Michigan c/o '25 Acceptance Rate @ Historic Low; Apps exceed 80,000
Was on a webinar from UM Admissions last week and saw a couple pieces of data many may find interesting:
- Acceptance rate for current FR class: just less than 20% (lowest on record AFAIK and 1st time below 20%)
- Over 80,000 applications received, aslo a new record AFAIK.
I believe they also mentioned they do not give merit aid any longer, which is the 1st time I've heard them officially say that. However, that is consistent with what I've seen over the past 10-15 years: there are so many acceptable candidates that DON'T get in, M essentially feels that they don't need to offer $$$ to those who DO get in and can* pay they own way.
I don't believe M Admissions has published this data publically yet, but it should come out in the next 2-3 weeks with all the other data (race, state by state, int'l breakdown, etc). Thus, no link.
Anyway, this all fits the patterns I've followed in UM admissions for 10 or so years, with no apparent breaks on either number. In fact, they've accelerated from ~24-25% A.R. and ~65-70k apps since about 2017. I'm expecting these numbers to settle in at 15% and 100k by 2024-2026, when my kids likely decide to not apply, lol.
* for given definition of can: e.g., I 'can' pay for 3 Porches and have an indoor pool installed upstairs but...
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:26 AM ^
I would think they should spend some of that endowment and make more room.
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:35 AM ^
But then it will be harder to brag about how big the endowment is
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:45 AM ^
And about how low the acceptance rate is, at least in the near term.
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:58 AM ^
It does make one wonder what the point of the endowment is if it’s never or minimally deployed.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:37 AM ^
I was fortunate to have obtained several scholarships while I was at UM back in the 80s, and as a result now fortunate enough that my currently attending daughter is not able to receive any aid.
I think the University is actually making strides to use its endowment for those less fortunate like myself a first generation college student.
According to this 2018 update, UM received a 24% increase in applications from low income students and 26% of in-state undergrads pay no tuition.
For me, I am now giving back through my daughter's hefty out of state tuition.
September 23rd, 2021 at 11:11 AM ^
I thought, the university rolled out a program where a student comes from a family that makes less than $50k per year, they can go for tuition free?
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
The endowment is absolutely used conservatively but people really have no concept of how many strings are attached. The endowment isn't just a slush fund. Nearly every major gift comes with major strings attached on the use of the money, there are also limits set on how much of it can be used to ensure it remains, as the university has decided it is better to offer a $10k a year scholarship in perpetuity rather than pay full freight for 10 students for four years.
The reality is that almost every available dollar of the endowment is spent every year. If you have a problem with how its spent take it up with the donors who tied strings to it and not the university itself
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:18 AM ^
Michigan's endowment is not a big pool of money that the University can spend as it sees fit. Much of the endowment money is dedicated to specific items and must be spent accordingly.
I wonder how Michigan's acceptance rate compares to other public U's of with similar academics, i.e., Berkeley, UCLA, UNC, UVA. The acceptance rate for schools like Stanford and Harvard is about 4-5%.
https://blog.prepscholar.com/lowest-college-acceptance-rate
Both of our kids attended Michigan as OOS students not too long ago. It wasn't inexpensive.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:58 AM ^
RE: Endowment funds. I don't know where people get the idea there is some big pool of free money that can be used for anything they want. Like you said, nearly all endowments have restrictions on how they can be spent, some of them have significant restrictions. One of the bigger restrictions being what years they can be used.
That being said, I worked as an accountant for a state college and their endowment fund for a short time. Although obviously their funds were in no way comparable to U of M's, the people in charge did seem to be offended if you actually tried to come up with new ways to use those endowment funds.
I imagine it works something like this: you can't claim to be in charge of X number of dollars in endowment funds if you spend half of those dollars.
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
An endowment is an aggregation of assets invested by a college or university to support its educational and re- search mission in perpetuity.
Emphasis added. If they spent half of the endowment, that would defeat the purpose of the endowment. Universities use the interest earned on the endowment to fund tuition for students (or other designated matters). As such, only a small percentage gets spent annually, but that method to fund university priorities should be available forever, in theory.
https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/Understanding-College-and-University-Endowments.pdf
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
Many of the Funds we controlled were to be used up over a given number of years, which was by far the most common restriction. Perhaps those don't qualify as an actual endowment then, given they most certainly wouldn't meet the perpetuity clause there?
