Our HS Jr is interested in applying to Michigan as a super long shot far reach. She is nearly 4.0 (97.27 weighted gpa) but only top 20 something% of her class so far (5A) , but is strong in music, activities, and leadership. Is running for drum major right now.

Michigan is test optional for SAT. In general, what is the holistic expectation for students who do not submit a SAT score? According to Google, the average submitted SAT scores are around 1470. Do test optional kids have to cure cancer or something? Her PSAT was 1060 so we are concerned.

I actually work in graduate admissions but know nothing about undergrad. Thanks!

I've had students admitted to Michigan for the past four years from the state of Texas. All were closer to top 5-6%.

Michigan is a public Ivy and is very difficult. IMO, even with strong test scores, that class ranking would make it very difficult for your student.

Thank you, I do understand. Do they look at out of state class rank? Our kids school only gives rank 10% and up.

There are a lot of factors they weigh into the admission decision. However, the first thing they always review are grades. Having them prevents you from being automatically being placed in the "no" pile.

A top 20 percent ranking alone wouldn't really fit that criteria of having met the grades criteria. Now, I never suggest not applying if the student wants to take their shot, but it all honesty, it's a very long shot that would require checking off all the remaining boxes at the highest of levels.

Thank you so much! Michigan State is her top choice but it is good to know that about where to focus our energies. Scoir has zero scattergram data for Michigan probably for obvious reasons.

Michigan is great, but it's Northwestern level expensive. There's more of a NY flavor than Midwest if that matters. Ours picked Wisconsin over Michigan and Northwestern because of Chemistry. He ended up liking Bio Chemistry (degrees in both) better and Michigan edged out Wisconsin there at that time. Northwestern was even with Wisconsin Chemistry at that time. We like Wisconsin much better because it's half the price. The kids getting into Michigan were 1560+ SAT plus high GPAs. Northwestern is a tiny school and not AP credit friendly, like most Ivys.

Emotional Support Cobra said:

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Our HS Jr is interested in applying to Michigan as a super long shot far reach. She is nearly 4.0 (97.27 weighted gpa) but only top 20 something% of her class so far (5A) , but is strong in music, activities, and leadership. Is running for drum major right now.

Michigan is test optional for SAT. In general, what is the holistic expectation for students who do not submit a SAT score? According to Google, the average submitted SAT scores are around 1470. Do test optional kids have to cure cancer or something? Her PSAT was 1060 so we are concerned.

I actually work in graduate admissions but know nothing about undergrad. Thanks!

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Michigan is interesting. Major matters a LOT in chance of admission. They pretty openly use OOS kids to pay for In State with a very high percentage of OOS (48%) which is odd as the Flagship of a large state. Thus it doesn't advantage In State students as much as you would think but it also makes it prohibitively expensive for OOS. Tough admit no matter what though.