guitar321, 2015 and 2016 were outliers. The 2015 class was intentionally smaller than usual, and the 2016 class saw close to 16,000 acceptances. Michigan will likely admit 13,500-15,000 going forward.
The applicant pool itself has increased steadily for the last 8 years, by 3,000-4,000 applicants each year.
2017: 58,500
2016: 55,500
2015: 51,500
2014: 49,500
2013: 46,500
2012: 42,500
2011: 39,500 (the year Michigan joined the Common Application)
2010: 30,000
That’s close to a 100% increase in applicant this decade. Most universities have seen significantly more modest growth in applicants, usually by 25%-50% over the last 8 years.
Chances are, Michigan’s applicant pool will continue to increase by 3,000 applicants annually in the foreseeable future. The number of students admitted will remain steady at under 15,000.