<p>So we all know that December 23rd is the day that will change our lives forever. Ok not that dramatic, but I am worrying about my decision. I don't know if it's comparing my grades to people on this website who are awesome, or what. My teachers who are mostly U of M alums, as I'm from Michigan, seem to think I can get into U of M. What do you think?</p>
<p>I am Instate</p>
<p>Have a GPA of 3.9 UW</p>
<p>Ranked third in high school, two kids are tired for first, so I should be second 0_o</p>
<p>Got a 27 on my ACT (30 R, 28 E, 29 S, 24 M)</p>
<p>School offers no APs, so I take our hardest courses and I'm dual enrolled at a college. I take Chemistry 141, Calculus 1, and Intro Psy 131 in college.</p>
<p>ECs:</p>
<p>3 years Varsity track and field
2 years National Honor Society (60 volunteer hours various places)
2 years Science Olympiad
Attended Michigan Boys State
State semi-finalist for a structure I built in wood shop class.</p>
<p>My two teacher recs are from University of Michigan alumni and should be amazing.
My counselor rec is also really good.</p>
<p>My essays are extremely unique and personal. </p>
<p>I'm Arab, which is considered white, so I'm not an URM.</p>
<p>You’re in-state, you have good recs, and your GPA is very good, which apparently is what Michigan cares about most. I would say you’re a lock if it weren’t for your ACT score, but I still think you have a very good shot. Probably 70-80%? I wouldn’t worry. Also, for someone who isn’t COMPLETELY unqualified (which you obviously aren’t), the absolute worst thing that can happen is that you get deferred to RD. Don’t worry.</p>
<p>I’m going to be slightly less optimistic than above, but still I’d say 60-70%. Two years ago, you would have been in for sure, but its getting harder since CommonApp=way more qualified Ivy candidates using U of M as a safety. The reason is your test score. Now, Im also instate, and I have a very anal college counselor (hes not even a guidance counselor, just college) who is very to the numbers. He says that if your instate, you need a 28 ACT unless you have something else that is exceptional. Now, you have a 27, so its not a big difference and you won’t need something EXCEPTIONAL per say, just above average. Your GPA is good, plenty above the 3.8 UW instate preference, but your rigor isn’t terribly hard, although its as good as possible because you aren’t offered classes and are taking college courses (which acutally means your rigor will help you instead of hurt you and will be viewed above average because of your intiative). Your ECs are good too, but not AMAZING (again, I’m being picky). And of course, none of us read your essays/recs. I would say that it will probably come down to them, if your essays are outstanding (or at least they think they are), you should be in. Also, the Arab thing might actually help. I know it is Caucasian, but on the CommonApp we had to differentiate between Arab and European; if they were going to judge you the same as a European white, why make you click a different button? I second the above tho, you wouldn’t be rejected EA, only very unqualified people are, so the worst you can expect is a deferral. BTW, (idk if this will make you happy, nervous, or both) you shouldn’t be expecting anything on December 23rd. They will come out before then, although the date is uncertain, they always have in years past and some people on this thread have called admissions. I’m thinking it will either be end of next week or the beginning of the week of the 18th. The admissions people don’t want to be working the friday before Christmas when all of the students and teachers are on break =]</p>
<p>id say about a 50-50 shot. your gpa is good as you know. your act is a little low, which is no big deal, but you usually need something exceptional like the post before me said. also your ec are nothing special, there is nothing that “sticks out.” michigan is looking for that “wow” factor. hopefully your essays blew them away. also it depends on what school you’re applying to… i’m assuming LSA? but best of luck! i know people who have gotten in with lower ACT scores so you are definitely not out of it!</p>
<p>The one thing most EA’s looking for decisions before Christmas can expect is a deferral–UM hands them out like candy this time of year. Basically, wait another 1-3 months.</p>
<p>Applying EA will help, as will in-statr status and solid GPA. However, courses lacking rigor and ACT below the 25th %ile makes Michigan a slight reach.</p>
<p>I think you should ask your high school guidance counselor what the historical statistics are at your high school for U-M. Based on your GPA and class ranking at your high school, I would think your chances are decent unless U-M takes very few students from your high school. Your ACT isn’t going to do anything to help your application but shouldn’t in itself keep you out. Definitely not a slam dunk but stay optimistic.</p>
<p>[li] College (LSA, engineering, etc.):LSA[/li][ *] SAT: Not taken
[ *] SAT IIs (if sent):Not taken
[ *] ACT: 27 on 4th time
[ *] UM unweighted GPA: 3.927 (4.3 Weighted)
[ *] Rank:26/233 UW and 9/233 W
[ *] Other stats:
[ *] Subjective (ECs, special circumstances, etc):
[ *] Essays:Sounded quite decent. It’s about my dad being an immigrant and how he was extremely poor when he came to the America.
[ *] Teacher Recs:Didn’t know the teacher too well. But I think he liked me. He’s a well valued Alumni.
[ *] Counselor Rec:Don’t know her too well either. She constantly calls me by my brother’s name, but feels badly after I correct her. Hopefully, she wrote a good one because of that.
[ *] Hook (legacy, recruited athlete, etc.):
[ *) Location/Person:Small Suburb
[ *] State or Country:Instate
[ *] School Type:Public 950
[ *] Ethnicity:Asian(Chinese/Vietnamese) not sure whether considered ORM or URM, probs ORM
[ *] Gender:M
[ *] major strength/weakness:ACT, No leadership positions, ethnicity may hurt chance since I heard they would compare my stats to other Asians, applying for financial aid may hurt me
[ *] Other Factors/questions: School sends like 19-22 kids to Umich every year.
265 Volunteer Hours at Local hospital.
Co-Manager of local restaurant
Science Olympiad
NHS
KeyClub
JV Tennis 3 years
Asian Club
Latin Club</p>
<p>Nothing too extraordinary.
Brother is currently a Senior at UMich
1st Generation College student
9/10 APs taken at school. All Honors taken.
Senior Course load: 6 APs. Micro, Bio, Calc BC, Physics C, Stats, Lit.</p>
<p>Family income is less than 25000. I’m really ****ed about this one. Because in terms of economic status, I’m just as disadvantaged as hispanics/blacks, yet my chances are severely harder. I know affirmative action was outlawed. Regardless, they still practice it. I’m already expecting a deferral. Oh well.
Submitted 10/27</p>
I knowi could do better though. My math ability has improved greatly.</p>