The University of Michigan is making several enhancements for the fall 2026 application cycle, including adding an option that will allow students to secure their place at U-M earlier than ever before, and new undergraduate and first-year admitting programs for engineering, business and education students.
Early Decision is a new, binding program that will allow qualified first-year applicants for the 2026-27 academic year to receive an admission decision from UM-Ann Arbor in December.
Early Decision is being offered in addition to Early Action, which requires prospective first-year students to apply by Nov. 1 for a decision by late January. Students applying through Early Action have until May 1 to commit.
Under the new Early Decision program, first-year students will be able to apply from Aug. 1, when the Common Application opens, to Nov. 1. ED requires a written agreement signed by the applicant, a parent or guardian, and their high school counselor that, if selected for admission, the applicant will withdraw their applications to all other colleges and universities. Prospective students who apply through ED will receive a decision by the end of December along with their financial package shortly after.
Highly qualified students who know that U-M is their first choice institution are encouraged to explore this option.
"As we approach the start of an academic year with what is likely to be a record number of undergraduate students, we are excited to offer this new approach to the undergraduate application process at the university," said Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "The introduction of Early Decision at U-M allows high-achieving undergraduate students to affirm their commitment to the university earlier in the application process and enjoy peace of mind during the rest of their senior year of high school."
Students who are still considering other colleges or universities can continue to follow the EA and Regular Decision options. RD allows prospective students to apply by Feb. 1, 2026, and, if accepted, commit to the university by May 1 for the 2026-27 academic year.
Students who participate in any of the above application options will be eligible for available financial aid, including programs such as the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides a tuition-free education to incoming and returning full-time, in-state students whose families have annual incomes up to $125,000 and assets up to $125,000.
Regardless of the application option students select, the same holistic application review and selection process applies, with the university considering all aspects of an applicant's record and experience, not limited to grade point averages, test scores or any other single criterion. The university this year also updated one of the two university specific essays required of applicants.
Additionally, the university will offer two new first-year undergraduate admitting programs. The College of Engineering and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business will join in an integrated business and engineering dual-degree program, which combines a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Bachelor of Science in any engineering major.
The program, which is designed for driven students with career aspirations at the intersection of business and engineering, blends technical depth with business acumen in a program that emphasizes innovation, action-based learning and strategic thinking.
The program is unique in that it is an integrated, cohorted program throughout the four years that also includes a host of high impact professional development activities to equip graduates to lead in a variety of tech-driven roles and ventures.
In addition to its first-year admitting LEAPS program option, the Marsal Family School of Education will offer an Educator Preparation Program for first-year students interested in pursuing teacher education. Previously, students interested in teaching as a career had to be admitted to LSA and then apply as sophomores for the highly ranked teacher education program.
This new first-year direct admit major will allow students to apply directly to the Marsal School for the Educator Preparation Program and, if admitted, begin their educator preparation learning earlier in their U-M careers. Both programs will be available as ED, EA and RD options.
