I don’t see a thread on this. I saw it in a group I’m in on Facebook. Looks like Michigan will add Early Decision for this fall’s applicants.
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/application-changes
Due date is Nov 1 along with the EA due date. But the decision comes out by the end of December.
I posted this in the 2026 parents thread, I wasn’t sure if it deserved it’s own thread or not!!
I think this is interesting, I’m not sure everything that’s driving this change but assuming they want to lock some strong students up whether they are in or out of state.
Michigan is also offering two new direct admit programs:
Additionally, the university will offer two new first-year undergraduate admitting programs. The College of Engineering and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business will join in an integrated business and engineering dual-degree program, which combines a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Bachelor of Science in any engineering major.
In addition to its first-year admitting LEAPS program option, the Marsal Family School of Education will offer an Educator Preparation Program for first-year students interested in pursuing teacher education. Previously, students interested in teaching as a career had to be admitted to LSA and then apply as sophomores for the highly ranked teacher education program.
This new first-year direct admit major will allow students to apply directly to the Marsal School for the Educator Preparation Program and, if admitted, begin their educator preparation learning earlier in their U-M careers. Both programs will be available as ED, EA, and RD options.
More details here:
https://record.umich.edu/articles/u-m-to-offer-new-programs-processes-for-fall-26-applicants/
Michigan also changed their essay questions:
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/application-changes
I’m about 100 posts behind in that thread. I’ll probably see it tonight 
Do you mind posting the 2026 link? I can’t seem to find it on college confidential … Thank you!
Likely true. I believe that the full-pay higher academic out-of-stater applying to 20 schools (and likely an ED) started to make things tough for them in admissions. Many students prefer Michigan to Emory, Wash U, and UVA but have been appying EA to Michigan and ED to one of those. Wonder how much of the class they will take from ED?
Agree. Also wonder if they will make all recruited athletes (maybe ~250ish per year?) go thru ED, or purposely put them thru EA/RD to save room in ED for unhooked/non-athletes?
It’s going to be interesting to see which students do choose Michigan first, and forego their chances at a more selective school, especially in-state students.
My S26, whose chance me should give people a good laugh someday, said he will not. And I told him, U Mich EA just got a lot harder.
Thank you!
Yes!
And RD will also have a low admit rate…I wouldn’t be surprised if most students being admitted in RD were in-state students from Title 1 and/or rural schools, or students from any Michigan counties with no/few admits in ED/EA, and any other specific needs they have left at that point.
We will address it once we make a new Michigan thread. Need to try to find out more information. I am surprised it took them this long actually
Interesting and not super surprising.
That dual degree CoE/Ross program I predict is going to be popular and extremely selective.
Similar program is recognized as most competitive admit at Penn. Likely, they will admit a very small cohort - like at Penn.
I was bummed to hear about this actually. My 2026 grad will apply EA but does not want to ED…and this will make it harder! But…that’s already the case at so many other schools. I guess ED is the way. Good luck to all.
@CC_Sorin created it earlier today.
Lol. Who do you think asked for that to happen 
… Thx. I asked since I think this will be a hot topic. 
. I am at work and will fill this in later. But lots of good information here.
Should this ED discussion be merged into the Michigan thread?
I was told by @CC_Sorin that, that was done. I am still working so just taking a peek at this quickly. But yes. Thx
Let’s keep them separate as this thread is specific to the announcement of the ED option, while the other one is the thread for those applying early. I linked this thread in the original post in the other thread.