university of michigan why essay

University of Michigan Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)

The following University of Michigan essay examples were written by authors who were admitted to University of Michigan (UMich). All names have been redacted for anonymity. Please note that CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers at University of Michigan in order to deter potential plagiarism.

For more help with your University of Michigan essays, check out our 2020-2021 University of Michigan Essay Guide ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

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?

Given the excellent academic program, the University of Michigan provides a wonderful opportunity for me to learn and grow both as a student and person. During my recent tour of campus, I was excited about the idea that I had the potential to make a mark on this large university. Furthermore, I got the sense that there were many opportunities for me to create a community, excel in a variety of academic and leadership areas, and prepare myself for an exciting and fulfilling career.

I am most interested in the Program in Biology within the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. As an avid life science student with a keen interest in environmental science and biodiversity, I am most interested in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major. In my AP biology course, for instance, the lab I found most interesting involved animal behavior with response to wet and dry environments. As a student within the Department of EEB, I would be able to learn more about biodiversity and the history of life on earth. The depth and breadth of the curriculum, including classes such as Animals Functioning in Environments and Animal Diversity, would be particularly interesting to me. Another exciting unique opportunity is the University of Michigan’s Biological Station in the Great Lakes region. As a member of a research team, I would be able to examine natural habitats and do lab experiments in the field. I am more than excited to be part of such a scientific community. I am also interested in exploring forest succession and ecosystem processes through the Forest Ecosystem Study. Furthermore, I would be interested in studying abroad during my time at Michigan. One program that interested me was the CGIS trip to the London School of Economics and Political Sciences where I could further my study of biology, but in a new setting. Michigan’s strength of curricular and hands-on opportunities would certainly offer me ways to continue and develop my interest in biology.

Outside of the classroom and field, I would like to share my enthusiasm about biology with like-minded students by joining the Biology Student Alliance and Society of Biology Students. And, while not directly related to biology and ecology, as a Michigan student, I look forward to joining the Michigan Academics Competition. As captain of my school’s Academic team, a Quiz Bowl style trivia competition, I enjoy researching and recalling science (and history) facts. As a biology student, I am confident that I would become one of the biology specialists on the Michigan Academics Competition and Quiz Bowl Team.

Michigan’s incredible opportunities within the Program of Biology would enable me to have access to a world class education. Furthermore, the unique field experience and research opportunities would enable me to make my mark on the University.

Why this University of Michigan essay worked, according to an ex-admissions officer

In this essay, the author begins by praising the University’s academics and then expresses how much of an opportunity it would be to get to matriculate at UMich. They uses energetic words and direct verbs. The sentences exude intention. In the first paragraph alone, this student tells us that they will hold dear an opportunity to attend UMich. They inform us that they will benefit as a person and a scholar and will also give back to the community while on campus.

The author then goes on to tell us what programs they would like to join at UMich. Yet while doing so, the author interjects their own interests, talents and experiences. By doing this, we can clearly see that the author has the curiosity and ability to effectively join these classes and programs. The author renders their own experiences in three dimensions, making it clear that they would be an excellent candidate.

The writer walks us through exactly what they plan to study and how they hope to integrate into the community. This inspires confidence in us as readers.

This student would be an avid contributor to UMich. Though the essay is direct, it has complexity and ends by reiterating that this student intends to make an impact. If you’re interested in attending UMich, don’t forget to use our College Search Feature! You’ll find all kinds of interesting information on everything from academics to financial aid along with helpful school-specific admissions resources.

I always had a keen interest in numbers, probability, and finance. Early on, I could run numbers quickly: calculating sales tax, analyzing probabilities, and visualizing complex mathematical models in my head. After taking two AP classes in economics and one in statistics, I became increasingly intrigued with the mathematical representations of the different product and labor markets of the economy and modeling statistical outcomes, sparking my desire to pursue a career in that field through preferred action admission to Ross. Thus, I have set my sights on becoming an actuary since risk management is highly intriguing and allows me to use my talents in mathematical and statistical analysis as well as in written and verbal communication. The curriculum at Ross, coupled with the liberal arts requirements, will provide me with the necessary background to pursue my career goals.

At Ross, I will have the privilege of pursuing a Bachelor in Business Administration, providing me with a well-rounded background in management and economic analysis. I am particularly looking forward to the TO 301: Business Analytics and Statistics course taught by Dr. Shimi Nassiri, as it develops the skills of proper statistical and economic analysis and subsequent decision making. As well, it provides in-class experience of analyzing and modelling real data sets. I am also invested in Dr. Nassiri research of more efficient and effective healthcare solutions. As a Hispanic teenager, I feel very strongly about Dr. Shima Nassiri research on health care as it greatly impacts both the Hispanic and other minority communities. I am also eager for the 360° Thinking portion of the Ross curriculum. Particularly, the junior year course MO 300: Behavioral Theory in Management greatly intrigues me. It entails an in depth analysis of societal trends and how to develop creative and efficient responses as a manager. This class would provide a strong foundation for me in the analysis of social sciences and how they intertwine with economics. Additionally, what draws me to Ross is the emphasis on teambuilding and leadership skills which play a crucial role in molding successful business leaders in today’s rapidly changing world economy. My experience as a faculty-selected “Peer Leader” at Manalapan High School has provided a gateway into the fundamentals of leadership, and I look forward to expanding my skills through the unique leadership portion of the Ross curriculum as well as various leadership programs, such as the Leadership Experience Program (LDRx). The opportunity to develop both the tangible and intangible skills, which separate the accomplished leaders from the rest of the pack, will help me to create meaningful relationships both in the business world and the greater world community.

While I expect to learn a great deal at Ross, I feel my upbringing will permit me to contribute to Ross. I grew up surrounded by Latin salsa, spices, sights, and sounds, but that was not all. Since my parents immigrated from Cuba, I grew up with stories of the political and economic struggles my family faced. It is through these stories that I have gained an understanding of the influence of leadership and the importance of economical and statistical analysis to grow an economy. I hope to share my cultural background and perspective as a Hispanic man at Ross.

This essay leaves me with absolutely no doubt that this student belongs on the Ross campus at UMich. He begins very directly by telling us about himself and his skill set. He gives us a brief evolution of his mathematical interests — how they started and where he will direct them.

He has researched Ross, knows one of their leading professors, knows her academic body of work, knows the specific classes, and has made himself a 4 year plan regarding what he will take and to which programs he will add. He very articulately describes this progression. The reader can clearly imagine him as an enthusiastic participant.

Intermittently, this student references how his education will be applied in healthcare and leadership capacities. He also shares his Cuban culture with us, reminding us that he is more than just academics. Finally, he finishes with a proud determination he will be a Hispanic Ross Man. How could we question that?

These University of Michigan essay examples were compiled by the advising team at CollegeAdvisor.com . If you want to get help writing your University of Michigan application essays from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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College Essays

The University of Michigan is one of the highest-ranked universities in the nation and is therefore a popular choice for many students, especially those in Michigan and the Midwest. At present, U-M's got a relatively low acceptance rate of just 20% .

If you're planning to apply to this coveted university, then you'll need to know how to write your best University of Michigan supplemental essay possible . Read on to learn what the University of Michigan supplemental essays entail and to get some advice on answering the various prompts. We also give you real University of Michigan essay examples and general tips for producing a great college essay.

Feature Image: Ken Lund /Flickr

What Are the University of Michigan Supplemental Essays?

All applicants to the University of Michigan are required to submit two supplemental essays  in addition to a personal statement written in response to a prompt in the Common Application. 

So in total — and regardless of your major — you'll have to write three University of Michigan essays.

Although you'll have several prompts to choose from for your Common App/Coalition App essay, you'll only get one prompt for each University of Michigan supplemental essay (meaning you don't get to choose a prompt).

Here are the University of Michigan essay prompts you must answer for the 2022-2023 supplement:

Essay 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)

Essay 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 300 words)

Each University of Michigan supplemental essay has its own maximum word limit, with Essay 2's limit (550 words) being a bit longer than Essay 1's (300 words). For both essays, you must write at least 100 words.

The University of Michigan Essay Prompts, Analyzed

Now that we've gone over the basic essay requirements, let's take a closer look at each University of Michigan supplemental essay and how you can answer the prompt effectively.

University of Michigan Supplemental Essay 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)

This essay prompt wants to know what makes you unique and what community you see yourself as belonging to. In other words, you're being asked to write a diversity essay , which focuses on you as an individual and what you have contributed to and gained from your specific community.

Through this essay, the University of Michigan admissions committee hopes to learn more about your values, goals, hardships, and achievements. This is why it's important to be your authentic self . Admissions officers will definitely be able to tell if you are exaggerating or making things up. Avoid trying to sound like someone else — write about what's important to you personally.

The prompt gives some examples of possible communities, but here are some more:

• Your gender identity
• Your sexual orientation
• Your school
• Your neighborhood
• Your disability
• A rare or strange talent you have
• A particular club or organization you are a member of
• Do you have any distinct characteristic that has defined you for much of your life? (This could be your ethnicity, race, or religion, for example.)
• How would other people describe you? Ask your family and friends.
• Do you have an uncommon or unique skill, interest, or experience?

Once you know what community you've chosen to write about, think about how this community has influenced you and your goals .

For example, maybe you grew up in a military family and had to move to new states and countries a lot as a child. You could discuss how this experience was isolating at first but how you eventually came to know other kids in military families, developing a sort of support network. Now you credit your experiences with moving with helping you learn to adapt quickly to new environments.

One compelling way you can let readers learn about your experience with your community is by telling your story through a specific anecdote , conversation you had, challenge you faced, etc.

You should also mention how you see your role in this community now . Has this role changed over time, or not? Why do you suppose so? For instance, maybe you used to be ashamed of your Navajo heritage but since having met other Navajo people your age, you now consider yourself a proud advocate for Native Americans and other indigenous groups around the world.

Finally, show, don't tell . Use imagery and realism to grab your readers and make them feel what you felt, see what you saw. Literary devices can help you more clearly describe your experience(s) with your community.

University of Michigan Supplemental Essay 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 300 words)

You've got a higher word limit for this second University of Michigan supplemental essay than you do for the first one, so be prepared to dig deeper into your topic.

With this essay prompt, you're being asked, "Why U-M?" In other words, you need to write a "why this college" essay , with a focus on how the University of Michigan will be a fantastic fit for you and your academic goals.

Here, you're told directly what to write about: the "unique qualities" of the specific school/college at U-M to which you're applying. This means you could focus on traits such as these in your essay:

• Specific classes U-M offers that you're interested in taking
• A required curriculum that appeals to you in some way
• A particular professor you're excited to work with
• A lecture series or other program your school/college/department puts on
• A certain building, lab, or campus facility you can't wait to use
• Extracurricular activities or clubs related to your major or academic interests
• Career advice and internship opportunities (e.g., what's offered via the LSA Opportunity Hub )

With this essay, you'll need to be extremely specific to be effective . The admissions committee wants to see that you know what distinguishes U-M from other equally renowned universities and that you have a clear idea of how you'll take advantage of the benefits offered here to further your own intellectual and professional pursuits.

You should also talk about what you hope to do and accomplish at the University of Michigan . For example, perhaps you're planning to major in Korean and are eager to attend the Nam Center for Korean Studies' Colloquium Series so you can get a better grasp of the kinds of topics currently being addressed by academics in the field of Korean studies.

If you're not sure what to write about, browse your college/school's official U-M web pages to get a feel for what types of amenities, events, activities, classes, and support it offers undergrads.

You can also try asking current students or recent graduates about their experiences at Michigan and what resources, classes, and/or professors they recommend. Reddit and College Confidential are two good places to look for student opinions.

As you write, take care to avoid overly general descriptions— focus instead on what makes U-M stand apart from other schools you're applying to .

2 Real University of Michigan Essay Examples + Analysis

Sometimes seeing a real essay can give you a better idea of how you can approach and work on your own statement. Below we give you two University of Michigan essay examples written by a real admitted student , along with analysis as to what makes them work.

University of Michigan Essay Example 1

This first essay example is from a student on Reddit who was admitted to U-M in early 2018 (for the academic year starting in fall 2018). It is in response to prompt #1 above.

"Alice, I'm-I'm trans," he stammered.

My school's theatre group is an ever-expanding Ohana; to quote Disney's Lilo and Stitch , "Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind."

While this movie had over-prepared me for laser-beaming alien invasions, there was nothing about helping someone come out. Nevertheless, this was the person with whom I laughed, cried, and held hands through curtain calls; this was no alien, but a sibling. He was family.

Although theatre kids love performing for an audience, more importantly, we share an unconditional love for one another. Arriving in Pennsylvania as an international transfer student, I found myself twice removed from Hill's popular social scene, and it was the theatre company who welcomed me without ever questioning my self-worth. They became the anchor of my tempest-tossed first year; in them I found a home.

Thus, when my friend came out to me, I could only give him the love that I once received. When our cast misused his pronouns and name, I corrected them. Together, we transformed gender-specific roles into gender-neutral ones so everyone could partake in our productions. Off-stage, I held him as he grappled with his family's reaction. I grew into an advocate for queer students, both within the theatre company and at school as the co-president of Hill's gay-straight alliance, a position that I have held for two years. I look out for the "othered", lost, and lonely; I welcome them to a family that will never leave them behind.

Here's what makes this University of Michigan supplemental essay work:

• It's got an interesting hook. Starting the essay with a real quotation from someone close to the applicant gives us a real, unfiltered look into this student's life and how she interacts with those in her identified community.
• It's unapologetically honest. The student explains how she, too, has struggled with making friends and how the theatre company—her newfound community—ultimately helped her to feel welcome. In return, she actively supports her friend and goes out of her way to advocate for gay and transgender rights through her school's gay-straight alliance. She clearly cares very deeply about others.

University of Michigan Essay Example 2

This next essay example is from the same student on Reddit who got into U-M in early 2018. It is in response to prompt #2 above.

