Depressing rejection from U Penn, Mich is my second hope. Chance Me?

Colleges & Universities University of Michigan
1

Getting rejected from Penn was an eye-opening feeling, and now I’m worried about my chances for U Mich

[ *] College (LSA, engineering, etc.): LSA
[ *] SAT: (New SAT) - 1550 composite, 780 Math, 770 Reading/Writing
[ *] SAT IIs : 790 Math II, 780 Biology
[ *] ACT: 35 composite - 36 Math, 35 Reading, 35 Science, 35 Writing
[ *] UM unweighted GPA: 3.80
[ *] Rank: School doesn’t take class rank, but I know for sure I’m in the top 10% at least

[ *] Other stats:
Highest Honors all 4 years, Scholar Athlete all 4 years, National Merit Semifinalist (waiting on finalist status). 1460 on my PSAT,
AP Scores - A
AP Chem: 4
AP Bio: 4
AP US History: 4
AP Literature: 4

[ *] Extracurriculars (only included the ones I put on my Common App):
*Debate all 4 years, best Novice freshman year, Junior Varsity/Varsity sophomore year, Varsity captain junior year, district finalist, state octafinalist. Going on to senior year as Varsity captain and goals for winning state
*Tennis all 4 years, JV first three and Varsity leader senior year. Upheld 37 year sectional streak and were regional champions and semi state competitors 3 of the 4 years
*DECA all 4 years. State champion in my event freshman year, went to Internationals, won Top 10 International Finalist and Top 10 roleplay in my event. Qualified for Internationals (didn’t final) both years after. Team officer, presidential candidate and overall team captain role
*Science Olympiad all 4 years, went to Nationals freshman year, part of the team that won state by record amounts my sophomore and junior year and went on to Nationals,team finished 6th in the nation sophomore year
*Treasurer of HUM, an Indian cultural youth organization, member since freshman year, regularly holds charity events and helps out the underprivileged such as the local orphanage (I go there and help monthly at least)
*Helped form school civics club (didnt mention this in common app tho, just said i was a leader :() which aims to promote civic virtue and awareness throughout the school
*Independent Research my sophomore/junior year at Purdue West laf with a professor on pathology and finding solutions to various mysteries surrounding Parkinsons, and spent two weeks of my summer before senior year performing intensive research on mesh-structure titanium implants and synthetic tissues with the Head of Metallurgy.
*Currently working as an instructor for Engineering For Kids, where I teach kids ages 6-14 various engineering skills and topics
*Student Council/Government member 11th and 12th, helped run school events and charities and organizations
*We The People team member- didn’t get a chance to highlight our state performance but described the emphasis on civic knowledge and learning

[ *] Essays: Very well-written, I’d say 9/10 with all the peer review, critiquing, and editing done and a very emotional topic (my transformation after suspension in 7th grade, have to read the essay to understand)

[ *] Teacher Recs: 8/10.
AP US History teacher who was my tennis coach all four years and is a very charismatic and intelligent guy. We have a great relationship and he’s the type of person to make anything sound very inspirational.
AP Physics teacher is the coach of Science Olympiad and has known me since 7th grade, and so has seen some bad sides to me but overall I assume he wrote me a good recommendation

[ *] Counselor Rec: He likes me a lot, but probably a generic recommendation
[ *] Hook (legacy, recruited athlete, etc.): None I think
[ *) Location/Person: Indiana
[ *] State or Country: USA
[ *] School Type: Public
[ *] Ethnicity: Indian
[ *] Gender: Male
[ *] major strength/weakness: My biggest strength is writing and reasoning, but I feel my weakness application-wise is my transcript.

[ *] Other Factors/questions:
My courseload of APs - All Honors classes throughout high school in math, science, and reading. Took AP Human Geography my sophomore year.
AP Chem, AP Bio, APUSH, AP Lit junior year
AP Physics, AP Economics, AP Comp, AP Calc BC, and AP Government (We The People) my senior year

2

I’m not sure why you are depressed about getting rejected from penn. You have too much confidence in yourself

3

While Michigan is a low match it is not a safety. Hopefully you are applying to other schools.

4

THIS RIGHT HERE- …and so has seen some bad sides to me but overall I assume he wrote me a good recommendation.

You say your essay was about being suspended in 7th grade and how you overcame it? Maybe this guy who knew you during that time, and is a witness to your transformation, did not write you a good recommendation. He may have invalidated your essay.

5

Or maybe Penn is just a crapshoot.

Agree 100% with Tom. You have a great shot at Mich, but it still is hard to get into so be sure to have back ups

6

@rb681000 He definitely did not consider the suspension… I’m fairly sure nobody even knew about it except for me and those involved. On top of that, he and I had have a strong relationship throughout the years and he’s one of my favorite teachers. I was just referring to the idea that he has seen some characteristics (like goofing off, for example) that may affect the strength of his recommendation.

I am applying to other schools, my other EA school pending is U Wisconsin but Michigan is now top choice out of all of the schools I’m applying to. (including RD).

7

Good luck!

I don’t think a UPenn “no” correlates to UMich. Two very different places.

8

Sounds like you are an ORM. Michigan does not use race in admission decisions, which works in your favor. Go Blue!

9

I think you will got into LSA and Ross.

My son was rejected by Wharton but got into Ross.

Keep your hope up!

10

I like your chances with LSA. Michigan admits students based primarily on academic performance, essays and demonstrated interest. Also, Michigan does not attract as many students from your demographic, at least not relative to the size of the applicant pool or student body. As such, your chances are solid.

That being said, do not be surprised if Michigan defers you tomorrow. If that happens, as well it might, do not be disheartened. You will want to wait until sometime in late January/early February, at which time your school will send in your midyear report via the common app. Once that is done, you will want to send the Michigan admissions officer responsible for your area/school an email reiterating your interest in Michigan. I think once you do that, your chances of admission into LSA, assuming you are not admitted tomorrow, are good.

Ross is another animal altogether. Getting into Ross is much harder.

In short, LSA is a very realistic target while Ross is a reach.