OT-My Nephew
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I couldn't help myself, sorry.
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It's hard to get application advice here only because a lot of us who are alums probably got in under different sets of rules or requirements - although there are a fair number of recent grads who might give some sound advice too. That being said, I would say it is related enough to Michigan that we can keep it. We've had threads like this before and they seem to go well enough unless you're that one dude who tried to argue the inherent superiority of Michigan grads, which was simply a bizarre argument - and he tried to start that thread twice to boot.
I wouldn't bother taking it again at 35. Honestly, I wouldn't have bothered taking it again at 33 as that is already an impressive score. With what he has, he seems to already be in a great position to come to Michigan. I think the biggest thing that he can do is make sure to show Michigan that he really wants to come there and that they would benefit by him being there too. Keep up with the athletics, volunteer work, good work in classes, and send Michigan an update should he not get an acceptance by December (thats when the first acceptances are sent out). Also, make sure to send in the application ASAP. I don't remember if Michigan is on a rolling basis, but I know that helps a lot.
What kind of milk does he drink?
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Are they as good as Uptown Girl?
Looks like he's pretty much done it all if he wants to go to a school like Michigan.
My advice? Let the kid stop and smell the roses for a minute. Pressure makes pipes burst.
Lots of family support and an incredible job of raising him by his parents.
I do application advising and high school and collegiate tutoring for a living. He absolutely doesn't need to retake his ACT and statistics show he's more likely to go down than up and so should likely not retake if he has a 35.
A 4.2 weighted GPA is misleading and thus really depends on his performance (number of As vs Bs). No one cares if he doesn't apply himself if his grades simply aren't there. He needs to exdcute.
All this being said, his essays and extracurriculars will essentially clinch the acceptance. If he is serious about umich engineering then hopefully he's done some extracurric's in that field/genre. As for essays... well I am obviously biased but either hire someone to review/edit his essays or have the family english major assist with that. Remember - don't try to say what you think they want to hear (odds are you really don't know) but instead focus on what his wants and desires are as an individual and what hisn intentions are for his future and how a umich education will further that goal. We all are unique "snowflakes;" we only blend in with the crown when we believe the urban legends of what "gets accepted" and then write blaise essays geared toward such.
Just a word of advice to your nephew, as someone who coasted through high school just based on intelligence alone: college is going to be much much harder, and if you haven't developed skills for studying, do so now, rather than during your freshman year when you are already in way over your head.
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I'm jealous of you . . . not in a bad way, but criminy, this kid is golden. What are you worried about? More than that: I trust he'll get in, but I think it is a mistake to have your heart so set on something that ANYTHING else is a disappointment. Just my 2 cents.
Indiana? Engineering?
Other top 10 engineering schools in the US located in midwest besides Michigan, include Illinois and Purdue. A lot cheaper to stay instate.
My son will be a Soph in UM School of Engineering this year. He is instate. Had a 3.7 (4.2 weighted for honors) GPA at Novi Catholic Central, 31 on ACT, 3 YR letter winner in XC and Track. Got in on the second wave of acceptances (initially deferred). I have since heard from my younger son who is a incoming senior at CC that its gotten tougher to get in from those applying last year.
I did brainwash him about UM from birth, literally. In fact, my first words to him after his birth was "Go Blue". In his application letter he stated that attending UM was always his goal in life. I'm sure that helped.
For a blog that is geared towarded college information see College Confidential http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/categories/47
The above link is for U of M but there is all kinds of college info on the site.
This is so true.
I work with kids and work with college admissions people. One, who I respect immensely, said that SAT/ACT score is the fifth most important thing that most colleges consider: 1: Transcript. 2: Essays. 3: Rec Letters. 4: Extracurrics. 5: Test scores.
That was his general ranking. Note that "transcript" includes GPA but is absolutely not solely GPA.
People VASTLY overrate GPA and test scores. Yeah, they're important, but what the hell is the difference between a 31 and a 30? A 28 and a 29? Who knows. Especially when you take into account the differences in kids' test preparation background. Rec letters and essays are what tell schools about students most. That and the transcript; the type of classes they've taken and their success in them, including trends (e.g. someone maybe has a 3.6, but a 4.0 after freshmen year is noteworthy).
