New Admissions Process for Undergrad?

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December 17th, 2010 at 2:20 PM
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Hoke_Floats
Joined: 09/21/2010
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New Admissions Process for Undergrad?

My baby sitter was displeased that she got a deferment from UofM, she said there was a spike in applications this year b/c of some new admissions process.  Her # was 10k more than usual, I have no idea if that is true.

From what I gathered from a 17 year old girl who was visibly upset about her situation...Basically, you can fill a common form online pick the schools you want to apply to and then answer UofM specific questions.

Does anyone know about this?  I was able to get an early decision for the fall of 97, how does this new process compare?
 

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December 17th, 2010 at 2:25 PM | i don't even think we had an (Score:1)
ish
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 7701

i don't even think we had an early decision option when i applied.  i'm old.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:27 PM | I got this (Score:1)
James Burrill Angell
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I'm an ASR Rep (Alumni Student Recruiter) and we've been briefed on this stuff extensively.

Two things your babysitter should know:

1) Yes, this is the first year that Michigan has gotten aboard with the Online "Common" application which gives applicants the ability to fill in one basic form for all schools that use the service. Each school can choose to add some extra stuff.. I think Michigan has a pair of essays aside from the two that exist on the common application.

 Accordingly, as all of us in past years had to do, we wouldn't have to fill out 5 to 10 applications (or more) in full. Its just one application, check the schools you want it sent to, fill out any of the special stuff the school wants filled out and FIRE.  What this means for your babysitter is that its MUCH MUCH EASIER to apply to a lot of schools. Accordingly, many schools have gotten a boost in number of applicants since its so much easier to apply now.

2) Traditionally, they admit a smaller percentage in the "early period" (which, for ease, you can define as before the end of this year). This will be the ULTRA high end of the range. The top top students. The school then waits to see how many of those students actually plunk down deposits before they let in the next wave of students. They continue to do this each month until they're pretty sure they've admitted enough people that they'll have a full class come September. Usually thats figured out by the end of March/early April. NOW, because its so much easier for people to apply, I expect that a lot more people, particularly from the east coast, just tapped our button and added us to their list of safety schools. Once that peters out and many of those people go elsewhere, I suspect you'll see the far bigger perecentage of the people who will actually matriculate get admitted in January and February.

Deferal is NOT a big deal. It just means she's not in the top 10 to 20 % of all applicants from the entire applicant pool. Not a big deal. As I said, many of these people are east coasters using us as backups to Ivy League Schools. The "Wait List" is far more ominous for her prospects. Tell her not to sweat.

December 17th, 2010 at 4:29 PM | jw, do you now when deferred (Score:1)
goblue418
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jw, do you now when deferred students will start hearing back?

Status: Pending

December 17th, 2010 at 4:43 PM | They've been slow (Score:1)
James Burrill Angell
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Admissions has been slower than usual this year. We usually get notified of our first round of admittees around Thanksgiving which is a week to 10 days after the admitees find out. Ordinarily I'd say the next round would come around the third week of January but if they are staying consistently slow for the year, perhaps another week or two after that. I'm guessing thats because of the rise in applicants.

December 18th, 2010 at 1:29 AM | Give us a break, bro (Score:1)
Captain Hindsight
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I work in the undergrad admissions office and I can assure you that we are receiving more applications than usual.  They come in waves based on certain deadlines.  If you turn in yours on a deadline, it's likely to sit in queue for days with 10,000 others.  I wish the common app was available when I applied. 

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

December 18th, 2010 at 9:03 PM | It's not a matter of being (Score:1)
Feat of Clay
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It's not a matter of being slow, although I get why it would seem that way from the outside.  They've actually been crazy efficient when it comes to processing and evaluating applications.

The timing is different by design--they are not doing a "rolling" admit rocess with early apps.  So instead of sending decisions out throughout November and December, they waited until now.

