The University of Michigan is a good fit for students who want a challenging academic environment combined with a strong, active school spirit. It is a large school with lots to offer, so students must also be ready to seek out support and self-advocate when needed. Expensive for out-of-state students and merit scholarships are limited.
- Public, research university
- Small city location
- Main Central campus + North Campus – 2 miles northeast for engineering, art and design, architecture and urban planning, and music, dance and theatre + medical campus complex + south campus for sports facilities.
- Free bus service between campuses
- Total student population +43,000 – undergraduates 30,000+
- 7% international from 92+ countries
- 50% in state students
- Acceptance rate sub 20%
- 250+ undergraduate majors
- Students are not admitted to a major but you apply to a specific school or college.
- There are 14 schools or colleges. Freshmen can apply to 7 – others are for sophomore or junior entry.
- 7 options: Literature, Science and Arts (largest school with 90 majors – liberal arts programme); Engineering (2nd largest – 17 majors); Nursing – direct 4 year admit; Kinesiology – 3 majors; Architecture – complete first 2 years liberal arts and then 2 years architecture; Art and Design; Music, Theatre and Dance
- The School of Music, Theatre and Dance is one of the top performing arts schools in the country. Must choose a specific major and auditions are required.
- Can only apply to one school or college – the exception is Art & Music and Architecture – in these two cases you can apply to another school. Eg. Design and LSA – dual applications which are treated separately.
- Ross School of Business – does not admit freshmen. Two-tired admissions process so you must apply to another school first.
- Changing programmes is possible but movement across campus depends on what you want to do and where you are switching from. There are admission requirements and prerequisites that need to be considered.
- Michigan provides a great education across all subject areas and over 70% of programmes are ranked in the top 10 nationally.
- Computing Science, Economics, Psychology and Business Administration are particularly popular
- No. 1 public research university in the US. Over 1 billion in research funding.
- No required courses for all freshmen, but students must complete some work in English, foreign languages, natural sciences, and social sciences and humanities
- Very strong in foreign languages – over 40 to choose from, including Persian, Hindi, Swahili, Dutch and Filipino.
- Excellent academic and career advising but, like a lot of the support at Michigan, students must seek it out
- First Year Experience – offers themed living communities. Smaller community support and allows students to live/study alongside those with similar goals and interests – eg. community service, women in science and engineering, natural sciences, 1st generation, sustainable living, multicultural.
- All learning communities have an application process that opens in the spring
- Residential College – one of the Michigan learning communities that embraces the feeling of a smaller liberal arts college within a larger university. Part of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.
- Honours Programme – one of the best in that nation. Offers early research opportunities and dedicated academic advisors
- Any student who is admitted to Michigan can apply to honours – 450-500 students accepted per year.
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme
- Michigan’s programme on Intergroup Relations is a national model for supporting diversity
- No. 5 in nation for the number of students who go abroad at some point – opportunities across all majors
- Early Action – non binding. Deadline is Nov 1st – result by 24th December
- Regular Decision – 1st February
- No preference for EA or RD – typically 50% admitted in EA
- Admission is highly competitive and selective. All students are reviewed the same and are given multiple reads
- Three key factors: grades and grade trends, curriculum rigour, and testing.
- Average 3.9 unweighted GPA. 32-35 ACT and 1380-1440 SAT.
- No disadvantage for not submitting tests
- Campus fit is carefully considered – Why Michigan?
- 1 recommendation letter. Looking for essays that express a candidate’s personal voice and motivation to come to Michigan
- Don’t track demonstrated interest
- Three results – Admitted or Rejected or Postponed – a.k.a waitlisted
- Most expensive flagship university for out-of-state students
- Average merit scholarship is $5,600 – very competitive and less than 10% receive an award.
- Michigan’s focus is on need-based financial aid.
- Freshmen are guaranteed accommodation and the Off-Campus Housing Office supports students
- Large Greek scene – 20%
- Social vibe – an exciting campus with a great balance of academics and school spirit.
- Students are engaged and proud to be at Michigan – very active outside of the classroom and there is lots to do whatever your interests
- Div 1 football – big matches are an integral part of the student experience for many
- Ann Arbour is a small to mid-sized town. Well known as a great college town and the university is very well integrated.
- 45 minutes from Detroit and 40 minutes to the airport.
- There is a free airport shuttle bus during major breaks.
Visit the University of Michigan website