It could be that these are two different things and I've always conflated them because the small college I worked at didn't really have an Endowment per se.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
If the money has to be used its not an endowment. For example if you want to 'endow' a scholarship at Michigan and name it after yourself you have to give 200k for a 20k a year scholarship (numbers are generalized) because they are just using the interest and gains on the 200k to fund that scholarship forever. If you say the 200k has to be spent in four years that is not contributing to the endowment.
Part of the big push of the last endowment campaign was donations to a more general financial aide endowment fund, so if they lets say got 500 million to that fund, they can now give an additional 500k (also again made up numbers) in financial support every year forever as opposed to just making tuition free for the next five years.
September 23rd, 2021 at 11:44 AM ^
Thank you. Clears that up. Again, I think working at a place where there wasn't really such a thing as a legitimate endowment fund probably skewed my thinking about them in general.
I would assume interest rates have a bigger impact on how much they can disburse than any other factor.
September 23rd, 2021 at 11:21 AM ^
Yes, I was just going to say this. They usually spend only a small percentage of the endowment because they are really only spending roughly the annual yield for it so in theory it will never run out.
September 23rd, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
That’s what she said
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:33 AM ^
OP: Who has three Porches on their house? (Sorry, couldn't resist ...)
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:36 AM ^
Ha! You know how serriously I look to buy them when I can't even spell it!
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:32 AM ^
You have a pool upstairs? Are you having trouble finding chamber musicians during the pandemic?
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:33 AM ^
On the flippity-flip, they do have the Michigan Go Blue Guarantee for in-state families with HHI under $65K or so.
I haven't seen the data, so I don't know to what degree this has been a success...but it's a good initiative.
Also, the in-state admission rate is much higher...as you're only competing with one state's worth of applicants...in a state with a shrinking school-age population.
At least that's what I'm trying to remember, as the parent of an in-state 12th grader who is 37 days out from clicking on the "apply" button! She has strong - but not "slam dunk" credentials...so we'll be clenched up until admissions notices go out.
For in-state students, U of M is certainly one of the best educational values in the country.
Also remember that the common app and Covid-era test-optional situation has accelerated the increase in applicants. I know quite a few kids who were admitted for this year who would not have been admitted had they been required to submit test scores.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:40 AM ^
I also have a 12th grader with similar description to yours.
What’s your take on optional submission of test scores? It’s hard to believe that they won’t factor in test scores - presence, absence, score if available. It puts the applicants in a weird position because nobody on the outside is quite sure how the process goes.
My 12th grader has strong class work, grades, extracurricular, english/writing scores but subpar (for UM) math scores, and she wants to go for history major or similar humanities. It’s a pickle whether to submit scores but we will probably suggest that she does
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:15 AM ^
I don't have any "insider" info, but I do have some unique insight as the parent of a current U of M junior and a current HS senior...both of whom went/go to private schools...both of which have college counseling departments that are more robust and informed than what you find at public schools...even in the top districts.
My friend has twins who were '21 HS grads. Both had excellent grades but mid-20's ACT scores. They didn't submit them and got in. They apparently indicated that they weren't able to take the test...which one was able to say a year ago in the height of the pandemic...because most test dates to be canceled. They never would have been admitted with those ACT scores.
My gut is that if you are in-state and your 12th grader has a 30/31 or higher, they should submit the score. That being said, I would rely on experts...rather than some random dude on MGoBlog.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:25 AM ^
Wait! Are you trying to tell us that random dudes—and dames—on MGoBlog aren’t the ultimate in information and wisdom?
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:33 AM ^
Not discounting anything you say. As someone that also has close insights with college counselors and admissions folks, I don't think you can say for sure those students wouldn't get in.
SAT/ACT are very rapidly going away. I don't expect UM to even accept scores within 5 years.
They were already perceived to be more important than they actually are by the public. So, the question is, in the absence of that data, how does a huge school select applicants.
In short, they do better at knowing the applicants' school and school profile. They look at an applicant's transcript as it relates to that school (i.e. you only took 3 APs... that might compare poorly until admissions sees that actually those 3 APs were the only three offered by your school). They look at rec letters and essays, as they always have, of course, but people seem to forget that when discussing GPA (lol talk about a near worthless number) and SAT/ACT.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:44 AM ^
I think it depends on the school you are applying to. Those ACT/SAT numbers are part of how rankings are calculated and targeting high scoring kids was a way schools tried to move up those rankings. Its a lot harder for an Alabama to find a kid with a 35 ACT, 1570 SAT than it is a kid with a 4.0 and so having those numbers was what got those upward moving schools to throw money at you. I still Bama is free if you are a national merit scholar. Michigan doesn't have to do that so its less meaningful here.
September 23rd, 2021 at 2:14 PM ^
I understand this is a Michigan board and many like myself are proud graduates of a T50 (top 3% of US higher education institution), but statements like ACT/SATs are going away is relevant only to the few at the top.
Yes, because UM is never going to accept a kid that does not have coursework that is heavily AP / AICE heavy (essentially providing an even more rigorous and less equitable series of tests of their aptitude for college work) .... then they can dispense with the ACT / SAT. But for the other 97% of colleges that have far fewer admissions resources, have few applicants with passing AP scores, and deal with much greater challenges of educating those not prepared for college ... the ACT /SAT is not going away.
I am always surprised by the intensity of concern whether the very top colleges are denying folks entry based on their test scores, but not a peep about the fact that our national graduation rates are leaving huge portions of our society behind (most notably 65% of black college students and 58% of latino college students who will not graduate). I teach at the university that graduates more latino students than any other in the US, but evaluation tools like the ACT / SAT are critical to deciding admissions including those that will require pre-university work. We need more concern about kids going into programs they are not prepared for than the number of high achievers that only get into their #2 free-ride program.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
Do high school counselors have a sense yet how much test scores matter?
In any case, it seems unlikely that colleges, especially Michigan, would toy with students, announcing that test scores are not required and then secretly downgrading applicants who didn’t include them.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:16 AM ^
Is UofM still rolling admissions? Seems like every year it becomes more and more important to apply early. 17 year old me slacked and didn't apply till after New Year. I was very lucky to get in and I'm not sure if that same 17 year old would've gotten in applying like that in 2021
September 23rd, 2021 at 3:21 PM ^
no. Early action (non-binding)
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:19 AM ^
Given that your daughter will be a Michigan legacy, I'd be optimistic. Our admissions really does take that into account
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:55 PM ^
My daughter will be a Michigan legacy also. But how much is that actually worth admission-wise? Michigan has a lot of alum's.
September 24th, 2021 at 6:04 AM ^
TBH, I’ve heard it’s just not worth much at all anymore. My daughter would be a 4th gen (Ggrandfather was 1902 DDS). Anecdotal but seems consistent with what I’ve heard about admissions the last 10-15 years
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:37 AM ^
Pretty soon the university will hit 50k students. Probably within the next 3 years.
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^
the student slum lords will love that # continuing to climb.
housing is already at a critical level and the monthly rent they charge for the dumps they rent out are ridiculous.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
That's the same thing I heard in the 80's, FWIW, and I think there are currently more housing units closer to central campus than ever.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:26 AM ^
I graduated in 2016 and knew of people paying $2k+/month back then in the newer high rises by South U. I don't wanna know what they are charging now.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:06 AM ^
Very lucky to have been a UM grad in the '80s.
Very proud of how the University has continued to strengthen, while remaining a beacon for ALL types of motivated students in the state and around the country.
Very blessed to give back to the school in a range of ways.
Born in Ann Arbor. Forever Go Blue
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:09 AM ^
Thanks for this. UofM is the goal for my high school freshman. We're beginning to get emails from "admissions coaches" offering to help him chose community-based volunteer organizations, essay subjects, which HS athletic teams to join, etc.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:41 AM ^
Community service? Nowadays kids have to have started their own non-profit.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:56 AM ^
and 99.9999% of those are total BS. It is insane if college admission still believe such garbages
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
They don't.
September 23rd, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
I do some admissions reviews for a big state school (not Michigan and not nearly as selective), and they don’t mean much to me unless you somehow explain how great it was in your statement or something. Some of these kids fill lines and lines of resume with stuff that means nothing because the nobody has any what it is.
September 23rd, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
Founder of the D&D club!
"Tell me about the D&D club?"
"Uhh... a group of us meet and play D&D during lunch sometimes"
"Ok."
