I'm planning on applying early action to the University of Michigan and am a bit worried about the possibility of rejection. Do they reject early action applicants often, or is deferment more typical?
The University of Michigan, like most selective colleges, follows a three-pronged approach to early action decisions: acceptance, deferment, or rejection. While specific figures may differ slightly from year to year, getting deferred is generally more common than getting outright rejected in the early action round.
Any application, whether regular decision or early action, is subject to rejection if it does not meet the college's criteria. That's why it's paramount to ensure that your application—grades, test scores if required, extracurriculars, essays—are all solid and demonstrate your potential as a strong fit for the school.
If you're deferred, it means the admissions office sees potential in your application but wants to compare it against the full pool of applicants in the regular decision round. Remember, a deferment isn't a "soft rejection"—it's a second chance to be considered for admission.
Ultimately, the likelihood of rejection or deferment hinges on the strength of your application and the competitiveness of that year's applicant pool. To increase your chances of acceptance, make sure your application thoroughly showcases your academic abilities, extracurricular dedication, and fit for the University of Michigan.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.