"Could Freud's theory of Eros and Thanatos apply to civilizations, especially with regard to their domination and subservience?" I asked, Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince in my hand. Having spent the first two months of senior year reading political treatises, poems, psychological and anthropological works in a History course, this was the first time these texts intersected in my mind. Suddenly, history assumed a completely new form. No more was it only a series of discrete events, but it had blossomed into all the knowledge that this world had to offer, and my desire to explore humanity in multiple ways, instead of restricting myself to only one avenue, would similarly flourish at Michigan's College of Life, Science, and the Arts due to its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning.

As a child of a trilingual mother, I have grown to appreciate integrative learning: to explain how the world worked, my mother employed English and Russian, languages that she knew of, where Vietnamese failed. My initial hunger to overcome these linguistic boundaries has risen since to social and humanitarian ones as well, for as there are words without equivalents, there are communities whose disenfranchisement are unparalleled and cannot be resolved without understanding the history of civil rights worldwide. I will attain such a global outlook in LSA's Residential College program. With its smaller class size and emphasis on communal learning, the program and the varied experience of my fellow RC students will open my eyes to issues I have yet to undergo.

As a future activist, I will harness my education to benefit marginalized groups in underdeveloped, post-colonial countries. As a Social Theory and Practice (STP) and International Studies double major with a specialization in Comparative Culture and Identity (CCI), I will critique and analyze the role of institutions in the global context of behavioral expressions. These skills facilitate the execution of policies that will empower disenfranchised citizens to overcome their legal and economic struggles. Courses such as "Intergroup Conflict and Coexistence: Religion, Ethnicity and Culture" will equip me with important tools with which I can drive social change. Moreover, STP offerings, particularly "History and Theory of Punishment," allow me to craft an education aimed at creating legislations and organizations that will address the social inequality of ethnic and religious minorities in former colonies in Southeast Asia. Finally, I will tie this knowledge to reality by pursuing an STP Honors thesis.

Outside of the classroom, I can pursue the optiMize challenge and devise practical solutions to the issues that impoverished communities face in Vietnam; with my intersectional perspective, I can provide a fresh outlook and facilitate our work with various demographics. I will also lend my voice to the Tab Michigan as an opinion writer, borrowing from my own experiences, having grown up at the twilight of cultures and languages. Furthermore, given my love for performing arts, I will take part in 58 Greene, specifically for its multicultural focus, and MUSKET/UAC. In regard to affinity groups, I plan to join BiLateral, since I want to network with other bisexual members of the community, as well as raise awareness on Michigan's campus about ourselves. As a Wolverine sibling, I will employ my interdisciplinary lessons and hands-on work to make a difference on the Ann Arbor campus and in the world.

• It's extremely specific. The student not only makes telling connections between her love of interdisciplinary learning and desired major, but also name-drops specific classes she wants to take, explains how she'll take advantage of the optiMize challenge, and talks about specific groups she'd like to join. There's absolutely no doubt this student has done her research and is truly passionate about attending Michigan.
• It flows well. The entire essay follows a clear arc, starting with an anecdote of the applicant's first time she managed to make connections between different topics she was studying, and moving on toward her interest in the interdisciplinary offerings at U-M and how they can help her become a future activist.

How to Write a University of Michigan Supplemental Essay

Tip 1: use specific details and examples.

The key to writing an amazing University of Michigan supplemental essay is to write clearly and specifically so that the admissions committee can really feel your passion and understand what makes you the person you are today. After all, your ultimate goal is to tell a compelling story that will leave a mark on your readers.

So don't write vaguely —litter your essay with names, places, dialogue, and images. At the same time, try to stay focused by presenting an easy-to-follow story and logical structure.

For essay 1, for instance, you'll be way more successful if you home in on a specific community you're part of and what it's done for you, rather than trying to cram in tons of details about other communities you relate to. Pick one central topic for each essay, and stick with it.

Tip 2: Be Your Authentic Self

Another tip is to be completely and unapologetically honest in your University of Michigan essays. Write in a voice that's completely and utterly yours and concentrate on a story, person, event, or moment that means a lot to you personally—not what somebody told you to write about, even if that topic sounds more "impressive." So if you want to throw in a joke, go ahead and do it!

Just be sure to avoid the following in your essay , as doing any of these can make you seem lazy, inappropriate, arrogant, or plain unlikable:

• Typos or errors in spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation
• Overused quotations or clichéd analogies —writing something such as "It was raining cats and dogs" will make your essay come across unoriginal and bland
• Inappropriate events or stories —your U-M essay is not the time to write about something illegal or highly immoral you did!
• Anything outright rude or impolite —for example, don't attack the U-M admissions officers or write something mean about someone at school

Tip 3: Don't Repeat Anything You've Written in Other Essays

One of the tricky problems with writing your University of Michigan supplemental essays is that you need to ensure you're not having too much overlap in your essays , especially between your supplemental essays and your Common App/Coalition App personal essay.

While it's OK to have a little bit of overlap in general content, try to select essay prompts so that you're focusing on different (but still equally important) parts of yourself.

For example, because U-M requires a diversity essay as part of its supplement, you'd probably be better off not choosing the first Common App prompt (which is also about communities and your background).

Remember that the admissions committee wants to get a complete, holistic picture of who you are , so take care to incorporate all major (but different) aspects of yourself in your University of Michigan essays.

Tip 4: Edit and Proofread Before You Submit

Lastly, make sure to edit and proofread each University of Michigan supplemental essay you write before you submit your application.

Once you have a rough draft written, put it away for a few days. Then, take it out again and look it over with a fresh set of eyes. Check for any areas that are unclear, out of place, or irrelevant, and edit as needed.

Keep doing this process until you have a fairly clean rough draft and then give it to somebody you trust, such as a parent or teacher. Have them give you feedback on the content and structure of your essay; they should also look for technical errors.

Once your essay is almost ready to go, give it one last proofread. You should now have a fantastic University of Michigan supplemental essay!

What's Next?

Want to learn more about the University of Michigan? Then check out our Michigan admission requirements page , where we give you everything you need to know to get into this famed school.

Though the University of Michigan is not an Ivy League school , it's considered to be a Public Ivy. Learn what this means and why Michigan qualifies for this honor in our guide to Public Ivies .

Applying to other schools in Michigan or the Midwest? Then check out our essay-writing guides for Michigan State University , the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , and Notre Dame .

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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UMich Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Tips

July 25, 2023

In forming the Class of 2027, the University of Michigan received over 87,000 applications, an all-time high. For historical comparison, there were under 24,000 applicants at the turn of the millennium. Therefore, it is safe to say that more students desire to become Wolverines in 2023 than ever before in the school’s 200+ year history. This greatly impacts the importance of the UMich supplemental essays.

The acceptance rate at UMich has fallen all the way down to 18%. However, this figure is typically twice as high for applicants who reside in the state of Michigan. If you are an out-of-stater or international student, you’ll need to bring even more impressive credentials than your in-state peers. Speaking of credentials, overall, the median SAT for current Wolverine undergrads is 1450, 77% placed in the top decile of their high school class, and the average unweighted GPA is 3.9+. If you possess statistics above those marks, you have a great shot of one day donning the maize and blue. However, you’ll still want to find ways to stand out against the intense competition.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into UMich? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into the University of Michigan: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Through its two essay prompts, the University of Michigan supplemental section still affords applicants an opportunity to showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the University of Michigan supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. The College Transitions team also offers tips about how to address each one:

2023-2024 University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Questions

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)

This can be done well whether you are talking about an ethnic, religious, or neighborhood community. It could even be a group of individuals who gather for a club, sport, or service project. Most applicants to the University of Michigan are involved in at least one “community”. You are the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, the president of a club… but don’t just rest on those laurels—instead, bring your involvement to life. Use your writing ability to show what type of community member you are rather than merely telling .

UMich Supplemental Essays (Continued)

You can also discuss how you have engaged with your high school local/community.  Further, you can share have learned from interacting with people of a different ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, etc. Draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in your community and speculate how that is likely to manifest on the University of Michigan’s campus. You should research and cite UMich student-run organizations and/or local nonprofit groups. The Michigan admissions committee now desires to understand precisely how you will contribute to their campus community of 31,000+ undergrads. Drawing the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here.

For example, if you dedicated many hours working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout high school, it will be most impactful if you express your commitment to joining UMich’s chapter of Best Buddies in the future.

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)

In some ways, this is your quintessential “Why Us?” essay, but UMich is particularly interested in hearing about why the curriculum in your desired academic department is attractive to you—not so much about your love for the football team or the beautiful campus. Below are some quick tips for writing an essay that will help your admissions cause:

• Cite specific academic programs, professors, research opportunities , internship/externship programs, study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.
• State why your chosen program is the perfect fit for you and why you are the perfect fit for it.
• Show evidence of how your past/current academic endeavors/achievements will carry over onto UMich’s campus.
• What special academically-related talents and passions will you bring to the University of Michigan? What contributions will you make?

You’ll want to dedicate time to researching more about your prospective college/department and what makes it truly world-class. The more specific you can get here, the better your UMich essays will be!

How important are they to the admissions committee?

Michigan deems two factors as “very important” in evaluating a candidate. These are the rigor of your secondary school record and GPA. The UMich essays—both the general Common App essay and the Michigan supplements—are rated as “important”. They sit alongside standardized test scores, recommendations, character/personal qualities, and first-generation college student status.

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If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your University of Michigan supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.

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Common questions, essay questions.

University of Michigan Questions

• 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. 1,500 character limit.)
• 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. 2,750 character limit.)
• An optional essay  related to the impact of COVID-19 on the applicant. We encourage students to share their specific circumstances, and will bring empathy and compassion to our holistic review process.

Additional Question for Transfer Applicants:

• Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.  (1,500 character limit)

Marsal Family School of Education Transfer Applicants Only:

Please review the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) mission and vision statements below:

Mission: Our mission in the EPP at the Marsal Family School of Education is to prepare educators to support the well-being and learning of young people and to advance justice through their practice, advocacy, and activism. All pathways within the EPP leverage both research and the expertise of experienced educators to prepare novices for the complex work of supporting young people's learning and thriving, as well as that of their families and communities. We strive to uphold diversity and inclusion, and to advance justice and equity, in the field of educator preparation.

Vision: The EPP at the Marsal Family School of Education pursues a vision of educating toward justice.

Please address the following in your essay:

• How does your experience prepare you to engage in a program with these commitments?
• What goals do you have for your own career in light of these commitments?

The Common Application Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so.  (1,250-3,250 character limit, approx. 250-650 word limit. The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

26 University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Examples (2023)

To get into the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2023, you have to write strong supplemental essays.

In this article, I've gathered 26 of the best supplemental and Common App essay examples for Michigan.

University of Michigan Admissions FAQ

Here are some answers to common questions regarding applying to UMich.

As one of the highest ranked public universities in the U.S., Michigan has a reputation that makes for a competitive admissions process.

University of Michigan's Acceptance Rate

This past year, a record 79,743 students applied to Michigan and only 16,071 were offered admission.

That gives Michigan an overall admit rate of just 20.15% for the Class of 2026.

University of Michigan Acceptance Scattergram

Here's a scattergram that shows admitted and rejected applicants for Michigan in recent years.

In order to stand out from other applicants, you'll need to write your best supplemental essays. Here you can find 26 examples of Michigan essays that worked.

Since many of Michigan's prompts have stayed the same year after year, these examples answer this year's prompts.

What is Michigan's application deadline for this year?

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor offers two admissions deadlines for Fall 2023: early action and regular decision.

For this year, Michigan's deadlines are:

• Early Action (EA): November 1st, 2022
• Regular Decision (RD): February 1st, 2023

Some students like transfer students may apply in Winter 2023 or Summer 2023, for which there are two deadlines:

• Winter 2023 RD: October 1st, 2022
• Summer 2023 RD: February 1st, 2023

What are the University of Michigan supplemental prompts for 2022-23?

This year, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor requires applicants to write two supplemental essays. The first essay is limited to 300 words while the second essay is longer, with a maximum of 550 words.

The Michigan supplemental prompts are:

1. Community Essay (Required for all applicants.)

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. (100-300 words)

2. Why Michigan Essay (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? (100-550 words)

26 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor EssaysThatWorked

Check out these 26 Michigan essays that worked.

Below you can read example supplemental essays for Michigan, as well as Common App essays from admitted students.

Get inspired and start writing your own successful Michigan essays.

Prompt: Communities and Groups

• 1. Christian Faith
• 2. Horseback Riding
• 3. Youth Court
• 4. Two Sides
• 5. Marching Band Family
• 6. Chinese Christian Church
• 7. Whitman Navigators
• 8. Diverse Community
• 9. The Nabe

Prompt: Area of Study / Why Michigan?

• 10. Education Program
• 11. Business Opportunities
• 12. Engineering at Michigan
• 13. Economics and Political Science
• 14. Michigan Faculty
• 15. Interdisciplinary Learning
• 16. Michigan Opportunities
• 17. School of Kinesiology

Prompt: Extracurricular Activity

• 18. Summer in the City
• 19. Riding Horses
• 20. Restorative Justice
• 23. Speech and Debate
• 25. Soccer Lessons
• 26. Playing Horn

1. Michigan Community Essay: "Christian Faith"

Prompt: 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. (100-300 words)

I am a member of the Grosse Pointe chapter of YoungLife, a non-denominational Christian youth group. However, I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a "Christian."

My relationship with God is exactly that—mine. I sometimes question certain Christian teachings and beliefs, and I'm not 100 percent sure that I am officially any one religion.

This is not only OK, but encouraged at YoungLife; the motto of the organization is "Come as you are." The differences between myself and the person sitting next to me at Sunday Club don't matter there.

Our diverging ideas and opinions, some of which may be about religion itself, become white noise as we sing along with the leaders to start each Club at the YoungLife House. My understanding of Christianity can be polar opposite of that person—my friend—next to me, but we are connected in the Club's universal idea of being yourself and accepting others for doing the same.