 

Candace: No... That why they make smart word box for tell monkey hard brain-hurty things.
Phineas: Removing prepositions makes it more condescending.
December 18th, 2010 at 8:59 PM | back up to Ivy League Schools (Score:1)
LaurenNolan
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Do you know if with this in place if Michigan is still accepting a similar percentage of in state vs out of state students?  
 

My initial reaction to reading this is that I can easily see out of state students who apply to tons of schools just checking the box as another safety school.  I really don't see many in state kids who are planing on going to state really even considering Michigan.  Maybe this is an over generalization, but I would guess that for many instate students they will probably not want to add another application fee for a school they don't intend on going to.  

"luminous beings are we, not this crude matter"

December 17th, 2010 at 2:25 PM | The Common App (Score:1)
ajh
Joined: 11/20/2010
MGoPoints: 96

The Common Application has been around for a while (see: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Default.aspx) but at least when I was applying (I started here in Fall 2007,) UM wasn't one of the schools available on it. I guess they are now, so it makes sense that there would be a pretty big spike in admissions-- UM's application was long even in comparison to other top-tier institutions.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:55 PM | Maybe MSU and Central (Score:1)
Keeeeurt
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Maybe MSU and Central Michigan aren't top tier but Michigan's app took me about 2 weeks while it took me an afternoon to start and finish State's and Central's apps

Me fail english thats unpossible!

December 17th, 2010 at 3:16 PM | not top tier?  i remeber (Score:1)
Abe Froman
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not top tier? 

i remeber the admissions counselors from WMU would meet with students at my high school and accept you on the spot.

i had some unusual circumstances, but i applied and was accepted to MSU in less than 48 hours.

 

 

it's great to be a michigan wolverine.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:38 PM | Unusual circumstances?  You (Score:1)
BlueCE
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Unusual circumstances?  You owned a McDonald's that employed a large percentage of MSU grads?

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December 17th, 2010 at 4:39 PM | Probably because he already (Score:1)
Farnn
Joined: 07/07/2008
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Probably because he already owned a ski mask.

December 17th, 2010 at 5:24 PM | Purdue (Score:1)
Horace Prettyman
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Michigan's application was pretty daunting.  Purdue on the other hand said it would take about 45 minutes to do the application.  I got it done in 17 minutes.  Michigan's application length was rumored to be a pre-req weed out to the actual weed out courses.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:25 PM | U-M has been in the process (Score:1)
DIABEETUS
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U-M has been in the process of converting to the common application for a while now. I didn't know it was already rolling, but I can see how that would cause a huge spike in applicants.

Michigan: 903–315–36 (Best in NCAA)
vs Ohio State: 58-44-6
vs Notre Dame: 23-16-1
vs MSU:  68-32-5
vs B1G: 522-197-24
vs SEC:  20-8-1
vs PAC 12: 48-24-1
vs Big 12: 10-5-1<

December 17th, 2010 at 2:25 PM | From what I understand (Score:1)
WestMichiganMan
Joined: 09/28/2010
MGoPoints: 375

She is correct in saying that there is now a uniform online application that U of M accepts. In addition to that application, the applicants need to fill out a form which is the school specific essay questions. Based on this it makes sense that there would be a spike in admissions just because of how much easier it has become but I haven't heard a specific number of applications yet.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:26 PM | A lot of colleges accept a (Score:1)
sarto1g
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A lot of colleges accept a "common application" that eliminates the redundancy of filling out app after app.  It's nothing new.  As for the spike in applications, that has much to do with the population of kids applying for college. It is much, much higher than previous years.  I had to go through this last year when I applied. (e.g. A lot of kids who had great grades were turned away from MSU or given Spring admission (like me) because MSU had so many applicants.) 

