Did you know that the average GPA in the University of Michigan’s 2023 entering class was 3.9? Yes, you read that right. A 3.9 GPA! So, it’s safe to assume the school is pretty selective. But how hard is it to get into UMich exactly? That’s what I set out to find, and UMich’s acceptance rate seemed like the perfect place to start!
What Is UMich’s Acceptance Rate?
UMich’s acceptance rate for the fall of 2023 was around 18%. The school received over 87,600 first-year applications but only offered admission for a little more than 15,700. Out of those accepted, 7,466 were enrolled.
How do UMich’s Rates compare to Other Universities?
Getting into UMich is definitely not as hard as getting into Cornell or Yale. However, it still has one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Let me put things into perspective for you: The average rate in the US is 68%.
Meanwhile, the lowest rate in an undergrad institute is around 3%. That’s the sort of selectiveness you’d expect from Harvard or the California Institute of Technology. Even if you narrow down the lens to the state level, you’ll find that UMich stands out. I mean, the second-best college in Michigan (Michigan State University) has an acceptance rate of 88%!
The Acceptance Rate Over the Years
UMich didn’t become super selective overnight. Here’s a quick overview of the university’s applications and admissions since 2019:
| Fall 2019 | Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | |
| Total Applications | 64,972 | 65,021 | 79,742 | 84,289 |
| Offered Admissions | 14,883 | 16,974 | 16,071 | 14,914 |
Can a UMich Early Action Application Give You a Better Shot?
UMich opens Early Action (EA) applications in November and releases the decisions by late January. Some students might be under the impression that EA gives them priority over regular fall term applicants. But that’s just not true. The university makes it clear that its admissions office won’t be more lenient simply because someone applied early. That said, applying for EA is still a smart move if UMich is one of your top choices.
Waitlisted by UMich? What Are Your Chances?
Every year, several applicants are offered spots on the university’s waitlist. That essentially means they do meet the requirements, but the school has no more seats. After all, UMich has a limited number of spaces in its first-year classes. So, the university offers these students the chance to wait until a seat is empty. Keep in mind that some people miss the enrollment deposit deadline (usually May 1). What are your odds if you join the waitlist?
In the fall of 2023, 18,575 applicants joined the UMich waitlist. Only 5% (983) were admitted off the list that year. The percentage was even lower in 2022 and 2021, hovering around 0.5%. I know the numbers don’t seem encouraging. But you might as well stay on the list and give it a shot. You can keep your options open and check other schools while you wait.
Final Thoughts
UMich had an acceptance rate of around 18% in the fall of 2023. But don’t let the low acceptance rate and the high average GPA scare you. Do your best and apply anyway!