I am still figuring out my individual ideologies, and I expect it to take time before I fully understand my feelings. My views may will fall within those of a Christian church, they partially could, or they might not at all. I haven't solved my religious puzzle yet, but I don't feel like an outsider because of it. The people at YoungLife respect my internal journey. They understand that I don't fully understand my religion yet.

2. Michigan Community Essay: "Horseback Riding"

As the first horse walked in for the HJAM hunter derby in May, I sat on the grassy hill overlooking the show grounds with my friends and the “big girls” for the first time. In just a few years, I would be one of the “big girls” that the younger kids would look up to. Brought together by long horse show days highlighted by donkey races in Kentucky, boat days in Traverse City, and “Ride and Drives” in Ohio, the group of riders that compete at the horse shows have become my friends for life.

Starting in the early 2010’s, when all of us rode ponies, everyone began to come out of their shell as we bonded over our love for this sport. Jumping the “kid jumps” until it was too dark, our group became inseparable, and Sundays, the last day of a horse show, became increasingly dreaded as it meant we had to say goodbye until the next show.

Trading in ponies for horses and bows for hair nets, we became engaged in much more mature activities- like water fights and golf cart races. Beginning to conquer bigger divisions and national finals, riding became more serious, however, being surrounded by this community kept it light hearted as we cheered each other on ringside.

Entering into my final junior year as a rider, I have trouble believing that I have become one of the “big girls” as it seems just yesterday I gazed up at my mentors on the hill almost a decade ago. Knowing that the friendships I have made will last a lifetime, I am forever grateful to the early mornings and long nights that brought us together and cannot wait to watch where each of us end up: both inside and outside of the ring.

3. Michigan Community Essay: "Youth Court"

A defining factor of my interests and character is membership to Ontario County Youth Court. Not only have I enjoyed the career exploration, new opportunities, and service aspects of the program, but also the people within it. Youth court provides as alternative path legal path for youth offenders. But also serves the community of members who conduct the trials. This has allowed me to gain an understanding of other people’s situations and circumstances.

After four years of dedicated membership, I have assumed leadership positions within the program. This includes acting as lead prosecutor, along with the elected chair of the Ontario County Youth Court Steering Committee. As chair, I have planned successful member outreach events such as a Halloween party and a career exploration event. By acting as a mentor and providing guidance towards my fellow members, I have encouraged others to develop a passion for youth court and law. Without this community, I would have never discovered my true passion for law, or broadened my understanding of others.

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4. Michigan Community Essay: "Two Sides"

I grew up with big glass doors in my living room, bold doors that opened to a garden on one side and a living room on the other. When you walked outside, you entered an untamed mosaic of bamboo, peonies, lavender, hummingbirds, bees and the occasional free-spirited cat. Grey stepping stones guided you through the mystical garden in a seemingly random fashion. The other side of the doors open up to a different type of community, a community where shoes and dirt weren’t allowed, corners were sharp, and the main odor was all-purpose cleaning spray.

These two worlds were separated by a mere panel of transparent doors. I believe that I am the product of both of them. These two spaces, along with my mother, formed the person that I am today. From the garden community, I learned to be pure and kind, while the indoor community warned me to also stay guarded. I’m reserved, but with a touch of confidence; forgiving but not ignorant; and perseverent yet flexible.

Things used to seem binary; I was either the garden or the room. However, I now believe that I am the living, breathing evidence that maybe life isn’t so one-sided. Maybe some us will realize that one side calls to us, while others will become the glass doors and, instead of standing on either side, experience multiple worlds.

5. Michigan Community Essay: "Marching Band Family"

As I prepared for my freshman year of high school, I was terrified I would never find my place at Grosse Pointe South. But when I started my first marching band camp a month before school began, I found the friends that would form my tightest-knit community for the next four years.

No matter how busy my schedule has become, the six hours I spend each week at marching band have remained a constant throughout high school. These friends have been the most unfailingly kind people I have met at South, and have provided me a place where I feel confident presenting myself authentically to the people around me.

As a section leader this year, I have gained experience as a supporter and motivator. My goal has been to help the underclassmen find the same community in marching band that I did.

This role has taught me a lot about collaboration. My fellow section leaders and I have shared responsibility for the quality of every performance we give and held meetings to discuss ways to improve rehearsal productivity. It has been incredible to see our hard work result in such enjoyable performances for our school and surrounding community.

The Grosse Pointe South Marching Band has become my second family throughout the last four years. I am incredibly grateful for the friends I will miss so much next year, and for the opportunity to provide underclassmen with the same kind and accepting environment that I was welcomed into four years ago.

6. Michigan Community Essay: "Chinese Christian Church"

As you walk onto my church grounds, you would be a little befuddled. What used to be a small one-story home now houses the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia--the former garage/carport is now the sanctuary, the swimming pool has been replaced with the education building, and the old house is now the kitchen and fellowship building. But the most glaring aspect is the separate services, divided by language not time. Our church walks between traditional Chinese culture and contemporary American beliefs. Many of the ABCs (American-born Chinese) and the few Americans join together for the English service, centered around more contemporary worship and disciple-building. The older immigrant population and the Chinese students from the surrounding universities gather for the Chinese service, featuring more conservative worship with hymns and focused on outreach.

Though we are divided by language and cultural barriers, we are joined together with a shared faith. While I call the English congregation home, I occasionally serve on the worship team for the Chinese service and as an interpreter for joint adult and youth events (when the Chinese and English service join together). While I serve in both congregations, my main focus is the children’s ministry where I am a Sunday school teacher and an activities coordinator. Every week, I love walking into the classroom, seeing the happy faces of curious children ready to learn new Bible stories despite their occasional rowdy and disobedient behavior. While the students learn, I share the same search for answers in my faith. With my church being a melting pot of cultures and language, we work to push aside those barriers to be joined together under one faith. Despite the challenges, the tight-knit community that has sprung up from our tiny house church has won my heart.

7. Michigan Community Essay: "Whitman Navigators"

I quit keeping track of how many times I've said "Hi, welcome to Whitman!" after my first Back-to-School-Night. As a member of the Whitman Navigator team for three years, I've greeted a few hundred parents, oriented three classes of freshmen, and built lasting friendships with fellow Navigators and staff. Navigators are Whitman students who lead Freshman Orientation and Back-to-School-Night, as well as give tours to transfer students.

In this capacity, I've worked with our two principals, Dr. Goodwin (now retired) and Dr. Dodd, on building a more welcoming Whitman. The community I love best is that of my high school, Walt Whitman. My place is similar to that of a Walmart Greeter, in that I am the first person freshmen see when they enter the front door. Using my school spirit and three years' experience, I enthusiastically guide these freshmen through their first encounter with this large, and often intimidating, new community.

Last year, I received my first question that I couldn't answer. As a chorus student, my knowledge of the Fine Arts at Whitman is limited; when a freshman asked me about ceramics courses, I paused and pondered. Rather than providing her with false information, I said, "I actually couldn't tell you.

At the end of orientation, I'll refer you to Gianni, a Navigator who took ceramics last year." The closeness of the Navigator community meant that I knew the right person to answer her question. Here I was, answering the freshman's question in a position of authority, when only four years ago I was in her shoes. Navigators granted me the opportunity to help others acclimate to the school, and I developed leadership traits through which I could guide people successfully.

8. Michigan Community Essay: "Diverse Community"

In my hometown, you can hear the cows moo and the tractors hum. The smell of manure might only be overtaken by the fumes of a Ford F-150. Farms line the sides of the roads I take to school. I have lived in rural Carroll County, Maryland my whole life. I have grown to love it. The people are friendly, neighborhoods are safe, and schools are good. However, there is one main issue. Everyone here is white.

While visiting the University of Michigan, I noticed the treelined campus. I pictured myself meeting peers in the dorms and classrooms. I was overwhelmed when I stepped into the Big House. But the thing that stood out the most was the diversity of Ann Arbor. Being in a place where a variety of ethnicities is so prevalent was a wake-up call to what I have been missing my whole life.

The diverse community of the University of Michigan is a place where I could see myself thrive. Being around and learning from people with unique backgrounds has been a rare commodity in my life. Around the age of thirteen, I realized what I had been missing within Carroll County, so I joined a soccer team in a more diverse neighboring county. This team gave me a taste of what life is like away from my rural hometown.

In college I want to belong to a society of people all different from each other. I would be able to learn so many valuable life lessons. University of Michigan is a place where I could share my story, as well as take in the stories of many different people. In college, I want to join a community filled with variety and open mindedness, rather than remaining in my ethnically homogenous past.

9. Michigan Community Essay: "The Nabe"

The bus took ten minutes to get home this time, not the usual thirty. This wasn’t my home, but it would essentially become just that.

The Morristown Neighborhood House is a center that provides a free and safe after-school environment for local children. While I had previously participated in various service programs, something was different about NH. Whether it was teaching long division or playing a game of chess, the bonds I established with the kids were real, human connections.

It was a privilege to be appointed service coordinator at the end of my junior year. But, I wanted to further immerse myself into “the Nabe.” While there were various summer options, I felt that there couldn’t be a better choice than signing up to be a camp counselor at the Nabe.

The kids became family; through sarcophagus art projects, writing practice, Xbox tournaments, implicit bias discussions, and trips to the park, they became the little siblings I never had. When I brought in ice cream for all of them on my birthday, I was showered with hugs. No foreign exchange trip could outdo that.

I am a member of many communities based on my geography, ethnicity, interests, and talents, but the most meaningful community is the one that I never thought I would be a part of. Bryan, Genesis, Justin, John, Christian, Jason, Jazarah, Jaeden, Steven, Angelique, Isabella... and Yajur.

On that first bus ride to the Nabe, I never saw it coming.

10. Why Michigan: "Education Program"

Prompt: 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? (100-550 words)

Growing up, I always pictured myself as a great teacher as an adult. With the second best secondary education program in the country and an emphasis on the liberal arts and undergraduate education, I am confident that U-M will shape me into the great educator I’ve dreamed of becoming since I was a kid.

Hallmarks of a liberal arts education include teamwork, problem-solving, clear writing, and effective communication. These are also skills that any exceptional teacher needs. U-M offers an unparalleled curriculum that prepares students to successfully run classrooms and obtain Provisional Teacher Certifications upon graduation, exposing students to diverse classes and people in Ann Arbor, and providing them with an invaluable liberal arts education along the way.

Being an effective teacher means connecting with and stimulating all students at its core. The liberal arts foundation I will receive in the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts (LSA), married with the experiential education and training the School of Education (SoE) will provide, will mold me into that great teacher—a mentor and role model for any student, regardless of creed—I’ve always aspired to become.

The Teacher Education Preferred Admission (TEPA) for incoming freshmen piqued my interest because the program is the crossroad between the liberal arts and teacher education; two components I was looking for in a college. TEPA will allow me to build a strong liberal arts base in LSA my first two years on campus before entering SoE, while also gaining beneficial experiences in the education field early on.

The education-oriented programs WE READ and Students Empowering Education specifically appealed to me because they will bridge my liberal arts education with my anticipated career as a high school English teacher. Similarly, my Spanish classes will have a practical application in the Ann Arbor Language Partnership, a program that immediately interested me as a potential Spanish minor.

During my first two years as a pre-admit, I'll be supported by my TEPA peers and staff, specifically from my SoE personal adviser. TEPA will take the large campus and make it feel smaller, allowing me to form organic connections with like-minded people and groups that can cultivate my interest in education before entering SoE junior year.

I need a meaningful education to be a meaningful educator. Truthfully, I could go to almost any college to become a teacher, but only schools that synthesize in- and out-of-classroom learning like SoE produce great ones. U-M ranking sixth in the country for undergraduate teaching bolstered my interest in the university and confirmed what I already knew: I will receive an education in LSA and SoE that will change who I am as a person and not just a student, and prepare me to provide the same for others as a teacher.

The great educator I’ve always envisioned myself becoming is one that can inspire without bounds. From my time as a student, I’ve come to realize that a truly influential teacher can work with students who have little in common with themselves and still be impactful. LSA's purposeful and broad curriculum, paired with SoE's hands-on courses and fieldwork, and the additional opportunities available through TEPA, will shape me into that life-changing teacher, for any student who walks through my classroom door.

11. Why Michigan: "Business Opportunities"

Growing up in a community that bleeds maize and blue, the community represented by the University of Michigan has always been one that I could see myself representing as both a student and alumni. From football games at the big house to classes at Ross, each and every opportunity available at U of M represents a piece of my life that I hope to continue to incorporate into my life for the rest of my life.

The opportunity to take courses that allow for enriched experiences in developing a real business is one that I intend to be involved in as soon as possible. I will use this type of class as a way to test my skills and learn where I need to become stronger as a leader and student. Watching others equally driven as me, their tactics that are successful and not successful will imprint on how I attack problems in the future and shape my overall leadership style.

By being involved in the Multidisciplinary Action Projects down the road as a graduate student, I hope to learn firsthand what it takes to run and be involved with real businesses. Firsthand exposure is the best way to learn how to solve problems- especially surrounded by peers who are equally as driven and dedicated as I am.

Filled with students striving for nothing but the best they are capable of is a community that I am certain I will enrich and fit into. By sharing ideas and collaborating together instead of against each other, each and every one of us will contribute to the business world as leaders and innovators.

The University of Michigan is a place I can see myself learning and growing as a leader for the next four years as I intend to use all of the tools at my disposal to become a top business person. The opportunities within the school I will be involved in and the peers that I will work beside only enrich the values of what being a Wolverine mean to me.

12. Why Michigan: "Engineering at Michigan"

The University of Michigan’s College of Engineering has a proactive approach to career path discovery and job search. While I do hope to aspire to a corporate attorney, an engineering degree from the University of Michigan would provide me the advantage of readiness.

U.S News and World Report published an article about challenges law school applicants with STEM degrees face. Number one was the lack of research skills. Michigan Undergraduate Engineering has research opportunities for all undergraduate students. I hope to even take advantage of The College of Engineering (CoE) International Internship Program. The chance to see the world and contribute to the world-class studies conducted by Michigan Engineering students is a unique quality. The article also reported that STEM applicants often lack job experience. Michigan Engineering hosts internship fairs, which even freshman can participate in. By utilizing the opportunity to work in a professional setting, I will be more adapt to presenting myself in a mature and respectable manor in a corporate setting.

