Any alternatives to the University of Michigan?

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Have you already applied? If you wrote an essay, you should have explained why Michigan (the state/culture) interests you and things that you already know about Michigan and it's economy and stuff like that. This could have gotten you in, even if your grades or activities aren't great.

Looking at the top schools for sociology, if you go to University of Minnesota, you should be able to transfer to Michigan from there. Because it's a good university for sociology, take lots of sociology classes at Minnesota and well in them-- these classes will mean more than the 'core' classes when they look at your transfer grades. It will look really good if you thrive at a top 20 university for your major.

Again, I also can't stress enough to consider going to a Michigan branch campus. You are guaranteed to get in with a 3.0 from a branch campus. This is probably the easiest route to get transfer to UM.

I haven't received my full set of school results so I can't really apply now. As an applicant from Singapore, I need to attach my A Level results to my application, if not my preliminary examination results --- and I flunked the exam due to some personal factors. ,

Do you know what the essay topic(s) are?

I'm telling you, you can get in based on the essay alone. Schools take chances on people with grades worse than their normal requirements if they show potential in their field.

When you write the essay, say that Michigan's economy and social environment fascinates you. Explain why and give examples. For instance, you could talk about Flint, explain how you're interested in how it got destroyed by the auto companies. Then, you can even give critical analysis, explaining why you don't think it's fair that companies can outsource jobs despite the social consequences. However, don't come off as too opinionated; be objective.

I don't want to make it sound like this will get you in, but this CAN get you in. Show that you have an intense interest and know a lot already about Michigan's social state and explain why this is why you want to study sociology at Michigan.

Also, international students get in a lot easier than US students.

Don't feel so bad- I am on the opposite end (I got accepted to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and I didn't enjoy it. I transferred out after one semester.)

U of M is expensive and has a lot of students with "elitist" attitudes. Also a lot of bad quality people in Ann Arbor(Lots of drugs and drinking).

Looking back; I don't regret the decision at all.

And I agree with this statement as well. Lots of partying, lots of people who are there to be there but not to learn. AA is kind of an enclave, and is pretty atypical from the rest of the state (largely due to the college).

Have you considered Slippery Rock University (in Pennsylvania), or Cal State Northridge?

Those are the ones I am considering.

There's one thing that hasn't been mentioned (unless I missed it). Extracurricular activities don't have to be limited to school activities. See if there are any volunteer activities you could participate in. You said you wanted to study sociology. Are there any community centers in your area you could volunteer at? Are there any social services organizations/agencies you could volunteer with? Maybe you could start a fundraising program/event for a charity...that would show both a willingness to volunteer, leadership/management skills, and that you're an independent self-starter, all things that look good on college admission applications/essays.

Just a thought.

Ann Arbor is like a whole other universe compared to the rest of Michigan. Overall Michigan is a very backwards state.

With a degree in sociology, you'll definitely be heading to to graduate school for a master's or PhD, so you could always go to a different school in Michigan, like Grand Valley State, UM Flint, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Ferris State, or Western Michigan for 4 years, then end up at UM Ann Arbor for your graduate studies. Then you would have even more chance to experience more of the state of Michigan, by attending 2 different campuses.

Yea because people who drink and/or do drugs in college are inherently bad people, like they are something to actually worry about

I drank and/or did drugs literally every day while I was in college. I had fun. I never bothered anyone, graduated on time with a B+ average, and now am chillin in grad school where I continue to drink and/or do drugs (albeit moreso in moderation, and no more hard drugs) more or less every day. I also kick ass every day without exception and carry a 3.7 gpa.

That's just me though, and kind of beside the point. The point is, no one should be dissuaded from a particular school due to the perceived actions of others who attend. The awesome thing about a school of that size is you can live your life however you see fit, find numerous people with common interests and perspectives, and, if you like, avoid all of those who do not share those interests and perspectives.

Slippery Rock? Prepare to be bored: That campus is small and isolated, and not good for getting into good grad schools. (I've been there a few times; it's nice for someone who just wants to get a bachelor's, make some friends, and find a job somewhere after college, but it sounds like he's serious about doing something in his field; I wouldn't recommend SR.)

You could have simply said "I don't agree with what you posted."

Instead you took the post personally and referenced your gpa. I hope you don't treat every situation in life the same.

Just out of curiosity what subject are you studying ?

What about Cal State Northridge?

Fair enough. But how much would you have understood about "why" I disagreed if I didn't elaborate? I kind of did take it personally, but it's obviously not a big deal. To be honest with you (and with myself), this is in fact how I do approach most situations in life, for better or worse.

I studied bioanthropology (major) and psychology (minor) in undergrad. Now I'm studying behavior analysis and therapy.