How to Get Into the University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Strategies
July 10, 2025
In recent years, the University of Michigan has opened its doors to more and more out-of-state and international students than at any point in the school鈥檚 history. Presently, roughly half of the undergraduate student population is non-Michigan residents; a decade ago, 64% were Michigan natives. The 34,000+ current Wolverine undergrads are a more high-achieving bunch than ever before, typically earning near-perfect GPAs in high school and SAT/ACT scores in at least the 90th percentile. As we enter the 2025-26 application cycle, the University of Michigan acceptance rate is now solidly under 20%.
If you aim to join this elite cohort, you鈥檒l need to possess a solid understanding of how the Michigan admissions process works. To guide you, this article will help provide:
- University of Michigan acceptance rate (plus how to predict your chances with our free admissions calculator)
- University of Michigan out-of-state acceptance rate
- SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted Michigan applicants
- Admissions trends at the University of Michigan
- The demographics of current Michigan undergraduates
- Michigan鈥檚 yield rate
- How Michigan鈥檚 admissions officers evaluate candidates
- Tips for applying to Michigan
- How to approach the UMich supplemental essays
- Whether UMich is transfer-friendly
- How to assess whether applying to Michigan is even worth the $75 application fee (for you)
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University of Michigan Acceptance Rate
For those entering the Class of 2028, the acceptance rate was 15%, an all-time low. An eye-popping 98,310 students submitted applications and only 15,373 were admitted.
Previous UMich acceptance rates are as follows:
| Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | |
| Class of 2027 | 87,605 | 15,714 | 18% |
| Class of 2026 | 84,269 | 14,914 | 18% |
| Class of 2025 | 79,743 | 16,071 | 20% |
| Class of 2024 | 65,021 | 16,974 | 26% |
University of Michigan In-State vs. Out-of-State Acceptance Rate
In one recent admissions cycle, the UMich out-of-state acceptance rate was 18% compared to a 39% in-state acceptance rate. It is fair to say that the admit rate for Michigan residents is roughly twice that of non-residents.
Typically, about half of every first-year class hails from in-state while the other half is from out-of-state.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Michigan?
Among enrolled 2024-25 students, the average GPA was 3.9. Approximately 39% of students had a GPA of 4.0 or higher while 54% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99.
Only about 1% of enrolled students possessed a GPA below 3.74 (.4% had a GPA less than 3.25). Clearly, you鈥檒l have the best chance of acceptance if your GPA is 3.75 or higher.
What class rank do you need to get accepted to UMich?
At the University of Michigan, applicants are not required to submit class rank, so these numbers are not tracked.
What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for the University of Michigan?
According to the most recent statistics available (Class of 2028), the mid-50% SAT score range was 1360-1530, and the mid-50% ACT range was 31-34.
Overall, 71% of enrolled students possessed an SAT score of 1400-1600 and 87% possessed an ACT score of 31-34.
It鈥檚 also important to note that 51% of students submitted SAT scores and 18% submitted ACT scores. Michigan 鈥渞ecommends鈥� that students submit them, even though the school is technically test-optional.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- Applications rose from 87,000 to a record 98,000 (for first-year freshmen) in the most recent admissions cycle.
- 14% of current undergraduates are first-generation college students.
- 72 members of the 2024-25 freshman class were National Merit Finalists (down from 102 the year prior).
- Women are typically offered admission at a slightly higher clip than men: 17% vs. 13%.
- The university received an increased number of applications from first-generation and students of color.
Who Actually Gets Into Michigan?
Let鈥檚 look at the demographics of Michigan undergraduates:
In a recent year, the greatest number of Wolverines hailed from the following states (after Michigan):
- New York: 1,995
- California: 1,986
- Illinois: 1,926
- Florida: 635
- Massachusetts: 520
Of course, it pays to be an applicant from a less-populated state since Michigan likes each class to be comprised of residents of all 50 U.S. States. The states with the fewest current UMich students are as follows:
- North Dakota: 11
- South Dakota: 11
- Wyoming: 8
- Montana: 11
- West Virginia: 11
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class 2028 is as follows:
- Asian American: 18%
- Hispanic/Latino: 15%
- Black or African American: 6%
- White: 45%
- Two or More Races: 7%
- International: 4%
The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates reveals that the school enrolls slightly more women, similar to many other institutions.
- Male: 46%
- Female: 53%
Some of the top public high schools in the state send massive numbers of students each year. One recent freshman class included representatives from the following schools:
- Oakland International Academy: 98
- Ann Arbor Pioneer High School: 87
- Northville High School: 78,
- Troy High School: 65
- Novi High School: 62
University of Michigan – Yield Rate
Michigan鈥檚 yield rate 鈥� the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted 鈥� was 47% last year. This figure is comparable to other top flagship state universities like UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, and UCLA. (Applicants should note that the yield rate for in-state students is 76%.)
