Hi I’m a senior in high school and U-Mich is my high reach school on the list.
I’ve been trying to write the supplemental essay for UM, the Why Michigan and which schools or undergraduate program makes you want to come to Michigan.
I visited the school twice already so I know the surrounding and the buildings and the ambiance very well, but I still don’t know which school or program to highlight in my essay.
I don’t want to write “undecided” because I feel like that will look bad; I’m particularly interested in the Data Science, Informatics major, but I’m also looking into a completely different field - Business, specifically Global Business and Management.
If you could recommend me some programs to look into at Michigan, I’d be really helpful.
Thank you
UMich’s website is remarkably helpful–you should spend a ton of time on it, researching labs, professors, courses, etc. And since Mich is ginormous, it offers programs that no other school can match–literally anything you can think of can be found at Mich. It’s one of the easiest schools for which to write a great Why essay!
First of all, do not make your essay sounds like an advertisement for UMich. Particularly, they don’t care if you think they have the most beautiful campus and Ann Arbor is great, etc. Second, don’t write a generic essay that can be used for other schools simply by changing the school name. Look deeper into their programs, clubs, residential programs, research opportunity, etc. Name the specific ones you are interested with their specific names. It is fine to be undecided in major. Indeed, it is one of the strength of the LSA that they offer many good programs to choose from making it harder to decide.
Billscho has great advice. Whatever aspects of UM appeal most to you (maybe the opportunity to explore a variety of classes? to pursue a certain program?), in your essay you need to tie it back to YOU. What great experiences have you had? In what ways would UM build upon those? How can UM challenge you? Give specific examples and you’ll be in great shape.