UMich Supplemental Essays 2026–27: Prompts & Tips

Every applicant to University of Michigan, Ann Arbor faces two required supplemental essays totalling about 850 words [1]. This guide covers the core prompts that every first-year applicant must answer. The university may ask for additional essays if you are applying to specific programs or dual-degree options.

Essay #2 (Required for all applicants.) Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to… (550 words)

Essay #2 (Required for all applicants.) 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?

What this prompt is really asking: This is your combined "Why Us" and "Why Major" essay. Admissions officers want a direct link between your academic goals and the exact resources within your chosen undergraduate college. The prompt specifically targets the curriculum, requiring you to examine course structures and academic pathways instead of campus life.

A strong approach:

• Name your college: Explicitly state early on whether you are applying to LSA, Engineering, Ross, or another specific school.
• Identify specific resources: Mention specific offerings like the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) or specialized interdisciplinary institutes.
• Highlight the curriculum: Explain how your major's structure supports your goals. Detail how you will use elective spaces or concentrations.
• Name courses and faculty: Cite upper-level classes or professors whose research excites you, connecting their work back to your own goals.

Most common mistakes:

• Broad university focus: Writing about Ann Arbor or sports culture wastes space. The prompt asks about your specific college.
• Listing without connecting: Dropping ten class names reads like a catalog. Choose two or three resources and explain why they matter.
• Ignoring the curriculum: Do not focus entirely on career goals while forgetting to answer how the curriculum itself supports your interests.

Essay #1 (Required for all applicants.) At the University of Michigan, we are focused on developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.… (300 words)

Essay #1 (Required for all applicants.) 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.

What this prompt is really asking: This question focuses on your character and your potential impact. The university wants to understand what drives you to solve problems. The prompt invites you to connect your past leadership and the experiences that shaped you to the kind of citizen you will be on campus.

A strong approach:

• Define leadership on your terms: You do not need a formal title. Describe a time you stepped up or supported your peers.
• Ground your response: Focus on one concrete experience that shows how you challenge the present and enrich the future.
• Connect past to future: Explain how the lessons you learned will translate into how you interact with classmates in Ann Arbor.
• Show tangible impact: Detail the actual results of your actions. Explain what changed because you chose to get involved.

Most common mistakes:

• Ignoring the dual focus: Applicants often write a standard community essay without addressing the specific call to challenge the present.
• Covering too much: With only 300 words, summarizing multiple extracurricular activities will leave your response shallow.
• Missing the service angle: Focusing heavily on your own awards rather than how you served others misses the "citizens" aspect completely.