Real life came into effect. Couldn’t balance that with school. With phenomenal rec letters, 34 ACT, EC’s, and great essays, do you think I could get in? Mid-east ethnicity
Essay hooks would deal with my personal life and I how the problems I faced changed me. I live 30 minutes from Ann Arbor. 2nd gen college student.
In state? Yes, it may be enough.
Yes, in state. This GPA is what’s killing me though, and I can’t get it out of my head. Gotta write the best essays and tell them that number doesn’t define my skills I guess.
I think so . Your ACT score is very high and
If you have a great essay you will probably be fine .
I think it depends on your other factors, too.
@IvyLeaguer225 Really not many other factors besides what screwed up my GPA (personal) and what i’ve gone through in my life. I’ll try to make it as personal as possible.
Are you applying to engineering?
@AcceptableName Probably not. I want to major in political science and then eventually go to a law school, so I would apply to LSA. Also, isn’t engineering a bit harder to get into?
For special circumstances, GPA is considered in context (homelessness, serious illness, etc). Even without this, you would have a chance.
Your GPA would be in the bottom 5% of those accepted. http://obp.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/pubdata/cds/cds_2014-2015_umaa.pdf
Not even enough for in state. Unless you are recruited athlete or music major, it is near impossible below 3.6 as they consider GPA as very important. Over 20% of enrolled freshmen had GPA 4.0 at high school.
If you’re having problems with some of the predictions already given, you should simply spk w/your guid counselor. Surely he/she has submitted many prior U-M apps in the last few years.
But in general, I agree w/billscho
Whatever you do, don’t make excuses, right? I think you have a shot. See what you can do and be prepared for the “no” like everyone else:). Who knows.
One last thing: are you sure you are 3.4 on the Michigan scale? 90+ is 4.0. 80-89 is 3.0?
If you struggled with grades in HS, perhaps it might be more of he same at University of Michigan with even more distractions and even smart classmates to compete against.
OP said he/she attends a HS in Michigan – 30 minutes from Ann Arbor. Likely metro Detroit (with its large middle eastern demographic). OP’s counselor office is best situated to give guidance. I think it’s accepted that the rise in UM’s popularity has raised the bar for in-state applicants. The spill over is affecting the other large public, Michigan State – who benefits from higher quality applicants who can’t bank on a U-M offer. MSU’s bar is being raised and a 3.4 is no shoo in there. OP’s solid ACT is the strong point however.
@ClarinetDad16 I never said I can’t handle high school. If you read my post, you saw that I said real life was too much for me, implying I dealt with personal/family issues during my sophomore year.
I am smart, very smart (at least I think so), and I know there are thousands of other students giving the same reason, not excuse.
@T26E4 3.4 certainly isn’t the best, but my brother got in with a 3.3 and a 33 ACT to state. They say the bar has been raised, but as long as you have a 3.0 and a 22-25 ACT, everyone has a shot, also noting that you should have a a strong application. Not worried as much about getting in there, Mainly b/c of ACT, personal life and EC’s. Ann Arbor is where I want to be though.
@BMT83099 - I think you diagnosed your challenges.
A highly competitive college will place you in front of more challenges. Ever changing challenges every class and every semester.
Being told and telling yourself you are smart isn’t helping.
Working hard and growing as a student and as a person is more valuable. Make that effort and learn to earn. You will do far better than hiding behind “I am smart.”
It’s almost like those parents who do the disservice to praise their kids for being special. Trust me uMich and similar schools get many thousands of applications - more than they have availability. Those who are not special and that is the bulk of the applicant pool will be looking for a school that is a better fit…
@ClarinetDad16 I don’t think you’re realizing that I am stating the fact that I messed up sophomore year. I am smart, not really afraid to admit it. If I maintained my grades from freshman, junior and senior year first semester in sophomore year, I would have over a 4.0. But, like I said, I couldn’t deal with school and things going on in my personal life at the time.
I wouldn’t be here asking people for their opinions if I knew I COULDN’T GET IN. But, I do realize I have a shot. Your comments don’t make any sense. I’ve taken challenging classes all throughout high school.
Oh, and my ACT score proves I “made an effort”. I’ve “made an effort” all my life, especially in high school, buddy.
@BMT83099 - I don’t think you understand my point and I am just trying to help you.
Schools don’t care who thinks they are smart, they care about kids that will be able to excel without excuse on their own in college. Kids that will be good people, good roommates and be active on campus. Kids that will be passionate about learning and love school.
It’s not about being smart. A relatively high standardized test score correlates more to income and coaching than to altitude or effort.
There are many schools that will be excited to have you - maybe it’s UM and maybe not. Best of luck.