One of my relatives is a Michigan alum; will this be a benefit in the review of my application?
Is being a legacy applicant a factor in U-M’s holistic review process?
Although not a primary factor in admissions decisions, having a parent, step-parent, grandparent, or sibling who attended the University of Michigan is considered during the holistic review process. Legacy status is not a preference in the admissions process but does serve as context - outside of the admissions review - in understanding an applicant's interest. Most importantly, it helps us to appropriately manage our class size. Information about an applicant's status as a legacy can also be used to acknowledge their relationship to U-M in communications with families during both the application process and when it renders their admissions decisions.
What is the University of Michigan’s “holistic” application review process?
The admissions process is designed to consider all aspects of an applicant’s record and experience and is not intended to admit applicants solely on the basis of grade point averages, test scores, or any other single criterion. The university recognizes that there is great variation among its applicants’ personal circumstances, home communities, and high schools, including those schools’ course offerings and grading practices. Therefore, reviewers have the opportunity and responsibility to consider a comprehensive range of factors in evaluating applications and to admit applicants who are both academically qualified and have demonstrated their potential to contribute to, and be successful students at the University of Michigan. To ensure an accurate, comprehensive, and unbiased review process each application is assessed by multiple evaluators in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions before a final admissions decision is rendered.
What are the possible decisions for a first-year applicant?
When final decisions are released by our office in early April, applicants will receive one of three possible decisions: they can be admitted to University of Michigan’s first-year class, they can be denied admission, or they could be offered a spot on the admissions waitlist. Being “waitlisted” means that after several thorough reviews of their application, U-M is not able to offer the applicant a place in the incoming class because of space limitations.
However, occasionally a very limited number of spaces become available after the May 1 enrollment deposit deadline. By placing their name on our waitlist by May 1, an applicant may be offered admission when and if spaces become available. Applicants who are offered the waitlist are, in the meantime, encouraged to pay an enrollment deposit to another institution where they have been admitted.
Is there an appeal process for applicants who are denied admission or offered a spot on the waitlist?
Since each application goes through multiple comprehensive, holistic, and individualized reviews before an admission decision is released, we are confident in our decision, and there is no appeal process. We encourage applicants who have been denied first-year admission to consider applying as a transfer student in the future. Many students come to the University of Michigan in this way and go on to earn a Michigan degree.