December 17th, 2010 at 2:26 PM | ya, its different this year. (Score:1)
goblue418
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ya, its different this year. they received somewhere around 10k early apps through the common app-which is basically just checking a box then doing the essays. i heard there were 5k apps with gpas above 4.0 and they only sent 3k acceptances as of now. i have aslo heard they plan on accepting 50% of deferred applicants this year. hopefully for me that is true. tell her not to worry, she didnt get denied, just told to wait a little longer

Status: Pending

December 17th, 2010 at 2:28 PM | thanks (Score:1)
Hoke_Floats
Joined: 09/21/2010
MGoPoints: 2060

I will have my wife talk her back from the ledge

December 17th, 2010 at 2:30 PM | hahaha that was me yesterday (Score:1)
goblue418
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hahaha that was me yesterday

Status: Pending

December 17th, 2010 at 2:27 PM | I wouldn't worry too much (Score:1)
zebbielm12
Joined: 09/28/2010
MGoPoints: 160

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I got a deferment letter, then an acceptance letter a week later.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:31 PM | Blame the Common App (Score:1)
notYOURmom
Joined: 03/13/2009
MGoPoints: 586

Michigan switched to the "Common App" which makes it sortof the push of a button to add UM to the schools to which you apply.  So up significantly is definitely believable, although I'm guessing that 10K is a pretty large overestimation.  The stats from 2008-2009 are:

Applied:
29,814


 

Accepted:
12,567 (42.1%)


 

Rejected:
17,247

 

A 1/3 jump in applications is pretty hard to imagine but a large increase of some kind is definitely likely.

December 17th, 2010 at 4:09 PM | Why does Michigan have to (Score:1)
bluebyyou
Joined: 09/07/2009
MGoPoints: 2711

Why does Michigan have to admit such a high number of students?  Is it really the backup school for the Ivy League?

December 17th, 2010 at 4:54 PM | You're damn right (Score:1)
James Burrill Angell
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A lot of top students from both overseas, Chicagoland and East Coast (especially NY and NJ because their in-state schools are lousy) have to apply to 20 or more schools and typically, the top ones will apply to Ivies adn baby-Ivies (Amherst, Williams) and use schools like Michigan, Emory, Wash U St. Louis as their backups. There are also a lot who will use schools like Michigan, Emory, Wash U as their reach schools and then Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland as their safeties. Regardless they're paying out of state tuition so they don't care whether private or public,. 

December 17th, 2010 at 5:18 PM | That didn't really answer the question (Score:1)
James Burrill Angell
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OK, so because we get this large group of people from out of state who are applying all over the place it drives down our % of those we admit who actually matriculate. Accordingly though we usually accept about 45 to 50% of applicants, a decent chunk of those never come to Michigan and, unless their other options fail them, were not planning on it. There is some school in like Hong Kong or something that usually has over 100 kids apply to Michigan and maybe one comes each year.

 

Read this http://www.michigandaily.com/content/feeder-schools

Although its not exactly on point, take a look at that table related to out of state schools and the number of kids applying and then how many actually come. Now multiply that by several hundred and you understand the "out-of-stater" effect on the whole application process.

I suspect its even worse this year now that we're able to use the common application.

December 17th, 2010 at 5:41 PM | Here's the table (Score:1)
James Burrill Angell
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This is what I was talking about

Now look at this. All these schools from out of state where we admit these kids and for the TOP ten one out of every three or four is coming and for many of these out of state schools its closer to one out of ten. This is from that Michigan Daily article that came out earlier in the year.

I can personally speak to this. I went to HS in NJ (granted it was two decades ago). Of my graduating class of 190 I know at least 20 kids applied to Michigan. I don't know exactly how many got in but I was the only one who went and typically we would only send one to three to Michigan a year.

December 17th, 2010 at 5:48 PM | You know that you can edit (Score:1)
OMG Shirtless
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You know that you can edit your comments if they haven't been replied to don't you?  You don't have to reply to yourself multiple times, unless you want to.

