The University of Michigan located in Ann Arbor is a fantastic school for those who want a true balance between top-notch academics and social life. With a sports scene that’s hard to beat and a club or organization for just about anyone, U Michigan is a fun school offering a well-respected diploma. There are about 32,000 undergrads at the main, Ann Arbor campus and the acceptance rate last year was 20%. Here’s how we recommend tackling the supplements:
Question #1:
EVERYONE BELONGS TO MANY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND/OR GROUPS DEFINED BY (AMONG OTHER THINGS) SHARED GEOGRAPHY, RELIGION, ETHNICITY, INCOME, CUISINE, INTEREST, RACE, IDEOLOGY, OR INTELLECTUAL HERITAGE. CHOOSE ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES TO WHICH YOU BELONG, AND DESCRIBE THAT COMMUNITY AND YOUR PLACE WITHIN IT. (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS, MINIMUM 100 WORDS/MAXIMUM 300 WORDS)
The key to tackling this question is to think about something that shows who you are. We recommend starting out by listing the communities you’re a part of. Brainstorm a bit here. Think about the people with whom you spend time, the places you go, the circles in which you feel most comfortable. Think small-scale, like the street where you live or the park where you walk your dog.
Perhaps you’re a swimmer—talk about your teammates or the people you interact with while practicing at your community pool. What’s your pre-meet ritual or practice? Who are the people who come to cheer on the team every day? Who works at the pool? Develop the world of your community for the reader, with details.
Most importantly, think about your own role in that community. What do you contribute? How do you participate? Identify a story. If your community is a dog park, craft a narrative about the time someone’s German Shepherd ran loose and the people you chat with there all went running after it together. Whatever it is, paint a vivid picture of the community itself.
Question #2:
DESCRIBE THE UNIQUE QUALITIES THAT ATTRACT YOU TO THE SPECIFIC UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE OR SCHOOL (INCLUDING PREFERRED ADMISSION AND DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS) TO WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. HOW WOULD THAT CURRICULUM SUPPORT YOUR INTERESTS? (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS, MINIMUM 100 WORDS/MAXIMUM 550 WORDS)
This question can basically be read “Why Michigan?” And there are some crucial steps to knocking it out of the park:
First, think of this like a Venn Diagram between you and the university. Your objective is to show that you’re a good fit and the way you’re a fit should be through academics. You should position yourself as an expert in a particular academic area. (History is too broad. Presidential history is better). Hopefully, you’ve been developing that expertise over the course of the last few years of high school. Your extracurriculars, your classes, the topics you read about should align with that area of expertise. You see, Michigan has many thousands of applicants. They are working to build a new class each year full of experts in particular niche areas who will go on to be award-winning, world-renowned players in their respective fields. Having the foremost expert in atmospheric sciences in the world on your alumni roster is a good accolade (that brings in donations to the university endowment). Being a fun person who likes a lot of things isn’t going to put you ahead of the competition, so make sure your niche is clear.
Next, tell a short origin story about how you became interested in that subject. Sticking with the presidential history example…maybe you did a report on Harry Truman in the 6th grade and became fascinated about every president’s international policy since then. Something simple is ideal. This shouldn’t be super existential or dramatic. It can be as straightforward as, I went camping in the sixth grade and spent all night trying to identify every constellation, thus spurring a lifelong interest in astronomy.
Then, do a deep dive into Michigan’s course offerings. Talk about the major you want to study (this should be the program or major that most closely aligns with your area of expertise). Talk about why it’s ideal for you. Identify at least two higher-level courses that pertain to your area of expertise. Talk about the professors and the research they’re doing. Finally, look at the various extracurricular offerings. Talk about a few clubs or organizations that overlap you’re your academic area of expertise. The key to success here is to research. You need to paint a clear picture about how Michigan has the very best program for you personally to continue studying something you’re already an expert in.
(An important aside: writing about a major or program in your college admissions essay doesn’t commit you to it. We know students may change their minds when they get there or truly want to go in as an undeclared major. That’s okay. This is a surefire strategy for getting into your choice school. Once you get there, you can explore all of the offerings.)
Michigan is the kind of place that has something for everyone. But if you want to get in, you’ll have to be specific about why you’re the perfect candidate. You will really need to hone in on a particular area and make sure they know why you’re a special candidate.
Need help with a supplement? Call us. We’re great at helping students match with their perfect school.