The University of Michigan is a top state school ranked as one of the top three state schools in the nation by numerous lists. The school is at the top of its game, and so is the college town it is in. Ann Arbor, Michigan is widely considered the #1 small college town in America. The acceptance rate at Michigan is about 20%. That’s a misleading statistic, though, because the acceptance rate for in-state students is much higher than for out-of-state students. For out-of-state students, getting into Michigan is akin to getting into an Ivy League school, and it carries the cachet to match.
Michigan has eight colleges that admit first-year students, including many that are rare at the undergraduate level: The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the College of Engineering, the Ross School of Business, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Nursing, the Stamps School of Art & Design, all the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. All of these schools follow the same application process. Engineering, computer science, technology, entrepreneurship, and business are all wildly popular, but, due to the popularity of the computer science program, prospective computer science majors are required to make that clear on the application (there’s a place for you to do that). As you apply, you’ll want to know that there is a test flexible policy, so you aren’t required to submit your SAT nor ACT scores.
If you’re excited about applying to the University of Michigan, send us an email. We’re experts at helping out-of-state applicants get into the best state schools in the nation.
Michigan has two required supplements — but, as you know if you read our posts, there’s no such thing as optional anyway. Both are longer essays, so make sure to start far enough ahead that you have time for drafting, editing, and editing some more.
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. (300 words)
The instruction in this essay to “describe that community and your place within it,” is exciting to us because it opens up room for a story — as supplements are all about developing and sharing stories! As you approve this one, focus on the word “community.” They list a bunch of different types of communities, but to succeed with this prompt you need to tell a story that is constrained in time and scope, not simply descriptive of what you’ve done and where you’ve been.
To do this, focus in on a particular story — a meal, a cultural tradition — and tell that story. Folding perogies with your grandmother; visiting a food pantry with your family as a client, and then volunteering at a food pantry after school; participating in a second line in New Orleans; or staying up late reading books with your parents. Write about what matters most to you, instead of fixating on what you think a college wants to hear about and be willing to think creatively as to what defines and fits into culture.
Close your supplement with an open door, not a bow. This community is part of your life and culture still, so the perfect ending is showing how it remains central to your identity.
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? (550 words)
This is the “why us?” prompt for Mich, and you have a lot of room — 550 words of it! Before you start writing, you need to do your research. Find your answer to each of these:
Program you are applying to:
Prospective major:
Two classes within your major:
At least one (and possibly two) professors you’d like to study under and why:
A prospective minor:
Two classes outside of your major that you’re excited about:
A study abroad, summer, or another academic program you would be interested in participating in:
Once you’ve filled in all these blanks and found your facts, it is time to tell your story.
Start your response to this prompt with a story that links to your academic interest and the University of Michigan academic program. It may be a story about how you found your academic passion, from an internship experience, or an experience with the subject far outside of the classroom. The key is that whatever story you tell needs to illustrate your interests.
After about 150-200 words, you’ll need to transition to the research that you did. The core of this supplement is sharing what you’ll do at Michigan and conveying the enthusiasm you have for the program, so it’s important to devote at least 200 words of your response to the research you did.
Once you’ve shared what you want to do at the University of Michigan, close by circling back to your original story, offering an additional layer, or envisioning what will come after graduation with a Michigan degree in hand. The supplement should end with an eye for the future or a reflection on where you’ve come from. Either way, it’ll convey that you have a clear vision for your future and are excited to see it through.
The University of Michigan is a top state school that is very selective when it comes to out-of-state applicants. It is extremely popular for computer science and engineering, and offers an amazing mix of collegiate culture and academic excellence.
If Michigan is your dream school, send us an email. We help the best students get into the best schools in the country.