I put up a tough front, but deep down I just want to be held.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:32 PM | This really makes me wonder (Score:1)
UM2k1
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This really makes me wonder if I would get in now.  I got early decision in '97 as well (to CoE).  Now I would likely just be in the to 5,000 applicants.  That is a scary thought.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:16 PM | I got (Score:1)
Zoltan's futon
Joined: 11/13/2010
MGoPoints: 102

deferred then waitlisted then rejected last year with a 3.9 GPA from u of d jesuit with 6 honors and AP courses and a 26 on the ACT. I also had a lot of extracurriculars with no criminal (that sounds funny) or any sort of negative school record. So yeah, I think they have tightened up acceptance.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:20 PM | Not trying to offend you, but (Score:1)
I3lackcell
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Not trying to offend you, but a 26 is pretty damn low man.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:42 PM | Oh I know, I am an awaful (Score:1)
Zoltan's futon
Joined: 11/13/2010
MGoPoints: 102

Oh I know, I am an awaful test taker. I am know that that's why I got denied, but I am just saying. Supposedly last year the average ACT score was 27 that got in, so the one point is kind of nonsense if everything else I have is very good. Oh my dad and uncle went there, and my sister currently goes there so that was annoying.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:58 PM | I think it was the 26 that (Score:1)
mgokev
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I think it was the 26 that got you.  I think that's below the 25th percentile.  A lot of students to Michigan have great grades and extra curriculars, so unfortunately it's the standardized tests that can make/break your admission.  Well, that and the essays.

GO BLUE

December 17th, 2010 at 4:33 PM | I don't think it's the 26, so (Score:1)
MaizeAndBlueWahoo
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I don't think it's the 26, so much as there's nothing that really stands out.  One of the things that really stuck with me in the college admissions process is that schools aim for a well-rounded student body, not a well-rounded student, so if you have something that stands out from the crowd you're much more likely to get in than someone who has your basic "good student" resume.  I got into UVA with a 3.6 (obvs as it's my alma mater) while a girl from my school who had a 4.0, senior class president, great test score, extracurriculars up the wazoo, did not, which floored me until I heard the above.

In the sense that the 26 is not a 34, ok, then yes, it was the test score, but I honestly think my application was stronger because I had a very high test score and a couple extracurriculars that I really focused on rather than having half a hand in everything.

"We've beaten Michigan the last four years.  So where's the threat?"

- Mark Dantonio

Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<

December 18th, 2010 at 9:05 PM | ACT prep class? (Score:1)
LaurenNolan
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Zoltan where did you go to HS?  In state?  Did you take an ACT prep class?

"luminous beings are we, not this crude matter"

December 17th, 2010 at 2:33 PM | I should add that it's not (Score:1)
notYOURmom
Joined: 03/13/2009
MGoPoints: 586

I should add that it's not YET clear how much the Common App increases overall applications vs. just moves the timing of the applications forward (in which case your friend is more likely to have good news in April).

December 17th, 2010 at 2:34 PM | The more applicants, the more (Score:1)
ShockFX
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The more applicants, the more selective the school will be, the higher the USNWR rankings will be.  Now if we can get all the alumni to donate $5, we're almost at a ranking in the teens.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:18 PM | USNWR ranking are total (Score:1)
Abe Froman
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USNWR ranking are total crap.  i care more about what forbes or the WSJ say regarding rankings.  never try to measure the value of your degree using their (USNWR) sad excuse for metrics.

 

nice avatar btw

December 17th, 2010 at 3:57 PM | Agreed they are crap in some (Score:1)
ShockFX
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Agreed they are crap in some sense, but it doesn't hurt if more alumni donated $5 to improve a ranking.

Thanks, made it myself.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:28 PM | Someone in the UG admissions office... (Score:1)
YouremyboyBlue
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Someone that I know who works in the UG admissions office, as well as rumor around campus, has said that the university is trying to make this class smaller by offering admissions to fewer students.  Part of it is USNWR, as well as trying to keep the "prestige" of the university up.

