Are you itching to rock the maize and blue of the University of Michigan? Ready to strut down the Diag, or cheer on the Wolverines at the Big House? We've got you covered! In the spirit of all things "Leaders and Best," we've pulled together this guide on how to get into the University of Michigan.
To be sure, the admissions process can feel like navigating through a maze of maize and blue, but don't sweat it—we're about to break it all down for you. Think of us as your personal tour guide through the University of Michigan's unique admissions criteria. We're here to help you map out timelines, grasp what UMichigan values in its prospective students, and decode those somewhat cryptic admission requirements.
Ready to unlock the secrets of a successful application and make your Michigan dreams come true? With the power of "Go Blue!" coursing through our veins, let's embark on this Wolverine journey. You bring the ambition; we've got the roadmap. Let’s dive in.
A quick note on college rankings: we think they’re generally a bad way to think about where you should go to college. We talk aboutwhy rankings are bad in greater detail here, but essentially, a lot of college rankings don’t actually tell you whether you and the school would fit well together, or that the school is someplace you’ll thrive. That said, we also understand that many students/families are confused regarding and have questions about aspects of the application process, so we’ve built the post below to hopefully clarify things, so students/families can make informed decisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click to skip ahead)- How hard is it to get into University of Michigan?
- University of Michigan Acceptance Rate
- University of Michigan GPA Requirements
- SAT Requirements to get into University of Michigan
- ACT Requirements to get into University of Michigan
- What does University of Michigan look for in students?
- University of Michigan Application Deadlines
- University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Prompts
- University of Michigan Essay Tips
How hard is it to get into University of Michigan?
It is very difficult to get accepted to UMichigan. The grade point average of people who get accepted to Michigan are in the top of their class. People who successfully get into Michigan also tend to have strong extracurricular activities and strong standardized test scores.
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate
The University of Michigan acceptance rate is approximately 20%, making it a very competitive school. For context, acceptance rate is generally an indication of how competitive a school is, but it is also an indication of how popular a school is. To get into a school like Michigan, you will need to perform well in most areas of your college application.
But a big heads up: because Michigan is a public school, it prioritizes in-state applicants. Last year, the University of Michigan’s in-state acceptance rate was around 40%, while its out-of-state acceptance rate was closer to 17%.
University of Michigan Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Transfer Acceptance Rate
Michigans’s early action acceptance rate is likely a bit higher than its regular decision acceptance rate. The University doesn’t publicly release data on the number of early action applications or admissions, but it’s generally safe to assume that you’re 4-6% more likely to be admitted by applying early. Note, too, that the University of Michigan is one of the most applied to schools in the country, with the 2021 Fall enrollment topping 50,000 students.
And again, acceptance rates will be different for in-state vs. out-of-state applicants.
GPA Requirements to get into University of Michigan
The recommended GPA requirements to get into the University of Michigan are between 3.75 and 4.00. You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating in the top quarter of their class in order to get into UMichigan. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to do things like perform above average on your standardized tests or write exceptionally compelling essays. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
The University of Michigan Unweighted Average GPA: 3.90
| City | Population, million | Density, men/km2 |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 8 537 673 | 4 042 000 |
| Los Angeles | 10 831 100 | 3 198 000 |
What GPA is required for the University of Michigan?
Applicants’ GPA when applying to the University of Michigan should ideally be between 3.7 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating via other areas of the application.
The University of Michigan Weighted GPA Requirements
The University of Michigan explicitly states that it does not consider weighted GPA as one of its admissions factors. Michigan’s website states “We do not use a weighted GPA scale in our evaluation process. We will convert all first-year applicants' GPA to an unweighted 4.0 scale using all classes in 9th through 11th grades, and we use only the absolute value of the grade in the recalculation process (A+ or A or A- = 4.0).”
SAT Requirements to get into University of Michigan
The recommended SAT requirements to get into the University of Michigan are a 1300 to 1500 composite score, combining the reading and writing, and math sections together. If you are submitting test scores (more on that below), you will need a very high SAT score in order to get into UMichigan. If your SAT is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you’ll likely have to perform above average on other areas of the application and/or have spectacular extracurricular activities to compensate. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
The University of Michigan is a “Test Optional” school, meaning it does not require standardized test scores, but will consider them if submitted. It’s up to you whether to submit your scores or not, but note that they do recommend that applicants submit these scores. There are a number of factors to consider as you make this decision, and you can read more about them here.
The University of Michigan Average SAT Composite Score: 1435
| SAT Score Distribution | Reading % | Math % |
|---|---|---|
| 700-800 | 63.8% | 71.5% |
| 600-699 | 29.5% | 20.2% |
| 500-599 | 5.8% | 7.2% |
| 400-499 | 0% | 0.1% |
| 300-399 | 0% | 0% |
| 200-299 | 0% | 0% |
What SAT score is required for the University of Michigan?
Applicants should score between 1450 to 1550 on their SAT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. If your SAT score is lower than the 50th percentile, submitting scores likely will not help your admission chances.
ACT Requirements to get into University of Michigan
The recommended ACT requirements for the University of Michigan are a 34 composite score combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. If submitting scores, you will need a very high score in order to get into UMichigan. If your ACT wasn’t as high as you’d like because of difficulties or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Again, U Michigan is a “Test Optional” school—see the guide linked above for guidance on whether you should submit your scores.
The University of Michigan Average ACT: 34
| ACT Score Range | Composite Score % |
|---|---|
| 30-36 | 87.3% |
| 24-29 | 11.5% |
| 18-23 | 1.2% |
| 12-17 | 0% |
| 6-11 | 0% |
| Below 6 | 0% |
What ACT score is required for the University of Michigan?
