What Interests Me About Michigan Engineering: College Admission Essay Sample

I’m sure that it won’t be the last. However, the first really difficult academic decision I’ve made was in February, 2015: choosing my A-Level subjects. Overnight, I had to cut down my earlier eleven subjects, many of which I had really enjoyed - to just four. I was certain that I wanted to continue with Sciences and Mathematics. After several days of self-questioning, I chose Economics. What I really wanted was a certain breadth of education.

Michigan Engineering is exactly what I am looking for because of its commitment to enriching rigorous engineering studies with Intellectual Breadth courses. The interdependent skill sets and context gained by studying Humanities, Liberal Arts and Professional and Creative Development are peerlessly valuable to any engineering student. I intend to continue with Economics, and am keen to add on other courses such as Psychology.

Nonetheless, while studying my A Levels, I have enjoyed stretching my limits and rigorously applying my knowledge to solve real world problems. This sparked my interest in civil engineering - it is the profession of problem solvers, who use their skills to shape and to improve the environment in which people live. I relished finding links between my subjects; engineering, sustainability and business systems are inherently interrelated. To further my interest in the proliferation of clean technology, I undertook several internships. First, I completed a lighting energy audit for my neighbourhood with Beacon Energy Solutions and extended it to make judgments about the energy consumption of my city. Next, I learnt about sustainable certification for buildings and different energy management business models at a contracting company. Lastly, I focused on systems like BIM and Chiller performance modelling. Michigan Engineering is uniquely positioned to help me to advance such dabblings in Sustainable Engineering with its myriad courses in this field. In particular, I look forward to taking Professor Adriaens’ classes on Business basics for entrepreneurs to hopefully build a strong foundation for a future career in green technology. Another exciting feature of Michigan is the College’s unique Program in Sustainable Engineering. The Energy Economics and Environmental Ethics courses both look promising and are organically interrelated with my core interest.

Although my primary interest is civil engineering, the College would allow me to explore many disciplines in my first year. I look forward to working alongside students pursuing other streams in the Multidisciplinary Design Program, and participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering program, to experience how classroom theory plays out in real life.

I also intend to explore the range of extracurriculars offered with a vengeance. The vibrant University Musical Society would let me keep up my interest in music. A native of Eastern India, I would join the Association for India’s Development and Gates Millennium Scholars to explore issues and engage in their community service activities. At the end of four years at Michigan I hope to graduate as an engineer, having explored my interests in civil engineering and sustainability to the fullest, with a life and vision outside my core subject.