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Highlights of the U-M Entering Class of Fall 2013

Ted Spencer, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
August 29, 2013

Good afternoon/evening, I’m Ted Spencer, Director of Admissions. Remember the letter you received that said, “Congratulations, you’re in!” — well, I’m that guy. It’s a pleasure to be here pleasure to be here today as you write a new chapter — A New Beginning — as a freshman at the University of Michigan, a place where I know you will experience first-hand the tradition of excellence that keeps Michigan head and shoulders above the rest, excellence that crosses boundaries — encompassing academics, athletics, the arts, medicine, research, and personal achievement.

Some freshman traditions you’ve already experienced — like the orientation walk through the Cooley Fountain, and spinning the cube in Regents Plaza, and certainly over the next four years you’ll create traditions of your own.

In keeping with what seems to be another tradition, we set yet another record for applications this year — over 46,000 for some 6,000 freshmen spaces. Nearly 37,000 of those applications were from out-of-state, for example:

4,566 were from California;
3,867 from New York;
3,864 from Illinois;
2,223 from New Jersey;
and the fifth largest number again came from our neighbor to the south — Ohio — with 1,622!

Our largest number of international applications came from China, followed by India, Singapore, Korea and Canada. And in the State of Michigan, the largest numbers of applications were from Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Equally as important are the smaller number of applications we received from places like Denmark, Romania and Wales, and the in-state counties of Charlevoix and Roscommon.

It truly was a very competitive process this year, but your exceptional achievements in both academic and extracurricular endeavors convinced us that you will be successful at Michigan and contribute to the vitality of our campus community. And once again this year, I can say that the Class of 2017 is the overall strongest class to ever be admitted to the University of Michigan!

So who are you, the Class of 2017?

Well, there were a few things we knew about you right away. We knew your phones were smart — that you text and you tweet — and that you’ve spent much of your life helping your parents connect their iPods, their iPhones and their Wiis. You are the original “digital natives.” We knew that you were always moving, always connected, 24/7. Frankly, we wondered when you found time to sleep! But we didn’t know you — really know you — until you applied here, to the University of Michigan.

That’s when we learned, through your applications and essays, about your commitment to community, how you volunteered and participated in neighborhood service projects. We discovered many of you were dedicated to your families, working at businesses started by your parents or grandparents.

We realized that you cared about the world around you — you tutored, mentored, raised funds and helped the environment. You published books, developed Apps, traveled to places far from home, and even started your own businesses. We also discovered that you love sporting events, so we scheduled one for you on Saturday! Can I hear it for the Wolverines? But most importantly, we confirmed that the Class of 2017 is definitely among the Leaders and Best.

Consider this:
In terms of academics, the average high school GPA for this year’s class is 3.8; 21% of the class achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA which is an increase from last year; 39% of this class had an ACT composite score between 31 and 36, while only 4% of students nationwide achieved that high level, and 112 more students than last year had a perfect score on the SAT! Furthermore, your teachers and counselors gave you high marks as some of the most outstanding students they have taught and counseled.

Your strength and determination came through in your essays, like one student who wrote of her love for running cross-country, even though she was so slow in one race that security was sent to check if she was lost! The Coach valued her team contributions for reasons other than speed, and she learned never to underestimate the leader of the back.

Another student told of parents who rarely agreed when giving advice, as providing an opportunity to explore all the options and then decide for herself knowing that whatever road she chooses, she will reach her destination.

A number of you also wrote about belonging to communities of blended backgrounds and heritage, and having friends that are different than you. You’ll soon discover it’s those very differences that teach us, and enrich our campus environment.

This year's class is once again very diverse, with strong representation from every racial, ethnic, social, and religious background. Today, you’ll join incoming freshmen from 1,843 different high schools and a student body representing all 50 states and 127 countries. And after graduation, you will be part of one of the largest alumni networks in the world! So get excited, be excited! You are beginning an amazing journey where incredible opportunities await you.

Again, I offer my congratulations to both you and your parents on your outstanding achievements.

And now, to the administration, faculty and staff of the University of Michigan, I present to you some of the best and brightest students in this country, as well as the world — I present to you the Class of 2017!

GO BLUE!

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