Top Law Schools

Is it absolutely necessary to write one of these?

I'm 1 point above their LSAT median and significantly above their GPA median, but it's late in the cycle.

I'm also applying to Stanford, and I'm 1000% doing all their supplemental stuff. But Stanford is a reach.

I would do it. It doesn't have to be a perfect "Why Michigan" essay, and you probably write a decent one in about an hour.

Don't think they'll yield protect you, but you never know, so it couldn't hurt. And Michigan is more "holistic" than most of the other T14 (except you Berkeley, you crazy kat), so they will read it and consider it. This late in the cycle it could be the difference between an IN and WL.

Honestly, I think you'll be IN either way... but it's worth the extra 1 hour of effort for sure.

If you do write one, don't just do some shitty rush job. A bad supplemental has got to be worse than no essay.

I wrote a supplemental essay for U Mich, and am at their medians.

NZA wrote:If you do write one, don't just do some shitty rush job. A bad supplemental has got to be worse than no essay.

I wrote a supplemental essay for U Mich, and am at their medians.

Alright, then out of the 8 possibilities, which one should I write?

Does it have to be the "Why Michigan?" one, or are all the options equal?

niederbomb wrote:

NZA wrote:If you do write one, don't just do some shitty rush job. A bad supplemental has got to be worse than no essay.

I wrote a supplemental essay for U Mich, and am at their medians.

Alright, then out of the 8 possibilities, which one should I write?

Does it have to be the "Why Michigan?" one, or are all the options equal?

No idea. I imagine all options are equal. If you're really committed to Mich, then a Why Mich? would seem appropriate. To be honest, if you're on the fence about it, you could probably modify/recycle of the Stanford supplementals?

I'd say choose the one question that allows you to highlight something unique about yourself. That was my strategy, anyway.