Applicants should ideally score between 33 and 36 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school (if submitting test scores).
What does University of Michigan look for in students?
Michigan takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. This means that no one factor is the most important factor, and that they’re interested in whether you and the school are a good fit. Yes, having competitive grades and test scores is important. But many students who get rejected from Michigan have those kinds of scores—so in addition to those things, you need to show how you and the school will make a great team.
How do you know if you and Michigan fit together? And how do you demonstrate to the school that you think you do?
Start by exploring Michigan’s mission and values, both through its mission statement and through what it outlines in its strategic plan. Notice, for example, how often the focus is on diversity, equity, and inclusion: Michigan wants to work with students who want to be “leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
How do you see yourself aligning with this mission and these values? What parts of your story demonstrate that you have already worked toward these things, and that Michigan is the place for you to take your next steps? How will you and the Michigan community make great partners in trying to solve the world’s problems?
How else can you demonstrate that you and the University of Michigan fit together? Think about your answers to these questions:
In what ways do you see yourself aligning with the University of Michigan's goal of developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future?
How have you worked towards creating an inclusive environment in your current school or community, and how do you plan to continue this at the University of Michigan?
How have your academic and extracurricular experiences thus far prepared you to contribute to the academic affairs at the University of Michigan?
In what ways have you demonstrated your commitment to creating, communicating, preserving, and applying knowledge in your academic and personal life?
How do you see yourself contributing to an equitable and inclusive culture at the University of Michigan?
University of Michigan Application Deadlines
The University of Michigan application deadline for regular decision is February 1. Michigan also provides an alternative form of application in addition to regular decision: early action. The application deadline for the University of Michigan’s early action is November 1. Below is a table showing the deadlines for each of the steps of the Michigan’s admissions process.
| Notification Plan | Application Material | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | Submit Test Scores | November 15 |
| Submit Application and Financial Aid Application | November 1 | |
| Admissions Decisions Released | Late January | |
| Regular Decision | Submit Test Scores | February 1 |
| Submit Application | February 1 | |
| Submit Financial Aid Application (if still pending) | March 31 | |
| Admissions Decisions Released | Early April |
The University of Michigan’s Early Action Policy
“Students who apply Early Action will receive a decision earlier in the process, as they are guaranteed a response by late January. Regular Decision candidates may not receive a final admissions decision until early April.
You do not need to apply Early Action, but this fast-paced approach may fit your needs by providing you with a decision sooner. It's a great option if you know that Michigan is one of your top choice schools.”
University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Prompts
To complete the University of Michigan’s supplemental essay requirements, applicants must write two essays. Their prompts are below and the UMichigan supplemental essay guide that they were sourced from can be found here.
PROMPT #1
Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (300 words)
PROMPT #2
Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (550 words)
How to get into University of Michigan—Essay Tips
These prompts are essentially versions of the popular “Community” and “Why us?” supplemental essay prompts. For specific guidance on writing these essays, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on Michigan’s supplemental essays. Below, we’ll go over big-picture things to keep in mind when approaching each of these prompts.
Let’s start with the first one:
Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (300 words)
Here are the steps we’d recommend you take to respond to this prompt:
Decide what community you’re going to write about
As the prompt implies, you can take a very broad understanding of what “community” means to you. Here are four categories we often use when helping students brainstorm communities they’re a part of:
Place: groups of people who live/work/play near one another
Action: groups of people who create change in the world by building, doing, or solving something together (Examples: Black Lives Matter, Girls Who Code, March for Our Lives)
Interest: groups of people coming together based on shared interest, experience, or expertise
Circumstance: groups of people brought together either by chance or external events/situations
Use the BEABIES exercise to generate your essay content
Read more about the BEABIES exercise here.
Pick a structure (Narrative of Montage)
A narrative will work for students who’ve faced a notable challenge related to their community of choice.
A montage will work better for students who don’t have a notable challenge related to their community of choice.
Write a first draft!
You might outline and draft a few different essays to get a sense of which one you feel the best about.
Okay, let’s look at that second prompt:
Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (550 words)
Here are the steps we’d recommend taking for writing this essay:
Research, research, research
Spend at least an hour finding 10 or more specific reasons that you believe you’d be a great fit for the University of Michigan. 5-6 of these should be specific details about the school, 4-5 of these should be specific details about your background and interests.
Use this chart to keep track of your research
Create an outline. We’ve seen this structure work well for many applicants, so you can use it as a jumping off point:
Thought-provoking or interesting hook
Intro/thesis (say what you want to study and why)
Really specific academic offering at UMich that is in your intended major/concentration (this should connect to you in a really specific way)
A second really specific academic offering that’s also in your intended major/concentration (and that also connects back to you)
Something academic that’s not in your intended major/concentration (this keeps the focus on academics, but also brings in some variety)
Best/most important extracurricular offering (that connects to you in a really specific way)
Miscellaneous extracurriculars paragraph (these interests can also be sprinkled throughout to bolster or counterbalance your academic interest paragraphs)
Closing (this can be short)
Write a first draft
For more specific guidance on writing your supplemental essays for the University of Michigan, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide. You’ve got this!
Nick Muccio
Rather than candy, Nick (he/him) went searching for people’s vacuum cleaners when trick or treating. He’s since found other ways to help people clean, usually involving their essays (though he has great ideas on carpet maintenance, too). He earned a degree in Psychology from Bates College, where he rowed boats and acted in plays. Teaching high schoolers English for seven years taught him about the importance of presence and knitting sweaters. He sweats a lot, usually on purpose, and usually involving running shoes, a bike, or a rock climbing harness. His greatest fear? Heights. His greatest joys? Numerous, though shared laughter is up there.
