Possibility of rejection in UMich early action?

I'm considering applying early action to the University of Michigan. How often do applicants get outright rejected rather than deferred? Trying to understand how risky this option might be.

The University of Michigan follows a holistic review process, which means they review each component of your application to make a decision. According to statistics, it's more common for early action applicants at the University of Michigan to be deferred rather than directly rejected. It’s estimated that about 30-50% of early action applicants at UMich are deferred to the regular decision applicant pool, while around 15-20% are rejected outright.

It’s important to note that being deferred does not mean you have a lower chance of acceptance in the regular decision round. It simply means that the admissions office wants to compare your application to the rest of the application pool. In many cases, students who are deferred in the early action round are eventually accepted in the regular decision round.

Remember, early action isn't binding, and it can be an opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the university. However, applying early action doesn't necessarily significantly boost your chances of admission. It's best to only apply early if you're confident in the competitiveness of your application and that UMich is one of your top choices.

In terms of risk, the biggest "risk" could be that you might not have as much time to improve your GPA, add to your extracurriculars, or refine your essays as you would if you were applying regular decision. However, if you are happy with your application as it stands, then early action could be a good choice for you. You should aim to make your application as robust and compelling as possible. This includes maintaining strong academics, demonstrating dedication in your extracurriculars, and writing compelling essays.