PLEASE HELP!
I just got rejected from Michigan State Rolling Admissions.
My guidance counselor told me this school would be a match school, and that he would be very surprised if I did not get in.
Here are my stats:
36 ACT
3.9 ish GPA (enrolled in the most challenging courses offered)
My extra-curriculars were ranked top 1% by my guidance counselor.
I was also a Michigan resident at one point, and my dad, grandpa, mom, and her grandpa all went there.
Some of my ECs included:
Chief Director of NHS
Founder of Southern Republican Club
Country Club Singer (Sang in many places such as Tulsa, Nashville, etc.)
Member of Students for Trump Organization
Founder of Cultural Club
Founded Appalachian Studies Club
Political Activism (many fundraisers for the police and pro-Trump marches)
Enlisted in Reserves (required training throughout school year)
Varsity Football, Lacrosse, and Basketball
Chief Leader of the Executive Branch of DECA
Chief Assistant Vice President of United Right, a political organization with 2.8 thousand followers
I had my essays revised many times. My teachers who wrote the recommendations told me in person that the letters were some of the best they have ever written and my counselor confirmed that.
Forgot to mention: my 6 older brothers and 2 older sisters also attended MSU.
I’m not really sure what you want help with. Sorry you didn’t get in. Maybe they thought you were using them as a safety and wanted to protect yield (or maybe they weren’t a big fan of Students for Trump - though the first scenario is far more likely).
Yes, ask your GC to try to get feedback and where else did you apply? Just because you got rejected there doesn’t mean you will not get into a more selective college. Also, #1 had a point, just because admissions officers aren’t supposed to make decisions based on your political alliances, it doesn’t mean it can’t happen. My daughter wrote about a controversial topic in her common app essay and it could be 50/50 love/hate depending on who reads it.
Oh I see. I also applied to Liberty University, University of the South, and most likely Baylor. Isn’t MSU slightly conservative? I am trying to apply mostly to schools I know I have chance at because I know lots of schools have very high academic standards.
You didn’t put the Republican group on your app- did you? Your stats are above and beyond what State requests…
I would advise staying away from stating conservative ideals in general. Michigan State isn’t known for being as liberal as other Michigan schools, but in all honesty, that may have had something to do with it. Were you essays centered around politics?
I am also a Michigan student who participates in the same political ideology you have. (Volunteer, been on Students for Trump instagram, etc) and I have been red flagged about publicizing my highly controversial views. It doesn’t mean we are racists/sexists/homophobic, however in this day in age we have to be careful. State also just had a racism scandal.
Hope this helps.
Remember this is a college in which football players are praised for kneeling during the anthem. Coming out as a conservative is one of the stickiest things you can possibly do. It is politically correct to discriminate against conservatives.
I would ask your guidance counselor to call and follow-up on what happened since your stats seem very good for the school and have a family history there. Perhaps the political activism scared them off?
I don’t think this rejection means the OP has no shot at more competitive schools-- the OPs stats are strong.
UMichigan is a bit of a reach unless you get it in by the early deadline - and I don’t think you’ll be able to, because our GC told us that they require receipt of all docs by the Nov 1 deadline, not just submission.
Stats are okay, well above MSU average. I’m not sure if course rigour is good enough for UM, though. Share details, maybe. I assume no AP/IB courses. MSU rejection sounds politically motivated - or, as above commentator said, really bad essay.
ECs are decent but not great. Any nationally-recognised awards? It all sounds local/school-specific. Is there enough of a hook to get you into UM? Not sure.
Yeah that is true. UMichigan’s ACTs and GPAs are extremely high, almost ivy caliber. I max out the AP/IB courses I can take each year. How about you superharvard? Did you do MSU?
Just joined CC to be chanced for Ivies, etc. but I think they’re pretty out of reach. Saw your post because I’ve been crushed by rolling admissions at large state schools myself. I’m studying in the UK, and it’s almost impossible to get into large US public universities these days. Reach schools are Illinois, Harvard, ISU, etc. Haven’t gotten a MSU decision yet.
Oh, I meant to say - you can try Michigan Tech, UM Dearborn, Western Michigan and those schools if you’re looking for more public matches in Michigan. I hear they’re pretty strong these days, and I doubt they’d yield protect an applicant like you. Not all hope is lost if UM and MSU reject you. You might even get merit aid (not sure if you’re looking for that).
Oh yeah I was looking at those recently along with possibly joining army, as college is pretty tough to get into right after high school. What are your stats? You should try taking TOEFL. If you’re an international student you should be scoring atleast a 1500 or 32+.
You could have come across somehow as someone they did not want on campus. You can’t really know what is in your recommendations. Or it is possible something in your essays made them uneasy. Also, did you have any past disciplinary actions from HS?