Undergraduate / One of the communities to which I belong is the community of tennis players both. [2]

Prompt: Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (approx. 250 words)

Note: Applying as a freshman transfer to Michigan. This is still a semi-rough draft, so be as critical as possible :).

One of the communities to which I belong is the community of tennis, which I continue to share with members of my old high school tennis team and members of Rutgers college tennis club team.


My first introduction to this tennis community came during my freshman year of high school. I had played tennis for several years, but the JV team was my first real exposure to an actual team. Recognizing my experience, my JV coach entrusted me to help the inexperienced players on the team improve, as well as to set an example. This happened to also be my first, albeit intimidating, exposure in a position of leadership.


The next year as a sophomore, I was a member of the varsity team, and no longer the most experienced player. In this new but familiar environment, I learned how to act in a team under leadership. That year, like the year before, I became a part of a tight knit community, and even won the New Jersey Group 3 State Championship. What I will remember most, however, is how the senior members and captains of the team did everything to ensure the young players, such as myself, felt included and part of the team.


During my senior year, the school team was very young and inexperienced. I, along with my classmates, sought to ensure that playing varsity tennis wasn't just a competitive sport, but a welcoming community. That year, I further discovered first hand myself that being a leader of a group grants you the privilege to ensure everyone's happiness.


Playing tennis in college wonderfully opened its welcoming arms once again, as I get to enjoy playing a sport I love with others who share my feeling.

Undergraduate / I would continue one of my greatest passions - tennis (if forced to choose one of my activities) [2]

Prompt: If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why? (approx 100 words)

Note: I am currently applying to Michigan as a sophomore transfer student fro Rutgers University. Please be as harsh as possible :)

If I could do only one of my activities, I would like to continue my passion of playing tennis. Being part of the club tennis team in my first semester as a college student provided an excellent means to relieve stress throughout the semester, and also served as a great platform on which to meet and befriend new people. The latter was incredibly helpful to ease my transition into a new environment. Playing tennis during the semester also served as an important form of exercise, ensuring I stayed active and healthy. As someone who dislikes exercising in the gym, preferring instead to spend time outdoors, tennis was my primary method of physical activity. Perhaps most importantly, however, playing tennis allows me to continue enjoying one of my passions; tennis has been a large part of my life thus far, and I envision it will continue to be for quite a while.