Why Michigan Essay

The prompt on the Common App specifically asks what attracts applicants to the undergraduate department/college they selected, but has anyone gotten away with making the essay mostly about why they want to study at UofM as a whole? Is this practice frowned upon by admissions? Thanks

Since many of you have since received your admission decisions, I ask this question again. I’m still curious.

@FireBlock1. It seems students get tripped up on this basic question. I also wouldn’t write an important essay to “get away” with anything. If you don’t take it seriously they won’t either. The essay is important to Michigan.

So… If I walked up to you and asked “why do you want to go to Michigan” what would you tell me?

But one line doesn’t make an essay, correct?

Do you know what the Michigan mission statement is? Look it up. Do you know what the words to the Michigan fight song means? Look it up. Are these qualities that speak to you? Did you actually look up your major on their website? Did you look up or talk with or email a professor or department or class offerings that you liked? That’s called researching the school and a good term to use in an essay.

The idea of any essay is to make you, personal, unique and interesting and throw in some passion for something. Some will tell you to “show your essay” not just tell (look it up).

Again, the essay is about you not about how great Michigan is. They already know that. Can you imagine how many essays read like “I see myself standing in the Diag on central campus” like thousands right? Don’t do that… Lol…

If you state what your thinking about doing many here can get you in the right direction.

@Knowsstuff
I appreciate the reply. I totally agree with what you’re saying. I’ve done a ton of research as to why I want to go to the school itself. The draft of the essay I wrote is probably one of the most passionate pieces I’ve written in years. However, I’m worried because my essay doesn’t answer the question completely.

I wrote mostly about why I want to go to U of M. I have had a very close relationship with the school over my lifetime (I lived right next to campus for over 18 years), which allowed me to write about it in a very unique and interesting way. But the prompt specifically asks why the particular program, not Michigan as a whole. I already wrote why I want to pursue my intended major in my main essay, and I’m at a bust as to what more I can say besides “I said I wanted to do this in essay 1. Michigan has a program where I can do this.” I could pursue my program at a lot of schools, but as I said, it’s Michigan, not the specifics of the program that drives me towards the school. Furthermore, I probably won’t be able to visit the campus in the near future, so meeting professors and sitting in on classes isn’t an option. Again, thanks for the reply. You answered my previous question amazingly as well.

Aren’t you past deadlines? Or you’re working on this well ahead of time?

Highly competitive colleges don’t really want to know, “You have my major.” They like to think applicants are committed to many aspects, have solid reasons, more than the excitement of the U itself. Especially any highly competitive, well respected college, where a lot of kids “just” want to be there… I do think you need to add something about the dept, your interest, and why it matches you and you match it.

Some ‘Love the U’ essays can be charming. But in this case, yes, the question wants to hear about the academic side, as well. You and the four years, not just the prior 18. See what you can do.

My son at Michigan wrote more about the types of people he wanted to be around daily. He went to a very competitive high school with tons of rigor (number 1in our state). He likes to be pushed and around like minded educationally curious students. He also met with 2 professors when touring campus so he could use “after speaking with professor”. That wasn’t the purpose of the visit and gained a lot of information from the 2 of them.

If you can’t visit, I imagine your email still works ;), use it. Professors, Departments etc still use email. But ask questions that are genuine to you and the program you are asking about. If you can find the answer easily on the website then don’t ask it.

Too many use the essay like "your school /program /department is ranked in the top ten of… Xxx). Why tell them what they already know? Plus it’s kinda superficial if you ask me.

You’ve lived by campus right. Assume you know about Pizza Bob and their hot fudge chocolate chip shakes? (I use this example way o often :D)… Think my son threw this in at some point to add a bit of humor plus they would know he was actually on campus… Lol… Same with the Arb!

Also there is nothing wrong stating you feel comfortable when your on campus. Again it’s about you.

As far as the program your interested in, what makes it special to you and Michigan? Look up classes, discussions, research professors are doing, history of the program. Keep also in mind they are looking at how well you write. Write correctly with proper grammar,etc.

You might have a unique twist on things from what you said. Talk to a teacher, high school counselor and ask them to read it.

I know this might sound strange but you can reach out to your AO and ask this question also. This is also a first touch to them. If you care that much about how correctly your essay should be, you probably care about your learning at Michigan as well.

Also want will you do on campus? Are there clubs, activities etc that speak to you. Colleges want involved students.

When plans were being made as to how to get to the moon, they reverse-engineered the design by figuring out how to get back instead.

Reverse-engineer your thought process. Don’t look forward 4-years, look back from 4-years.

Good luck.
Go Blue!