New Michigan leadership essay

[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.

I think that is precisely what a significant proportion of Michigan undergrads are doing as they sit in their cavernous auditorium classrooms.

[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.

I think that is precisely what a significant proportion of Michigan undergrads are doing as they sit in their cavernous auditorium classrooms.

And you're not there. So your opinions are worthless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think that is precisely what a significant proportion of Michigan undergrads are doing as they sit in their cavernous auditorium classrooms.

And you're not there. So your opinions are worthless.

How do you know I’m not there? Thems some big classrooms: you need to do a more thorough search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think that is precisely what a significant proportion of Michigan undergrads are doing as they sit in their cavernous auditorium classrooms.

And you're not there. So your opinions are worthless.

How do you know I’m not there? Thems some big classrooms: you need to do a more thorough search.

If you were that lazy and vacant, you would be sleeping in and reading the notes later. Duh. That, along with the wording of your original post, makes it clear that you are not an undergrad.

[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?

Pls keep reading my response: the next paragraph after what you bolded already responds to your question: “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.”.

So if your kid is an active member of a community, they can speak to a time where they exhibited leadership. This isn’t going to be a list for titles for anyone, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think that is precisely what a significant proportion of Michigan undergrads are doing as they sit in their cavernous auditorium classrooms.

And you're not there. So your opinions are worthless.

How do you know I’m not there? Thems some big classrooms: you need to do a more thorough search.

If you were that lazy and vacant, you would be sleeping in and reading the notes later. Duh. That, along with the wording of your original post, makes it clear that you are not an undergrad.

You are inadvertently indicting the writing ability of Michigan undergrads. At least a SLAC teaches kids to write!

[Anonymous]

Anyway........

My kid is at UM and reviewed their file. Both round 1 and round 2 reviewers read their essay and had a lot to say about it. The essay is a very important part of the application. Maybe they do have a cutoff at a certain GPA that eliminates some from review, but my kid was definitely not in the on-the-fence area when it came to grades and numbers (above).

There are ways to show leadership without being captain or president. The poster who referenced tutoring maybe didn't realize that tutoring is a form a leadership. Even without a title, leaders can guide and influence others. Find those stories in their regular activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyway........

My kid is at UM and reviewed their file. Both round 1 and round 2 reviewers read their essay and had a lot to say about it. The essay is a very important part of the application. Maybe they do have a cutoff at a certain GPA that eliminates some from review, but my kid was definitely not in the on-the-fence area when it came to grades and numbers (above).

There are ways to show leadership without being captain or president. The poster who referenced tutoring maybe didn't realize that tutoring is a form a leadership. Even without a title, leaders can guide and influence others. Find those stories in their regular activities.

Would you mind sharing any details about what the reviewers seemed to value? TIA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyway........

My kid is at UM and reviewed their file. Both round 1 and round 2 reviewers read their essay and had a lot to say about it. The essay is a very important part of the application. Maybe they do have a cutoff at a certain GPA that eliminates some from review, but my kid was definitely not in the on-the-fence area when it came to grades and numbers (above).

There are ways to show leadership without being captain or president. The poster who referenced tutoring maybe didn't realize that tutoring is a form a leadership. Even without a title, leaders can guide and influence others. Find those stories in their regular activities.

Would you mind sharing any details about what the reviewers seemed to value? TIA

FYI - This was for the 550 word essay. Previously, the leadership essay was a community essay. For the why Michigan essay, it needs to be clear that the student has really thought about what it is about Michigan that makes them want to go there, why they are a good fit and how they will contribute to the Michigan community. It's not just about how Michigan will help them. There should be elements to the essay that show that the student didn't just come up with the idea of studying X and UMich yesterday. Show there has been a lot of thought put into it. For my kid, this was a logical story b/c of years of interest and exploration in a subject where Michigan is one of the top in the country. I think that's why their UMich essay was better than some of their other ones. My kid's passion for their field of study was clear (that was a note) and the program at UMich was a natural progression. My kid is not in LSA, so I will say that this advice might not be as easy to follow if they aren't applying to one of the other colleges. I know this is said elsewhere, but if you can sub another school into the essay, it's not good enough.

[Anonymous]

09:02 continued - And not related to the essay, but I'm pretty sure there was a note about DC's leadership experience. That wasn't the essay topic, but UMich still paid attention.

[Anonymous]

Michigan loves that long 550 word essay. There’s a reason why it is so long. It’s not a coincidence.

They expect you have to have a lot to say if there is an alignment with the ethos that is Michigan. Agree that that Michigan essay generally would not be used anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michigan loves that long 550 word essay. There’s a reason why it is so long. It’s not a coincidence.

They expect you have to have a lot to say if there is an alignment with the ethos that is Michigan. Agree that that Michigan essay generally would not be used anywhere else.

How would you describe the Michigan “ethos”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan loves that long 550 word essay. There’s a reason why it is so long. It’s not a coincidence.

They expect you have to have a lot to say if there is an alignment with the ethos that is Michigan. Agree that that Michigan essay generally would not be used anywhere else.

How would you describe the Michigan “ethos”?

"Leaders and best" - they mean it! So much confidence, volume and energy at that school. My DD calls me every day as she walks to class and she's saying hello to everyone, so excited about her day, what she's learning, the game that weekend, meeting her friend at a new coffee shop on State Street, what her career advisor suggested for next summer, what her sorority is planning next week, etc. There's just a lot of life, a lot of smart, energized people, a lot going on. And a lot of kids of alumnae to keep it going for generations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan loves that long 550 word essay. There’s a reason why it is so long. It’s not a coincidence.

They expect you have to have a lot to say if there is an alignment with the ethos that is Michigan. Agree that that Michigan essay generally would not be used anywhere else.

How would you describe the Michigan “ethos”?

"Leaders and best" - they mean it! So much confidence, volume and energy at that school. My DD calls me every day as she walks to class and she's saying hello to everyone, so excited about her day, what she's learning, the game that weekend, meeting her friend at a new coffee shop on State Street, what her career advisor suggested for next summer, what her sorority is planning next week, etc. There's just a lot of life, a lot of smart, energized people, a lot going on. And a lot of kids of alumnae to keep it going for generations.

Thank you for being so specific! This sounds awesome - and completely consistent with what we picked up on our visit.

That said, I get that the energy at Michigan is A LOT - and not the right fit for every kid. Interestingly, it was the first school we toured, and it completely lit up our DD, who was surprised to love such a big school. The experience ended up changing the entire direction of her college search.

On that note, now that you see how happy your DD is at Michigan, where else do you think she'd have thrived? Wisconsin is already on our DD's list. Any other suggestions?

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan loves that long 550 word essay. There’s a reason why it is so long. It’s not a coincidence.

They expect you have to have a lot to say if there is an alignment with the ethos that is Michigan. Agree that that Michigan essay generally would not be used anywhere else.

How would you describe the Michigan “ethos”?

Leaders and Best.