<p>This is one of Michigan's supplement prompts:</p>
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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.
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<p>What am I supposed to do with this prompt if I'm a generic white American from the middle of nowhere with no religion or culture to speak of? I'm too shy to approach people, so I'm not an especially social person either...I don't really have friends, and I don't usually hang around with people who have the same interests as me. I could discuss my relationships with individuals and how they've changed over time, but I don't know if that would be answering the prompt.</p>
<p>There has to be one interest that defines you. This is a very broad essay topic and shouldn’t require that much thought to figure out what to write. Everyone has something unique that defines them, so search really deep, and you’ll find what to write about,</p>
<p>Sure, but the prompt is asking about communities, not just defining interests. It has to be something that defines me, but it also has to involve other people, and that’s where I’m stuck.</p>
<p>Is it that you’re stuck coming up with a groundbreaking topic or any topic at all? Surely you apart of some sport team or club, which are in fact communities. Don’t be too caught up on coming up with the most unique topic ever, just write and write it well. This is pure assumption, but I find it hard to believe that they would outrageously weigh a 250 word supplement, so don’t sweat it too much. As long as you show them you are good at articulating and expressing yourself, it should be OK.</p>
<p>But just a thought…</p>
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<p>After reading this I’m curious why Michigan. This is just my belief, but I feel like a smaller (perhaps liberal arts) school would be more comforting. The University of Michigan has probably one of the most overwhelming social scenes of all considering its enormity and party reputation. Or is it that you feel more people brings more opportunities to meet people?</p>
<p>Any topic at all, really, though I want to find one that’s reasonably easy for me to write well about.
I’ve been in clubs, but never for more than a year, and I belonged to them in spite of the other members rather than because of them. I haven’t done very many ECs in general, but the ones I did were basically solo activities outside of school. </p>
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<p>LACs lack resources I want, and it doesn’t matter how big or small the social scene is…either way I probably won’t be part of it.</p>
<p>Don’t be so sure. IME, LACs tend to attract many introverts whom you may connect with (and surprise yourself). Lacking resources is an issue, however, but I would still apply to some LACs in addition to Michigan and others just to have those options open. You may also want to look into U Chicago, John Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon and Wash U as well (if you haven’t already) as they seem quite fitting. </p>
<p>As far as the essay goes, I think you may be over thinking it. Even your town is a community that you could write about. Anything you’ve been involved with for a decent amount of time could work. I’m sure you’ve done several things along those lines as long as you don’t over analyze the concept. And like I said, I doubt it will make or break you as long as you can write something articulately! Good luck!!! :D</p>
<p>Are you saying you are truly a loner outlier? Nothing in common with others, no sense you belong to some wide group who either think as you do or share interests, your sort of location, your ideology- and the other suggested bullets? I don’t think so. </p>
<p>I think it’s a general question to see what you identify with and how you find some commonality. At best, you’ll show perspective confidence, balance- and that you know you are one of many like you. In the writing, show the qualities the colleges like and need.</p>
<p>Of course not…in my first post I implied that I’m having trouble with this because I have too much in common with others. I don’t have any cultural or ideological background that differentiates me from others.
I don’t think I’m different from other people, and I would probably fit into a lot of communities if I weren’t shy. The issue is that I’m not actively part of any of these communities.</p>
<p>I don’t think the answer requires that you be active, though that is always a good thing to show.</p>
<p>-So maybe you are part of the large community of kids who… Maybe it’s your shared anticipation, hopes, confidence, but… </p>
<p>They aren’t necessarily looking for some standout thing. It can be how you recognize the commonality, what you convey, the perspective, maturity and balance that come through.</p>
<p>I’m from this middle-of-nowhere Rust Belt town where there aren’t really any jobs or opportunities. A lot of the kids here are in a hurry to grow up and move somewhere else, but at the same time we sort of feel nostalgic about the place where we grew up, and we don’t want to leave our families behind. It sounds odd when I write it out like that, but could I write a community essay about it?</p>
<p>It doesn’t have to be about something that would make you a statistic - like a demographic. It can be about a quality (ideology). ex… I belong to the community of believers… etc. The curious lurkers or life-long learners. Don’t define yourself in black and white terms (no racial pun intended). Rather speak about what makes you human.</p>
<p>maybe you could write your essay about how you belong to a normal run of the mill white neighborhood, and how getting out more in college could change you, just a thought</p>
<p>Yes. Now you are looking at what shapes you and the people around your community. This is not ‘just like everyone else’. Just think if you are discussing it with someone who does not come from that. I wouldn’t have a clue. I grew up in suburban Los Angeles. My daughter grew up in urban San Francisco. We wouldn’t know about this life, so what you just said was interesting to me. It is not ordinary to me.</p>
<p>Don’t get stubborn, don’t over-assume either. Others don’t know what goes on in your head.</p>
<p>If you wanted to take a different approach on this, discuss the feeling of having too much in common with your peers and your quest for diversity of thought. You could talk about how this has led you to explore interests on the Internet and communicate with others that have the same interests as you in various forums (many people don’t realize it, but if you frequent an environmental interest/action website, you could consider yourself a part of that interest group)</p>
<p>what about a sort of “community” of introverts? i’m sure you could put a creative spin on that in some way! Think outside the box I saw a ted talk on the importance of introverts, try watching that and maybe it’ll inspire you!</p>
I saw a ted talk on the importance of introverts, try watching that and maybe it’ll inspire you!</p>