How to Get Into the University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Strategies
May 30, 2023
In recent years, the University of Michigan has opened its doors to more and more out-of-state and international students than at any point in the school’s history. Presently, roughly half of the undergraduate student population are non-Michigan residents; a decade ago, 64% were Michigan natives. The 32,000+ current Wolverine undergrads are a more high-achieving bunch than ever before, typically earning near-perfect GPAs in high school and SAT/ACT scores in at least the 90th percentile. As we enter the 2023-24 cycle, the University of Michigan acceptance rate is now under 20%.
If you aim to join this elite cohort, you’ll need to possess a solid understanding of how the Michigan admissions process works. To guide you, this article will help provide:
- University of Michigan acceptance rate
- University of Michigan Out of State Acceptance Rate
- SAT, ACT, GPA and class rank of accepted Michigan applicants
- Admissions trends at the University of Michigan
- The demographics of current Michigan undergraduates
- Michigan’s yield rate
- How Michigan’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
- Tips for applying to Michigan
- How to approach the UMich supplemental essays
- How to assess whether applying to Michigan is even worth the $75 application fee (for you)
Many students applying to UMich may also find the following blogs to be of interest:
How to Get Into:
Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
The official Class of 2027 acceptance rate has yet to be released. However, we do know that 87,066 applications were submitted. Based on this figure, we would estimate that the University of Michigan acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 will be around 17%.
Previous UMich acceptance rates are as follows:
- Class of 2026: 18%
- 2025: 20%
- 2024: 26%
University of Michigan Out of State Acceptance Rate
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
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate (Continued)
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
There are only two factors that Michigan ranks as being “Very Important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record and GPA. Standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, first-generation status, and character/personal qualities are all rated as “Important.” However, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, legacy status, geographical residence, state residency, racial/ethnic status, volunteer experience, work experience, and the level of an applicant’s interest are all “Considered.”
In the admissions office’s own words: “We look at each student as a whole package, a combination of talents, interests, passions, and skills. In this way, we can look beyond grades and test scores to recruit the most dynamic group of students possible. A wide variety of backgrounds, intellectual passions, and interests make up the typical applicant. What they share is a drive to pursue academic excellence in a challenging and rewarding academic environment.”
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate (Continued)
Michigan uses a holistic process in evaluating candidates, considering “all aspects of your record and experience.” In other words, they “do not admit applicants solely on the basis of any single criterion. We value the whole record — excellent grades in rigorous courses, top ACT/SAT scores, participation in extracurricular activities, professional arts training, and evidence of leadership, awards, and 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.
It definitely helps if you are recruited as an athlete to join one of Michigan’s 29 Division I sports teams. More than 900 athletes are members of these highly-competitive squads.
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)
For a detailed look at how to tackle these essays, visit our blog entitled: University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips.
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts
Again, the University of Michigan acceptance rate has fallen below 20% in recent years. If you possess anything shy of a 1350+ SAT score and a 3.9 GPA obtained in an honors/AP course load, you’ll need to bring some other compelling aspects to the table whether it’s athletic prowess or being a member of an underrepresented group. However, those from in-state can breathe a little easier as they enjoy an acceptance rate nearly twice that of their non-resident competitors. In conclusion, all college-bound teens need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to do this in conjunction with an admissions professional (including your own high school counselor).