Also, extracurriculars should be things kids are genuinely interested in (not a bullet list of clubs a kid went to for 1 meeting). Leadership roles show that the applicant is truly involved and shows some dedication.
Back in the day, I recall the ACT having four sections worth:
33: English
34: Social Studies
35: Science
36: Math
Maximum possible score: 34.5 (or, I guess, 35 if rounded up).
Has it changed? (I'm old.)
To the OP: How did he do on the SAT? If he aced that, too, may I suggest that he include some Ivies? Some of them have interesting financial aid available.
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In recent years, about 75% of the applications to Michigan are from non-residents, but non-residents account for only about 50% of the undergraduates. FWIW, this suggests admission from the non-resident pool may actually be more competitive than for Michigan residents.
Your nephew's grades and ACT are above the median statistics for students admitted to Michigan Engineering, which recently were 33 for the ACT and 3.9 for the HS GPA. Some sources suggest that while Engineering admissions have higher medians than LSA admissions for accepted students, that Engineering admissions may focus more on grades and test scores rather than other criteria. This may bode well for your nephew's admission. There may be particular emphasis on math grades, test scores and achievements during the admission process, so it is important your nephew excel in these areas.
In addition to other extracurricular activities, it may be helpful if he had an internship, participated in a summer educational program related to technology or engineering or had other experience to show his strong interest in engineering and science.
Has he visited the Michigan campus and made contacts in the Engineering program? It may be helpful for him to take a tour and talk to students and others associated with the program. Below is a link to information on tours and a contact for the Recruitment and Admissions Counselor, Michael Oelke. It may be helpful for your nephew to communicate and develop a relationship with this Counselor. For example, he might communicate to Mr. Oelke his strong interest in an undergraduate Engineering program at UofM and inquire what he may do to better prepare and improve his chances for admission.
http://www.engin.umich.edu/college/admissions/visit/take-a-tour
I also agree with the comments that suggest he may be best served by developing study habits now to succeed in a very competitive engineering program. I know several students who were admitted to Michigan Engineering, but later transferred to a less demanding/competitive major.
But some small engineering firms in your area that don't have a formal intern program might be able to create something for him somewhat on the spot (highly likely would be unpaid), and doubly so if wolverine alumni are involved.
Ask local engineering firms with resume in hand. Ask now (summer is here).
And reach out to your local alumni assn chapter regarding help finding an internship.
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I agree with above comments regard costs. We have a very similar situation, UM family ties, out of state, similar scores. He got in to Michigan and Purdue among others.
He went to Purdue. It turned out that for us, engineering out of state at Purdue, considering lower tuition and better scholarship/aid, was $20K/year less than UM. Saved $80K and played quads for 4 years on the Purdue drumline. Worked out OK.
I would probably rather hang out with your nephew...
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Or there's just an awful lot of high school superstars applying to Michigan, which should surprise nobody. Seriously, plenty of schools would be lucky to have a student body made up of our reject pile.
He's golden. I had pretty much the exact same stats (granted I was in state and this was 14 years ago) but had no issues whatsoever. Was accepted in a week or two. Not sure if we still do rolling admissions, but if we do, have his app in Day 1 at the first possible second. Sure it's a pain, but then it's done and you'll be accepted ASAP.
Best of luck to him!
Slam dunk
Late to the party, but as others have suggested, it sounds like he shouldn't have trouble getting accepted; the problem will be how to pay for it. We live in Oklahoma and my oldest went to MSU. She was a National Merit Scholar which gave her a full ride scholarship. Her baby sister wanted to follow in her footsteps, scored a 35 on ACT and just below the level for National Merit Scholar (which is SAT based).
Younger sister started piling up scholarships and even went to MSU for on-campus testing for an additional scholarship, which turned out to be billed at the in-state rate. We thought, "cool!"
But, as it turns out, we could do either the in-state rate, or all the other scholarships. Yes, the in-state scholarship would have saved us around $15,000/ year (it was 5 years ago--I don't remember exact details). We declined, and she ended up going to Okie State, which was significantly less expensive than MSU. Instead of $50-60,000 out of pocket over 4 years, it was more like $6-8,000.