Crafting an Effective Application Strategy for Regular Decision to the University of Michigan

If you're an out-of-state student applying Regular Decision (RD) to the University of Michigan (UMich), it's important to have a well-thought-out strategy in order to increase your chances of acceptance. With UMich being one of the most popular public universities and having a low acceptance rate for out-of-state students, it's crucial to stand out from the crowd.

In 2020, UMich had a 21.9% acceptance rate for out-of-state and international students, which is significantly lower than the 47.5% acceptance rate for in-state students. This is due to UMich's high standards for applicants, with an average GPA of 3.9 and average test scores of 32-35 for the ACT and 1400-1540 for the SAT. Simply having good grades and test scores is not enough to gain acceptance to UMich.

Crafting a well-executed Common App is the first step in the application process. This includes a strong Common App essay, a well-curated activities section, and a strategy for test scores and additional information. However, for students applying to elite schools like UMich, the supplement is just as important.

UMich's supplement only has two questions, and many students make the mistake of phoning it in and using essays they've already written for other schools. This results in stale and unspecific essays that don't capture the attention of admission officers. Instead, students should approach the essays creatively and dynamically, using them as an opportunity to showcase their unique qualities and personality.

While many high school students may not consider themselves strong writers, great writing takes practice and creativity. It's important to tell engaging and unique stories that not only showcase your academic achievements but also your character and interests. This is where working with a counselor or admissions consultant can be beneficial. They can provide guidance and feedback on essay writing and help students to stand out from the crowd.

Applying to UMich can be a stressful process, but with a well-thought-out strategy and a strong supplement, out-of-state students can increase their chances of acceptance. Don't let the low acceptance rate discourage you - with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.