You need to write the following supplement essay (required)
"Reflect on a community or experience that has influenced you—be it your school, club, team, or any other group that has played a role in shaping who you are. What significance did that community or experience hold for you, and in what ways did you contribute to it? How will you bring those experiences, values, and insights to thrive and enrich our campus community at the University of Miami?"
My high school’s robotics club taught me that the best ideas are the ones you can hold in your hand. Our community was a chaotic workshop of buzzing saws and focused coders, united by a love for turning abstract designs into working machines. The experience was significant because it taught me the value of collaborative creation. As the lead designer for our drive train, I contributed by using our team’s 3D printer to rapidly prototype and test new parts, which helped us solve a critical mobility issue before our final competition. I want to bring this passion for hands-on innovation to the University of Miami. The Johnson & Johnson 3D Printing Center of Excellence is a resource that truly excites me. It is the perfect place to scale up my skills from small prototypes to complex, real-world applications. I hope to use the advanced metal printers to explore new possibilities in mechanical engineering. I plan to join the UMaker club and collaborate with other students who share my drive to build. I want to contribute my experience in design and fabrication to group projects, helping to enrich Miami’s community of builders and problem-solvers.
My most important community was not a club, but the group of volunteers I organized for our town’s annual river cleanup. The experience was significant because it showed me that leadership is not about giving orders, but about inspiring a shared sense of purpose. I contributed by creating a simple sign-up system and partnering with local businesses for supplies. Seeing dozens of my peers show up on a Saturday morning taught me that people are eager to help if you give them a clear way to do so. This value of service-based leadership is what draws me to the University of Miami. I want to be part of a community that actively works to create positive social change. I am excited to get involved with the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, which seems like the perfect place to continue my work. I hope to participate in programs like Orientation Outreach and contribute my organizational skills to help mobilize other students. At Miami, I will bring my experience in community organizing to help build bridges between the campus and the surrounding area, enriching the university’s commitment to service.
Being a part of my school’s Filipino Student Association (FSA) taught me that sharing your culture is a powerful way to build community. This group was significant because it gave me a space to connect with my heritage and share it with others. I contributed by helping to organize our annual "Filipino Culture Night," where we shared food, music, and dance with the entire school. The event’s success showed me the joy that comes from celebrating diversity and creating an inclusive environment. I want to bring this passion for cultural exchange to the University of Miami. I was thrilled to see that UM has its own vibrant Filipino Student Association, and I hope to join and contribute immediately. My experience in event planning and my desire to foster cross-cultural understanding would be a great asset to the organization. I want to help create events that not only celebrate Filipino heritage but also invite the entire campus community to learn and participate. At Miami, I will work to enrich the campus by being an active voice for diversity and a builder of inclusive communities.
Apart from this supplemental, you would need to respond to one of the seven prompts on the Common Application. All the best!