Many people are puzzled by my aspirations to become a corporate lawyer with an engineering degree. While I enjoy learning about many areas of study, math and science have always peaked my interest. Like my attraction to law, I am drawn to the definitiveness of engineering specifically. While there is a right and wrong in methods and procedures, there is a chance to be creative; for the end goal is functionality. Law requires critical thinking, problem solving, and the questioning of presented facts and figures. These skills are also encompassed in Michigan Engineering. With a technical understanding of industry and engineering, I will be able to more accurately represent a corporation. Like the professors at Michigan Engineering, I hope to be an expert in my field. At Michigan Engineering, I will be educated by the best of the best. Professors that have been exposed to their fields in every aspect; allowing them to provide the best guidance to students. Instead of just presenting facts and figures in a courtroom, I will be able to understand and explain them.

13. Why Michigan: "Economics and Political Science"

In my junior year microeconomics class, my teacher extensively explored the ways in which people from different socioeconomic classes were affected by our economic system. I was frustrated by the ways our country forces those living in poverty to spend the little money they have on taxable goods. I began to empathize with them. How can people pull themselves out of poverty if their government seems to be working against them? More than anything, I was frustrated that I felt powerless to help them in any way.

Those lessons inspired and motivated me. I had always looked at economics as nothing more than an analysis of business models and resource allocation. I began to see it as a way to fix fundamental problems in our society, from examining the effects of healthcare expansion on crime and poverty rates to studying how shifts in our political climate affect how our country’s financial process will change. I now see economics as a way to help those in need in my country and throughout the world.

I volunteered after school for Representative Dingell and had the opportunity to attend numerous events hosted by the Ford School. Again and again, I was impressed by the extent of the Ford School’s student involvement in critical issues. Through my work with the Congresswoman, I was able to gain a greater understanding of how different groups of people were affected by shifts in political and economic priorities. My goal is to become a civil rights attorney or study economics as a way to promote sustainable growth in developing nations.

I want to begin my studies at the University of Michigan in LSA to gain a foundation in economics and political science-related courses. After my first year, I hope to gain admission to the Ford School. The connections that LSA and Ford have to Poverty Solutions solidified by interest in the University of Michigan. If I attended these schools as an undergraduate student, I would be able to assist with research on the causes and ramifications of poverty. Professor Michael Barr’s research on policy initiatives and our financial system is fascinating from the perspective of a prospective economics major. At the University of Michigan, I would be able to join teams of renowned researchers working toward the betterment of our society and our world.

The range of schools working in connection with Poverty Solutions is evidence of the University’s devotion to civic engagement. I would be able to participate in groundbreaking research regarding issues I am interested in; I would have the ability to study poverty and ways to stunt or alleviate its effects in other countries. As someone hoping to pursue a career in public service, it is truly incredible to have the opportunity to join a research community specifically geared toward solving problems I am passionate about solving.

I want to join the University of Michigan’s legacy of innovators. I want to be part of the LSA community, studying economics and political science. I want to attend the Ford School and understand how policy in America and abroad has an effect on global poverty. I want to be involved with the Poverty Solutions Initiative, conducting groundbreaking research on the ways we can reform our financial system to better serve the lower and middle classes.

14. Why Michigan: "Michigan Faculty"

Riding the elevator to the seventh floor of Haven Hall, my heart was practically leaping out of my chest. I was meeting with Dr. Jenna Bednar of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Department of Political Science, and as I recalled her credentials- B.A. in Political Science from Michigan, M.A. and PhD in Political Science from Stanford- I felt increasingly out of place. As a junior in high school with limited political experience, I am grateful that she agreed to take time out of her day to meet with me and answer my numerous questions about LSA, Michigan, and political theory.

Upon entering her office, my eyes were drawn to bookshelves full of political literature, from the classics like De Tocqueville and Locke (which I read in a summer college program in 2017), to her own recently published work, The Robust Federation. Encouraged by her broad smile and having just completed an official campus tour, I launched into my questions. Dr. Bednar described the connections she and her students have made at Michigan, through LSA and in general.

This revealed to me that the faculty would take a personal interest in my academic career. We discussed the average class size in LSA and the Department of Political Science, her academic background, and how to survive Michigan winters. Dr. Bednar then brought my attention to the benefits that LSA Political Science gives its students.

For example, as head of the Michigan in Washington program, Dr. Bednar's passion for both political science and education was evident as she introduced me to one of Michigan's most influential academic programs. Although I hail from two miles outside the D.C. border, I aspire to participate in the Michigan in Washington program, to build on my internship of the past year with my delegate to the Maryland General Assembly.

Under his guidance, I conducted nationwide policy research, attended civic association meetings and development forums, and traveled to our state capitol to watch the legislative process unfold. Consequently, an internship at the federal level is my logical next step toward building the foundations of a political career.

Dr. Bednar, upon hearing about my internship with my delegate, suggested that I think about the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. I believe that this research program offers a unique means of building my understanding of political science. I am eager to apply to the UROP program in hopes of furthering my research skills within the complex political landscape of today. Furthermore, the variety of courses that I can explore as a political science major is remarkable: from "Sports, Politics, and Society", to "Nations and Nationalism," the scope of topics will keep me engaged.

When I sat down with Dr. Bednar, I expected a five-minute chat; I received forty-five minutes of helpful advice, political theorizing, and well wishes. Leaving her office, I felt energized and ready to dive into LSA Political Science right there. Her demeanor helped to build my confidence to boldly seek connections in my search for knowledge. I saw the Michigan difference firsthand, from various undergraduate opportunities for political science, to a universal love for the school from students and faculty alike.

15. Why Michigan: "Interdisciplinary Learning"

My favorite class in high school was also my hardest. It was World Culture/World Literature, an hour and a half each day of seeing history, art, and literature not as separate entities but as intricately connected, one incomplete without the other. I learned to see humanism in Greek sculpture, religious propaganda in the chiaroscuro of Baroque paintings, disillusionment in modern art. Although seemingly unrelated to my STEM-leaning interests, the analytical skills I learned there would prove invaluable in neuroscience research. Connecting electroencephalography results to mechanisms for chronic pain relief wasn’t all too different from drawing links between historical movements and paintings; both required an intimate knowledge of background information and a willingness to take risks, to see new relationships and forge unprecedented connections.

LSA embodies precisely this mentality, fostering interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving. With classes like “Health, Biology, and Society: What is Cancer?”, bridging humanistic and biological approaches to disease, and graduation requirements ranging from Natural Sciences to Race and Ethnicity, LSA prepares students for the real world, where problems necessitate not just single-minded expertise but also a diverse understanding of other factors involved. My internship experience only confirmed the practicality of this perspective; we used mindfulness meditation alongside spinal cord stimulation technologies to treat chronic pain.

This mindset is not confined to learning inside the classroom. The LSA Opportunity Hub is robust, connecting students to internships at Nike, Forbes, and the US Department of Education, among other places. To intern as a research assistant at Mayo Clinic, to use mathematical models to predict brain tumor growth like current Michigan junior Tatum Doyle would be an unequalled opportunity. Her work in incorporating mathematical concepts in medical research personifies the LSA culture, where problems are best solved holistically. LSA’s interdisciplinary approach does not detract from fostering specialization and excellence in specific fields, but adds; its Biochemistry program promotes innovation and independence in its students and is ranked top in the nation.

I remember boiling down cabbage with my dad to make acid/base indicators. In elementary school, my teacher wrote that I had been spending too much time reading animal books and too little time playing with other kids. I loved (and still love) all things living, often marvelling at the complexity of the animal kingdom, the human body, the organs, and the cells that were the foundation for everything else. The first time I read about the process of translation, of rendering mRNA into proteins, my eyes filled with tears; this is what I wanted to do, to apply the chemistry that had defined my childhood to my love of biology.

LSA shares that passion, dedicating a plethora of resources, both intellectual and material, to its Biochemistry department. With equipment like atomic absorption spectrophotometers, classes in Endocrinology, and distinguished professors, the University of Michigan has everything any biochemistry undergraduate student would need, and much more. To research under a PI like Dr. Kopelman, winner of the J. William Fulbright Research Award, would be a dream fulfilled. His work in employing 5-dimensional chemical imaging to visualize and treat tumors does what LSA does best; it uses an interdisciplinary approach to make academic discoveries both relevant and essential in the real world. It is a culture I would be honored to take part in, should I be accepted.

16. Why Michigan: "Michigan Opportunities"

Sweat drips down my face onto homework in front of me.

I just got home from a soccer game; I’m not stressed. This is until I realize I still have a plethora of edits to make on my lab report as well as emails to write for an upcoming NHS event. AND I have three tests the next day.

Although stressful, I enjoy every minute of juggling a variety of academics and extracurriculars. I appreciate all the opportunities my high school offers to me and I take advantage of as many as I can handle. Thanks to my involved years of high school, I have received a great education as well as many experiences I would never trade away.

Entering my senior year and researching universities I may want to attend, there is one question which continuously presents itself. What do I want to major in when I get to college? It is a scary question and I have never known the answer. Despite participating in many extracurriculars such as National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Math Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America, I still have no idea what I want to do with my life.

As a student at LSA, I would be able to use the abundance of resources to explore possibilities for life after college. Since I am one of the many college applicants who has not decided upon a major, a large, liberal arts college like LSA is the perfect place for me to discover more about myself, pursue interests, and find my purpose. I have considered medicine, business, economics, and law. The two courses I have enjoyed the most are biomedical sciences and US History. I am truly all over the map!

With so much variety at LSA, I would be able to change majors or take a diverse group of classes so that I could find what I want to study. LSA is unique from its University of Michigan counterparts because it offers a broader range of departments, majors, and courses. The flexibility at LSA would help me discover what I want my life to be like while supporting me through my journey.

Additionally, LSA provides students with multiple opportunities not found anywhere else at University of Michigan. One program that caught my eye was Michigan Learning Communities. This program appeals to me because having the resources of this large university, yet finding a niche in the community to challenge myself and others, can help me grow as a student and a person. Similarly, the Opportunity Hub at LSA jumped out at me as I researched the University and toured the school. I would take full advantage of the great connections the Opportunity Hub provides, as it could help me find an internship or job offer when the perfect time comes. MLCs, the Opportunity Hub, and the many other programs which LSA offers are the main reasons why LSA would be the best college fit for me.

I was initially drawn to the University of Michigan by the beautiful campus, great athletics programs, unmatched prestige, and massive alumni network. However, as I dove deeper, I discovered LSA, a school that can help me realize my purpose and passions while providing a focused learning environment to lead me to a bright future.

17. Why Michigan: "School of Kinesiology"

Throughout my college search, I had yet to come across the perfect undergraduate school for my interests. The safe pick was always the standard “College of Arts and Sciences” or its equivalent, with the most varied options for me to craft my experience. Something was different about Michigan. I didn’t need to craft my own academic experience at another university when the perfect one was already designed here: The School of Kinesiology’s Movement Science program.

In my house, we never eat scrambled eggs. We eat denatured albumin and yolk proteins served with a sprinkling of sodium chloride; cooking was chemistry, not just a chore. From a young age, my parents have cultivated a sense of curiosity in me. So when I injured my left wrist in the summer before freshman year, it was so much more than just an injury. I researched more into my growth plate dislocation and radial fracture. I got to see the details of the procedure, the recovery process, and the gradual reversion of my X-rays to a normal wrist image. This fascinating journey got me through an otherwise disappointing summer: no basketball and no french horn.

While the seeds were planted during my injury, they didn’t start blooming until I spent a week shadowing Dr. Kesavan Ramanujan in the Royal United Hospital, Bath, England. I realized that the field of orthopedics was a field where I could visually identify a problem, come up with a solution, implement the solution through operation, and help someone progress to full recovery. The gratification on the doctor’s faces when their recovered patients came back to visit them was infectious. While this trip was my first time staying abroad without my family, the biggest takeaway for me was that I had found a career I was truly interested in.

My volunteer work at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Physiotherapy Clinic has only strengthened this notion. While my work as a volunteer may be the more routine tasks: making schedules, doing paperwork, cleaning the beds and the gym, setting up hot packs, cold packs, and stimulation pads, I have learned so much about the subtle details of patient interaction through what I absorb from the physical therapists. Even if a PT is having a bad day, they have taught me how important it is to have a smile on your face for the next patient coming through the doors. They have also taught me how much of an intersection there is between teaching and medicine/therapy.

These experiences draw me to the School of Kinesiology, and specifically the Movement Science program. The opportunity to actively engage with skeletomuscular system studies as opposed to solely classroom learning appeals to me, as do the extensive research opportunities. The specialized IONM Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Program-- the only accredited IONM program in the world-- would give me the chance to engage in an exciting, interdisciplinary curriculum that cannot be found anywhere else.

From scrambled eggs to broken bones; from British adventures to lessons learned in the RWJ clinic. Discovering my passion for orthopedics and movement science has already been an exhilarating ride; yet, these have all been just the beginning steps of my journey. I cannot think of a better place to continue than the University of Michigan.

18. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Summer in the City"

Prompt: If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why? (150 words max)

I would chose to continue my involvement with Summer in the City, a nonprofit that empowers young citizens to revitalize Detroit through beautification and youth engagement, because I believe heavily in the power and potential of two things: Detroit and young people.

At SITC, I can see the difference I’m making through the murals I paint and the kids I play with. With each brush stroke, I am moving the city one step in a positive direction. And with each high five from my “buddy” at the camp, I feel like I am part of the grassroots, youth-driven movement the city needs.

19. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Riding Horses"

For as long as I can remember, riding horses has played an integral part of my day to day life. It has taught me more than I could learn anywhere else and truly morphed my character forever. Riding has become a key part of my identity. Spending 30+ hours a week at the barn in addition to nearly 20 weekends of the year at horse shows, it has shown me the impact that long term effort has on success. This time commitment has also allowed me to make close friends that I hope to stay connected with for the rest of my lifetime. Riding has ultimately become more than a sport to me, but rather part of my life: a part of my life that I will treasure for as long as I am alive.

20. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Restorative Justice"

With my aspirations to pursue a career in law, I would continue with youth court. Restorative justice is a concept that repairs damages and restores harmony. Instead of merely correcting illegal actions, an offender is integrated back into the community as a productive member of society. As a member, this is the greatest sense of satisfaction. Allowing someone the chance to change truly displays why I have remained devoted to the program for years.

At the University of Michigan, I would continue my restorative justice journey by involving myself in the Office of Student Conflict Resolution. I understand people have faults, which lead to disputes. With my vast experience with a variety of cases, I can assist others in making amends. Therefore, I am hopeful that I would be selected as a Student Resolution Panelist to be further educated on methods and approaches using restorative justice.

21. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Nanny"

Working as a nanny has taught me much more than any club or organization could. Growing up with a single mom, I wasn’t always the primary focus: I had to learn how to take care of myself and carve my own path. Now, being a nanny enables me to be a role model and guide for kids whose parents might not have the time or ability to do so. And as the child of a working parent, I’m also aware of the constant stress parents are under.

Not only does being a nanny teach me how to handle the responsibilities of caring for a child, it also allows me to reminisce on my childhood. Whether I’m helping David with his Spanish homework, teaching Edward how to say hi, or finding Leprechaun footprints with William, I can feel the unique impact I’m making on their lives, an impact which is irreplaceable.

22. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "DECA"

Throughout middle school and my freshman year of high school, I was a mouse. I was terrified of making a spectacle of myself. The first time I walked into a DECA meeting -- one of only five girls in a group of 50, and the only freshman -- I nearly turned around and left.

Since that day, I have earned three medals and been named a state finalist. That mousey freshman would never believe I could receive statewide recognition for a competition that required me to communicate my ideas to strangers. Walking into my first meeting was a huge step outside my comfort zone. Since then, my experiences in competitions have given me a breakthrough in self-confidence, and for that I am especially grateful. Not only has DECA enhanced my high school career, but it has helped me learn to take pride in myself and my ideas.

23. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Speech and Debate"

Since September of sophomore year, I have been attempting to persuade everyone and everything, from walls, to friends, to rearview mirrors, to agree with me. Through competitive topics in Speech & Debate, I'm learning how today’s issues affect American teens. From analyzing drug culture and its impact on youth, to assessing politics' role plays in dating, I'm granted the opportunity to broaden my perspective.

In the process, I'm meeting some of the most intelligent and fascinating students at tournaments. The Speech community is a creative outlet where I'm comfortable having my ideas challenged and challenging others. I plan to join the Michigan Debate team, and help coach high school Speech teams in Ann Arbor (my coaches are college students), because I believe that every teenager should be encouraged to critically explore current events, while getting comfortable speaking to inanimate objects, judges, and competitors in the process.

24. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "EMT"

I love being an EMT. I love the urgency of working in an ambulance, the way my heart quickens and my mind focuses when providing emergency patient care. But most of all, I love helping individuals in my community in a way most other people can’t. As EMT's, we’re endowed with the opportunity to intervene at the most critical points in a person's life, to provide calm and stability in life-or-death situations.

These are moments cemented in their memories, ones that define their conception of hardship and struggle. Every call I run presents a chance to make a permanent difference, from a classmate’s suicide attempt to a stranger’s car accident. By being there and providing compassion within chaos, I cherish the opportunity to positively influence each of my patient's lives. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

25. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Soccer Lessons"

The activity which I am most passionate about and plan to continue is soccer. Soccer has taught me multiple skills applicable to all aspects of life. These include leadership, teamwork, and work ethic. As captain of the soccer team, I have taken away various lessons I can apply in life. For instance, I have improved not only giving constructive criticism, but also receiving it- something which I am still working toward. Similarly, I have learned to be a better teammate, as soccer is reliant on playing together. Most significantly, soccer has brought me a desire to work hard, as being great requires so much more than pure talent. The impact of soccer on my life has created a new challenge for my future. I would like to continue playing because I want to take what I have learned and expand on it, and ultimately teach these lessons to others.

26. Michigan Extracurricular Activity: "Playing Horn"

It started from scratch, in 4th grade band Just me, my horn, and a small music stand Not knowing where, one day, this horn would take me Not knowing it would all be so grand.

I practiced for years, my range did expand I kept working and listening to teacher’s commands I’d keep on improving, as long as I practiced Whenever I got some time on my hands.

Failures have been tough to fully withstand. Each judge’s musical taste is hard to understand. But under the bright lights of Juilliard and Lincoln Center My journey could not have been better planned.

Looking back to where I began I couldn’t have imagined where I would land Only one activity? I’d keep playing my horn You have to play it to truly understand.

What Can You Learn From These Michigan Essays?

If you want to get into the University of Michigan in 2022, you'll need to write great supplemental essays.

Here are 26 Michigan essays that worked for the 2022 supplemental prompts so you can improve your essays.

If you enjoyed reading these Michigan essays, check out essays for other top public universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley

Are you applying to Michigan? What did you think of these U of M essays?

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University of Michigan’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Community short response.

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.

Why This Major Short Response

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?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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September 11, 2023

2023-2024 University of Michigan Supplemental Essays Prompts

The University of Michigan has published its 2023-2024 admissions essays for applicants to the Class of 2028. And unlike many highly selective schools, the highly-ranked public university has not changed this year’s essay prompts in the wake of the United States Supreme Court ruling outlawing Affirmative Action. So, what are this year’s essay prompts, and how should applicants approach them? Let’s dive in!

2023-2024 UMichigan Essay Topics and Questions

Applicants to the University of Michigan are required to respond to both supplemental essays. For the first essay, the response should be a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 300 words. For the second essay, the response should be a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 550 words. Of course, regular readers of Ivy Coach’s college admissions blog know that applicants should use all the real estate students given to tell their stories by going to the maximum word count in all essays !

The two prompts are as follows:

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. 

When the Supreme Court outlawed Affirmative Action , Chief Justice John Roberts penned a loophole in the majority opinion. In that opinion, he wrote, “Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.” As such, through essays, schools could continue considering race within the context of its impact on applicants’ lives.

This loophole led many schools to adopt supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle asking about an applicant’s community, background, or experience. While worded differently, these prompts generally offer applicants the chance to write about the impact of their race (or faith, the town where they come from, etc.). But this prompt has long been a staple of the University of Michigan supplement. As such, Michigan didn’t need to change it one bit.

And remember, students need not be underrepresented minorities to answer this question powerfully. A community can mean many different things to many different students. It could be a community of mathematicians! The question is intentionally open-ended.

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?

This essay prompt is a straight-up-the-middle Why College essay prompt , and it too has long been a staple of the Michigan application. Michigan wants to know that an applicant loves them and that they love them for the right reasons. Why? Because so many students who apply to Ivy League schools or Ivy League peer institutions also apply by November 1st to Michigan. And why? Because students are allowed to apply to any public school no matter their Early Decision/Early Action choice. So Michigan — fairly we might add — wants to know they’re not being used as a backup.

Thus, how can applicants make Michigan’s admissions committee believe the school is their first choice? That’s  easy ! By demonstrating they’ve done their homework on the school. The essay should be filled with specifics that only apply to Michigan on how a student will contribute their singular hook — rather than well-roundedness — to Michigan’s vibrant community.

Just about every sentence of the essay should be tailored to Michigan. If a sentence can apply to another university, it should be deleted. And, no, name-dropping professors or listing classes do not count as genuine specifics. Michigan’s admissions officers weren’t born yesterday. If a student approaches the Why Michigan essay like a game of Mad Libs in which they replace a specific from one school for a Michigan specific, they’ll see right through it.

Instead, students must capture the genuine, enduring specifics of the school — the programs, institutes, culture, traditions, activities, and so much more!

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with the University of Michigan Essays

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University of Michigan Health and Sparrow Hospital to outline affordable housing plan

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - University of Michigan Health and Sparrow Hospital have outlined plans to create more affordable housing in Mid-Michigan.

The health system is launching an initiative to revamp the neighborhoods along the Michigan Avenue corridor in Lansing.

Sparrow officials announced that the hospital, Ingham County Land Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and neighborhood leaders joined forces for this project.

The University of Michigan Health Sparrow will announce additional details about the initiative on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

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Teacher faces termination after calling in sick for 2 days to attend a concert in Nashville, district says

Michigan State men’s basketball center enters the transfer portal

Michigan DNR: Hunter kills gray wolf in Calhoun County

Lansing Police: Missing, endangered person found safe

Lansing police arrest teen suspect in Waverly Road stabbing

Latest news.

WEATHER EXTRA: Sunshine set to return

Drug-related deaths declined in 2023, according to University of Michigan Health-Sparrow report

Mackinac Bridge Authority to hold meeting on safety and integrity

One man injured in late-night house fire in Potterville

Tigers gear up for home opener in Detroit in revamped Comerica Park

Travis Scott And Cactus Jack Partner With Texas A&M On Exclusive Apparel Collection

Texas A&M University and Cactus Jack, the official brand of multi-platinum, diamond-certified recording artist and style icon Travis Scott, have teamed up with digital sports platform Fanatics, leading sports retailer Lids and Mitchell & Ness to announce a first-of-its-kind, collegiate-inspired apparel collection .

The “Jack Goes Back to College” collection features a product range across 28 collegiate universities, bringing together collegiate pride and streetwear style, offering a unique selection of headwear and apparel for students across the nation.

Starting on April 4, the limited-edition apparel collection will be available for purchase via shop.travisscott.com , select Lids locations and campus bookstores operated by Barnes & Noble College at the participating universities, as well as Fanatics.com.

MSC Barnes & Noble Launch Event

Texas A&M is one of just 12 universities across the nation hosting a launch event for exclusive Texas A&M Cactus Jack apparel. Fans can begin lining up outside the South door of the MSC Barnes & Noble (facing Kyle Field) beginning at 7 a.m. on April 4. Enjoy music and free food (while supplies last).

Once inside, patrons will be able to choose from a diverse assortment including:  

• Headwear: Mitchell & Ness snapback hats reimagined with a Cactus Jack twist and university branding.
• Clothing: T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies, shorts, sweatpants and backpacks, providing a complete head-to-toe look.

The “Jack Goes Back to College” collection offers a range of accessible price points, catering to students and fans alike. Retail prices start at $68 and go up to $160.

In addition to Texas A&M, the Jack Goes Back to College collection is available for: Boston University Clemson University Florida State University Grambling State University Louisiana State University Michigan State University Mississippi State University North Carolina A&T State University Northeastern University Penn State University Southern University Tulane University University of Alabama University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of Central Florida University of Florida University of Georgia University of Houston University of Kentucky University of Miami University of Michigan University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Southern California University of Texas University of Wisconsin

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Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2024/04/lack-of-access-to-drivers-licenses-for-some-immigrants-hurts-michigans-economy-advocates-say/)

Business & Economy

Lack of access to driver’s licenses for some immigrants hurts michigan’s economy, advocates say, by capital news service | 1 hour ago.

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Michigan Immigrant Rights Center,

By OWEN MCCARTHY Capital News Service

LANSING – The potential spending power of undocumented immigrants in the state is over $2 billion, according to an estimate by Simon Marshall-Shah, a senior policy analyst at the Michigan League for Public Policy.

However, he says much of that spending power is limited due to the inaccessibility of driver’s licenses for them.

“You’re excluding tens of thousands of people from being able to pay more tax dollars or from participating more in their local economy by driving to spend more money at a new business,” Marshall-Shah said.

About 91,000 people live in the state without authorization, making up around 1.2% of the population, according to the nonpartisan research firm Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. 

A 2019 report from the league estimated that there would be an additional $100 million in revenue for the state in the first 10 years after passing legislation expanding access to licenses for undocumented immigrants. 

That revenue would come from new vehicle purchases, sales and gas taxes and license fees, Marshall-Shah said.

A 2008 state law requires people to provide documentation showing “legal presence” in the country to obtain a license. 

Since then, legislative proposals to provide undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses have come and gone. 

Most recently, the DRIVE SAFE package — which would remove the “legal presence” requirement for a license — was introduced in April 2023.

Law enforcement officials criticize the proposal on the grounds of public safety.

The change would allow anyone who “meets the definition of having a residence in the state” to obtain a license or state ID card, according to a press release from House Democrats. 

The bills are pending in the House Committee on Regulatory Reform and the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sponsors include Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, and Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor. 

Nineteen states allow undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses, including Minnesota, California, Virginia, Utah and New York as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to the National Immigration Law Center based in Los Angeles.

The current push for expanded access to licenses comes as the country heads toward a presidential election where Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has made immigration a central campaign issue. He has criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the Southern border and has described immigrants as criminals.

Susan Reed, the director and attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center — an advocacy group with offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti and Detroit that provides legal services — said her organization supports the DRIVE SAFE legislation. 

“Our clients need access to driver’s licenses and to transportation to take care of their families, to get to their jobs, to get to school and, really, to have freedom, dignity and safety,” she said.

Undocumented immigrants are often vulnerable to vehicle damage or physical injury while driving without financial protection because the lack of a license renders them ineligible for auto insurance, Reed said. 

“To have folks who are not able to get their license, who may not be able to purchase a registered vehicle in their own name but who have long residencies and very established lives here, needlessly leaves people out of the formal system of licensing and insurance,” she said. 

Another benefit of expanding access, Reed said, is that it would make it easier for more immigrants who have established residence in the country to prove their immigration status.

“People are generally able to prove their identity with their foreign passport, but proving immigration status and having it verified is something that can be slow,” she said. 

Delays in the process can also impair immigrants’ ability to be hired, Reed said.

“Not only would this legislation benefit people who don’t have immigration status, it would benefit a lot of people who do have immigration status but struggle with the process of proving it.”

