New Michigan leadership essay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was Brandon reading this site today???
https://www.tiktok.com/@tineocollegeprep/video/7558231147788946718

Probably. He does sometimes

Wait what?
If so, I have a question. Will create a new thread to get his attention!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look down on any institution who talks about leadership. It's entirely meaningless. You can be successful and productive without showing "leadership abilities" at 17 or being a "leader" at work.

I think your child could write a reflection on "what is a leader?" and push back against conventional notions of leadership, which are restrictive and unhelpful. And take examples from their life.

Because in the end, what matters is being noticed and standing out.

This post sounds as though you don’t think it’s important to be a part of and give to a community. It sounds as though all you care about is yourself and your own success.

A lot of colleges would pick up on that kind of an attitude.

You are confusing community service with leadership. They are two different things. This essay is about leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look down on any institution who talks about leadership. It's entirely meaningless. You can be successful and productive without showing "leadership abilities" at 17 or being a "leader" at work.

I think your child could write a reflection on "what is a leader?" and push back against conventional notions of leadership, which are restrictive and unhelpful. And take examples from their life.

Because in the end, what matters is being noticed and standing out.

Except Michigan specifically has a culture around leadership. It has been part of their ethos forever.

So they will be pleased to finally read a fresh take on it, instead of the mistake more kids will make, which is to repeat their laundry list of achievements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was Brandon reading this site today???
https://www.tiktok.com/@tineocollegeprep/video/7558231147788946718

Parents are on tik tok??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

I've seen the job postings. Do you think they pay people to stare into space?

Maybe they aren't reading all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It basically means "what will you contribute to society after getting your degree" and the kid can connect their future goals with their high school achievements/resume. They want to hear about leadership skills along the way. Don't overthink it.

For brainstorming....

"Why do you want to go into major X?"

"What did you do in your high school career that made a difference?"

They have a separate 550 word why major essay.

This is horrible advice. It should not be about your major at all.

PP. OK. What's your take on what should be covered?

What your societal contribution might be doesn't have to only be covered in "Why Major". I think your program of study would be a logical subject to work in. In a short essay, y

They used to have a kind of b.s. community essay which invited you to talk about some aspect of your background. This new essay still invites that. It can still be a personal vignette that complements the "Why Major" essay.

As I recall my kid had complementary material in his "Why Michigan" and another essay. It was not redundant.

Basically just be logical, interesting, provide evidence of leadership, and align to the themes in rest of app. This is really a freebie. I've heard the only thing they're really looking for is "leadership" evidence.

3 people in my family have attended. I guess our essays were sufficient.

Exactly. They just want to make sure you are a mindless lockstep Leftist before they accept you into their open-minded educational institution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It basically means "what will you contribute to society after getting your degree" and the kid can connect their future goals with their high school achievements/resume. They want to hear about leadership skills along the way. Don't overthink it.

For brainstorming....

"Why do you want to go into major X?"

"What did you do in your high school career that made a difference?"

They have a separate 550 word why major essay.

This is horrible advice. It should not be about your major at all.

PP. OK. What's your take on what should be covered?

What your societal contribution might be doesn't have to only be covered in "Why Major". I think your program of study would be a logical subject to work in. In a short essay, y

They used to have a kind of b.s. community essay which invited you to talk about some aspect of your background. This new essay still invites that. It can still be a personal vignette that complements the "Why Major" essay.

As I recall my kid had complementary material in his "Why Michigan" and another essay. It was not redundant.

Basically just be logical, interesting, provide evidence of leadership, and align to the themes in rest of app. This is really a freebie. I've heard the only thing they're really looking for is "leadership" evidence.

3 people in my family have attended. I guess our essays were sufficient.

Exactly. They just want to make sure you are a mindless lockstep Leftist before they accept you into their open-minded educational institution.

PP. Being logical, interesting, and pro-social makes one a lockstep Leftist? So where does that leave the opposite side with their counterpoints?

I've done contrarian shtick in my time. People don't tend to buy it because they know kids who can't point to any examples of leadership are usually lower energy and/or not able to influence peers. They are screening for energy, goal-orientation, and a crude measure of popularity. I think we shouldn't grade high schoolers harshly in those areas but the truth is that a lot of people skills/personality attributes do become visible in high school. I have an "electable" child but myself was not so good in those areas. So I've seen how it works. And...it is possible to be an intellectual leader. Or something that's a little more "solo" in terms of leading.

Part of college admissions feels a bit like a game. But so is getting a high-paying job, with resumes, cover letters, networking, interview rounds, etc. One has to be pretty impressive to get attention by saying that you're not willing to comply with the rules. So good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

I've seen the job postings. Do you think they pay people to stare into space?

Maybe they aren't reading all of them.

Yes, they are. Admitted students can request a review of their admissions files. The essays are read and are important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

I've seen the job postings. Do you think they pay people to stare into space?

Maybe they aren't reading all of them.

Yes, they are. Admitted students can request a review of their admissions files. The essays are read and are important.

Very important at Michigan. My kid got a personalized postcard from the regional admissions officer about the Why MI essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m am hoping this essay signals university priorities. My kid is mid range and Michigan for GPA and test scores (1450 SAT and 4.1 at rigorous school). I have no doubt she can handle the work but I am hoping they are looking for kids who meaningfully contribute to their communities and have held a lot of leadership positions. It is one thing to get great grades and test scores and another to do it while you are juggling the lead in the play, team captain and yearbook editor. I hope they are also looking for kids who want to contribute to society beyond their bubble. That is what I am hoping will come through with this essay.

But I also agree there are a million ways to get at this besides being president or captain. Bottom line, I think they want to see that your kid does more than the bare minimum to get good grades and/or has some interpersonal skills.

And yes, most of you disagree that anything beyond grades, test scores and national awards matter but I am hoping this is a chance to demonstrate they do. Because I think those skills matter for jobs, life etc.

So the kid who gets good grades/ test scores/has rigor and plays on the HS and club team and works out/practices 20 hrs/week but wasn't the captain, the kid who writes for the school paper but isn't the editor, the kid who tutors underserved kids in their community, works a part-time job (no leadership titles), don't deserve to be characterized as leaders even though they juggled multiple outside activities as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m am hoping this essay signals university priorities. My kid is mid range and Michigan for GPA and test scores (1450 SAT and 4.1 at rigorous school). I have no doubt she can handle the work but I am hoping they are looking for kids who meaningfully contribute to their communities and have held a lot of leadership positions. It is one thing to get great grades and test scores and another to do it while you are juggling the lead in the play, team captain and yearbook editor. I hope they are also looking for kids who want to contribute to society beyond their bubble. That is what I am hoping will come through with this essay.

But I also agree there are a million ways to get at this besides being president or captain. Bottom line, I think they want to see that your kid does more than the bare minimum to get good grades and/or has some interpersonal skills.

And yes, most of you disagree that anything beyond grades, test scores and national awards matter but I am hoping this is a chance to demonstrate they do. Because I think those skills matter for jobs, life etc.

So the kid who gets good grades/ test scores/has rigor and plays on the HS and club team and works out/practices 20 hrs/week but wasn't the captain, the kid who writes for the school paper but isn't the editor, the kid who tutors underserved kids in their community, works a part-time job (no leadership titles), don't deserve to be characterized as leaders even though they juggled multiple outside activities as well?

They can talk about leading initiatives.

For example, coming up with an idea for an article series and doing the journalism to carry it out. Or using student journalism to achieve a change in school conditions.

Another example...setting a personal goal of tutoring X children (teaching is a form of leading).

But leading often implies being at the forefront of thought or being at the top of a hierarchy.

Try using "show initiative" instead of "leadership" and see what else you can brainstorm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

It’s over 115,000 now. Such a popular school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

I've seen the job postings. Do you think they pay people to stare into space?

Maybe they aren't reading all of them.

Yes, they are. Admitted students can request a review of their admissions files. The essays are read and are important.

There is no way michigan is reading 90,000 admissions essays.

They probably use bots to cull it down into definitely admits and not even close rejections, then read the 3,000 on the fence kids to decide who gets admitted, waitlisted or deferred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How serious should it be? It talks about future plans? Are they referring to career goals?

Here's the prompt:

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. (Required for all applicants; 100 word minimum; 300 word maximum.)

Michigan gets like 90,000 applications.

They aren't reading the essays. It is mathematically impossible.

I've seen the job postings. Do you think they pay people to stare into space?

Maybe they aren't reading all of them.

Yes, they are. Admitted students can request a review of their admissions files. The essays are read and are important.

No way they are reading all the essays.

Just do the basic math.

100,000 essays means that the school would have to get through reading over 1,200 essays per day.

There is zero chance that Michigan is reading all the essays.