"Some people break under pressure; others break records."

December 18th, 2010 at 9:09 PM | You don't need pals in (Score:1)
Feat of Clay
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You don't need pals in admissions to tell you that--there was a front-page story on the Daily saying as much.  Less about the USNWR stuff than about the strain on University resources when you unexpectedly have 500 extra students come.

 

Candace: No... That why they make smart word box for tell monkey hard brain-hurty things.
Phineas: Removing prepositions makes it more condescending.
December 20th, 2010 at 1:05 PM | USNWR Rankings (Score:1)
YouremyboyBlue
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The USNWR rankings info came from the UG admissions source.  From my conversation with them, that was just as much (if not more) of the reason as the strain on university resources.

"Some people break under pressure; others break records."

December 20th, 2010 at 3:18 PM | USNWR cannot be much of a (Score:1)
Feat of Clay
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USNWR cannot be much of a driver in admissions policy.  First of all, acceptance rate is a mere 1.5% of the rankings total.  Sure, our acceptance rate is an outlier among the top national universities, but it's not a good lever to move up in the rankings.  

I too have heard people (even in admissions) allude to USNWR benefits from a lower acceptance rate.  It's an idea that won't go away.  But the University has conducted analysis that suggests it is nowhere near a sufficient way to climb back up into the top 25.  I am certain that MSC knows that, so when she says in the Daily that she wants a smaller class because it's more manageable and better for the students, she means that.

 

 

 

Candace: No... That why they make smart word box for tell monkey hard brain-hurty things.
Phineas: Removing prepositions makes it more condescending.
December 17th, 2010 at 2:35 PM | I too heard about the common (Score:1)
bronxblue
Joined: 11/22/2008
MGoPoints: 12618

I too heard about the common app from one of my cousins who applied about a year or two ago, and it totally makes sense.  What I would say to the babysitter is not to worry too much, as some kids who were admitted may never enter the school and so there is a good chance she'll be given the option later on.

As for you, (sorry - can't find a better clip)

December 17th, 2010 at 2:39 PM | your babysitter eh? (Score:1)
Geaux_Blue
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did her negative attitude lead to you being sent to bed early or without juice?

December 17th, 2010 at 2:40 PM | Accepted (Score:1)
El Gonzo
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I just got accepted, and I used the Common App! It's definitely an exciting day. I'm still not sure that I'm going to attend (out-of-state tuition, etc.) but I'm happy that I got in. 

Writer of IONIZED: a Journal of Witty Commentary, designer, and student living in Greenwood, SC.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:56 PM | UNACCEPTABLE (Score:1)
Geaux_Blue
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THIS KID WOULD HAVE GLADLY COME TO MICHIGAN IF RR WASN'T HERE. HE'S PROBABLY GOING TO GO TO STANFORD. FIRE RR!!1!!!

December 17th, 2010 at 4:14 PM | WHOAH, PRESCIENT (Score:1)
El Gonzo
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Stanford is my first choice, actually…

Writer of IONIZED: a Journal of Witty Commentary, designer, and student living in Greenwood, SC.

December 17th, 2010 at 3:11 PM | CONGRATS!  (Score:1)
SFBlue
Joined: 11/02/2009
MGoPoints: 3140

CONGRATS! 

Missing Ann Arbor

December 17th, 2010 at 4:15 PM | Thanks! (Score:1)
El Gonzo
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Thank you!

Writer of IONIZED: a Journal of Witty Commentary, designer, and student living in Greenwood, SC.

December 17th, 2010 at 2:49 PM | Deferement (Score:1)
jb5O4
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I got deferred from Illinois when I applied but eventually got accepted.

Michigan Solar Car - National Champions: '90, '93, '01, '05, '08, '10

December 17th, 2010 at 3:02 PM | Should have (Score:1)
dmgoblue08
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run while you could.

Champaign is a dump.

"Begin with the end in mind." -Lloyd Carr

 

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