No one knows why 81% of the OOS students, for the Class of 2022, were rejected by UMich. Maybe essays. Maybe LOR’s. Maybe lack of EC’s or volunteer work. Maybe geography. Maybe no demonstrated interest. No one knows.
Here’s what we do know. UMich, according to their CDS lists two charcteristics as “VERY important.” One, GPA. Two, HS course rigor. Test scores, LOR’s and essays are considered “important.”
I’d add one more from my personal standpoint and that is yield % from your HS. Our local CA HS here in lovely Silicon Valley, appears to be somewhat of a feeder to UMich, if there is such a thing for OOS students. Roughly two-thirds of the applicants were rejected in my kid’s class (Class of 2022). And one-third being accepted is actually REALLY good.
In all honesty, I don’t think it was my kid’s essays, but what do I know. 