What are my chances to getting in the University of Michigan

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello!!!
I’m currently a high school junior with a 3.8gpa. I got 640 in SAT math, 580 Reading, 620 Writing (previouslh 510,550,600- i got a lot better). I’m an URM and out of state. I’m interested in majoring in Biology with a minor in Computer Science, and also i’m going into pre-med.

In the summers, I have gone to Phillips Exeter Academy (selective leadership program with human anatomy class) and the Harvard Secondary School program (8 college credits; the advanced essay writing course, and a law and psychology class)

I have gone to the International Science Fair four times. This is my science fair history (I hope it will help improve my chances):
2011- Grand Prize in Local and Regional Science Fair; International Science Fair in Los Angeles as observer
· 2011- Finalist in Broadcom Masters competition (Only 30 students were selected out of 6,000 nominees). Awarded with Minor Planet by MIT Lincoln Laboratory for my science teacher and me.
· 2012- Grand Prize in Local and Regional Science Fair; International Science Fair in Pittsburgh as observer
· 2013- First place in Local Science Fair, Second place in Regional Science Fair.
· 2014- First place in Local Science Fair, Second place in Regional Science Fair. “NOAA Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award”; AIDIS Environmental Engineering Award: Second Place.
· 2015- 1st place in Local and Regional Science Fair; Stockholm Junior Water Prize; Finalist in International Science Fair in Pittsburgh
· 2016- 1st place and Highest score in Local Science Fair. Grand prize in Regional Science Fair. ISEF Society for In Vitro Biology Award. Will participate in International Science Fair in May 2016.

I am secretary and (hopefully) going to be president of the Psychology club. I have 150+ community service hours. I’m in two service clubs, Honor Academy and Model United Nations.

The rigor of my classes had not been good until my junior year.
Freshman year- I only took advanced physical science.
Sophomore year- I only took advaced biology.
Junior year-
AP Human Geography
AP English Language and Composition
Honors Chemistry
Honors English
Honors History
Senior year: -will take next fall
AP American Government
AP English Literature
AP Psychology
AP Biology
Honors Calculus
Honors History
Honors spanish

I plan to take: Biology M (700+), Math Level 2 (600+) and Spanish (800) Subject Tests.

I speak english and spanish. I’m also learning French.

I will have really good recommendation letters from two college professors who have helped me in my science fairs. I am very comfortable with my ability to write an amazing college essay.

I am not planning to take the SAT (the new one) again, but please tell me if it is strongly recommended that I should.
I am very interested in UMich, UCLA, UCBerkeley, UMiami, NYU, and Villanova. If anyone can tell me if i can get into these, I would appreciate it! :slight_smile:

2

@adrianam2017 I think your chances are strong for the schools you’ve selected. However, I feel as if your list is very “soft.” First, you are a URM…meaning thats a GREAT thing!! Use it as an advantage! Why apply to schools like Miami or Villanova when schools like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Penn, Yale and Cornell (all of which are great in biology) are DYING to bring in URMs?! And with your credentials you - believe it or not - are a sho-in for those schools! Trust me i know…I’m a URM myself who graduated from a few of the schools i listed.
Now there is one big unknown about you, which is what state do you live in because that plays a big part as well.

3

I’m from Puerto Rico. My mom is from Ecuador and my dad is from Cuba. Does this help? Thank you! :slight_smile: @HisTyNess

4

Here’s the thing. Your extracurriculars are fantastic. And your recommendations, if genuine, should boost you. However, your GPA and test scores are just at or below average for some of the schools you mentioned. Being a URM will help.

What you really need to consider is what your family can afford and target schools that fall within that range. Some of the schools on your list are bad with aid. The UCs offer no need-based aid to OOS students, and NYU is notoriously stingy with financial aid.

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Help!!

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The first person who replied to your post gave you terrible advice. Your school list is already a lot of reaches. Even as a URM an 1840 is likely to get you thrown out almost immediately at the schools they suggested you’re certainly not a shoo in for those schools. Being a URM doesn’t matter at most public schools. They will just view your numbers and your ECs but won’t take your URM status into consideration. As such UMich, UCBerkley, and UCLA are high reaches. Your GPA is solid and your ECs are pretty good but the scores are going to hurt you for those schools. As for the privates they do take URM status into consideration. This will work in your favor at Miami NYU and Villanova. It may be able to compensate for mediocre test scores but I wouldn’t count on it. You need to readjust your college list to fit the scores you’ve received. Definitely take the new SAT your 1840 is really bringing you down. Study hard for that and come back with a new more well thought out college list that doesn’t consist of mostly reaches and has some match and safety schools.

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thank you so much for this great advice! @hssenior27 what scores do you recommend i should shoot for to get into UCLA UCBerkeley and UMich? I feel the need to mention that my 3.8 gap is weighted and is not that good :confused: Will this bring me down too much?

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@adrianam2017 for UCLA UMich and UCB aim as high as possible if you’re not in state for those 3 the competition is very tough. If your weighted gpa is 3.8 I might suggest not looking at those schools and instead looking at schools less prestigious as a 3.8 weighted isn’t good for those schools; however, there are hundreds of schools that would be thrilled with an applicant like you! Find a college you’ll love that will love you back! Best of luck.

9

Usually 3.8 WGPA is very low for top UCs, but this year they lowered the bars significantly for OOS applicants (to get your money!). So anything is possible now!

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Even if you can get your test scores up, most of these schools are unrealistic with a 3.8 weighted.

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You’d need 700s in each category minimum for umich and several of these other schools. Out of state won’t help you, they want even more competitive out of staters. Sorry to say it, but applying to u of m will likely be a waste of $75.

I think you will be a great applicant at many schools, you just have very tough schools on your list. I am confident you will do well elsewhere, and no matter where you go, you can make the most of the experience!

12

WGPA of 3.8 is very low for UMich. The admission uwGPA average has been 3.85 for the last 2 years and may go higher this year. The mid 50 SAT was 2040-2280last year, and again it may go higher this year. Michigan has banned Affirmative Act or use ethnic background as admission consideration, but they do try to expand social diversity by targeting certain communities in-state.