How to Get Into the University of Michigan: Admission Stats + Tips
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It’s consistently ranked within the top 30 universities in the nation and is commonly referred to as one of the “Public Ivies” for its commitment to academic excellence. The University of Michigan offers 280 programs across 14 schools and colleges. The most notable undergraduate program is the Ross Bachelor of Business Administration. The Ross School of Business is ranked as the tenth-best undergraduate school in the nation. The university is also well-known for its desirable “college town” location in Ann Arbor and “Michigan Wolverines” football team. Since the University of Michigan is a prestigious school, you’ll need to ensure you have a strong academic profile to get accepted. In this post, we’ll review the average academic profile of accepted students, what the admissions committee looks for, how you can improve your chances of acceptance, and what you’ll need to apply to the University of Michigan. Getting accepted into the University of Michigan is challenging, but it is doable. Last year, only 26% of applicants were admitted. Out of 65,021 who applied, only 16,974 were accepted. Since the University of Michigan is selective, it’s important to have a strong application ready when you apply. While the University of Michigan’s acceptance rate is low, your personal chances of acceptance may be higher or lower depending on the strength of your academic profile. To gain an understanding of your chances of acceptance at the University of Michigan, use our free admissions calculator. This tool uses your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and more to estimate your odds of acceptance and top schools, like the University of Michigan. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to improve your profile! The average high school GPA of the University of Michigan Class of 2025 is 3.87. The percentage of students with a 4.0 GPA is 30.8%. To give you an idea of where your standardized testing scores should be, the middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students were 1340-1520. The middle 50% for ACT scores is 31-34. 64% of students submitted SAT scores, while 48% of students submitted ACT scores. It is recommended that students submit ACT or SAT scores, but it is not required. Since the University of Michigan is a top-rated school, most candidates will be highly qualified. Although your amazing grades and high standardized test scores are incredibly important, they won’t be enough to boost your application to the top. Instead, focus on what makes you stand out as a dynamic individual. Your unique combination of talents, interests, passions, and skills will all help you succeed. Additionally, the University of Michigan will consider your participation in extracurricular activities, professional arts training, leadership positions, and service opportunities. According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, the University of Michigan Ann Arbor considers the following factors “very important”: These factors are “important”: These are “considered”: And these are “not considered”: Although interviews are not considered for most applicants, students applying to music, theatre, dance, and some engineering programs may be interviewed.
Remember that the average high school GPA of the University of Michigan Class of 2025 is 3.87, and the percentage of students with a 4.0 GPA is 30.8%. It’s important to keep these statistics in the back of your mind as you think about applying to the University of Michigan. The Academic Index calculates a student’s overall academic performance into a numerical score. Selective schools, like the University of Michigan, use this tool to assess whether a student has the necessary academic qualifications to be considered for admission. It’s essential to have a competitive transcript for your application to make it past the academic index. Students applying to selective schools should not only get all A’s, but they should also take the most challenging courses available to them (read more on taking challenging courses below). If your GPA is lower, and you’re earlier on in your high school career, check out our tips for increasing your GPA. If you’re a junior or senior, it will be harder to increase your GPA, so the easiest way to increase your Academic Index is to get a higher test score. Last year, the middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students at the University of Michigan was 1340-1520, and the middle 50% for ACT scores was 31-34. 64% of students submitted SAT scores, while 48% of students submitted ACT scores. In light of COVID-19 test-optional policies, we recommend taking the test if you can do so safely. Typically, students who submit standardized test scores are more likely to be accepted than students who don’t submit scores. We generally recommend submitting your score if it’s the 25th percentile or above for accepted students at that school. Students can get recommendations on whether or not they should apply test-optional using our free Chancing Engine. To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources: If you’re still a freshman or sophomore, try to challenge yourself by taking as many rigorous, upper-level classes as possible since the University of Michigan values your course rigor as “very important.” Consider taking honors classes and AP courses that you can excel in to give your application (and GPA!) a boost. It’s especially helpful to take courses in high school that align with your future major. So, if you’re planning to major in the medical field, focus on taking upper-level science classes, like physics and human anatomy and physiology, and challenging math classes, like calculus. Once you’ve proven your GPA and standardized test scores clear the university’s requirements, essays are one of the best ways for you to set yourself apart from other applicants. They allow you to share your personality and demonstrate your alignment with the school’s values. Take a look at how to write the University of Michigan Ann Arbor essays to get some ideas on where to get started! The University of Michigan considers letters of recommendation to be an important part of the admissions process. Read these tips on how to request an excellent letter of recommendation from a teacher or academic counselor that will make your application shine. Although the University of Michigan does not have an early decision or “restrictive” early action plan, they do have a normal early action plan. The University of Michigan’s early action plan does not restrict you from applying to other early action plans at other schools. However, applying by the early action deadline can significantly increase your chances of acceptance at the University of Michigan, especially if you’re applying as an out-of-state student. Typically, early action students are 4-6% more likely to be accepted than non-early action applicants. Although this may seem like an insignificant percentage, remember—only 26% of all applicants are accepted to the University of Michigan. This advantage can be significant with such a competitive admissions rate. Application Timeline Deadline Early Action November 1 Regular Decision February 1 Students can apply using the Common Application or Coalition Application. You’ll also need the following:
What’s Covered:
How Hard Is It to Get Into the University of Michigan?
Average Academic Profile of Accepted University of Michigan Students
GPA
SAT/ACT
What is the University of Michigan Looking for?
How the University of Michigan Evaluates Applications
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into the University of Michigan
1. Achieve at least a 3.87 GPA while taking the most challenging classes available.
2. Aim for a 1520 SAT and 34 ACT.
3. Challenge yourself with rigorous courses.
4. Write engaging essays.
5. Request great letters of recommendation.
6. Apply early action.
How to Apply to the University of Michigan
Deadlines
Application Requirements
Learn more about the University of Michigan Ann Arbor