How Michigan Rates Applicants
There are only two factors that Michigan ranks as being 鈥淰ery Important鈥� to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record and GPA. Standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, first-generation status, and character/personal qualities are all rated as 鈥淚mportant.鈥澨� However, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, geographical residence, state residency, racial/ethnic status, volunteer experience, work experience, and the level of an applicant鈥檚 interest are all 鈥淐onsidered.鈥�
In the admissions office鈥檚 own words: 鈥淲e look at each student as a whole package, a combination of talents, interests, passions, and skills. In this way, we can look beyond grades and test scores to recruit the most dynamic group of students possible. A wide variety of backgrounds, intellectual passions, and interests make up the typical applicant. What they share is a drive to pursue academic excellence in a challenging and rewarding academic environment.鈥�
Michigan uses a holistic process in evaluating candidates, considering 鈥渁ll aspects of your record and experience.” In other words, they 鈥渄o not admit applicants solely on the basis of any single criterion. We value the whole record 鈥� excellent grades in rigorous courses, top ACT/SAT scores, participation in extracurricular activities, professional arts training, and evidence of leadership, awards, and service.鈥�
On the academic end, they consider the following data points:
- Your cumulative GPA
- Your test scores (SAT or ACT)
- The quality of your curriculum (its solid college preparation, strength of courses, what courses you鈥檝e taken based on what is available in your high school, such as AP, IB, or honors, etc.)
- Your class rank, if available
- Your specific academic interests
The U-M application reviewers rate each applicant with respect to the following criteria:
- Secondary School Academic Performance
- Educational Environment
- Counselor and Teacher Recommendation
- Essays
- Awards/honors, involvement, leadership, and service
Applicants are rated on the following scale by category (listed above) and then assigned an overall grade.
- Outstanding: All of the applicant鈥檚 materials exemplify superior and/or exceptional characteristics that contribute to the specific evaluation categories.
- Excellent: The applicant鈥檚 materials illustrate extremely strong, but not exceptional, characteristics. The reviewer may have a reservation, but there are enough redeeming features to compensate for, or outweigh, the reservation.
- Good: The applicant鈥檚 materials demonstrate competitive average characteristics in most of the criteria, but may be particularly strong in one or more areas. The reviewer may have reservations about the applicant鈥檚 academic competitiveness.
- Average/Fair: While the applicant鈥檚 materials are competitive in each of the criteria, the reviewer has substantial concerns about the overall strength of the application and may have reservations about the applicant鈥檚 academic competitiveness.
- Below Average/Poor: In the applicant鈥檚 materials, the reviewer detects serious deficiencies in most of the evaluation criteria in comparison to other applicants. In addition, several of the evaluation criteria may or may not be met or may not have been addressed in applicant鈥檚 materials.
It definitely helps if you are recruited as an athlete to join one of . More than 900 athletes are members of these highly competitive squads.
Tips for Applying to Michigan
If you plan on joining the nearly 100k Wolverine hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- Firstly, Michigan will now offer Early Action and Early Decision options. Early Decision is , and admissions says that it will “allow highly qualified students, who know that the University of Michigan is their top choice institution, to affirm their commitment to the university earlier in the annual application cycle.”
- The school continues to remain test-optional for the 2025-26 cycle.
- Additionally, Michigan offers optional alumni interviews as part of the admissions process for engineering students. So-called HAIL interviews do not, however, play a large role in the admissions process.
- Next, Michigan does consider 鈥�demonstrated interest鈥� so it is important to make contact with the admissions office, connect through social media, and visit campus or meet Michigan reps at college fairs near you.
- Lastly, make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Michigan. There are two required prompts in addition to the 650-word Common App essay:
- At the University of Michigan, we are focused on developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. In your essay, share with us how you are prepared to contribute to these goals. This could include the people, places, experiences, or aspirations that have shaped your journey and future plans. (100-300 words)
- Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (100-550 words)
For a detailed look at how to tackle these essays, visit our blog entitled:听University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips.
Should I apply to the University of Michigan?
The University of Michigan acceptance rate has fallen well below 20% in recent years, and there are record-breaking numbers of applications submitted each year. If you possess anything shy of a 1350+ SAT score and a 3.9 GPA obtained in an honors/AP course load, you鈥檒l need to bring some other compelling aspects to the table, whether it鈥檚 athletic prowess or being a member of an underrepresented group.
However, those from in-state can breathe a little easier, as they enjoy an acceptance rate nearly twice that of their non-resident competitors.
Do I have a better chance of acceptance as a transfer student?
You sure do. The UMich acceptance rate for transfers is higher than it is for freshmen. For those entering the university in fall 2024, 2,385 students were accepted out of 6,832 applicants, meaning that the transfer acceptance rate is 35%鈥攏early double the freshman admit rate. Here is a sampling of past transfer acceptance rates:
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
| 2023-24 | 34% |
| 2022-23 | 37% |
| 2021-22 | 42% |
| 2020-21 | 46% |
Read more about Michigan transfer rates and requirements here.
University of Michigan Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, all college-bound teens need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of 鈥渢arget鈥� and 鈥渟afety鈥� schools. You鈥檒l definitely want to do this in conjunction with an admissions professional (including your own high school counselor).
Additional resources you might find useful:
