Michigan also changed essay prompts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Googled for essays but didn't see this.

Op, where did you see this?

Not the OP, but it's right on Michigan's website:

https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/application-changes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Googled for essays but didn't see this.

Op, where did you see this?

Not the OP, but it's right on Michigan's website:

https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/application-changes

Oops, skimmed and didn't see the leadership part of the firs q.

[Anonymous]

It’s a smart idea with the current administration. In my field of work, mentioning “diversity” (and not to even begin with the word “equity”) right now would not be good if you wanted to keep your funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Leadership” is often associated with diversity efforts too. The Posse Scholarship, for example, is a leadership scholarship.

There's no reason why you can't be a leader and have that emerge from your community background.

I think this is a logical change.

First, Michigan does want student leaders. And second, people will use the existence of words like community to witch hunt DEI. When I toured in 2024, an AO said that a lot of people write about their religious background. These days with all the crazy accusations and the administration's policy issues related to antisemitism, maybe they don't need accusations emerging out of how that material was reviewed. The AO also said that some of the best community essays were personal and humorous. Like being part of a community of "milkshake drinkers". So gimmicks were a bit of a welcome relief. But probably most of us could agree that student leadership capabilities are more important than how quirky-funny-memorable your writing is.

Those are interesting corner cases but the purpose of those essays was to give kids an opportunity to say they are URM.

I like leadership essay way better. Leadership is a concept much much broader than certain race. All races could have leadership experience. All races could have a lived experience. Moreover, lead is a verb. You will have to show that you have led, not just simply being part of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Used to be a diversity essay (community).
Now changed to a leadership essay.

Combined with ED opinion, I think they are potentially looking for a different pool.

Your kid still won't get accepted. Sorry.