The University of Michigan is an outstanding university ranked routinely ranked in the top three in the country for public universities. They have 19 schools and colleges, and more than 280 degree programs. Ann Arbor is also known as one of the best college towns in the country, and students love the experience of attending Michigan partly because Ann Arbor is such a great city to be a young person in.
The acceptance rate is 18%, but that includes in-state and out-of-state all in one lump number. If you’re out of state, it is lower than 18%, so you have to ace this application. The University of Michigan is test optional for this application cycle.
The University of Michigan, or Mich, is especially well-known for offering students exceptional research opportunities — and not just lab-based research. Students assist with research in the field, are mentored by faculty, and can access grants and funding to support conducting independent research of their own. Students come to Mich from all 50 states and 99 countries, but as a public university the acceptance rate for students from within Michigan (or ‘in-state’ applicants) is significantly higher than the acceptance rate for out-of-state or out-of-country students. This is because, as a public university, they are committed to serving the students of Michigan first-and-foremost, and more than 50% of students at Mich (undergraduate and graduate) are from Michigan. Once you get to campus, though, in-state, and out-of-state students receive all the same opportunities and resources.
In this post, we’ll break down the Mich supplement, or the additional essays you’ll need to complete as part of your application, so that you know everything you need to improve your chances of admission once you sit down to write your application.
If you’re applying to Mich, you should contact us. We’re pros at this.
The average student in the first-year class at Mich has a GPA over 3.9 in high school, and a very high ACT or SAT scores (although the first-year application process is test-optional). They expect academic excellence on paper, but they also want to see how that plays out in your life inside and outside of school, and that’s what the supplements are for.
We can’t change your grades or your scores, but we can empower you to represent yourself in the strongest way possible on your application. The Michigan supplement has two short essay questions that are required of all applicants. Answers are limited to 100-300 words, and recommend students write 250-300 words for each one.
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.
They are asking about race and culture, without breaking the law and outright asking what your race, ethnicity, or cultural background is. We don’t say that to be negative, though. Who you are is heavily influenced by, and even defined by, where you come from. Not just the name of the place, but the communities you are part of and traditions you keep.
When we think about how to write this supplement, let’s really sit in the word “tradition.” Start out writing this supplement by brainstorming traditions in your life. They could be big, like a specific holiday, but what we really like are the small ones: making a meaningful dish with a relative or following a particular routine linked to your faith or culture. The smaller, the better.
We emphasize that the thing you focus on for this supplement be small because you only have 300 words, and we want you to write a vivid, strong, and imagery-driven story that speaks to larger themes in your life and the community you are focusing on. For example, you could write about a cultural tradition you learned from or celebrated with your grandfather, and expand out from the moment of, say, sitting with him on a park bench, to a broader story of community, culture, and meaning. But our first impulse is nearly always to look for a food tradition as the way into this prompt. Food is a strong unifier that everyone has meaningful memories and connections to. So even if the reader has never tasted the dish you’re writing about, they will still feel more connected to you simply by default of you writing about food.
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?
This is the Michigan “Why us?” essay. The purpose of this essay is to prove that you aren’t applying to Mich on a whim. You need to show that you know Mich, and you know what you’ll do once you’re there. They know that, unless you’re applying for a program that locks you into a specific track, you may ultimately pick a different major from what you specify in your application. But they still want to see direction and focus. So, we absolutely never recommend listing your major as undecided on your application, or in this supplement. Instead, pick a major, and then tailor this essay around that.
Once you’ve picked your major, you’ll need to identify two classes you’d like to take, one or two professors you’d like to study under, and an academic program that you’re especially excited about (like a Michigan-specific study abroad or a particular research opportunity). You should also speak to the community by sharing one to three clubs or community groups you’d like to join, and why. The most important thing is to follow the direction in the prompt and be “specific.” Close out the supplement by envisioning yourself at Michigan, and helping them see you there, too. If you’ve been to Ann Arbor, this is the time to include a short anecdote. As part of this, be sure to include a way that you’ll contribute to the community a Michigan through student leadership, service, or other opportunities.
The University of Michigan is a globally renowned research university, and admissions is highly competitive. To stand out, you need to write essays that connect with the application readers and that help them envision you at Mich. Give yourself time to draft, edit, and fine tune to make sure you get it right.
If you’re aiming for one of the best colleges in the country, email us. We specialize in matching outstanding students with equally impressive schools.