I have heard that to gain admission from out of state to University of Michigan that you need strong alumni connections. Have others heard this? Looking in our city this is the case for every student that I know who attends, and I know many declined that were stronger applicants. Are others finding this to be the case? Surprising from a state school, but maybe yield protection?
No. But define strong alumni connections.
My son got into Michigan last year from OOS with absolutely zero alumni connections.
Not saying it doesn’t help, just that it is not required.
Alumni parents.
@Knowsstuff all either had one or both parents alumni of Michigan. Not necessarily active, but attended. Everyone else I know denied.
@ckd022 good to hear, thank you!
@2022soon… Not from Chicago a few years ago but I have to admit that yes, My wife is an alumni and many people we know that went there their kids are there but I also know many that had no connection at all to the university.
It was written somewhere years ago that many universities that 80% of alumni kids that get accepted do accepted their acceptance to that school. That’s hard to ignore but again I personally know many kids there that don’t have a connection.
Also just to add.I don’t think they are taking lessor Stat kids just because of alumni . My one example is my son with unweighted 3.9 and 34 Act. If my wife being an alumni helped then so be it. But he had the goods also
@Knowsstuff yes, Chicago has been probably sending kids there for years and they are confident they will accept. Michigan is suddenly hot where we live! I get the parent alumni connection for sure, we just do not have it and it’s his current favorite choice, so just trying to gauge possibly. They turned down kids from his school that were accepted at IVY’s, but were just as interested in Michigan. Meanwhile accepted an alumni’s kid who was solid with a 33 instead of the 35-36. He does have cousins who went there and is in the 34 range (SAT). He will be applying against an alumni’s kid in his class, so it will be tough. He has so much evidence towards his major and it should be clear why his interest in Michigan is so strong, so we will see! Thanks for your help! Appreciate it.
Legacy preference is considered per the CDS, but not important. There were several examples of applicants of alumni, who were deferred and rejected in the last admissions cycle.
@2022soon. Yes Illinois is one of the “main” state that send kids to Michigan. We are also “loaded” with people that used to live in Michigan but live in Chicago /Illinois now, people like me. (hate that we pay OOS fee’s)
Michigan likes touches and wants to know you want to be there. So visiting, meeting with a professor (email one also), Soft touches now to your school’s AO (on Michigan admission site), Applying EA. 3.88-4.0 underweighted (many with lessor scores also), with 33/34 makes you very competitive but also just a typical Michigan Student.
So… The Essay counts more then people would assume.
Even though you do sorts compete against the kids in your own school, for the most part, there is no one like your kid. Make sure the essay is unique, personal and most important interesting and well written. That will separate your kid. They also aren’t just taking the highest Stat kid from your school. It might of seemed that way but many 4.0 with 35 Act got wait listed and rejected last/this year.
Michigan is not a safety or back up college. Wish you well.
@Knowsstuff Thanks, that’s very helpful. His stats are there and his rigor and unique extra curricular as well and visiting the department formally soon. I also spent many years living in Michigan as well, so my son has been there often I just didn’t attend school there and know he happens to be applying with someone whose parents did (great kid too). Michigan is definitely not seen as a back up in our area, it’s just beginning to feel like not a possibility without alumni parents. Especially after all the amazing kids that were turned down the last cycle. Probably less will apply this year. He will certainly apply and will take his time putting together a good application. Great idea about emailing an AO or professor. Especially the area he is looking into as it’s a strong area at Michigan. Thank you so much!
I’m pretty sure they practice yield protection. My son was deferred and then waitlisted with perfect stats and generally stronger application than many who were admitted, plus family ties to UMich (not legacy). I think he would’ve likely been admitted if he’d written a letter after the deferral, convincing AOs that UMich was his first choice. I advise doing this if your son is deferred.
So I have advised many the opposite. If questions that aren’t to general then reach out to your AO now. Not when in crisis mode . This way you build a psudeo relationship with them now. Then when deferred etc. Meet them at your school and when they come regionally. Take their card. Send a follow up email. Do you know who does these things? Like very few people so your name will start to buzz with them.
Our school made sure our kids did similar things like this. It all adds up. This way you will never wonder if you did enough. Yes, many people will tell you they just applied and were accepted with lousy essays etc but don’t let that be your kid.
Nice thing about talking to a professor or to or anyone is that you can mentioned that briefly in the essay. I would think that might add some weight. Your researching the school. I won’t even go into knowing the schools moto and mission statement.
https://president.umich.edu/about/mission/
Their school song is about being the leaders and best. Would think leadership would resonate with them?
This is how we approached each school we cared about more then others.
@yucca10 Thank you for sharing! I will definitely have him do that if it gets to that. I bet your son found somewhere great!
@Knowsstuff okay! thank you so much! He has a lot of leadership and is personable, so hopefully he can make some connections that express his interest. We have the engineering tour tomorrow, so I will remind him to get cards to reach out for questions later. I do not believe they visit our school, so I will have him find out other ways to meet them on the road. Thanks for taking the time to help! Really appreciate it.
@2022soon yes, he is going to Caltech 
@yucca10
That is awesome! Congratulations to your son. I hope he enjoys the sunshine!
My kid is OOS and we have no ties to MI or UM. IMO, legacies help a bit, but only if you already have everything else. In recent years, I have noticed that UM has become very popular in northern VA (where we are) and in NJ. My suggestions for OOS applicants (aside from the normal things) are show interest by visiting or meeting with local chapters/recruiters and really work on your essays especially on the questions about UM. My kid was a very strong applicant, but I believe what set them apart were these 2 things. Good luck!
D visited, had a HAIL interview, corresponded with two profs, wrote great essays, and was still wait listed. UM, especially for Ross and Engineering were wildly popular for students in OH. Her school’s val was also waitlisted. Neither chose to stay on the waitlist.
@dmvmomx2 That’s helpful, thank you so much. Congratulations to your son/daughter! That’s great! Yes, the alumni kids that have been admitted have had the stats, but so have all of the other kids denied. Nobody here that I know is applying without at least a 33, rigor ect. All got into other amazing schools, which is why I was concerned. But my son will definitely follow all the advice here. He is a very motivated kid.