Dubbed “the Harvard of the West,” The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor (UMich) has built a reputation as one of the most academically competitive institutions in the Midwest. With an acceptance rate of 18.2%, it’s no surprise that over 83,000 students vied for admission in 2025. As the #1 public research university and the #2 public school in the U.S., Michigan offers a highly sought-after education. To distinguish yourself from the sea of applicants for Fall 2026 admission, it’s crucial to showcase why you’re an ideal fit through the University of Michigan supplemental essays.
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What are the University of Michigan Supplemental Essays Prompts?
The University of Michigan requires all applicants to submit two supplemental essays in addition to the required application personal essay. Here are the two prompts:
Prompt #1
At the University of Michigan, we are focused on developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. In your essay, share with us how you are prepared to contribute to these goals. This could include the people, places, experiences, or aspirations that have shaped your journey and future plans (100 word minimum; 300 word maximum).
Prompt #2
Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate college or school (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests (100 word minimum; 550 word maximum)?
Standing out through your Supplemental Essays
The supplemental essay portion of your U-M application is are great place to stand out from the crowd. You can highlight attributes such as involvement in clubs, time spent studying abroad, times you have made a difference in your community or held a leadship role, and if you have alumni ties to the institution.
Being a lifelong University of Michigan football fan won’t suffice when faced with such a staggering number of applications. You’ll be competing against countless exceptional students.
That’s why we’re here to guide you through the prompts for the University of Michigan supplemental essays. We’ll delve into each question, provide insights on crafting your response, and offer valuable tips to help you thrive in this process.
How to write the University of Michigan Supplemental Essay #1
(Required: 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum)
At the University of Michigan, we are focused on developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. In your essay, share with us how you are prepared to contribute to these goals. This could include the people, places, experiences, or aspirations that have shaped your journey and future plans.
The university wants to know how you will embody its mission of developing leaders and citizens who challenge the present and enrich the future. Use this essay to connect your past experiences to the impact you hope to make at Michigan and beyond.
Choose two or three experiences, people, or places that have shaped who you are. These could be academic, extracurricular, service-related, or personal. For example, you might have led a campaign to reduce single-use plastics in your school cafeteria, started a tutoring program that raised middle school math scores, or worked in a nursing home and created an intergenerational storytelling project. Highlight the skills and values you developed, such as collaboration, problem-solving, or empathy.
Then connect these experiences to specific opportunities at Michigan, like the Edward Ginsberg Center, the Michigan Research Community, or student organizations where you can apply your strengths. End with a clear statement about the contributions you plan to make to Michigan’s culture of service, innovation, and leadership.
How to write the University of Michigan Supplemental Essay #2
(Required: 100 word minimum; 550 word maximum)
Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests?
This is the longest of the supplemental essays and perhaps the most important. This is the University of Michigan’s version of the “Why do you want to attend this school” essay.
With approximately 275 majors and 14 undergraduate schools and colleges, the University of Michigan can be a great fit for many types of students. Make sure you’re researching the exact school within UMich that you hope to apply to. You might be interested in the College of Literature. Science and the Arts (LSA) is the largest college on campus in terms of majors and enrollment. Or, you have your eyes on the College of Engineering, which boasts an amazing program with 17 different specializations. There’s also the Ross School of Business, the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, and the School of Art and Design.
Spend time looking through the different colleges and the majors within them. What kind of research opportunities do they provide? Who are some of the faculty? The more specific you can be about what aspects of the program interest you, the better. Regardless of your choice, your answer should focus on the specific resources within the college that you have chosen, your specific interests in the major you are applying for, and how the school will help you reach your future goals. Don’t forget to demonstrate why you are going to be a strong fit for the college of your choice.
Key Dates for University of Michigan Application
UMich offers three different application types which all have different deadlines and decision criteria. Being aware of which type of application you are making is crucial to know when to have your supplemental essays (and the rest of your application) completed.
Early Decision Application
For Fall 2026 Admission, UMich is now allowing prospective students the option to apply for Early Decision (ED). This is intended for prospective students who have decided the UMich is their top choice.
Applicants applying for Early Decision will receive a decision before the end of December 2025. The deadline for Early Decision applications is November 1st 2025. If accepted, a commitment is required in January 2026.
Early Action Application
The early action application deadline is November 1st 2025. Applicants will receive a decision earlier than those submitting a general application. As an Early Action applicant you are given until May 1st 2026 to accept the offer of admission should you recieve one.
Regular Decision Application
The regular decision application deadline is February 1st. Decisions will be made by early April with a commitment date of May 1st. Prospective students have until March 1st to apply for financial aid, however it is recommended to apply mid December.
Additional Tips for Writing the University of Michigan Supplemental Essays
Now that you’ve taken a look at the prompts, here are a few tips to help your brainstorming process:
- If You Get an Early Start, You Can Apply Early Action: If you have time, why not start working on the University of Michigan supplemental essays right now? Unlike Early Decision programs, Early Action does not bind you to the University of Michigan, so you are free to apply to other schools. Applying EA will allow you to receive your admissions decision sooner, which may relieve some application season stress.
- Remember to Connect Your Answers to Yourself: While it’s pretty easy to fill up a page with everything appealing about UMich, remember that the University of Michigan supplemental essays are designed to get to know you. Your answer to the question does not have to be extremely deep or existential if such a theme has no relevance to you. You need to write two essays that will help make you memorable: avoid writing about cliché features that have a hundred other essays and brochures about them.
Crafting strong and compelling responses to the University of Michigan supplemental essays is essential to stand out from the competitive pool of applicants. The key to success lies in connecting your answers to yourself and avoiding clichés, allowing your distinct voice and experiences to shine through in your essays. With careful preparation and thoughtful reflection, you can confidently tackle the University of Michigan supplemental essays and increase your chances of securing a coveted spot at this prestigious institution.
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