that UM accepted close to 8,000 EA applicants or about an 18-19% acceptance rate.

@finnb

How… what?

… no sour grapes at all, and happy for those who got in, but for those posting “rigor matters” and “essays were great” please don’t assume that those deferred had lower stats, rigor or weaker essays. They did not. I agree they chose the folks they chose for a reason, but don’t assume the reasons were essays, test scores, GPAs or rigor. What is happening in admissions is harmful to young people.

@finnb

I understand your frustration. However, there’s a target number for each class. Increased applications does not mean they will increase a class size. There’s simply not enough resources to double a class size because there are more applicants.

@SingingBusDriver if a school is willing to accept 40K EA applications, shouldn’t they all be read in the time allowed and decisions (including denials) issued? If everyone gets deferred, it starts to look fishy

I sincerely think that you are wrong about which one is the good email.Forst of all the one you says is bad doesn’t mention deferred and the first one does. Secondly that are asking you for your grades in the second semester to see if you continue at the same pace. It clearly says we will make a final decision. So I honestly think you are wrong.

@finnb

There are certainly denials this round

Also, a school doesn’t have a say in how many people apply. It literally cannot shut off the application process because a certain number of people have already applied. So would you rather take a deferral or an email saying “Sorry, try again next year because we’re exceeded our number of applications accepted?”

@finnb That was my post (essays matter, etc.). I didn’t assume anything. But some were who were deferred with high stats claimed their app may not have been reviewed. Otherwise, why else would they have been deferred with 35-36 ACT’s and 4.0 UW GPA’s.

My point was UM’s process is holistic and it’s just not about the stats. And your post did sound like “sour grapes” (your words) to me. My D was also rejected at her REA choice, so the process is different at every school.

@SingingBusDriver agree 100% but why no denials? Not right to give everyone who applied the false hope of a deferral. People often need a push to move on. Deferring everyone seems wrong to me.

@finnb

My first sentence literally confirms that there are denials this round

I’ve heard much about the request for first semester grades supposedly on the bottom of the “credentials” tab under “Other Required Application Materials,” but I only have four lines filled, then one blank one at the bottom? Anybody else have the same, or know what’s going on?

Wow seeing all of the posts, now I don’t feel terribly bad for being deferred with high stats…

Ok hear me out on why your “bad” vs “good” letters mean nothing.

First of all, us with “bad” letters have also received your “good” letters on our portals today.

Second, our “bad” letters mean that umich would like to focus in on our senior grades because they haven’t seen enough, or enough consistency. Or maybe you increased your rigor tremendously for your senior year and they want to see how you’re taking it. When looking at a transcript it tells a big story, this just means that umich wants the ending. It’s true that if you are someone who has performed consistently for 3 years gradewise and rigorwise they probably don’t have a particular interest in your senior grades.

In my case I am encouraged to receive the “bad” email. It means that my senior grades could be what gives them a reason to look back on my app and re-evaluate it favorably. In my case, I have straight As in my most rigorous year, so I am excited for them to take a look because it was the weaker part of my application.

To put into perspective where I stand as someone with the “bad” letter:

4.1 WGPA (~top 10%) very competitive northeast hs (~10 accepted to Michigan already) freshman 3.78, sophomore 4.09, junior 4.28 senior 4.5.(My senior year serves as the end to a story that is my transcript)
the improvement that I claimed to be making with my academics in my supplements needed to be verified. It makes perfect sense that Michigan would want to see my grades.

ECs/Awards: lots of stuff related to tennis (varsity captain, job, tournament, club team) founder of a few clubs, piano. Nothing outstanding just pretty normal

Tests: 1520 SAT(didn’t submit) 36 ACT

Essays: 9/10
Have visited umich

I would not consider myself a weak applicant with a “bad” letter.

If anything I would be encouraged to get the “bad” email because it makes me feel more optimistic that the university is looking for something from me. Not just reconsidering me overall. This makes me confident that by addressing a chief concern it could help my deferral chances.

I personally think that the “bad” letter will prove to yield a higher rate of acceptance. It’s more rare and personalizable.

Guys I got the “good” deferral, which literally tells you that they already have “more than enough info to make a final decision” although they do encourage me to submit my semester grades. In my opinion, sending an LOCI goes directly against the recommendations of the university, and might be construed as an inability to follow directions. I’m going to submit my grades, but I am going to abide by Michigan’s wishes and not submit an LOCI.

Agree it’s a sticky situation, not sure about LOCI