Thanks and a Few ?'s From a Future UM Student

Submitted by CleMaize on
So I am now able to post a forum topic because I have reached my 20 points. How I got those 20 I'm not exactly sure because I have not reached anywhere close to 20 posts. I would just like to thank everyone that has anything to do with this site. When I sent in my application to UM I began to follow the football team but did not want to get to emotionally attached in case I did not get in. During the season I was looking at some sights and message boards and unfortunately did not find this gem of a site until about a week ago. This is far and away the best site I have found and is the most impressive sports blog I have ever seen. I would like to thank all that make this site possible, this is my new place for all UM information. I am normally not a big poster but I needed to make this post because this place is awesome! One thing that I can not stand is people who claim to be "fans" but know nothing about the team besides the star player. Upon my acceptance I have been on a quest to gather my information to be a "real" fan. If anybody has any books or other places to look so I can futher understand the history, tradition, and what it really means to be a Wolverine I would love it if you let me know. I will admit that I have made a few mistakes in my past, I grew up in Ohio and was a half hearted Buckeye fan who more just loved the passion and traditions of college football as opposed to a specific team, so yes I did root for OSU in the '02 Natl Championship game (now I can clearly see that no pass interference should have been called). I no longer have any ties to that other school and can not stand their fans from living around so many and reading there message boards. I have a few pretty basic questions that I know you guys can answer for me. 1. Explain the whole snake oil thing, I know it relates to RR but I dont quite get it. 2. I recently rewatched the UM ND game this year and was wondering about our defense. Do we run a base 3-4 but throw in some 4-3 looks because I saw both but I was a little distracted because my eyes kept getting distracted by Brandon Graham. 3. Is every offense set a 3 WR set because I kept seeing that even in running situations. 4. Are there plans to schedule some big OOC games in the futre (UConn is a step but it's not there yet) I know we play ND every year but is there a chance for some others. Also will I see a night game in AA anytime soon, I know there are no lights and they have to be brought in but is there a chance, and a 3:30 start in Nov. when it's dark at the half doesnt count as a night game IMO. Thanks for all the answers and reading all my rambling.
MGoBoard

Hemlock Philosopher

December 29th, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^

1 - RR was called a snake oil salesman by Joe Tiller after he got Roundtree to decommit from Purdue. 4 - Not likely. ND is our "big" out of conference opponent every season. We can only hope there is a change in philosophy, but it doesn't appear likely. Good luck at Michigan. I was a great school for me for 10 years.

Joined: 02/12/2009

MGoPoints: 9374

genericmichiganfan

December 29th, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^

Michael Shaw decommitted from PSU to Michigan, Ricky Barnum from Florida to Michigan, and Roy Roundtree from Purdue to Michigan on Rodriguez's first signing day in Ann Arbor. That prompted former Purdue coach Joe Tiller to call Rodriguez "a guy in a wizard hat selling snake oil." He was pissed over losing Roundtree and said what, in hindsight, was a pretty funny line. As for non-conference games, it really will depend on the new AD in my opinion. We have like a 30-year deal with Notre Dame, which unfortunately gives us little wiggle room to do big-time home and home series because Bill Martin always wanted to have as many home games as possible for money reasons. The home and home with UConn was just to get a BCS opponent to the Big House for the post-renovation opener. My guess is most OOC schedules will look like this: 2 MAC teams, Notre Dame, and an FCS school. In the future I'd love to see some big-time home and homes like Ohio State and Michigan State are doing, but I guess it will depend on if the new AD is willing to give up a home game every once in a while. The thing with night games is supposedly concern over how dark areas around the stadium would be where there is tons of parking. We have 4 spots on the new press box/luxury suites (1 in each corner) that allows temporary lights to be put in, which is what happened with the Penn State game this past season. Theoretically those 3:30 starts later in the season do end at night, but I guess the concern is having people trying to navigate around the stadium and the areas around the stadium at midnight or something. I personally think it is just an excuse to not have night games. In the future it'll again probably depend on the new AD. I imagine Rodriguez wants night games, but it'll be up to the AD to actually make it happen.

Joined: 02/16/2009

MGoPoints: 1880

mattbern

December 29th, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^

I was in a similar situation to you, as my following of Michigan started only a few years ago when I was first looking at colleges. I guess unlike you I became emotionally invested in Michigan and would have been devastated if I had not gotten in. Last year, my roommate introduced me to this blog and it is where I get all of my information. I feel like I have really picked up on all of the tradition and history of the program from this blog, as well as just from being in Ann Arbor, surrounded by a lot of life long M fans.

Joined: 09/11/2008

MGoPoints: 333

the_white_tiger

December 29th, 2009 at 4:07 PM ^

Devastated would be an understatement for me, my parents went there and I have been an M fan for my whole life. Too bad I have to wait a whole year to see if I get in. Congrats, on you getting in though, that is quite an accomplishment and I'm sure you and your parents are very proud. Work hard, get a degree, and you will be successful. On somewhat of a selfish note, do you think a 31 ACT and 3.5 would be good enough to get in? :P

Joined: 02/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5224

CleMaize

December 29th, 2009 at 4:13 PM ^

I hope you get in. I would hate to see someone who loves UM as much as you be denied. I think you would have a great shot with those stats. Your ACT is in the higher part of the middle 50% but your GPA is prolly a little low. Being a legacy should help. Just take all the hard classes your senior year and challenge yourself. Also if your instate I think it's a little easier and apply early decision so you find out by Christmas. Anymore questions feel free and good luck.

