Applying
Early Response
Deadlines | Early Response | Tips for Applying Online | Forms | Application Status Check
Complete your application by November 1st.
Receive a decision by December 24th.
The University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions is pleased to continue the “Early Response” program for prospective freshman applying for Fall 2010. If your completed1 application is postmarked by November 1st, your decision2 will be released no later than December 24th. Students whose applications are complete after the Early Response deadline will receive decisions on a rolling basis. Our final equal consideration deadline for application submission will continue to be February 1st (applications must be postmarked by this date).
(Please note: Our Early Response program applies only to freshman applicants applying for the fall term. Students applying to the School of Art & Design and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance are exempt from the Early Response decision date, as admissions decisions are released after portfolio review or auditions are complete.)
We will begin reviewing completed applications in late September and we will begin releasing decisions in early November. All applications are reviewed using the same guidelines – we will not be awarding priority in the review of an application simply because it was submitted for Early Response. While there is no advantage in the review process for completing an application before November 1st, we continue to urge students to submit application materials early for the benefit of receiving a decision quickly. To help our students prepare for the Early Response deadline, we will be releasing the freshman application written response questions, as well as the form for academic teacher recommendation, in late May. Nothing is due in the summer months; however, we encourage students to choose the academic teacher they want to ask for a recommendation and give this teacher the recommendation form before leaving for summer break. We also encourage students to begin at least preliminary work on their written responses over the summer if the student wants to apply for Early Response.
As in prior years, we will continue to review students completed applications and release decisions periodically from November through April. We regret that we cannot release admissions decisions over the phone.
1A completed application consists of:
- The application form
- 3 written response questions (additional written response required for consideration for preferred admission and dual applications)
- High School transcript
- Counselor recommendation
- Teacher recommendation (must be from a teacher in a core academic subject – either English, math, science, social science, foreign language or computer programming)
- SAT or ACT w/writing test scores (must be sent directly from the testing agency – rush paper scores not accepted)
2Decisions will include admit, defer, and deny. Students who are deferred will receive a final decision by mid April.
FAQ’s
Why should I complete my application by the Early Response deadline?
The primary goal of implementing an Early Response program is to give students a guaranteed decision date. For students who have Michigan as one of their top-choice schools, a decision of admit, defer, or deny before the end of December allows them to plan accordingly.
What is considered a completed application?
Freshmen wishing to be considered for the Early Response deadline must have all required application materials postmarked by November 1st. A completed application consists of:
- The application form
- 3 written response questions (additional written response required for consideration for preferred admission and dual programs)
- High School transcript
- Counselor recommendation
- Teacher recommendation (must be from a teacher in an academic subject – either English, math, science, social science, foreign language or computer programming)
- SAT or ACT w/writing test scores (must be sent directly from the testing agency – rush paper scores not accepted)
Why is Michigan adding an Early Response option to its Rolling Admissions process?
We’ve received feedback that students in previous years have been frustrated with our response time. In the spirit of trying to provide clarity in our admissions process, we have opened the option for all students who are able to postmark all application materials by November 1st to receive a decision before the end of December. Although we have an Early Response program, we will still be using a Rolling Admission practice for anyone who submits a completed application by February 1st.
Should I still apply early?
Yes! Completed applications will be reviewed prior to the Early Response deadline of November 1. Application review begins each year in late September and our first decisions are typically released in early November. All completed applications submitted after the Early Response deadline will be reviewed under a Rolling Admission practice. There is, however, no advantage for applying during our Early Response time frame other than receiving your decision by a specified date – we will not be awarding additional consideration in the review of an application simply because it was submitted for Early Response.
Should I run into my High School Counselor’s office on the first day of classes to have them send my transcript so that it arrives before the Early Response deadline?
No – follow their guidelines for when they would like a transcript request. As long as the transcript is postmarked by November 1st, it will be considered for the Early Response deadline. There is no value added by camping out in front of your counselor’s office on the first day of classes in August or September – they still have to write a letter of recommendation for you, so PLEASE respect the other responsibilities that they have.
How do I get my application decision to be released in the “first round” of decisions?
We will begin releasing admissions decisions in early November; however, there is no way to guarantee that your application will have a decision by this time. As we have done in previous years, we will continue to review applications as soon as they are completed. Because of our individualized, holistic, and comprehensive review process, each application takes a significant amount of time to review; early in our application season, however, we see a smaller application volume which is why we are able to release some decisions in early November.
Is the Early Response deadline a received by or postmarked date?
The Early Response deadline of November 1st is a postmarked date.
When will decisions be released?
Students for whom all required materials are received by November 1st will have a decision release date of no later than December 24th.
If I don’t receive my decision in the mail by December 24th, what does that mean?
It means that your decision letter is still in the mail or that your completed application and required materials were not postmarked by November 1st. We mail decisions via the U.S. Postal Service under a first-class rate; mail is generally received within just a few days but we do not have control over the exact date of receipt.
How soon will I get a decision if I don’t apply by the Early Response deadline?
If you are unable to complete your application by the Early Response deadline of November 1, our equal consideration deadline is February 1. Decisions will continue to be released on a rolling basis from November through April, so we still encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
If I apply for Early Response and I am admitted, am I required to come to Michigan?
No. The Early Response decision is non-binding; you are still permitted to apply to and enroll at another school if you so choose.
Can I apply to other Early Action/Early Decision/Early Response schools along with Michigan?
Yes. Because our decision is non-binding, you are still permitted to apply to other schools that use an early admissions program such as Early Action or Early Decision.
Will an application for Early Response be reviewed differently than an application submitted for Rolling Admission?
No. All applications are reviewed using the same guidelines – we will not be awarding additional consideration in the review of an application simply because it was completed in time for Early Response. However as our application volume continues to increase, the process may become more competitive as the application review season progresses. Check out our admissions process page for more information regarding how applications are reviewed. The Enrollment Deposit of $200 (nonrefundable) is due on May 1.
How will I know if my application is complete?
Students should regularly check their application status on Wolverine Access. Before accessing the application status page, students will need to create a “friend account.” Please note that it takes a minimum of 10 business days before your application status appears online once the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received your application.
Which address will my decision be sent to?
We will send your admissions decision to the address you provided in your application. If you need to update your address, you’ll need to update your personal information in Wolverine Access. Please note that it takes a minimum of 10 business days before your application status appears online once the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received your application.
If I plan to take the ACT or SAT in October, will that score arrive in time to complete my application for Early Response?
If you have taken the ACT or SAT previously and are taking the test again in October, you must send in your previous scores to complete your application. Once your new test scores from the October exam are received, we will add that information to your application and consider that in the review process. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Michigan so that we receive them as soon as the score is available.
You must order your test results to be electronically submitted to/received by the University of Michigan by November 1st, in order to qualify for the Early Response deadline date. Please contact the College Board or the American College Testing program directly to determine delivery timelines.
If you are taking the ACT or SAT for the first time in October and still wish to be considered for the Early Response deadline, though it is unlikely we will receive your test scores in time to process your application for Early Response consideration, we encourage you to complete the rest of your application by November 1st so that we may begin the review of your application once your ACT or SAT test scores are received. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Michigan so that we receive them as soon as the score is available.
