OT: College application season

You can get a essay coach or he can figure it out himself.  It’s best to have a personal story that stands out from the standard bs. 
 

I went to Michigan and love Michigan.  If he can get into a top IVY, Stanford, or similar with a huge endowment, the cost can be less after aid than Michigan in-state. (I went to Stanford for grad school) In that case it’s probably worth the elite school for the experience and med school entry. 

Consider the University of Chicago. Best decision I ever made (twice, once for undergrad and once for law school). I think if you can get into Chicago, Harvard, Yale, or Stanford, you should go.

Northwestern is a good choice as well if you’re looking for options in the midwest beyond the U of M. And consider looking further afield — Berkeley, UCLA, and Virginia are the other top-of-market public schools alongside Michigan.

FWIW - 

H & W M grads here. M is a BIG school.  If you need assistance, you have to go and seek it out.  If not, you will flounder on your own.

I have had three college students with wildly disparate college experiences.  Oldest - a Michigan directional school, Middle - an Ivy, Youngest - a US military academy.  Michigan directional school - you are on your own.  S was on the 7 year undergraduate plan (grind teeth) but ended up with a PhD.  Ivy, they keep an eye on you but you must graduate in four years, without some sort of dispensation, i.e. semester abroad, severe personal issues, etc.  Academy - they watch you almost every second, you must graduate in four years.  All three are out and doing well.

Make sure your student picks an academic experience that fits their academic and social interactive makeup.  Some students have a hard time interacting with faculty and TAs/TFs, particularly when they are having problems.

Phill,

Great question - and, for context - this is "who" I am.  I am a Michigan alum - and, am the father of two children who are currently sophomores at Michigan.  How do I have two sophomores at the same time - they are twins.

We live out of state - and, they applied during Covid.   Our children were offered scholarships of  varying degrees - based on the institution.  And, yes, this included four year "full ride" scholarships to certain schools.  Our view was that certain schools did not possess as strong of an academic reputation or rigor as Michigan does. 

Michigan seems to use it's Merit based Financial Aid for in-state students.   So, if you are out of state - and your son's track record is strong (as you indicate) - you may, or may not, receive any merit based grants or aid.   This varies by institution.

Of our two children - one is studying engineering while the other is in LSA with intentions of pursuing a career in Medicine as a physician.

There are a number of great comments here - thus far.

First - I strongly suggest your son apply Early Action, if available.   That will give as early of an answer as possible for their acceptance decision direction - 1) accept, 2) defer to regular decision, or 3) decline.

Second - absolutely attend any college fairs in your areas that Michigan participates in.   And, meet the Admission Advisor for your school / area.   Oh, as an FYI - the Advisor doesn't want to meet you - they want to meet your son.   

Third - visit campus.   This would be a "formal" / registered campus visit / tour - etc.   This is run by Admissions.   Information on available dates is on the University Admissions web site - and, the "next available date" - is 31 October.   Depending on where you live - and discussions your son has had with an Admissions Counselor - see if he can sit in on a class or two during that visit.  If you can't sit in the on the day you visit campus - see if you can plan a future visit - AND - sit in on a few classes.

Fourth - the essays are critical.   And, this is where your son has a chance to express himself - who he is - what his areas of interest are - and - what he will bring to Michigan's academic community.  The Admissions Counselors who supported our children's "offer of admission" - noted that their essays distinguished them and really stood out.   

Honesty, IMO, is essential in the essays - and, Michigan values DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   If these are characteristics your son exhibits - I believe it would be appropriate and valuable to mention them.   And, duration of "involvement" to various organizations / interests is important too.  So - it's better to have been involved in an organization cause for multiple years - "going deep" in my term - rather than be "thin" - being involved in many organizations for a short period of time.

Fifth - as noted above - Admissions wants to know your son.   That is what is important.  I would suggest your son maintain contact with his Admissions Advisor - however, those communications should be "material" in nature - not just asking about the weather - or a "Go Blue" on the result of last Saturday's game.   He should ask questions - or - for more detailed information in his area of interest.

Good luck - and, Go Blue!

P.S. My wife and I value academics greatly - and, feel that Michigan offers a tremendous balance of academic growth, social development, and athletics.

Lots of good advice here.  The most important thing from my perspective: whatever school he attends will only be as good as he makes it.  Of course, reputation, prestige, networking, and job opportunities are linked to how different schools rank.  But for his success, the most important thing is him: how he applies himself and what he chooses to do with the opportunity.

Another key piece of advice: if you think you've "arrived" you're done.  In other words, getting in isn't the thing.  Just because you get into Michigan, or anywhere else, success isn't guaranteed. 

It sounds like he is an impressive kid.  Best of luck to him as he takes the next step.

I don't have a lot to say on the pre-med. But I would say... he should visit a number of schools. If he's interested in being in a city, or another type of campus, then being a fan of the football team isn't a reason to go to UM.

For example, if he's looking at Ivy's, Brown and Columbia have pretty unique opportunities and UM cannot offer, in terms of campus life and life experience. Harvard the same (in Boston). Has he looked at JHU?

Agree with those that said cast a wide net. I don't know what the application cost is now, but if you're planning to pay for any of the schools in the Ivys or UM, then, I don't think the application costs will break the bank. 

He should earnestly go visit the ones that interest him most. All these schools will pave a great path for him, and all these degrees will carry weight. But, I'd recommend looking beyond that to the experience he wants to have.

He can still go to an Ivy (or others) and be a UM football fan.

I went many years ago and although my kids didn't decide to go, I did visit with one when he was applying and set up a meeting with the Honors College.  That was illuminating and I suggest you do that with your son when he has a chance.  Ask specific questions which have been prepared in advance.

Phil, one other thing to consider is - the type of Decision you - and your son - are applying for.

As I believe you know - there are three options - 1) Early Decision, 2) Early Action, and 3) Regular Decision.

If finances are not an issue - and - your son has a clear #1 - then, I would suggest you consider Early Decision - and, my perspective is - that may make a difference at an Ivy.  It could be a small factor - but, would demonstrate how deep his interest is in that school.   As you probably know, if your son applies Early Decision - and is offered admission - the entire process is done.  Early Decision is binding - and, the financial aspects of the offer may be set as well.

My children applied to 15 schools each - and, applied Early Action whenever it was available.  Neither of my children applied Early Decision to any school.

Congratulations to your kid.  

As a parent of a six month old, what is your recommendation on making sure he am haz smarts.  Tx.

Phil, one additional item for your / your son's consideration in conversations with the various school's Admissions and Academic teams.

The item is "research".   The list of schools that you have shared appear to be AAU member schools - and, those schools are very involved with Research.

My suggestion is - your son asks about Research - how can undergraduates get involved in research - what is the breadth, scope, and learning opportunities available - can the research provide academic credit, or is it extracurricular - etc.

I would be happy to speak with you about the approach we, and our children took, in both their application process - as well as how they have engaged in their academics.

If you're interested, please let me know - and, I'll share information about how we can connect "live".

Again - best of luck to your son.  Go Blue!