Admission Criteria for First-Year Students
First-year admission to the University of Michigan-Dearborn is based on a combination of criteria:
- Cumulative high school grade point averages of 3.0 or above are guaranteed admission or a GED total score of 660 (each area 165)*
- Applicants with cumulative grade point averages below a 3.0 will be considered based on the quality of academic preparation:
- Number and types of college preparatory courses
- Positive trend of grades
- Submission of SAT or ACT scores are optional
- Upon review of a submitted application, letters of recommendation or essays may be requested
- Non-Native Speakers may have additional requirements
*Prior GED score to 2014, a required score of 55 or 550.
Please note: All applicants must graduate from an approved and/or accredited secondary school or home school, or present a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Students who take college coursework while in high school (i.e. dual enrollment) are considered first-year students.
Application Materials
First-year student applicants must provide official high school transcripts in order to complete their admissions application. Emailed photocopies by students are not accepted by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
- Official high school transcripts or GED score*
- College coursework while in high school (e.g. dual enrollment)
* If your school utilizes the Parchment service for transcript requests, you can have your official transcripts sent directly to our office. Please also arrange to have your final, official transcript (including date of graduation) sent to Undergraduate Admissions upon graduation.
Students may submit transcripts through the following methods:
- Mail an official transcript in a sealed envelope to the following address:
- University of Michigan-Dearborn Undergraduate Admissions
1145 University Center
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
- University of Michigan-Dearborn Undergraduate Admissions
- Email a copy from counselor to [email protected]
- Sent via a service:
- Submit through Parchment
- Submit through the Common App
- Submit through SCOIR
- Submit through National Student Clearinghouse
- High School Transcript – An official transcript sent directly to UM-Dearborn by the school
- 7th Semester Grades – An official high school transcript that includes your grades through the first semester/trimester of your senior year
- College Transcript – An official transcript sent directly by the issuing institution
- Conduct Documentation – A detailed statement of explanation for each incident with supporting documentation. More information is available at our Conduct Review page.
- Copy of Social Security Card – You did not provide your social security number on your application. This is not required for admission, but may delay financial aid processing.
University of Michigan-Dearborn’s test-optional admissions policy allows students to choose at the point of application whether to have SAT or ACT test scores considered as part of the application.
Admission and Financial Aid Key Dates and Deadlines
Fall 2026 Dates
All materials including all transcripts, test scores, etc. must be received by application deadline to be considered for admission. Late materials will not be accepted. Please note semester start dates. It is recommended that students submit applications and materials well in advance of the application deadlines to secure seats in your preferred classes. Courses fill quickly.
| MILESTONE | DATE |
|---|---|
| Admission Application Opens | August 1 |
Admission Decisions Released
| October 15 |
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Recommended Filing Deadline
| December 1 |
| Admission Application Deadline | Recommended April 1* Final August 15 |
| Decision Day (Commit to UM-Dearborn) | Recommended May 1* Final August 26 |
| Final Application Deadline | August 15 |
| First Day of Classes | August 26 |
*The recommended deadlines are encouraged to ensure students have every opportunity to engage with campus through the summer with important orientation and advisement sessions to be successful.
I knew I didn’t want a massive campus where I’d just be another face in the crowd, so discovering a Michigan campus with a close-knit environment felt like the perfect balance. It’s a place where opportunity and community come together, where diversity isn’t just present, it’s valued.
Journalism and Media Production major