US holisticUnited States · Bachelor’sResearched 0d ago

Computer Science

University of Michigan

PortPath researches criteria from public sources and can be incomplete or out of date. Always verify against the program’s official announcement before relying on it. PortPath never predicts admission chances.

Overview

University of Michigan reviews first-year applicants to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) through a holistic process; the Computer Science BS is listed in LSA, and first-year applicants are not admitted directly by a separate CS portfolio process. The strongest documented emphasis is on secondary-school academic performance and course rigor, with essays also explicitly rated. SAT/ACT is test-optional, but English proficiency testing is required for applicants whose first language is not English.

Admission criteria

PortfolioLow

This program does not ask first-year LSA Computer Science applicants to submit a portfolio or work sample as part of standard admission. U-M says not to submit extra documents unless specifically requested.

Bar to clear: Not used by this program

Statement of PurposeMedium

Essays are a rated part of U-M's holistic review. Applicants must submit the Common App personal essay plus two U-M-specific essays, including one about how the chosen undergraduate college or school fits their interests; this is the main place to show motivation, fit, and writing ability.

Bar to clear: Common App essay plus 2 required U-M essays tailored to LSA

Academics & GPAHigh

This is the clearest high-emphasis factor. U-M reviewers explicitly rate secondary school academic performance, and LSA/first-year admissions stress transcript strength, record of achievement, and rigorous college-preparatory coursework. Current LSA first-year stats show very high GPAs among entrants.

Bar to clear: 3.9+ recalculated GPA was held by 83% of incoming LSA first-years

Test scoresMedium

SAT/ACT can be considered but are optional and applicants are not disadvantaged for omitting them. For worldwide applicants, English proficiency testing is mandatory if English is a second language, with published score ranges; those scores materially matter for that subgroup.

Bar to clear: IELTS 7.0+ overall with 6.5+ subscores, or TOEFL iBT 100 with required section minimums; SAT/ACT optional

Application components

Common App personal essayTwo University of Michigan supplemental essaysHigh school transcript / GPASAT or ACT score if you want it consideredEnglish proficiency test report if applicable

How to stand out

→Prioritize the strongest possible transcript in rigorous academic subjects; for LSA applicants, complete a full college-prep schedule and keep math/science performance high.

→Use the U-M supplemental essay to explain clearly why LSA is the right academic home for your CS interests rather than writing a generic CS essay.

→Do not spend time preparing a portfolio for standard first-year admission; it is not a normal evaluation component here.

→Submit SAT/ACT only if it strengthens your file; if English testing is required, aim to clear U-M's published proficiency ranges comfortably and meet all section minimums.

Source confidence

91%Well sourced

Sources

Computer Science (BS) | University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions

admissions.umich.edu/major/computer-science-bs

Official program listing showing Computer Science (BS) in LSA.

Selection Process | University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions

admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/selection-process

Official holistic review page listing rated criteria including secondary school academic performance and essays.

Essay Questions | University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions

admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/essay-questions

Official required essay prompts for first-year applicants.