<p>New Student Convocation: I’ve cut it down but full text is at the below link. Note the metrics on the ACT: nearly half the class is comfortably above the Ivy 25th percentile (average Ivy 25th percentile equals 30; while 45% of UM students were above 31 it is likely that 65% or so (using last year’s figure) actually exceeded a 30 on the test) while 21% delivered a perfect GPA.</p>
<p><a href=“Schlissel tells new students, “We begin our Michigan journey together” | The University Record”>http://record.umich.edu/articles/schlissel-tells-new-students-we-begin-our-michigan-journey-together</a></p>
<p>Schlissel told the students he suspected they were drawn to U-M for the same reasons he was — for the remarkable breadth and depth of academic excellence.</p>
<p>“It is astonishing in its scope. For both our newest students and your families, you can be deeply proud of joining this special educational community,” he said.</p>
<p>Schlissel said that at Michigan, people believe they can change the world.</p>
<p>Thomas Francis Jr. oversaw tests that found the polio vaccine safe and effective, Larry Page founded Google, and Gilda Radner on “Saturday Night Live” made us laugh. Edward White was the first American to walk in space, Meryl Davis and Charlie White skated their way to Olympic gold medals, and the Solar Car Team last month won the national championship for the fifth straight time.</p>
<p>“I believe we change the world in large and small ways, and that each of us, through our Michigan experience, finds an opportunity to make an impact,” he said.</p>
<p>The university set another record for applications this year with more than 49,000 seeking some 6,300 freshmen spaces, Spencer said. Nearly 39,000 of those applications were from out of state. The largest number of international applications again came from China, followed by India, Singapore, Korea and Canada.</p>
<p>“We learned through your applications and essays about your commitment to community, through volunteerism and service groups; that you’ve won awards for academics, athletics, leadership, music — and creativity,” he said.</p>
<p>Spencer provided a snapshot of the Class of 2018:
• The average high school GPA for this year’s class is 3.82.
• Twenty-one percent of the class achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA
• Forty-five percent of the class had an ACT composite score between 31 and 36, while only 4 percent of students nationwide achieved that high level, and 36 percent more students than last year had a perfect score on the math portion of the SAT.</p>