President Mark S. Schlissel told incoming students and their parents Friday that the Class of 2018 “will always have a very special place in my heart” as the first undergraduate class he welcomed as U-M’s president.
After extending a warm welcome to the group gathered at Crisler Center for New Student Convocation, he told them, “This evening, we begin our Michigan journey together.”
Schlissel told the students he suspected they were drawn to U-M for the same reasons he was — for the remarkable breadth and depth of academic excellence.
“It is astonishing in its scope. For both our newest students and your families, you can be deeply proud of joining this special educational community,” he said.
Schlissel said that at Michigan, people believe they can change the world.
Thomas Francis Jr. oversaw tests that found the polio vaccine safe and effective, Larry Page founded Google, and Gilda Radner on “Saturday Night Live” made us laugh. Edward White was the first American to walk in space, Meryl Davis and Charlie White skated their way to Olympic gold medals, and the Solar Car Team last month won the national championship for the fifth straight time.
“I believe we change the world in large and small ways, and that each of us, through our Michigan experience, finds an opportunity to make an impact,” he said.
Ted Spencer, associate vice provost and executive director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, told students they will experience a tradition of excellence. “Michigan inspires. It motivates. It unites the leaders and best who forge the paths to the future,” he said.
The university set another record for applications this year with more than 49,000 seeking some 6,300 freshmen spaces, Spencer said. Nearly 39,000 of those applications were from out of state. The largest number of international applications again came from China, followed by India, Singapore, Korea and Canada.
“We learned through your applications and essays about your commitment to community, through volunteerism and service groups; that you’ve won awards for academics, athletics, leadership, music — and creativity,” he said.
Spencer provided a snapshot of the Class of 2018:
• The average high school GPA for this year’s class is 3.82.
• Twenty-one percent of the class achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA
• Forty-five percent of the class had an ACT composite score between 31 and 36, while only 4 percent of students nationwide achieved that high level, and 36 percent more students than last year had a perfect score on the math portion of the SAT.
“Your strength and determination came through in your essays, and a number of you also wrote about belonging to communities of blended backgrounds and heritage, and having friends that are different than you,” Spencer said. “You’ll soon discover it’s those very differences that teach us, and enrich our campus environment.”
Provost Martha Pollack told parents that she is also a Michigan parent, and like them is proud, joyful and anxious. She told students that she understands they are excited, yet not entirely sure what college will be like.
Pollack said students would have a wealth of possibilities for hands-on, engaged learning, through research projects, and creative performances, and service-learning activities.
“You’ll be encouraged to challenge your assumptions, to question and think deeply, and to draw new conclusions. Real learning requires pushing yourself, seeking out experiences and classes and activities that are outside your comfort zone,” she said.
Schlissel offered the example of Arthur Miller, a Michigan alumnus who as a student wrote for the Michigan Daily and won a Hopwood Award for creative writing. Miller wrote that above everything else, the university offered variety and freedom. The president said those are hallmarks of a rich intellectual environment.
“You will learn the critical thinking skills that will prepare you for a career and good citizenship in our society, but more importantly, what you learn here will help you achieve a fulfilling quality of life,” he said.
