Apply

October is Michigan College Month! Colleges waive application fees in October!

3 STEPS TO APPLY:

1. Complete the college’s application or the Common Application
2. Send your high school transcript
3. Send your SAT Score (some colleges may be test-optional so you may not need to send an SAT score)

Common Application

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MICHIGAN COLLEGES

Click on the top left button to filter colleges by type. Click on colleges to visit their website!

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY TO COLLEGE?

Applications for the next academic year begin to open in August or September.  Some colleges have deadlines while others accept applications on a rolling basis. We recommend that students have all of their applications in by December!

HOW MANY COLLEGES SHOULD I APPLY TO?

We recommend students apply for 3-5 colleges (you can apply to more if you wish).

At least one of those should be a “safety school “- a college that you know you will for sure be accepted into and that is a good financial decision such as a community college.

At least one (or more) should be a “match school” – a college you are fairly certain that you will be accepted into based on GPA and SAT score.  The college should offer programs that interest you and the campus should also spark your interest.

Additionally, we suggest applying to one “reach school “- a college that may require a slightly higher GPA and/or SAT score. If you are able to write a strong essay and show a lot of potential as a student you may be accepted. You never know until you try!

See chart at the bottom of the page for average GPA and test scores for Michigan Colleges.

IF THERE IS AN APPLICATION FEE, CAN I GET IT WAIVED?

Yes, typically you can get the fee waived if you receive free or reduced lunch. Your school counselor can help you fill out a college’s fee waiver application.

During Michigan College Month (October) many colleges will offer waiver fees to all students. It never hurts to call and ask the admissions office as well!

WHAT IS THE COMMON APPLICATION?

The Common Application is one application students can complete and submit to a variety of colleges. Although, not all Michigan Colleges accept the Common Application.

The Common Application may save you time depending on how many colleges you want to apply to accept the Common App. For example, if only 1 out of the 5 colleges you want to apply to accepts the Common Application, it may be better to fill out each schools’ individual application. If you decide only to apply to 3 schools, it may save you time to fill out the 3 individual applications.

These colleges in Michigan colleges accept the Common Application:

• Albion College
• Alma College
• Aquinas College
• Baker College
• Calvin College
• Central Michigan University
• College for Creative Studies
• Concordia University
• Cornerstone University
• Davenport University
• Eastern Michigan University
• Hillsdale College
• Hope College
• Kalamazoo College
• Kettering University
• Lake Superior State University
• Lawrence Tech University
• Madonna University
• Michigan State University
• Michigan Technological University
• Northwood University
• Oakland University
• Saginaw Valley State University
• Spring Arbor
• University of Olivet
• University of Detroit Mercy
• University of Michigan*
• University of Michigan – Dearborn
• University of Michigan – Flint
• Wayne State
• Western Michigan University

* Students who are applying the the University of Michigan must use the Common Application. The University of Michigan does not have their own application.