what does U of M look for? NEED ADVICE. :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>my school is extremely competitive and at this point in time, you have to be extremely top-notch to get into a great school.
what can truly enhance a college application...and guarantee you a spot in the college of your dreams?
my main question is - does being in a music program all 4 years enhance your chances of getting in to a good college?</p>

<p>many people say that band is simply a blowoff class...but i want to know if it is something significant...and if colleges look into it.</p>

<p>please post.</p>

2

<p>what does U of M look for? </p>

<p>Usually a high UM GPA which consists of the 10 core classes you take in soph and junior year: high meaning above a 3.75…that’s it; very east for the most part</p>

<p>Now, if you are applying to the music program, different story, diff criteria</p>

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<p>core classes and gpa aside, i’m sure band will be definately be looked at as a plus and not a blowoff</p>

4

<p>it depends on what you make of it. from admissions’ eyes, it’s seen as a commitment, because of concerts, practicing, etc. it’s a plus if you have had some leadership opportunities within band as well, and there’s an option to indicate that on your UM application.</p>

<p>on a different scale, however, if band, or music in general, has somehow affected you, you can voice that by writing a really great essay, and sometimes essays can enhance your application. while UM basically looks for a high GPA followed by high test scores, essays are a big part of the application process for those schools like harvard and yale.</p>

5

<p>thank you guys :slight_smile:
i just wanted to know if band was seen as a positive thing rather than a negative.</p>

6

<p>I think the admissions officers care a lot more about the application essays and your essay topics than people realize. My Umich recalculated GPA and ACT score were nothing special (3.6 and 29, respectively) and I’m out of state, so it’s not all about the numbers.</p>

7

<p>what kind of questions do they ask for on applications?</p>

8

<p>All they look for is
High Gpa, High ACT, Class rank, Selection of classes taken, Decent involvement in ECs, and thats pretty much it.
Essay matter, but not that much and recommendations too.</p>

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<p>what is considered a ‘high’ gpa? and class rank - what if many people share that rank with you?
decent involvement?
wow. so many questions.
im just getting mixed reviews now.</p>

10

<p>You want a 3.75+ and to be in the top 10% of your class. You obviously need decent ECs, don’t know how much they matter to Michigan though.</p>

11

<p>ok ok
get a 3.8+ (umich uw gpa) and a 30. and top 10% with difficult courseload.</p>

12

<p>then it this case,
it is good to have a 3.89 weighted then?
and is freshman year taken into account?
because that year i took more advanced classes than the majority of my grade, and it took me down a little. i pulled my gpa back up…but it didnt really compensate. most people have a 3.95-4.0 with an easy courseload.</p>