2026–27 application cycle
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor supplemental essays
Every writing prompt on the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor application, with word limits. All of it taken from the application itself. 2 prompts.
- Prompt 1Required550 words max
Why this school
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?
How to approach it
This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.
- Prompt 2Required300 words max
How you'll contribute
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.
How to approach it
The challenge is the setup, not the essay. Spend most of the words on what you did and how you changed. Readers are wary of a hard story used as currency. Growth is the currency.
Common questions
What do students ask about these essays?
How many essays does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor require?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lists 2 writing supplements for the 2026–27 cycle, all required. That’s on top of the main personal statement.
How long are the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor supplemental essays?
Word limits across the listed prompts add up to about 850 words. Budget real time for them. Supplements are where admissions sees your real interest in University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Do the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor supplemental essays matter?
Yes, and more so at the hardest schools to get into. Grades and scores put you in the pool. Supplements are one of the few places you control what the reader learns about you. A generic why-us essay is one of the most common mistakes students make.
What Spike does with this
Get help planning University of Michigan-Ann Arbor essays.
Spike helps you tie each prompt to something you’ve actually lived. It helps you outline and revise, and it won’t write the essay for you.
The full counselor launches in November.