Bob Stevenson, the executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said his Okemos-based organization opposes the legislation. 

He said that opposition is unrelated to “the debate of whether or not people that are here illegally should have a driver’s license or not.” Instead, he said, “we are opposed to it because of the risk that it poses to public safety in general” if bad actors can obtain licenses.

He said DRIVE SAFE legislation would undo the REAL ID Act, a federal law passed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that more strictly defined the documentation needed to prove one’s identity and obtain a icense or state ID.

All of the terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks had used fraudulently obtained driver’s licenses or state IDs to board commercial flights, according to a 2004 report from the 9/11 Commission. 

“One of (the commission’s) absolute recommendations, which they came out with, says that states need to crack down on what they’re doing for driver’s licenses,” Stevenson said. 

Stevenson said the pending legislation doesn’t provide a clearly enough defined “standard of proof” that applicants need to obtain a license and would let people use false or duplicated documentation to obtain a license. 

“We have zero confidence that the Secretary of State has the ability to vet this paperwork,” he said. “It takes the federal government, sometimes years, before somebody gets their final paperwork to stay inside the country, and we’re going to put this burden on the Secretary of State?”

The Secretary of State’s Office did not respond to requests for comment on its identity verification process. 

Stevenson said collecting fingerprints should be a “baseline” requirement for obtaining a license as police officers are sometimes unable to identify people wanted for crimes in states with lax laws for obtaining licenses or state IDs.

“We don’t even have any way to fingerprint them to determine that they’re not already wanted in this country for crimes,” he said. 

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Why several Oregon State coaches, players followed Jonathan Smith to Michigan State

A rebuild is never easy, but Michigan State got a jumpstart to theirs after so many of Jonathan Smith's key guys followed him to East Lansing...

• Author: Matthew Lounsberry

In this story:

A rebuild is never easy in college football, but new Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith got a head start with his rebuild of the Spartans thanks to the loyalty of several assistant coaches and players he had at Oregon State.

In total, six assistant coaches — Brian Lindgren (OC/QBs), Keith Bhonapha (RBs), Jim Michalczik (OL), Brian Wozniak (TEs), Blue Adams (Secondary), Legi Suiaunoa (DL) — and three transfer players (quarterback Aiden Chiles, tight end Jack Velling, offensive lineman Tanner Miller) made the trek from Corvallis, Ore. to East Lansing, Mich.

Here's what a few of those individuals had to say about Jonathan Smith and why they came to Michigan State:

Quarterback Aidan Chiles

"It was a very easy decision for me. It was my coach. I committed to Oregon State as a program at first, and then throughout the entire freshman year I had conversations with Coach Smith the whole time, and we just got closer. He's my coach, so that's why I followed him here. ... He treats everybody the same. Everybody's a player, but everybody's also a person. We're not just players to him, and that's what I like the most. I can talk to him about anything."

Tight End Jack Velling

"It was a big decision, and I talked about it a lot with my family, with loved ones and eventually decided that it was the right decision for me. A little bit of getting used to snow in March, but other than that, it's been great settling in...He's a winner, he's a program-changer, he knows what it takes to win. He's a great guy. The more I get to know him, the better he gets. He cares about his players, his staff. And, me and him, we created a great bond at Oregon State and I wanted to continue it."

Offensive Lineman Tanner Miller

"Growing up on the West Coast, I always wanted to play in the Pac-12, but with everything that transpired — unfortunate, but that's business and that's life. After the season, I sat down with my family and I had an opportunity, and I had a platform for myself to go to a bigger spot. So, I decided to enter my name in the portal and once they hit me up I was like, 'I'm gonna take a trip out there', and it's kind of a no-brainer because I know the culture, I know the system. We're going to hit the ground running, and these guys took a chance on me when no one else did, so I believe in these guys wholeheartedly."

Offensive Line Coach Jim Michalczik

"I think Jonathan does a great job. He's a great coach to work for. He lets us coach, but he's also there to help us. He'll come and say something, and it's usually right on. I think the man he is, the program he runs — for me, it's a no-brainer.

"The chance to come here is pretty cool for me. My mom's an alumni, so I grew up hearing about the Spartans. Even though I was a West Coast kid, spent my whole life on the West Coast, she was always talking about the Spartans and the Big Ten. So, that part of it kind of made it a bonus to me...The people here — it's a neat culture. The people in Michigan are awesome, friendly, so connected to the university, so connected to the program. It's really fun to be a part of it."

Secondary Coach Blue Adams

"When you look at what Coach Smith brings to the table, he's always going to preach a place of substance, getting the best out of young men, helping guys to grow in a day-in, day-out basis as people, as men and then as ball players. Why not? When you look at what he stands for and what he was able to do at the last spot that we were at, it was only fitting that I follow in his footsteps."

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spartan Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation  WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE , and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well  WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE .

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Free speech or disruption? University of Michigan drafts protest policy

• Updated: Mar. 28, 2024, 8:11 a.m. |
• Published: Mar. 28, 2024, 7:42 a.m.

Demonstrators gather to protest UM President Santa Ono’s “Statement regarding Mideast violence” outside the University of Michigan President’s House in Ann Arbor on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

• Samuel Dodge | [email protected]

ANN ARBOR, MI - The University of Michigan has drafted a new policy limiting forms of “disruptive” protest in the wake of an incident where pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a ceremony for honors students.

The university seeks feedback from the Ann Arbor campus on a policy, found here , that addresses “disruptive activity that either impairs the university’s ability to engage in university operations or prevents others from participating in them.”

Read more University of Michigan stories:

• From Taylor Swift to mental health: Ypsilanti fifth graders explore big ideas in art mentorship program
• University of Michigan will not rush disruptive protest policy, Santa Ono says
• Man holds knife to person’s throat in Target near University of Michigan
• Former house of WWII hero may be demolished for University of Michigan dorm
• See what the future University of Michigan center in Detroit will look like

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Every new mom in this U.S. city is now getting cash aid for a year

Jennifer Ludden

Alana Turner, 28, is one of the first pregnant people participating in the Rx Kids cash aid program in Flint, Mich. It's piloted by Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who helped uncover the city's lead water crisis a decade ago. Sylvia Jarrus for NPR hide caption

Alana Turner, 28, is one of the first pregnant people participating in the Rx Kids cash aid program in Flint, Mich. It's piloted by Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who helped uncover the city's lead water crisis a decade ago.

Flint, Mich., has one of the country's highest rates of child poverty — something that got a lot of attention during the city's lead water crisis a decade ago. And a pediatrician who helped expose that lead problem has now launched a first-of-its-kind move to tackle poverty: giving every new mother $7,500 in cash aid over a year.

On a recent day at her clinic, pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha is helping get out the word about the new program, which started in January.

"Oh, hi baby!" she coos, as she pops into a checkup for 2-day-old Rowan. His mother, Hailey Toporek, is 19 and realized she was pregnant only 10 days before delivery. "I'm very nervous," she tells Hanna-Attisha.

Places across the U.S. are testing no-strings cash as part of the social safety net

Toporek is still living at home and is here with her mom. They're both amazed to learn Toporek will get $500 a month for the next year. She knows right where it will go first.

"Diapers. Formula. Just to take care of him, honestly," Toporek says. "It's been difficult for me, but I got my mom here to help."

Her mom, Heather Toporek, works at an assisted living facility for disabled adults and had to take off work because her daughter doesn't have a driver's license. She says the extra cash will make it easier to do that for the many doctor's appointments to come.

"Somebody's got to be there, and if that means it's me then, you know, that's a whole day's pay that I'm going without," Heather Toporek says.

Beyond helping with costs, she says this unexpected money will be life-changing. While it may not seem like much to some, Heather Toporek says, it could allow her daughter to finish high school and pursue her dream of studying forensics.

A baby's first year is crucial for development. It's also a time of peak poverty

Flint's new cash transfer program, Rx Kids , starts during pregnancy. The first payment is $1,500 to encourage prenatal care. After delivery, mothers will get $500 a month over the baby's first year.

"What happens in that first year of life can really portend your entire life course trajectory. Your brain literally doubles in size in the first 12 months," says Hanna-Attisha, who's also a public health professor at Michigan State University.

A baby's birth is also a peak time for poverty. Being pregnant can force women to cut back hours or even lose a job. Then comes the double whammy cost of child care.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha holds newborn baby Rowan, who was in for a wellness checkup with his 19-year-old mom, Hailey Toporek, and her mother, Heather Toporek, at the Hurley Children's Clinic in Flint. Sylvia Jarrus for NPR hide caption

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha holds newborn baby Rowan, who was in for a wellness checkup with his 19-year-old mom, Hailey Toporek, and her mother, Heather Toporek, at the Hurley Children's Clinic in Flint.

Research has found that stress from childhood poverty can harm a person's physical and mental health, brain development and performance in school. Infants and toddlers are more likely than older children to be put into foster care, for reasons that advocates say conflate neglect with poverty.

In Flint, where the child poverty rate is more than 50%, Hanna-Attisha says new moms are in a bind. "We just had a baby miss their 4-day-old appointment because mom had to go back to work at four days," she says.

The expanded child tax credit briefly slashed child poverty. Here's what else it did

When her first child was born two years ago, a different mom, Tateyanna Taylor, didn't miss a single day working third shift at a Taco Bell. She's now 24 and had a second child in January, during an especially rough time financially.

Taylor says one day last fall while she was pregnant, she was at her factory job steaming seat covers for cars to get the wrinkles out. The room was hot. "I was going a little faster than I should have been going and I was basically working myself up sweating," she says. "Next thing I know, I was getting myself up off the floor."

She says she wasn't exactly fired, but it was made clear she could no longer do that specific job.

In January, a few weeks after her son was born, Taylor started working at a different plant for $16 an hour. She catches a 5 a.m. bus downtown for the commute to her 7 a.m. shift. She lives with her mother, who watches both children.

When Taylor found out she'd be getting extra monthly payments for a year, she and her mother were $300 behind on rent. She says the money is a "blessing," though not exactly transformative. "I mean, $500 only goes so many ways," she says. "So it's really just only the bills."

The pandemic added to evidence about the benefits of child cash transfers

Among richer nations, the U.S. is an outlier in not offering more generous child cash benefits.

Planet Money

Why america has been so stingy in fighting child poverty.

"This is something that has been tried over and over and over again, in country after country," says Luke Shaefer, a poverty expert at the University of Michigan and co-director of Flint's cash aid program. In fact, Hanna-Attisha was delighted to learn recently that when she was born in the U.K., her mother got cash payments. "And my mom just shrugged her shoulders and said, 'Of course we did.' Everybody got money. That was normal."

Studies have found such payments reduce financial hardship and food insecurity and improve mental and physical health for both mothers and children.

The U.S. got a short-lived taste of that in 2021. Congress temporarily expanded the child tax credit, boosting payments and also sending them to the poorest families who had been excluded because they didn't make enough to qualify for the credit. Research found that families mostly spent the money on basic needs . The bigger tax credit improved families' finances and briefly cut the country's child poverty rate nearly in half.

"We saw food hardship dropped to the lowest level ever," Shaefer says. "And we saw credit scores actually go to the highest that they'd ever been in at the end of 2021."

To tackle poverty, more states will offer bigger child tax credits in 2024

Critics worried that the expanded credit would lead people to work less, but there was little evidence of that. Some said they used the extra money for child care so they could go to work.

As cash assistance in Flint ramps up, Shaefer will be tracking not just its impact on financial well-being, but how it affects the roughly 1,200 babies born in the city each year.

Luke Shaefer, a poverty expert at the University of Michigan, and Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who uncovered the city's lead water crisis, launched the Rx Kids cash aid program this year. Sylvia Jarrus for NPR hide caption

Luke Shaefer, a poverty expert at the University of Michigan, and Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who uncovered the city's lead water crisis, launched the Rx Kids cash aid program this year.

"We're going to see if expectant moms route into prenatal care earlier," he says. "Are they able to go more? And then we'll be able to look at birth outcomes," including birth weight and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.

Since the pandemic, dozens of cash aid pilots have popped up across the nation. But unlike them, Rx Kids is not limited to lower-income households. It's universal, which means every new mom will get the same amount of money. "You pit people against each other when you draw that line in the sand and say, 'You don't need this, and you do,' " Shaefer says. It can also stigmatize families who get the aid, he says, as happened with traditional welfare.

Shaefer and Hanna-Attisha hope that including everyone will create a broader sense of community and civic engagement, and they plan to measure that, too. Their research will track birth rates, whether fewer people move out of Flint, gun violence, voter participation, and faith in government — which took a major hit during the lead water crisis.

So far, there's more than $43 million to keep the program going for three years. Funders include foundations, health insurance companies and the state of Michigan, which allocated a small part of its federal cash aid, known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

TANF, as it's called, is intended for the poorest Americans, but it's been dramatically cut back and diverted to other uses over the years. Hanna-Attisha says using TANF for new moms is something other states could copy. And she's heard from several places around the country interested in creating their own programs. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget proposal also included money to expand the model in Flint to several other cities.

Money can buy more time for bonding with a baby

Alana Turner can't believe her luck with Flint's new cash benefits. "I was just shocked because of the timing of it all," she says.

Turner is due soon with her second child, a girl. She lives with her aunt and her 4-year-old son, Ace. After he was born, her car broke down and she was seriously cash-strapped, negotiating over bill payments. This time, she hopes she won't have to choose between basic needs.

"Like, I shouldn't have to think about choosing between are the lights going to be on or am I going to make sure the car brakes are good," she says.

Alana Turner, 28, one of the first expectant moms in the Rx Kids program, looks through drawers of her son's old baby clothing at her home in Flint, Mich. Sylvia Jarrus for NPR hide caption

Alana Turner, 28, one of the first expectant moms in the Rx Kids program, looks through drawers of her son's old baby clothing at her home in Flint, Mich.