From who I talk to, its about building a genuine narrative around your story. Maybe you did some silly behavior things and are more a B+/A- kid. But you might have worked in a bike shop every summer since you were 12 and then became an avid mountain biker and share that passion with friends or young kids. That's genuine. That's impressive - to hold down a summer job for 5 summers.
Every student has a different story so you can't answer the question "Should Sally submit her 1250 SAT?" because it is an unanswerable question without reading and evaluating the entire application.
For my HS aged student, the advice will be "work hard and invest in your passions. Be an excellent follower so you can learn to be a leader. Be a leader when the opportunity presents itself, build great relationships around respect and trust. Learn from others. Share your passions, be inclusive, invite people into your orbit."
None of those things is a bulleted line on a resume or a score that is above some imaginary threshold. But they seem to correlate awfully strongly to those students I see accepted into elite institutions.
September 23rd, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
This is great advice! You want your child to be authentic and present what really inspires their curiosity and action. Admissions can usually tell---Varsity Blues scandal notwithstanding---when something is too good to be true and concocted by parents or high-priced consultants. It often comes across in the alumni interviews, if the school offers them. If the interview diverges too much in character from what is on the application than it is a dead giveaway of some kind of misrepresentation.
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:06 PM ^
Some good advice there MGoBender. I'd add, see what makes your story /application unique, stick out to the admission personnel, who look at 100's of bland or fluff applications. "I've been a Wolverine fan since my since my first visit to the Big House" is used by so many applicants and means nothing.
One of my kids went to a small elite out state school. His high school didn't host any admission counselors from any elite universities, but Ann Arbor Huron did. He established contact with the university and asked permission to attend their Huron presentation. He skipped class and when he showed up at the presentation the admission counselor knew right away who he was. He also shared a story that he used in an essay where his robotics team had their robot catch fire and pretty much blow up. The team got parts from other teams and eventually finished but didn't win. Lots of real-life lessons learned and again a pretty unique story that has nothing to do with GPA or test scores.
Taking a campus tour when you are a sophomore/junior in High School (and making sure your name is recorded and possibly talk to a professor) is also a sincere sign of interest. It can also be a good time to talk to a real admissions person (they had them at the end of UM Engin school tour) to ask questions and also to see if the culture of the school fits what your kid is comfortable with. If it doesn't fire them up then maybe consider somewhere else? Nothing wrong with that.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:18 AM ^
I'd be interested in seeing the breakdown between Out of State and In State.
Is the % moving more towards OOS, allowing Michigan to reject more In State kids, lowering the AR?
Or are the % changing the same and the reduction in AR being driven by a much lower OOS AR than IS?
Just based on current demographics IS will always have a higher AR than OOS, but it would be interesting to see what is driving the recent change.
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:19 AM ^
Enrollment has been pretty stable in recent years, with in-state making up about 51% of the undergrads.
Out-of-state applications have gone up due to common app and test-optional during Covid.
Many of my fellow U of M grads from the late '80's and early '90's have settled in NY, Chicago, FL, LA, etc. Their kids are desperate to go to Michigan.
My son was admitted in 2019. My recollection is that in-state admission rate was 40% or so...and out of state was 20% or so. That's obviously a significant difference.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
Are you sure on that 51% undergrad in state number? I had heard something much lower, like 20%, but that may have been total student population including grad students.
FWIW, I got into M Engineering as an in-state legacy just over 20 years ago (after being waitlisted) and I am 100% certain I would not get in today with the same GPA and test scores. Like I would be a hard "no", lol.
September 23rd, 2021 at 10:35 AM ^
I volunteered in my kids’ high school college counseling office.
For those not of application age or parents of kids of that age, the common app(lication) totally changed things. Once a high school kid could easily submit the same application to many colleges, applications everywhere shot way up.
As a result, the % admitted went way down. That made colleges happy, looking more exclusive. (“Only 20% get in!”) It also made students more anxious. (“Only 20% get in?!”)
But I suspect the general level of students remains roughly the same, maybe a little higher but not as much as the numbers suggest.
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:16 PM ^
"Enrollment has been pretty stable in recent years, with in-state making up about 51% of the undergrads."
It was 70% or so for the 1st year class back when I was a student...
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:35 AM ^
I got in by the skin of my teeth in LSA in ‘85. Today, I would have begun college at Southeastern Mid-Michigan A&M. And would have likely had to attend summer term to assure my Fall acceptance (which I did in ‘85 at UM).
And look how I turned out.