The University of Michigan is one of the most well-respected and well-known public universities in the United States. It is especially well-known for out-of-state students interested in studying STEM subjects. However, as a public university Michigan has to heavily prioritize in-state applicants. That has driven the acceptance rate down for out-of-staters, making actually getting into Mich a formidable challenge even for the best of the best. The overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was 16.4%, but remember that this is a combined acceptance rate that includes both in-state and out-of-state applicants. Michigan has not broken out their in-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rates in recent years, but we are confident estimating that the in-state acceptance rate is closer to 30%, and the out-of-state acceptance rate is well under 10%.
Michigan offers different application pathways based on which undergraduate program you are aiming for, but for the College of Letters, Sciences, and the Arts you can pick to apply Early Action, which is non-binding, Early Decision, or Regular Decision. If you are an out-of-state student, applying ED is best and applying EA is a back-up, but getting into Mich RD is extremely difficult.
As you prepare to apply to Michigan, and long before starting your official application, it is crucial that you get your grades and scores up to Michigan standards. Even your course selection needs a second look, as Michigan does have required course distributions for consideration. But they also have extremely high expectations for students, and those expectations skyrocket for out-of-state applicants. The average high school GPA of accepted and enrolled students in the Class of 2029 was 3.91 unweighted. And, while it’s currently your choice whether to submit the SAT or ACT, they highly recommend that you submit strong scores. A strong SAT for out-of-state applicants to Michigan is over 1500, while a strong ACT is a 34 or above.
Getting into Michigan as an out-of-state student takes more than impressive scores and grades, though. It also requires a strong narrative. They want to be able to envision where you are going, see you as a contributing future member of the Michigan community, and to understand your ‘why’ for wanting to be at Mich in the first place. This is where the supplement comes in.
In this post, we are going to break down each piece of the Michigan supplement and give you the guidance you need to write strong responses. If you want an extra edge, though, get in touch. We help strong students pull off exceptional acceptances.
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The Michigan supplement has two essay questions that ask you to share your vision for your time at Mich and your future beyond the university. Each question is required, which is sort of inconsequential because you would have to do the supplements if you want to get in even if they were optional. Now, let’s get into them.
Essay #1 (Required for all applicants.)
At the University of Michigan, we are focused on developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. In your essay, share with us how you are prepared to contribute to these goals. This could include the people, places, experiences or aspirations that have shaped your journey and future plans. (300 words)
This prompt is awesome, but it is also dangerous. When they invite you to “explain” how you contribute to the goals of Mich, it leads many students to believe that they should literally explain what they are doing that aligns with Michigan.
Yes, that would answer the question in a literal sense, but it would also be a huge mistake and a missed opportunity. Michigan doesn’t want a written version of a resume here. What they want is for the supplement itself to be part of the case you are making for yourself as a future Michigan student.
So, you need to tell a story instead of simply explaining. Start this supplement with a zoomed in look at a way that you engage with “challenge the present and enrich the future” (it can be one of the two, not both!). By ‘zoomed in’ we mean a precise experience or moment from within an activity or pursuit that is meaningful to you. This could be anything from an academic club to a scouts program. What really matters is that the story is specific, detailed, relevant, and recent.
Once you have your story written to open up the supplement, it’s time to zoom out and reflect on the impact the broader activity is having on the present and future beyond you. Yes, it has shaped you, but how are you helping shape others?
At the end of your supplement, tie it specifically to Michigan and how you will contribute in a similar way to the Michigan community. Do some research before writing so that you can name particular clubs or organizations you would join to put your goals and values into practice.
Essay #2 (Required for all applicants.)
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)
For the second supplement, Michigan wants to know precisely how you would pursue the degree path you intend on taking at the college you are applying to within the university. They give you a lot of space to do this, which means they expect just as much from you in exchange. 550 words is enough to truly make a case for your future at Mich, and fluff and filler doesn’t serve your purpose in that.
Before you start writing, then, you need to find the meat for this supplement. Pull together:
Your prospective major
A focus within your major
2 courses you would like to take beyond the introductory level
A professor you hope to study under and (importantly) why
A program beyond campus that would amplify your learning
A potential minor
Something else you’d like to explore academically
Now, Michigan knows that your path may change. Most students experience some shift in their academic interests, whether it’s a deepening into what they love already or a brand new path. However, they want to hear you be confident in what you are currently envisioning for yourself at Michigan.
Don’t jump right into the classes you want to take at the start of the supplement, either. You need to start the supplement with a small (both in length and scope) story that gives weight to your academic interest, bringing it into vivid focus for the reader. You don’t just want to study history, you live and breathe history — show them that through a moment in the classroom or beyond that illustrates your passion.
Then you will transition to the research you did, illustrating how you will grow and deepen your passion at Mich. This will take up at least half of your supplement.
Close the supplement with another story, developing the opening further and looking towards your future at Michigan. It is okay if your supplement doesn’t use up all 550 words, but it should be at least 450. If your draft comes up short, the answer is to add detail.
Making your case to Michigan is most firmly rooted in making your academic plans clear and confident. Remember that they are not all that interested in the awards you have won, but the place you see yourself going next and how you will contribute to the Mich community in the process.
And, if you find yourself stumped, let us know. We can help.
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