Turner's boyfriend is a truck driver and lives in his own place. She works full time in property management, plus 10 to 12 hours a week for a call center. Her aunt's house is paid off, so they share only the cost of utilities and food. Her son also gets about $80 a month in food assistance. And yet, by mid-month, she's often at the local food pantry, where the line can stretch five blocks.

"My goal that I have in my head, to set aside money every week for the baby, I definitely haven't met that goal," she says.

But since she'll be getting an unexpected $7,500 over the next year, Turner has a new goal. With her first child, she was back on the job in less than six weeks. Now, she hopes she'll be able to slow down and spend more time with her daughter.

"I don't want to sacrifice the time with my newborn like I had to for my son, if I don't have to," she says.

Juwan Howard fired by Michigan basketball after 5 seasons

Juwan Howard will not return as head coach of the Michigan basketball program for the 2024-25 season.

U-M AD Warde Manuel parted with Howard on Friday after five seasons.

"After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men's basketball coach," Manuel said in a statement released Friday. "Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program. Despite his love of his alma mater and the positive experience that our student-athletes had under his leadership, it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction.

"I am thankful for Juwan's dedication, passion and commitment to U-M and for all that he, and his legacy, will continue to mean to Michigan."

The Wolverines (8-24, 3-17 Big Ten) just finished a season with the most losses in the 107-season history of the program and have missed back-to-back NCAA tournaments for the first time since 1999-2008.

SHAWN WINDSOR: Why it was time for Michigan basketball to move on from Juwan Howard

Michigan was 87-73 under Howard overall, but went just 26-40 the past two seasons. Howard will be paid a $3 million buyout since the firing happened prior to June 30, per his contract , which had two years remaining.

Back in January, Manuel said he wasn't yet ready make a judgement on Howard's job status. And there were mitigating factors for this season, particularly Howard's heart surgery in September.

“I think (patience) is the key with all of our programs,” Manuel said in January. “Juwan is working with the staff, with the team to win, but let’s not discount what personally Juwan has been through. That is also a concern and focus of mine that he is OK and that he’s getting through this.”

Surgery or not, the trend had, without question, been in the wrong direction. Michigan went 1-10 in the regular season after those comments and finished with the second worst Big Ten defense in the past decade.

Of course, that's a far cry from how the tenure began.

Michigan was poised to make the NCAA tournament in 2020 before the season was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. The next season, Howard and U-M returned to familiar heights when they won the Big Ten regular-season title and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The former Fab Five star was named 2021 Associated Press Coach of the Year. U-M reached the Elite Eight before suffering a 51-49 loss to UCLA.

But that season proved to be an outlier: In the following three seasons, Michigan went 45-55, with more losses each successive campaign.

NAMES TO KNOW: Michigan basketball head coach candidates: 5 names to replace Juwan Howard

Michigan opened the 2021-22 season ranked sixth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, reaching as high as fourth before a months-long stumble. The Wolverines were 6-3 in early December, then went 11-11 the rest of the way.

Michigan earned an 11-seed in the NCAA tournament, then pulled off consecutive upset wins over 6-seed Colorado State and 3-seed Tennessee to bring the program to a record fifth consecutive Sweet 16, where it lost to Villanova.

The impressive tournament run salvaged the season, but the overall slide continued.

Last season, U-M opened the season 7-3, then went 10-12 over its final 22 games and missed the NCAA tournament for just the second time since 2010. That was a low point for the program — until this season.

Michigan was 6-5 in mid-December, but then dropped 18 of its next 20 games and finished in last place in the Big Ten for the first time since 1966-67. Before this season, U-M hadn't lost five straight games in more than a decade. It happened three different times this year.

Even beyond losses on the court, Michigan's program under Howard had its issues. In 2021, Howard had to be physically restrained on the court during the second half of a Big Ten tournament game after he charged at Maryland coach Mark Turgeon and was subsequently ejected.

The following season, he smacked Wisconsin assistant staffer Joe Krabbenhoft in the face during a skirmish in the postgame handshake line; he was suspended the final five regular-season games , fined $40,000 and put on a "zero tolerance" policy.

This past December — before he was officially reinstated as acting head coach from when he stepped away from heart surgery — Howard and longtime strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson got into an altercation.

It followed a back-and-forth where Sanderson had told a frustrated senior forward Jace Howard, Juwan's son, to stop berating a trainer, which led to the elder Howard coming toward and yelling at Sanderson, who stood his ground and yelled back, per The Athletic.

Sanderson filed an HR complaint and was moved elsewhere in the athletic department before he resigned earlier this month.

A person with knowledge of the situation told the Free Press the policy was not violated because there was "nothing that warranted" any further punishment once HR did its own investigation and deemed nothing was physical in nature.

Point guard and leading scorer Dug McDaniel still managed to be suspended for six away games due to academic progress issues, which played no small part in torpedoing the season.

U-M's most recent Big Ten tournament loss brought its disastrous season to a fitting end.

Now that the No. 1 question has been answered about the future, here are a few more.

Which players return? Might McDaniel stay in Ann Arbor or look to transfer somewhere closer to his roots in the Washington/Maryland/Virginia area? Tray Jackson, Jaelin Llewellyn, Olivier Nkamhoua — three transfers who arrived during Howard's tenure — are all out of eligibility.

Terrance Williams II and Nimari Burnett both went through senior day ceremonies last weekend; although Williams has one year of eligibility remaining and Burnett has two, neither implied their returns were imminent.

That apparently leaves Jace Howard, , Youssef Khayat, Tarris Reed Jr., Will Tschetter and George Washington III as the lone scholarship players a new coach would be looking to keep. Michigan also has two incoming recruits, Michigan's Mr. Basketball Durral Brooks , from Grand Rapids, and Christian Anderson, from Georgia via Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, but neither are consensus top 100 prospects.

And they are now afforded a free release from their national letters of intent with a coaching change.

The third incoming player could be Khani Rooths, a fringe five-star power forward from IMG Academy in Florida who is verbally committed, but yet to sign.

Contact Tony Garcia:  [email protected] . Follow him at  @realtonygarcia .

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How to Write the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Essays 2017-2018

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a top-ranked public university with a long history of excellence in sports, the arts, and academics. Founded in 1817 with the motto, “Arts, Knowledge, Truth,” the university now has one of the largest alumni networks in the world. No matter which of Michigan’s 19 schools or colleges they attended, alumni are always willing to help out fellow alum because of their adoration for their shared and beloved alma mater.

Year after year, the university receives a record number of applicants, and last year they accepted around 42.4% of their in-state applicants and 24.5% of their out-of-state applicants. The school is currently home to 28,312 proud undergraduate Michigan Wolverines. Michigan’s location in Ann Arbor provides its students with access to one of the continuously best-regarded college towns. It is not only a fun and attractive place to live, but it is also home to many work opportunities and an entrepreneurial spirit.

With a campus spanning 3,211 acres, more than 250-degree programs, and more than 900 student organizations, Michigan is home to endless opportunities. Students looking for a large school with a diverse student body and a lot of school spirit find exactly that and more at the University of Michigan.

The University of Michigan accepts the Common App. Learn how to write the Common Application essays for 2017-2018 .

Want to learn what University of Michigan will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take?  Here’s what every student considering University of Michigan needs to know.

Read on to learn how to write the University of Michigan supplemental essays.

University of Michigan Application Essay Prompts

Part a. main “why michigan” essay, 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 (500 words).

This prompt represents a common category of supplement prompts that ask you why you want to study a specific program at a specific school. The main purpose of these “Why Us?” essays is to show the school why you are interested and why you are a good fit.

This is done in two parts: 1. why you want to study what you have indicated and 2. why you want to study it here at this specific school. Make sure to do some research so you can provide more than generic examples like “I want to go to a big school“ or “I like sports” that could apply to many other schools. To learn more about “Why Us?” type essays, read our essay guide, “ How to Write the “Why Us?” College Essay .”

When you start to write this essay, you first want to develop why you wish to study what you have indicated on your application. An anecdote is often the most effective means of accomplishing this. You could recount how your time in physical therapy, love for your biology class, and long history of playing sports fueled your passion to learn more about the human body and how it moves. This perfectly lines up with the field of Kinesiology.

Next, you need to demonstrate why Michigan is the perfect place to study what you have selected. Continuing with the Kinesiology example, you could talk about its excellent reputation and some specific classes you really look forward to taking.

With preferred admission applications, it is important to discuss your future goals as well as past experiences that make you sure you will want to be a part of this program. For example, if you apply for the Pharmacy program, you will want to discuss why you are interested in pharmacy and detail the moments in your life that have led you to this decision. Perhaps you have always had a passion for chemistry and helping others, and hearing from your friend’s mom about her career in pharmacy was consistently one of your favorite parts of your weekly hangouts.

With dual-degree programs, the key is not only discussing why you want to pursue a degree in each of them, but why you think the combination is especially important for you.

For example, if you are applying to the dual-degree Ross School of Business and College of Engineering program, you could discuss your dream of beginning your own tech startup and needing both the technical engineering knowledge and business savvy. You could write about how you first came up with your idea and when/how you realized Michigan’s dual-degree program would be the perfect place to bring it to life.

Part B. Community Essay

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. (approximately 250 words).

The main purpose of this question is to get at what the applicant believes to be central to their perception of self. Michigan wants to know something special about you and your background and how that will contribute to their diverse campus. No two people have the same exact story, and this is your opportunity to show how yours is different.

Often, when students read the list of possible communities in this prompt, they immediately know which of their many communities they will write about.

Others have a hard time identifying a community in their life that has shaped them. For those of you who feel that way, the most helpful path to discovering this impactful community is to write out a list of the communities you belong to or have belonged to at some point in your life. It could include your hometown, grade school, in-school club, church group or something that will require more explanation like the car you drive or your favorite food.

For those who are truly stumped, the latter approach can be a good way to spin something that most people would not see as a community into one.

Let’s take the “favorite food” community for example. You could write an essay about being part of the community that believes waffles are superior to pancakes. You could talk about how your grandma always made you her famous waffles and taught you a life lesson that changed your perspective while mixing the ingredients. This essay would discuss how you became a part of this community and why it is important to you in a very creative way. Almost anything is possible with this prompt.

No matter what approach you choose, make sure to develop your place within the community with an anecdote or deep personal reflection. Don’t forget to showcase your voice as a writer and keep this prompt personal! The communities we are a part of impact us all in very different ways. There is no right answer.

Part C. Activity Essay

If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the activities section of your common application, which one would you keep doing why (approximately 100 words).

The most important part of writing this essay is deciding which of your activities you will write about. Note that the prompt does not ask which of your activities takes up most of your time or which you have engaged in the longest. It asks which one you would keep doing if you could only choose one. For this reason, you should write about the activity to which you feel the greatest personal connection.

Ask yourself: “If I had to choose one descriptive word to describe me, what would I want it to be?”

Then, “Which of my activities showcases that?”

Use this essay to tell Michigan about one of the most important aspects of who you are.

An important thing to keep in mind is that the prompt only calls for approximately 100 words. You need to be short and sweet in your response. Do not spend too much time discussing the specifics of what the activity is. If the activity is widely known (e.g., Model UN, Speech and Debate) you may jump right into your personal involvement and connection. If the activity is not well known by outsiders, you may want to spend a short sentence discussing the activity before transitioning to its significance.

Because of the personal nature of this prompt, it is nearly impossible to list exemplary activities. If five different people participated in the same five activities, they could very well all have different responses to this prompt. The one thing that should not differ in their responses is the development, or the level of detail of the “why.”

If you were to write an essay about being on the varsity soccer team, you would want to talk about the leadership skills you gained as captain, how you learned to be a team player, and other formative experiences. You could talk about technical aspects of the game if they have a personal meaning for you or if they contain a metaphor for your life. Maybe you discuss how being a goalie helps you think differently because you need to anticipate the next move and developing these skills helps you on and off the field.

No matter what, always go one step further in your analysis.

You can read more about how to answer this type of question in our guide on How to Write “Most Important Extracurricular” Essays .

General Reminders

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is looking to fill out a diverse class of incoming students. They ask the questions they do because they want to understand what makes you stand out from the pack. They want to know what you will bring to campus that will make you a key member of the community. Show them what you’ve got!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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The Juwan Howard interview: Regrets, lost trust and the end of his Michigan coaching career

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Juwan Howard entered a South State Street restaurant through the backdoor last week, slipping in to meet at a secluded second-floor table. The 51-year-old has had a lot of attention on him this year, over the last five seasons as Michigan head men’s basketball coach, and for most of his life as a 19-year NBA veteran , Michigan alum and McDonald’s All-American.

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On March 15, Howard was fired after an 8-24 season that included a 3-17 mark in the Big Ten Conference. The ending, a meeting with athletic director Warde Manuel, was as abrupt as his beginning, a tear-filled May 2019 news conference welcoming a Fab Five icon back to campus, was ceremonious.

Howard, in his first one-on-one interview in at least two years, wanted to put his version of events on various issues and incidents of his tenure on the record as he moves on from Michigan. That’s what will be presented here.

The surgery

Early in the conversation, Howard lifted his shirt to reveal the incision running down the middle of his chest from beneath his collarbone to the bottom of his sternum.

In June 2023, Howard traveled to Los Angeles to accompany his son Jett and former Wolverine Kobe Bufkin for pre-NBA Draft workouts. He got winded on a hotel treadmill but attributed it to asthma. After returning to Michigan, it happened again. This time he was dizzy.

At Schembechler Hall, he met with U-M athletic doctors, who suggested he see a cardiologist. A CT scan revealed blood clots. He was put on blood thinners and scheduled for an MRI.

Howard told his wife, Jenine, that it was no big deal. He tried to believe that, too, but the day after his MRI, Howard learned that blood clots were found in his lungs and an unruptured aneurysm was discovered in his aorta. The blood clots, he says, were saving his life.

Howard was placed on medications and waited 14 weeks for the surgery, thinking every day that the aneurysm might burst.

“I was scared,” Howard says. “But I never admitted that. I didn’t show it in front of my wife or my family, and I never showed it in front of my staff.”

