Difficulty of school

Colleges & Universities University of Michigan
1

<p>I applied to Michigan with fairly high SAT scores (1400 +) but a very abysmal GPA (around 3.0 umich GPA) and was deferred. I believe that the reason for my deferral was obviously my grades. I respect Michigan’s emphasis on GPA, but I am concerned that they have no idea how difficult my school truly is:</p>

<p>Type of school: small, catholic, very selective admissions
Senior class size: 30
Average SAT: 1400 - OLD SAT
Average # of AP’s taken by each student: 6-12
Average UW GPA: 3.1
100% college matriculation
7 NMSF in a class of 30
12 Commended</p>

<p>Furthermore, no one has achieved a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. </p>

<p>My school has a very good reputation with the Ivies, as we send atleast 6 or 7 kids every year. In fact, in the last couple years, 7 have matriculated at Columbia, alone. The rest of the students end up at very prestegious LAC’s, such as Carleton, Grinnel, Haverford or good, catholic colleges such as BC. </p>

<p>But, the problem is, my school is not well-represented, in general, at state colleges, such as Michigan. We hardly ever send people to state colleges, thus our reputation is dismal. My GPA is above average at a very difficult school, but is way below average by Michigan’s standards. I feel that I should have not let my parents fork over $20,000 year to pay for an education that would not help me goto my dream school - Michigan - when I could have just gone to a large, good public school, with a national reputation.</p>

<p>I’m sorry if I sound like I am complaining. I just feel wronged by the whole admissions process and I wish that my school was more nationally renowned.</p>

<p>My senior year grades, which I sent in about a month ago, are very good (near the top of the class, 3.83 UW, 4 AP’s) but I fear that they will pale in comparison with Michigan standards.</p>

2

<p>Your situation sounds a lot like mine: High SAT, private school that does well with private colleges, kinda low gpa but good courses. I got deffered, then admitted. Have your counselor call and explain how your school operates and write them a letter yourself if you really want to go to Michigan. If you know that you would go if you got in then tell them. Some people on here will tell you that a letter won’t help but it certainly won’t hurt. Those senior grades will also do wonders.</p>

<p>You seem like the kind of person that I want to see at Michigan and I hope it works out for you.</p>

3

<p>A letter from you might not help that much but a call from your counselor will. Much of what you said should already be on the school profile. But a call from your counselor can help clarify any concerns the adcoms might have.</p>

<p>I think the key is where you rank among your senior class. Even if your school doesn’t rank, your counselor would have some ideas.</p>

4

<p>I sent a letter saying I would attend if accepted. Also, two of my sisters went there or are currently attending, so maybe thatll help, plus my senior year grades are good</p>

5

<p>CCRunner, I agree with Goblue. A call from your school to the University explaining your high school’s grading scheme and how tough your school is will go a long way. Did you take any AP exams? Which ones and how did you do? For example, I was a B student myself, but I had already taken 5 AP exams before senior year and I got 5s on all 5 AP tests I took. My school didn’t even have to call Michigan as it was clear my school’s grading was harsh.</p>