The University of Michigan is a top public state research university, and they have a long tradition of welcoming transfers. For the , Michigan received 6,832 applications for transfer and accepted 2,385. Transfers who are accepted by Michigan are rewarded with more flexibility than most other top schools: they can start in any season.
If a 35% acceptance rate feels approachable, it is worth remembering that the acceptance rate is undoubtedly a bit misleading. Michigan prioritizes in-state applicants, so the 35% is really somewhere in-between the rate at which in-state applicants are accepted and the acceptance rate for out-of-state students. For out-of-state students, gaining transfer admission to Michigan is notably harder.
Before you apply, though, you have to ensure that you are eligible to be considered as a transfer. For Michigan, transfer students are those who have attended any college for any length of time after graduating from high school. You are not required to use those credits, though, if admitted. Most students transfer to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts or the College of Engineering. Students interested in beyond Ann Arbor undertake a different process unique to each school. In this post, we’ll be focusing on applying as a transfer to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts or the College of Engineering.
Before we get into the essays, though, we want to take a moment to dispel a myth. You do not need to be transferring from a four-year college to get into Michigan — especially if you are an in-state applicant. Michigan accepting high-achieving community college students, including those who may not have thrived academically in high school. Michigan reports that of recent transfers came from two-year college programs.
Now, let’s talk writing.
Strong transfer outcomes require even stronger strategy. Get yours.
The University of Michigan transfer application includes four essays, all of which are pretty long. The character count can be discombobulating (because who counts characters?), but 1500 characters is about 250 words. It’s enough room to tell a story, but not so much that isn’t easy to lose the reader in an overly long response.
And remember, that while you have applied to college before this is quite a bit different. You aren’t 17 or 18 anymore. Colleges are looking for more than hope, dreams, and hard work. They want to see that you have taken action, have found direction, and have clear vision for where you want to go next. In these essays, you need to show them exactly that.
THE TRANSFER ESSAYS: LSA and the College of Engineering
Essay #1 (Required for all applicants.)
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. (1500 characters)
Putting this question first is a major statement. Before Michigan wants to know what you hope to study or why you are seeking to transfer, they want to know who you are at your core and how you look beyond yourself to enrich the lives of others. We love this, but it can also be a bit of a trap. Simply answering the question then moving along doesn’t actually fulfill the brief. It answers the question, but it doesn’t do what you need to in order to get into Mich.
Instead, you need to tell a story that emphasizes your passion for community, your sense of purpose in life, and your desire to be an active player in the future — not simply along for the ride. By “a story,” we really mean that you need to do all that in one singular story. You only have 250-ish words, so the most direct route to a compelling answer is to stay focused and pack in detail.
For example, if you run a mentorship and tutoring program for high school students, you could write about one day working with one kid, and something that happened that brought home for you the meaning beyond the work. Then, from that moment, zoom out to share what it is you are doing, why you are doing it, and maybe how it connects to other things you do and goals you have for the future.
End the essay with a clear statement of purpose and a final moment from that guiding story that you started with.
Essay #2 (Required for all applicants.)
Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (2750 characters)
This supplement allows for nearly twice the length as Essay #1. That doesn’t mean that you should jump to use it all, though. Instead, you want to pair abundance of enthusiasm and research with an economy of language. Michigan doesn’t need to hear about things that are irrelevant. They want to know you. So, start with the research.
Find the name of your prospective major (don’t assume it is obvious), two or three courses within the major that are particularly exciting for you, and two professors you would love to learn or work under. Include why those professors are particularly exciting to you. Them being big in the field is not enough. There should be real reasons, whether it’s research they’ve done or subjects they specialize in, that you want to be in their world.
Then, major information found, it’s time to turn to a minor. You don’t need to specify a potential minor, but we like when an applicant can add depth to their academic interests with a minor. It can be directly related to the major or a bit further afield, but it should never be random. The minor you list, like the major, should connect to existing academic interests that have developed through college so far. Now, you want Michigan to help you go deeper.
Once you have this research, it’s time to structure the essay. Start with your area of deepest interest, sharing an anecdote that put you in the mix of your passion whether in the lab, discussing a piece of literature, or any other way of ‘doing’ the academic subject you love.
Transition from the story to the meat: sharing what you want to do with Michigan, with whom (especially professors), and how your major and minor will work together within the Michigan curriculum to prepare you for an exceptional future.
Close the essay by reaffirming your interest in Michigan, and maybe a brief moment imagining yourself on campus as part of the community.
Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. (1500 characters)
You are deep into this supplement, and it’s now — two supplements in — that Michigan wants to hear about why you want to transfer. For this supplement, you have about 250 words, which is plenty of space to explain your motives for applying to Michigan as a transfer. They want to hear a compelling reason here, but they don’t want every reason. Michigan is not interested in petty reasons, or even very real social reasons, for a transfer. You don’t need to go to Michigan to get out of a bad school culture fit. So, filter your reason for transferring through the lens of what you hope to get from Michigan academically.
Remember, too, that they want to know how these reasons for transferring fit into your larger objectives. One of those objectives should not be “more fun parties.” These really should be focused on the academic experience Michigan offers and what it is about the Michigan program that will give you something that you cannot get at the school you are at currently.
As you write, focus on being specific, clear, direct, and honest, but also measured. Do not badmouth where you are now. Do celebrate the potential in where you want to go next.
The Personal Statement (1,250 - 3,250 characters, approx. 250 - 650 words)
Michigan tucks this in at the end, and it’s not a given for transfer applications. Most transfer applications do not have a creative personal statement component. It’s awesome Michigan includes this, and it’s important that what you put here is exceptional, but this is not the meat of your application. A strong personal statement does not make up for unclear, unfocused supplements. If Michigan doesn’t feel that you truly want Michigan, they will not let you in.
At the same time, this essay should be extremely strong.
To that end, pick the last (“do what you want”) option. Then, do not copy and paste something from when you applied to college as a high school senior. Part of your pitch to Mich is that you have matured and developed over the past few years. Using something from senior year completely undermines that message.
Finally, tell a story. We have extensive guidance on how to write a strong main personal essay, but it all goes back to story.
If you are a strong student with a compelling academic reason for transferring, Michigan can be a solid option. Remember, though, that the acceptance rate is skewed by the preference given to in-state applicants. You can’t just have strong grades and a so-so narrative. You application needs to truly pack a punch.
If you are hoping to transfer to Mich, contact us.