I'm interested in pursuing a degree in computer science and considering the University of Michigan. Can anyone share insights on how competitive the application process is for their computer science program?
The University of Michigan's Computer Science program is quite competitive. While UMich does not release acceptance rates specifically for their CS program, it is housed in the College of Engineering, which tends to be one of the more competitive undergraduate colleges at UMich. For the overall university, the acceptance rate hovers around 23% (as of 2023), but the specific acceptance rate for the College of Engineering tends to be slightly lower.
Additionally, the overall academic profile of accepted students offers a good benchmark for competitiveness. To be a competitive applicant, you should look to be within or above the middle 50% of scores for accepted students. For UMich students, the middle 50% SAT score typically falls between 1340 and 1530.
That being said, more than just test scores and GPA are considered in the admissions process. Extracurricular involvement, particularly in areas related to computer science, can help differentiate you. This could include things like participating in coding competitions, engaging in CS-related research, or even starting your own software development project. Letters of recommendation and personal essays are also crucial. Demonstrating your passion and aptitude for computer science in these areas will be to your advantage.
Also, be aware that these competitive metrics are subject to change each year with each new applicant pool. It's always a good idea to check the most current figures before submitting your application.
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