How to Write the “Which Department and Why” Essay for Umich

By Barbara Connolly, JD, CEP

Founder, College Choice Counseling

For years, the University of Michigan's (UMich) flagship campus in Ann Arbor has been one of our students' most popular college choices. From its world-class academics to its vibrant campus community, UMich offers countless opportunities for students to pursue their interests while simultaneously challenging themselves. As a result, admission to this top-tier university has become increasingly competitive, making every aspect of the application very important.

While many students begin the application process by drafting their Common App personal statement and activities list, materials that can be used across multiple applications, UMich's supplemental essays provide a valuable opportunity to stand out from the crowd and push you over the finish line of admission. Although you may be able to adapt your response to UMich's shorter leadership essay from a supplement you've written for another school, the university's longer, 550-word "Which Department and Why” Michigan essay requires a thoughtful, specific response.

The term “Which Department and Why” is what we call this prompt at CCC. This is the full official prompt:

"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?" (100–550 words)

In crafting your essay, describe the unique qualities that attract you to the particular undergraduate college or school (including preferred admission and dual-degree programs) to which you are applying at UMich. How would that curriculum support your interests? How can your presence, background, and goals positively contribute to the campus community?

Below, we've outlined several key strategies to help you craft a compelling response to this important part of the UMich application.

1. Focus on the specific college or school you're applying to, not the University of Michigan as a whole.

The University of Michigan is made up of 19 distinct, nationally recognized colleges and schools, each offering its own academic programs, resources, and student experience. 14 of the 19 UMich colleges and schools offer undergraduate programs. Admissions officers want to see that you've thoughtfully considered which college or school is the best fit for your goals and interests. One of the most common mistakes we see in early drafts is that students write broadly about UMich as a university, without discussing the specific undergraduate college or school to which they are applying, whether that's the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), the College of Engineering, the Ross School of Business, or another program.

To avoid this pitfall, ground your essay in research about your intended college or school: find specific resources, programs, or classes in that college or school that appeal to you. This includes reading student reviews, watching videos about campus opportunities, doing tours, or talking to a local representative in your area. While it's perfectly fine to briefly mention aspects of the broader university experience, such as life in Ann Arbor or extracurricular opportunities, these should support, rather than overshadow, your discussion of the academic program you're hoping to join.

2. Prioritize academics and the curriculum at your chosen college or school.

As with many supplemental essays, the wording of the prompt offers valuable clues about what admissions officers want to learn about you. In this case, UMich specifically asks how its curriculum will support your interests. That means your essay should focus on academics.

A good practice is to start by exploring the website for your intended college or school and researching the requirements for your prospective major. What distinguishes Michigan's approach from similar programs at other universities? Are there specialized tracks, interdisciplinary opportunities, unique teaching methods, or faculty members whose work aligns with your academic interests? Consider which courses, research opportunities, or educational experiences genuinely excite you and explain why they matter to your intellectual and professional goals. Find 8-10 reasons why UMich would be a great fit, and touch on 4-5 of those within your essay. When discussing your points, be sure to explain how they relate to your individual goals and values.

3. Highlight opportunities that are uniquely Michigan.

One of the most effective ways to strengthen your "Which Department and Why” essay is to focus on opportunities that you would be unlikely to find elsewhere. While some aspects of the college experience are universal, for example every chemistry major will take foundational chemistry courses, the strongest essays emphasize the experiences that are specific to UMich.

The University of Michigan offers no shortage of unique academic opportunities. As one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive universities, it provides access to specialized majors, interdisciplinary programs, certificates, minors, and research experiences that many institutions cannot match. Programs such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), specialized academic tracks, and cross-disciplinary coursework can all provide compelling examples of why Michigan is the right fit for you. Rather than simply listing resources, explain how you would take advantage of them and how they align with your interests and experiences.

4. Make the essay personal, but keep the focus on fit.

Although this essay should reflect your personal interests and aspirations, it is not intended to be another personal statement. Avoid spending large portions of the essay retelling experiences already described elsewhere in your application. Instead, use your experiences to demonstrate why specific opportunities at UMich resonate with you.

For example, if participating in math competitions was one of your favorite activities in high school, you might explain how Michigan's mathematics department and student organizations would allow you to continue pursuing that interest at a higher level. The goal is to connect your past experiences and future goals to the academic and extracurricular opportunities available within your chosen college or school. By doing so, you'll show admissions officers not only who you are, but also why the University of Michigan is the right place for you to continue growing and how you can contribute to the community.

Once you’ve completed your ‘Which Department and Why” essay, you may begin drafting on similar prompts for other universities. Check out our advice on writing on other “Why Our University” prompts here.

At College Choice Counseling®, we've helped students from Michigan and across the country successfully navigate the University of Michigan admissions process. Whether you're applying to LSA, Engineering, Ross, Nursing, or another Michigan program, we can help you develop a strategy that highlights your strengths and presents your best application.

Interested in learning more about University of Michigan admissions? Contact College Choice Counseling® to discuss how we can help you build a competitive application and maximize your chances of admission.

At College Choice Counseling®, our counselors and tutors are here to help you with college counseling, college essay and application help, test prep tutoring, and academic subject tutoring. Reach out … we’ll help you succeed!

Barbara Connolly is the Founder of College Choice Counseling®, a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). She is a former University of Michigan Ross School of Business admissions reader with over 20 years of experience guiding students and families through highly competitive college admissions.