Chances of getting into the University of Michigan?

Hi, I'm a junior, and my dream school is the University of Michigan. Would anyone be willing to share their stats or give me an idea of what it takes to get in? What should I focus on in the next year to have the best possible shot?

Of course! University of Michigan is an excellent school, and I'm happy to give you an idea of the stats and qualifications of the typical admitted student. While it's hard to pinpoint exactly what you need to get in, here's a general overview:

Academics:

- High school GPA should generally be 3.9 or above (unweighted). The higher, the better.

- Strong performance in AP, IB, or Honors courses, showing a rigorous curriculum.

- SAT scores for middle 50% are around 1350-1530, and ACT scores for middle 50% are around 31-34.

Extracurriculars:

- Diverse and deep involvement in 8-10 extracurricular activities. Remember that quality is more important than quantity. Admissions officers will rate your activities using the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars, and ideally, you would have a few in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels.

Essays:

- Strong, personal, and well-written essays that showcase your unique experiences, lessons learned, and character traits. For in-depth advice on tackling the UMich essays, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-michigan-essays

Recommendations:

- Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well and can speak to your academic ability and personal qualities.

In the next year, take these steps to strengthen your application:

1. Focus on maintaining or improving your high school GPA and taking the most rigorous courses available to you.

2. If your standardized test scores are not within the middle 50% for UMich, consider preparing and taking the SAT/ACT again to improve your score.

3. Develop leadership roles or initiate new projects in your extracurricular activities.

4. Research the specific programs and majors that interest you at UMich, as this will help you write more targeted and tailored essays when applying.

5. Start brainstorming and drafting your essays early, and seek feedback from trusted individuals.

6. Identify your recommenders well in advance and provide them with enough context to write you strong, personalized letters of recommendation.

Keep in mind that UMich employs a holistic review process, meaning they consider your application as a whole rather than focusing on just one aspect. While numbers and academic achievement are important, your personal story, character, and potential for future success are also taken into account. Good luck!