University of Michigan Supplement Essay #1

College Essays
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Essay #1 (Required for all applicants. Approximately 250 words.)

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.

For this essay, I’m planning to write on my home-school co-op that I take classes with every week during the school year. It’s style of education is very unique (i.e. socratic circles, student led seminars, etc.) and I’ve grown from the experience both in my education and in my personal character–for example, learning how to be both leader and a team member, being sensitive and responsive to others’ opinions, etc. Is this a suitable topic to write on?

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As far as my place in the co-op, I thought that I’d focus on my role as both one who listens to/values other people’s opinions and one who also willingly challenges those opinions/appreciates being challenged on own beliefs, which ties into the main impact that the co-op has had on me.