This article offers a wealth of knowledge on Michigan Acceptance Rate, assisting students in making informed decisions regarding their higher education choices.
The University of Michigan has undergone a notable change, becoming more open to students from outside its home state and even from different countries, a departure from its past practices.
At present, about half of the undergraduate student body comes from places beyond Michigan’s borders. This is a contrast to just ten years ago when a majority, 64%, were local residents. Among the current group of over 32,000 Wolverine undergraduates, a clear pattern emerges: these students tend to have exceptional academic records.
They often achieve very high grades throughout their high school years, and their SAT/ACT scores frequently place them in the top 10% of test-takers. As we enter the admissions cycle for 2023-24, a notable fact stands out: the University of Michigan’s acceptance rate has now dropped to below 20%.
For those who aspire to join this accomplished community, it’s important for them to gain a strong understanding of the intricate details that shape the University of Michigan’s admissions process.
Contents
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
The exact acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 at the University of Michigan is not yet available. However, we do know that there were 87,066 applications submitted. Based on this information, it’s estimated that the acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 could be around 17%.
Previous UMich acceptance rates are as follows:
- Class of 2026: 18%
- 2025: 20%
- 2024: 26%
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate (Out of State)
In one recent admissions cycle, the UMich out of state acceptance rate was 18% compared to a 39% in-state acceptance rate. It is fair to say that the admit rate for Michigan residents is roughly twice that of non-residents.
Michigan Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank
Of those enrolled in Michigan’s Class of 2026, the middle 50% range on the SAT was 1350-1530; the ACT range was 31-34. Moreover, the unweighted GPA range was 3.9-4.0. Applicants to UMich are not required to submit a class rank but, typically, close to 80%+ place in the top 10% of their high school class.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- Applications rose from 84,289 to 87,066+ in the 2022-23 admissions cycle.
- 14% of current undergraduates are first-generation college students.
- 88 members of the 2022-23 freshman class were National Merit Finalists.
- 55% of Class of 2026 members submitted SAT scores; 24% submitted an ACT result.
- The university received an increased number of applications from first-generation and students of color.
Who Actually Gets Into Michigan?
Let’s look at the demographics of Michigan undergraduates:
Geographically, the greatest number of Wolverines hail from the following states (in order):
- Michigan: 16,323
- New York: 1,685
- Illinois: 1,592
- California: 1,550
- Massachusetts: 420
Of course, it pays to be an applicant from a less-populated state since Michigan likes each class to be comprised of residents of all 50 U.S. States. The states with the fewest current UMich students are as follows:
- North Dakota: 3
- Wyoming: 2
- South Dakota: 9
- Montana: 11
- Idaho: 7
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of undergraduate students currently attending the university is as follows:
- Asian American: 17%
- Hispanic: 7%
- African American: 4%
- Caucasian: 53%
- Two or More Races: 5%
- International: 8%
The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates reveals an equal number of men and women, a rarity in today’s postsecondary landscape (outside of engineering-heavy schools). Many institutions have more female students than males.
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Some of the top public high schools in the state send massive numbers of students each year. One recent freshman class included representatives from the following schools:
- Oakland International Academy: 98
- Ann Arbor Pioneer High School: 87
- Northville High School: 78,
- Troy High School: 65
- Novi High School: 62
University of Michigan – Yield Rate
Michigan’s yield rate — the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted — was 47% last year. This figure is comparable to other top flagship state universities like UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, and UCLA.
How Michigan Rates Applicants
Michigan takes into account several factors during their admissions process. The most important ones are the difficulty of your high school courses and your grades. They also consider standardized test scores, essays you submit with your application, recommendations from teachers, your activities outside of class, whether you’re the first in your family to attend college, and your personal qualities.
The admissions team at Michigan looks at you as a whole, not just your grades or test scores. They want a diverse group of students with different interests and strengths. They value things like your background, what you’re passionate about, and the skills you have. Michigan uses a fair and thorough approach to evaluate applicants, considering all parts of your application. They don’t make decisions based on just one thing, like grades or test scores. They want to see a well-rounded record, including good grades in challenging classes, strong ACT/SAT scores, involvement in clubs or activities, any special arts training, and signs of leadership, awards, and community service.
On the academic end, they consider the following data points:
- Firstly, your cumulative GPA
- Your test scores (SAT or ACT)
- The quality of your curriculum (its solid college preparation, strength of courses, what courses you’ve taken based on what is available in your high school, such as AP, IB, or honors, etc.)
- Your class rank, if available
- Lastly, your specific academic interests
The U-M application reviewers rate each applicant with respect to the following criteria:
- Secondary School Academic Performance
- Educational Environment
- Counselor and Teacher Recommendation
- Essays
- Awards/honors, involvement, leadership, and service
Applicants are rated on the following scale by category (listed above) and then assigned an overall grade.
- Outstanding: All of the applicant’s materials exemplify superior and/or exceptional characteristics that contribute to the specific evaluation categories.
- Excellent: The applicant’s materials illustrate extremely strong, but not exceptional, characteristics. The reviewer may have a reservation, but there are enough redeeming features to compensate for, or outweigh, the reservation.
- Good: The applicant’s materials demonstrate competitive average characteristics in most of the criteria, but may be particularly strong in one or more areas. The reviewer may have reservations about the applicant’s academic competitiveness.
- Average/Fair: While the applicant’s materials are competitive in each of the criteria, the reviewer has substantial concerns about the overall strength of the application and may have reservations about the applicant’s academic competitiveness.
- Below Average/Poor: In the applicant’s materials, the reviewer detects serious deficiencies in most of the evaluation criteria in comparison to other applicants. In addition, several of the evaluation criteria may or may not be met or may not have been addressed in applicant’s materials.
Tips for Applying to Michigan
If you plan on joining the 87,000+ Wolverine hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- Firstly, the school will be test-flexible again in 2024.
- Additionally, Michigan offers optional alumni interviews as part of the admissions process for engineering students. So-called HAIL interviews do not, however, play a large role in the admissions process.
- Next, Michigan does consider “demonstrated interest” so it is important to make contact with the admissions office, connect through social media, and (when COVID-19 is no longer an issue) visit campus or meet Michigan reps at college fairs near you.
- Lastly, make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Michigan. There are two required prompts in addition to the 650-word Common App essay:
- 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. (Required for all applicants; 300 word limit)
- 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? (Required for all applicants; 550 word limit)
Summary of University of Michigan Acceptance Rate
The University of Michigan’s acceptance rate has dipped below 20% in recent times. If your SAT score falls below 1350 and your GPA is not at least 3.9, acquired through a challenging honors/AP curriculum, you should possess other compelling qualities such as exceptional athletic ability or belonging to an underrepresented group.
However, in-state applicants have a relatively higher acceptance rate, almost twice that of out-of-state candidates. To sum up, all students preparing for college should create a suitable list of colleges that includes both “target” and “safety” schools. It’s advisable to collaborate with an admissions professional, including your high school counselor, to undertake this process.