Joined: 12/28/2009

MGoPoints: 39

the_white_tiger

December 29th, 2009 at 4:27 PM ^

The GPA is what worries me the most, although I have essentially taken the hardest classes that our school offers and plan on taking three A.P. classes next year (I would have taken three by then). I have okay extracurriculars, a few sports, NHS, Student Council etc. I do plan on taking the ACT a few more times though, 31 was on the first try. And I may have some national merit coming in. I really hope I get in too, Michigan is really my only in-state option. And I don't know if I can live with being a badger :)

Joined: 02/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5224

CleMaize

December 29th, 2009 at 4:32 PM ^

31 ACT without finishing your Junior year is great. My best score came during the June ACT right after I finished Junior Year. I wouldn't be suprised to see your score go up to around a 33. I just had the basic extracurriculars to. Good to see you are taking the hardest classes. I think you got a great shot, I wouldn't worry to much

Joined: 12/28/2009

MGoPoints: 39

CleMaize

December 29th, 2009 at 4:32 PM ^

31 ACT without finishing your Junior year is great. My best score came during the June ACT right after I finished Junior Year. I wouldn't be suprised to see your score go up to around a 33. I just had the basic extracurriculars to. Good to see you are taking the hardest classes. I think you got a great shot, I wouldn't worry to much

Joined: 12/28/2009

MGoPoints: 39

gujd

December 29th, 2009 at 9:45 PM ^

being in-state is the biggest thing you have going for you. At least when I was applying (2003) it was much easier to get in as an instater (I think they have like 75/25 instate/outstate ratio if i remember correctly). I think I remember it being something like 50% of in state applicants were accepted.

Joined: 12/22/2008

MGoPoints: 279

Spread_Offense

December 29th, 2009 at 4:23 PM ^

You should be okay. When I applied I had a 32 ACT and around a 3.5 unweighted GPA. With that I not only got accepted but got a scholarship as well. As long as you took some AP classes and put some time into your application you should be fine. Also protip: apply for early admission. It's not fun sitting around at the end of your senior year worrying if you will be accepted or not.

Joined: 07/06/2009

MGoPoints: 161

GustaveFerbert

December 29th, 2009 at 4:51 PM ^

I was from a small Ohio town and did not get in to UM initially. They gave me advice to sit out a semester and I likely could have started in January...I was too impatient at 18 and went to UW for a year. And though UW was a great, I transferred to UM for the next three... So the moral of the story is, if you do not get in initially, do not give up if you really want it. There is no immediate hurry........lots of kids leave or flunk out after a semester and there will be room.... Go Blue!

Joined: 12/13/2008

MGoPoints: 4785

Stewart52

December 29th, 2009 at 5:33 PM ^

The fact you're a legacy I'm pretty sure helps you a lot if you're on the fence. I know a guy who had like a 3.2 GPA and 28 ACT but still got into the Engineering School and I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with the donations his dad makes every year. Aside from that I think you're still fine. I had a 31 ACT when I got into Michigan, but keep taking it-I ended up with my highest score being a 33.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 323

BlueintheLou

December 30th, 2009 at 1:09 AM ^

I say this as often as I can to high school students. The things that go into college admissions are so broad and inclusive, that within reason, anything can happen. Is there a reason I got in with a 3.8 and a 25 out of state, and posters with far superior scores on this board didn't get in? I would assume so. Did I deserve the spot over one of them? Probably not, especially the poster who got a 35. Did they make a mistake in admitting me? No. I graduated from the College of Engineering with honors. Major universities are trying to diversify their student body in any way possible. While being a white male I didn't offer diversity in the most obvious ways, but perhaps I filled something they felt they were missing. That's why collegiate admissions is so tough to gauge. So, no matter what happens, if it seems possible, go after it. Anything can happen when those decisions are made. To this day, I have zero idea how I was admitted. It baffles me, but I took the opportunity. I have no idea where I would be without it.

Joined: 09/13/2008

MGoPoints: 4872

KBLOW

December 29th, 2009 at 3:42 PM ^

Follow Dhani Jones' example and join the Residential College. And the night game thing will not happen in the near future (next 3-4 years) if ever. Way too many issues between the city, the University and the residents of the neighborhoods near the stadium who supply much of the parking for games on their lawns.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 22545

tedbundy98

December 29th, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^

True about East Quad, great location and not everybody living there is in the RC. But, in my experience it is safe to stereotype the kids in the RC as weirdo's. I'm sure not all of them are odd, but i'm also sure that there are a couple of good female asian drivers.

Joined: 09/22/2009

MGoPoints: 305

BlueVoix

December 29th, 2009 at 5:02 PM ^

As an '09 alum, I can tell you that it is definitely not outdated. People that live in East Quad for more than a year are of another breed. And as for dining options, yes, East Quad is better than, say West or South Quad, but that is like having sex with your best looking cousin. It is still awful.

Joined: 06/25/2009

MGoPoints: 5576

Stewart52

December 29th, 2009 at 5:36 PM ^

Uh, if by more dining options you mean vegan food, than yea. I loved Markley's food. You could fucking make your own pizza. And as for the commute, that's why they made the commuter bus route

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 323