A Sept. 15 surgery resected an aortic aneurysm and repaired Howard’s aortic valve. That day, the school announced the successful surgery. Howard had told his players only one day earlier, a decision he now regrets.

“I didn’t want to scare the players in a way where they might not want to finish out their years here and enter the transfer portal, or where the players I was recruiting might not want to come,” he says. “To go through and explain if I’m going to be here or not, if I’m going to be coaching. I ultimately decided to keep it close to the vest.”

From the Borscht Belt to voice of the Final Four, Ian Eagle's next act

The decision to coach in 2023-24

The procedure lasted nine hours. Doctors set his recovery time at 6-12 weeks. He spent 15 days in the hospital post-op.

Howard told assistant coach Howard Eisley, a lifelong friend, that he would return in two weeks. He saw doctors’ recommendations as races to win, not timelines to live by. And he suffered for it.

“I thought I was a Marvel hero, but this was real life stuff I was dealing with, and I was extremely naive,” he says. “I was impatient with the process.”

Howard wasn’t fully recovered when he returned to the Michigan bench for a November trip to the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, he says. Multiple complications emerged throughout the season. He rarely slept through the night. Doctors advised him to step away and undergo another surgery to address an atrial flutter that sapped his energy and caused severe discomfort. He was scheduled to undergo a 7 a.m. procedure following a Jan. 23 road game at Purdue, but heavy snow grounded Michigan’s return flight. Howard’s surgery was canceled and he declined to reschedule it in-season, against doctors’ recommendations and to Jenine’s displeasure.

The surgery is scheduled for April 19.

Doctors never advised Howard to take off the entire 2023-24 season, but implored him not to come back early. He did precisely that.

“You can allow your competitiveness and take control over, you know, what you know in your heart,” Howard says. “If I could go back and do it all over again, I would’ve taken time off to really get help. I should’ve listened more to the doctors and my wife. There were days that I wouldn’t get any sleep and could barely get out of bed, but I’d go in there and try to act like I was fine.”

The decision to coach in 2023-24, Howard says, was “an obligation to his players and staff.” Three players had committed to Michigan out of the transfer portal the prior spring.

The decision not to step aside midseason when his condition clearly wasn’t improving, he says, was “alpha male stuff.”

“That’s where that badge of honor comes in from,” Howard says, adding that he doesn’t regret finishing out the season once he decided to return. “Was that probably the right approach you take looking back on it? No, but if I had to do it again, I would do it again.”

The Jon Sanderson incident

On Dec. 7, three days before a game at Iowa, Howard had a confrontation with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson. The incident changed the contours of the 2023-24 season. While Sanderson’s version of events was reported via leaked internal documents, Howard has not previously spoken publicly about the incident.

While standing on the opposite side of the floor before a Thursday afternoon practice, Howard heard his son Jace Howard yelling at an athletic trainer. Howard says he shouted: “Yo, look, Jace, stop.”

“I’m his father, right?” he says. “He knew that look and knew that voice, right? So he stopped immediately.”

According to Howard, Sanderson got involved, adding: “Jace, you don’t talk to a superior like that!”

“Which is true,” Howard says. “I agree. But then he kept going. Jon said, ‘Jace, that’s bullsh–!’ You don’t talk to a superior that way, this is the sh— I’m talking about.’”

Howard says he called off Sanderson, telling him he was handling it.

Here, according to Howard, Sanderson yelled that he’d recently endured “the same bullsh–” from another player.

Howard says he responded: “Yo, Jon, chill the f— out. I told you I got it.”

Howard says he had no intentions of escalating the tension.

“I’m like three weeks into returning to the facility and have an incision on my chest,” Howard says. “Also, I’m not stupid. After the Wisconsin situation, I said I would never, ever, ever put myself in a situation like that again, where I put my hands on anyone, where it results in any type of physical friction, and second, that I would never put our players in an unsafe environment, and the last part, to never embarrass the entire university and my family. So am I gonna try to fight (Sanderson)? (He’s) 6-8 and strong as sh–.”

Howard says he cursed at Sanderson, using “a bad choice of words,” and told him to “get the f— out of my gym.”

Howard says Sanderson “tried to come at me and fight,” but assistant coaches Saddi Washington and Eisley held him back. “I was like, whoa, this is serious.

“So then, I say, ‘Forget it, guys, let him go, we’re about to start practice.’ So we go to the other court in the practice facility, circle up like we always do, and went over the practice plan.”

Howard says he called Manuel that night. Sanderson sent his version of events to university human resources, and Manuel advised Howard to do the same.

“Then I come to find out Jon’s email to HR got leaked,” Howard says. “Juwan’s email to HR did not get leaked.”

Howard says that, after Sanderson missed practices that Friday and Saturday, he sent a text message to Sanderson.

Pulling out his phone, Howard shared the text.

Unfortunately we haven’t seen you in two days. Hopefully we can meet when you return!

Sanderson did not reply.

On Dec. 15, following a human resources review, the university cleared Howard of any wrongdoing. He returned to full-time head coaching capacities the following day for a home game against Eastern Michigan .

Sanderson left the men’s basketball program, shifting to work with some of the school’s Olympic sports teams. He resigned on March 1, reaching a settlement agreement with the university that included a non-disclosure clause.

The Wisconsin situation

Following a 77-63 loss in February 2022 at Kohl Center, Howard exchanged words with Wisconsin coach Greg Gard in the postgame handshake line. In an ensuing skirmish, Howard struck Badgers assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the head.

“I will always regret how that situation happened, and I will always take full blame for it, because (I) can automatically say, ‘Oh, that wasn’t me,'” he says. “But, yes, it was. I could’ve controlled that and handled that situation better. That’s what I’ll always bang my head about. I had the opportunity to apologize publicly, but I also did so privately to the coaches at Wisconsin. We talked. And we moved on and got past the situation. But I can’t sit here and ask people to forget that that ever happened. I take full ownership of it.”

People did not forget. What happened at Wisconsin followed some heated 2020-21 exchanges between Howard and Maryland coach Mark Turgeon, including a restrained Howard yelling to Turgeon, “I’ll f—ing kill you,” during a Big Ten tournament game.

Howard feels he’ll likely never shake the stigma of what happened that day and thinks about it often.

“I should’ve shook (Gard’s) hand and kept going,” he says.

Asked why he struck Krabbenhoft, Howard says: “I just felt threatened. Someone’s approaching you, they’re saying some words at you, I felt a threat. But look, that’s all it was — just words. He didn’t put his hands on me, I shouldn’t have put my hands on him.”

Howard says he regrets that day’s postgame news conference, when he spoke of what happened casually. He says it wasn’t until a silent bus ride to the airport that afternoon when the gravity set in.

“I remember thinking, like, what did you do, man?” Howard says.

Howard says he told Manuel that day: “If you want to fire me or suspend me, you have every right. I apologize.”

Howard was told by Manuel to enter an anger management program during a five-game suspension. Howard agreed and met with a counselor. “After two sessions, she told me, ‘You don’t need anger management,'” he says. “Seriously. I wouldn’t bullsh— you.”

Howard says he is not a violent person, but understands why perceptions around him changed severely after Wisconsin.

“It hurt me in a lot of ways,” he says. “I know that’s part of the ‘angry Black man’ perception that’s out there. It left people with a perception that anything I do — whether it’s get a technical, which, a lot of coaches get technicals, or the situation with Jon, where you hear his side of it and his lawyer’s side of it — anything I’m involved in, it’s Juwan who started it.”

The perception problem

Howard says that since he was a college and NBA player he’s strongly and purposefully avoided attention.

“There was a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny, so I kind of created a bubble, where I didn’t let a lot of folks in,” Howard says. “I was super protective. With that, came a lot of criticism. So I lost trust.”

At Michigan, Howard’s public persona was about as limited as any coach in his position.

“Folks really don’t know me at all, whatsoever, and part of that is my fault,” Howard says. “Could I have been more politically correct like some of these other guys at other programs, done a better job of playing that game? Letting the world into my private life? If that would’ve saved my job, then yeah, I should’ve.”

Yet Howard also feels “people put a shield up on me that I didn’t ask for,” one that existed even internally at Michigan, creating communication problems within the program, problems that ultimately emerged in the fallout of the Sanderson incident.

“Whether it was their own insecurities or what,” Howard says. “Because no one ever came to me and said like, ‘Hey, I’m having a hard time communicating with you.’ No one ever said to me that they were under the impression that I didn’t want to work with them. I think there might have been a degree of intimidation, whether it’s my stature, whether it was me coming from the NBA world, whether it was what I did in my NBA career as a player and a coach, that folks felt a little intimidated by it. I never wanted to give that impression. Granted, I’m not the most talkative or outgoing, but I think I’m engaging.”

In the end, Howard says he wishes he’d opened up more. He wishes people knew junior forward Will Tschetter keeps a garden in his backyard, where he and Jenine grow jalapeño, kale, bell peppers, lettuce. He wishes he’d been more open about his feelings on going from one-game shy of the Elite Eight in March 2021 to outcast in March 2022. He wishes he hadn’t been so reticent about his heart surgery. He wishes people knew that, during the interview, former captain Eli Brooks called to check in on him.

He says he wishes he let people get to know him.

The NIL hurdle

Howard first spoke out publicly about Michigan athletics’ approach to Name, Image and Likeness funding in August 2022, saying the school needed to better embrace college athletics’ tide change. He says now the issue remained throughout his tenure.

“I’ll say this — we needed help,” Howard says. “I asked for help when it came to the NIL two years ago. We didn’t get the help. It ruffled some feathers with some folks.”

After losing in the 2023 NIT, Howard says he met with Michigan president Santa Ono, Manuel, six regents and a variety of coaches from the athletic department, including representatives from football. Howard said men’s basketball needed to upgrade its locker room, but also needed NIL help . But help never came.

“We lost one of our best players because he felt he wasn’t being valued when it comes to NIL,” Howard says, alluding to All-American center Hunter Dickinson , now at Kansas.

“I didn’t have the resources to go and build a roster for this past season,” he says. “The guys that committed were guys I had past relationships with.

“We had two more scholarships, but as we were going through the recruiting process with other players, we got all the way to third base, but couldn’t bring them home because they were looking for an NIL commitment and I couldn’t offer it.”

Howard says he landed high-profile transfer commitments from Texas Tech ’s Terrence Shannon Jr. (now at Illinois) and North Carolina’s Caleb Love (Arizona) without NIL guarantees.

While there was NIL money available for players in his program, Howard says the program did not have the support of an aggressive, basketball-focused collective like some other marquee men’s basketball programs. He says he proposed adding a program general manager three years ago but was told “we did not have the funding for a new hire.” In February, before Manuel hired new coach Dusty May, Michigan announced it would team with Altius Sports Partners to hire an on-campus executive general manager for NIL.

As for some perceptions that Howard, himself, wasn’t assertive in raising NIL funds, he rejected the theory and says he embraced fundraising. He added the program is falling far behind in facilities, notably locker rooms, weight rooms, practice spaces, and he attempted to raise funds for renovations.

Howard said he hopes May has more funds available to build a roster.

“He’ll need it.”

On March 15, Howard met with Manuel to present his plan to fix Michigan basketball. He laid out his ideas, mainly stressing the need for more NIL support. Howard says he told Manuel that a few people had approached him looking to help men’s basketball, especially after the football national championship.

After about 45 minutes, Manuel stepped away briefly. When he returned, he told Howard the school was going to move in a different direction.

“I asked him why,” Howard says. “He said, ‘Well, I don’t trust this will work.’”

Howard says his tenure is full of great memories, but lots of what-ifs. Michigan was on the doorstep of the 2021 Final Four. The next year, it was supposed to “build up around a young core” of Caleb Houstan , Moussa Diabate , Bufkin and Frankie Collins as Dickinson anchored things.

Except Houstan and Diabate turned pro after one year, Bufkin turned pro after two years, and Collins transferred. The next year, his son Jett went to the NBA after one season in Ann Arbor.

“We were fortunate to be in a situation to empower and teach and develop, because those were our guys and we were able to put them in position to pursue their goals and dreams,” Howard says. “But, really, it was never the plan to recruit one-and-dones.”

All that outgoing talent, and university admission issues with possible transfers like Love and Shannon Jr. along with what Howard calls “some other bad breaks along the way,” make him wonder, what if?

Howard shrugs and smiles.

“I’m not here today to fight for my legacy,” he says. “What I’ve done, and what this university has done for me, there are no regrets. I’m happy. I’m also grateful, and will be forever grateful.”

Howard attended a Michigan women’s NCAA Tournament game after being fired. He went because one of the first messages he received after surgery was a video from coach Kim Barnes Arico and the women’s team, all wishing him well. It was the first time he cried after the surgery, and he hasn’t forgotten it.

“Listen, I’ll forever be a fan of Kim and her program, so I’m going to go and support them,” Howard says. “I’m not going to hide under a freakin’ rock. No way.”

Howard says he’ll likely be at a men’s game next season to support his former players. His son Jace could still be on the team. He’ll be at graduation in the spring.

As far as work goes, Howard has no immediate plans.

“I’m going to focus on my health,” he says. “I’m still in (rehabilitative) therapy. That’s my main priority. I’m not where I want to be health-wise, but I’m getting there.”

He will, in time, return to coaching, most likely in the NBA.

“This is not the end, and it will not be the end-all, be-all of my coaching career,” he says.

Howard says he has “a ton of respect” for May, the coach now occupying his old office, and wishes him well.

“I’m never going to be bitter about the situation and how it ended,” Howard says. “I respect that people have jobs to do. Sometimes in this profession, you have to make tough decisions. I’m not saying this was a tough decision, it was probably an easy decision. Who knows? But I’m a Michigan man through and through. … I’m just sad I’m leaving a lot sooner than I expected to.”

(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic ; photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)

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Brendan Quinn covers college basketball and golf for The Athletic. He came to The Athletic from MLive Media Group, where he covered Michigan and Michigan State basketball. Prior to that, he covered Tennessee basketball for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Follow Brendan on Twitter @ BFQuinn