Wait-listed University of Michigan applicant reprises Michael Jackson song in final appeal to school
"Give me one more chance." That's the mantra of wait-listed applicant Lawrence Yong in a video he made to appeal to University of Michigan admissions counselors.
Yong is one of thousands of applicants placed on the university's waiting list. Last year more than 14,600 applicants were offered a place on the wait-list. Of the 4,500 students that opted for a spot on the list the school offered 42 applicants a spot in the class.
The admissions office suggests that wait-listed students send U-M letters detailing "any additional information or accomplishments you think we should know about you."
Yong, a high schooler in Los Angeles, took that suggestion a step further and sent admissions counselors a YouTube video of him reprising a Michael Jackson song into a ballad to U-M.
"I'm a student on your waiting list and I am dying to get in and I was initially planning to write the traditional letter saying like, 'Oh I really want to be a part of your school,'" Yong said in the video. "But I thought, 'You know what, talk is cheap and this is a great opportunity for me to show some of my strengths.'"
As of Thursday evening the video received more than 6,000 views and 90 comments.
"I thought it was awesome and really creative," said Molly Cravens, who will be a U-M senior in the fall and also works as a campus tour guide. "It shows he really wants to come to Michigan."
It's not clear whether or not Yong's appeal will be enough to garner an acceptance. Most students placed on the waiting list are notified of the university's final decision in May.
"We do take demonstrated interest into account," said Bernadette Lis, assistant U-M admissions director. Lis said she can't recall the university ever receiving a similar appeal from a wait-listed student.
An earlier version of this article misspelled Yong's last name. Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Brad McNett
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Not to be a stickler, but this is based off of a Jackson 5 song, not just Michael Jackson.
K.L.
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 4:39 a.m.
I don't know :/ I know he says "Your student body is diverse" but...most of the lyrics were about how its academics were really great. But that's not what you want to tell a college as an applicant (or at least that's what I heard from everywhere when I applied to colleges this year.) It's not just the academics that are great. The University of Michigan has a really amazing community, being so connected with Ann Arbor and the town events (besides North Campus.) I would think Umich is looking for why else besides the obvious fact that they're a top-ranked Ivy League university does this student want to attend for (at least) the next four years of his or her life. I don't really have much of an opinion about whether or not students from Michigan should have priority admission - all I know is that AAPS seniors this years should be SO thankful that they live in Ann Arbor. I'm a senior at Pioneer, and I know dozens of incredibly intelligent classmates who are attending Michigan (some of them kind of grumpily) because it's one of the ONLY schools into which they were accepted, or the highest ranked school. I also know of quite a few students who (in my opinion) don't deserve to go to Michigan because they slack off, knowing that Michigan accepts a fairly high percentage of students from Pioneer. But oh well - College is what you make of it! If he doesn't get into Michigan still, I'm sure he'll do well at whichever college he chooses to attend. Again, college is what you make of it! Best of luck to this kid though!
musicnerdsftw
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
For the record, Berry Gordy (among others) wrote "I want you back" and the Jackson 5 performed it.
dianna poley
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
Business school applicant, charter high school, and talent, he has my vote!
A
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.
I think this is great, but did anyone else notice that "your campus can't be beat" even though he's never visited?
a2girl
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
I have to agree with "A Voice of Reason". This kid is probably just as worthy of a seat in Angell Hall as many kids who have gotten in, but I think there are a lot of local kids who should be given a seat also. I know a few waitlisted kids who would be happy to have that seat and live at home in order to allow the university to give it to someone who needs it. There is a feeling among parents that U of M discriminates against local kids. Perhaps there is a story in that Annarbor.com?
A Voice of Reason
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
You are right!
xmo
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.
All of this just to go into DEBT and attend an over rated school? Sounds like he has some problems that attending Michigan will not cure.
Mike D.
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
If this guy gets in, the Michael Jackson guy in the alley should get a full ride!
Shankar
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Absolutely.. especially if he has the same credentilas & GPA..
Shankar
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
Very Creative! Get him in BTW, you still have his name as Young in the 2nd paragraph...
Tony Dearing
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
Glad you enjoyed the video. The story has been corrected.
Bertha Venation
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
Saaayyy.... the kid's pretty good. Let him in.
A Voice of Reason
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
Well, since they reduced the freshman class by 1000 students, kids are desperate. Seems like U of M is in the business of educated students vs. housing them. Are you cutting faculty and staff cost for freshman by 1/5 to accommodate fewer students? Maybe admitting more Michigan kids who could commute this year? This guy is great. Lots of kids on the wait list wanting the dream. Fewer international students and out of state kids should have been admitted this year since there is less space. Kids from Michigan should be given first dibs--sorry.
TrappedinMI
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
Brightened my day! Nice!
Gaboo
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
Let him in!!
thecompound
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Maybe he ought to be applying for American Idol AND UMichigan. He's got "mad skills" as Randy would say, lol.
aanative
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.
Sorty kid, you're not 'diverse' enough for UM
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
I would have suggested "I want you to want me" by Cheap Trick. Did I just date myself? Hmmm.
thecompound
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
"Shine up my old blue shoes, put on a maize and blue shirt"?? LOL
Morris Thorpe
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
>>Lis said she can't recall the university ever receiving a similar appeal from a wait-listed student. << I think that's about to change. In fact, I predict a whole new business emerging: companies that help student make creative youtube presentations. And there will be tons of gullible parents who'll be willing to pay to give their precious offspring an edge. That said, I hope Lawrence gets in for being a pioneer.
leezee
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
Aw, come on! Let him in!
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
The lad lost me at (paraphrase) "I don't have any Michigan apparel because I've never been to Michigan" What he really meant was "I won't spring for any Michigan gear unless I get it in".... Which I don't blame for, I wouldn't either. I've never been to Oregon but I could be sporting Oregon State gear tomorrow if I wanted to pay for overnight shipping.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
I don't like Michael Jackson either so nana-na-nana.
pvitaly
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.
womp womp. debbie downer.
MjC
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
Let him in!
Katherine Willson
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
A future Friar, perhaps? ;-)
TMC216
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 10:25 a.m.
No doubts here. Admit him!