University of Michigan Supplemental Essay Prompts & Writing Guide 2025-2026

Michigan's mission to develop "leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future" is not a throwaway phrase; it is the actual lens through which admissions readers evaluate your essay. This means you need to demonstrate concrete evidence of leadership, not just say you have it. Focus on a specific moment when you took action, solved a problem, or brought people together in pursuit of something that mattered. Show how you think like a leader by highlighting instances where you listened to others' perspectives, adapted your approach, or turned setbacks into growth. The admissions committee wants to see maturity and self-awareness about what shaped you into someone who acts rather than simply talks about wanting to make a difference.

Be strategic about connecting your past experiences to Michigan's future opportunities. Start by naming one or two people, places, or experiences that genuinely shaped your worldview or sparked your desire to contribute. Perhaps a teacher challenged you to think critically, a community issue opened your eyes, or a family value instilled in you a sense of responsibility. Then, move into showing how you have already embodied that value through concrete actions, whether that is leading a club, organizing a community project, or spearheading change in a smaller setting. Finally, create a bridge to your future by briefly naming what you hope to do at Michigan or beyond; this could include a specific problem you want to tackle, a field you want to explore, or a type of impact you hope to create. The key is making it feel like a natural continuation of your journey, not a sudden aspiration that came from nowhere.

Within your 100 to 300 word limit, avoid generic language about leadership or citizenship. Skip phrases like "I want to make the world a better place" or "I am passionate about helping others." Instead, let specificity do the heavy lifting. If you organized a fundraiser, mention the actual dollar amount raised and the concrete need it addressed. If you mentored a peer, describe the specific obstacle they faced and how you helped them overcome it. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, and authenticity combined with vivid detail will help you stand out. Michigan values intellectual courage and collaboration, so show those qualities through your storytelling by revealing how you balance conviction with openness to others' ideas and how you bring people with different perspectives together to achieve something meaningful.

When writing this essay, remember that you're applying to a specific school or college within Michigan, not the university at large. Each college has its own culture, strengths, and admissions priorities. Whether you're targeting Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, LSA, or another school, you need to research deeply and speak authentically about what draws you to that particular unit. The admissions committee knows the difference between a generic ("I love Michigan") response and one that shows you understand the specific community, resources, and educational philosophy you're entering.

Your essay should accomplish two key things: first, identify the unique qualities of your chosen college that genuinely excite you; second, connect those qualities directly to how the curriculum will support your specific interests and goals. For instance, if you're applying to Ross, you might explore how the action-based learning model (REAL experiences where you invest real capital, advise real organizations, or lead actual business teams) aligns with your desire to apply classroom concepts immediately to real-world problems. If Engineering is your target, you might discuss how the hands-on culture, access to fabrication labs like the Duderstadt Center, and emphasis on both deep technical knowledge and leadership appeals to you. For LSA, highlight the breadth of over 85 majors and 100 minors, the flexibility to explore multiple interests before declaring in year three, and the college's commitment to rigorous, empathetic thinking. Be specific: name actual programs, courses, or learning communities you plan to pursue, and explain why they matter to your development.

Avoid falling into the trap of listing resources without connecting them to your ambitions. Instead, use concrete examples that demonstrate how you'll actively engage. For example, rather than saying ("Michigan has great research opportunities"), you might write about a specific professor's work or department that aligns with your intended major, or describe how you plan to leverage the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) to explore problems that matter to you. If dual degree or preferred admission programs are relevant, weave them in naturally; explain not just that they exist, but why pursuing them would deepen your education and accelerate your path toward your goals. Remember also that Michigan values students who will contribute to the campus community. Consider mentioning student clubs, collaborative environments (like the cohort-based learning at Ross), or how you'll bring your own perspective to the diversity the school cherishes.

Finally, strike a balance between enthusiasm and specificity. The admissions committee wants to see that you've done your homework and that you're genuinely excited, but they also want evidence that you're self-aware about how this particular college's curriculum will support the person you want to become. Show intellectual curiosity, demonstrate fit with the college's values (whether that's innovation and entrepreneurship at Ross, or rigorous inquiry and social impact at LSA or Engineering), and make it clear that you'll thrive in that specific environment because of, not despite, the challenges and structure each college offers.