<p>Mom2collegekids, Michigan is in a different position than most other state flagship universities. Michigan State is also a large state university, so Michigan has always had the opportunity to take the students with better GPAs and test scores, and those who did not get in could still go to a large state university (MSU). Out of my Michigan high school class (30 years ago), 11 of the top 12 students went to Michigan. My nephew applied and did not get in (so went to MSU); my best friend from Michigan’s kids have all applied to both – 1 got into Michigan and went, 1 did not so went to MSU, and 1 is applying this year (and will be crushed if he does not get to be a Wolverine). While there are a few exceptions (sometimes for money, sometimes for specific majors like hospitality or ag related), generally Michigan has been able to take the top students and not have to educate all comers.</p>