Clair Blog · Admissions ·
University of Michigan Changes Its Admissions Process: What High School Seniors Need to Know
Apply to the University of Michigan? New changes to the application process could affect how your application is considered.
For students applying to the University of Michigan, where you apply within the university can matter almost as much as the university itself. Michigan admits first-year students through specific schools and colleges, and those schools can have different admissions processes and pathways.
For the fall 2027 application cycle, Michigan is making several changes that students interested in architecture, computer science, public health, business and engineering should understand before submitting their applications.
Here are the key changes.
1. Architecture Applicants Can Now Apply Early Action
Students interested in architecture have a new option this year.
The Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning will now allow prospective architecture students to be considered through Early Action. Previously, architecture applicants did not have that option.
For students, the change is relatively straightforward: if architecture is your intended path at Michigan, you can now choose Early Action rather than having to wait for the Regular Decision process.
Michigan's Early Action deadline for the 2026–27 application cycle is November 1, with decisions expected by January 29. Applying early, however, doesn't change the fundamental question students should ask -- is architecture really the program I want to pursue?
Michigan doesn't simply admit students to the university and let everyone sort out their academic path later. The school or college you apply to is an important part of the application.
2. Computer Science No Longer Requires Advance Selection
This may be one of the most significant changes for students interested in computer science.
Michigan has removed the advance selection process for Computer Science in both the College of Engineering and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). The change took effect in spring 2026.
Previously, students interested in CS could indicate that interest during the application process and then go through a selection process for the major. That requirement has now been removed. Michigan says the change reflects increased teaching capacity and stabilized enrollment.
For applicants, that means the process is more straightforward: you no longer need to go through a separate advance selection process for a CS major when applying to Engineering or LSA.
This does not mean, however, that computer science is automatically open to every student once they arrive on campus. Students still need to meet the requirements to declare the major.
Don't interpret the change as “CS doesn't have requirements anymore.” Instead, know that Michigan has removed the advance selection step, while maintaining requirements for declaring the major.
3. Public Health Gets a New Preferred-Admission Pathway
Michigan is also introducing a new Preferred Admission pathway to the School of Public Health through LSA. This is an important option for students who are interested in public health but want to begin their Michigan experience in the liberal arts and sciences environment. Students admitted through the pathway begin in LSA, where they can take a broad range of courses while completing public health prerequisites. If they meet the required academic standards, they can transition into the School of Public Health for their junior and senior years.
The pathway provides a more predictable route into public health but there is an important distinction -- Preferred Admission is not the same thing as being admitted directly to the School of Public Health as a first-year student.
Students begin in LSA and must complete specific requirements. Michigan currently requires Preferred Admission students to complete specified prerequisites, earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and complete 48 credits over four semesters before transitioning into the School of Public Health.
For a student who already knows that public health is a likely academic direction, this pathway could be particularly valuable.
4. The Ross–Engineering Preferred-Admission Option Is Going Away
There is also a significant change for students interested in combining business and engineering.
Michigan is discontinuing the Ross School of Business Preferred Admission option through the College of Engineering. For the fall 2027 cycle, students interested in combining the two areas are instead being encouraged to consider Michigan's new Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) program. The change is important because students should not simply repeat an application strategy they may have heard about from an older sibling, counselor or online forum.
The process has changed.
Under the new IBE process, students who select the program on the Common Application can also indicate whether they would like to be considered for the Ross BBA or the College of Engineering bachelor's program if they are not selected for IBE.
For students interested in both business and engineering, that makes understanding the new application options particularly important.
5. What About Students Who Want Business?
The changes to Preferred Admission don't mean Michigan Ross is disappearing as an option for first-year applicants. Quite the opposite.
Ross became a first-year admitting unit beginning with applicants for fall 2025. Students who want to pursue business as a first-year student can apply directly to Ross through the Common Application. For the fall 2027 cycle, Michigan Ross continues to encourage students who want to pursue business to apply directly to Ross.
The Ross Preferred Admission option through Engineering is being discontinued, but Preferred Admission remains available through certain other schools and colleges for students pursuing particular dual-degree combinations.
The takeaway for business applicants is simple -- don't assume that applying to another Michigan school and hoping to move into Ross later is the same as applying directly to Ross.
Understand which pathway applies to your goals before you submit the application.
6. Engineering Applicants Should Pay Attention to the New Options
For engineering students, the biggest change may be the interaction between Engineering, Computer Science, and the new IBE pathway.
If you're interested in engineering alone, the College of Engineering remains a first-year admitting unit.
If you're interested in computer science within Engineering, you no longer need to go through the advance-selection process for the CS major.
If you're interested in both engineering and business, the new IBE program may be the more relevant pathway than the former Ross Preferred Admission option through Engineering.
In other words, students should think carefully about what they actually want to study, not simply which application route sounds most advantageous.
What Should High School Seniors Do?
These changes highlight a larger lesson about applying to Michigan -- don't treat the University of Michigan application as one-size-fits-all.
Before submitting your application, identify:
Which school or college are you applying to?
Does your intended major have a separate admissions process?
Is there a Preferred Admission option that fits your goals?
Are you interested in a dual-degree program such as IBE?
Should you apply Early Action or Regular Decision?
Are you applying to the program that actually matches what you want to study?
Don't rely on an admissions strategy from a previous application cycle. Michigan's process is changing, and information that was accurate for a student applying a few years ago may no longer be accurate for today's applicants.
The Bottom Line
For fall 2027 applicants, Michigan is making several meaningful changes:
Architecture: Early Action is now available.
Computer Science: The advance-selection process in Engineering and LSA has been removed.
Public Health: A new Preferred Admission pathway allows selected LSA students to transition into the School of Public Health after meeting the required academic standards.
Business + Engineering: The Ross Preferred Admission option through Engineering is being discontinued, with the new Integrated Business and Engineering program providing a different pathway.
The larger lesson?
At Michigan, understanding the admissions pathway can be just as important as understanding the university.
Before you apply, make sure you know not only what you want to study, but how Michigan wants you to apply for it.
Want personalized advice? Talk with us to figure out the best application strategy.