
Write an essay, win up to $500!
First-year engineering students have the exclusive opportunity to write an essay on a topic in Born a Crime for a chance to win up to $500 through the Cooley Writing Contest!
Contest Description:
In his will, the late Dean Mortimer Cooley, a former Dean of the Engineering College, left funds to encourage students to explore non-technical fields to “develop, broaden, and enrich the Engineer’s education.” Dean Cooley’s funds support the Cooley Writing Contest, sponsored for currently enrolled undergraduates in Michigan Engineering.
Eligibility:
- All engineering undergraduates enrolled for at least one term during the current calendar year are eligible.
- A student may not submit a manuscript that has won a previous Cooley award.
- Students may not submit collaborations or translations
- Entries are limited to one per category
- If an entry receives a Cooley Award, the author must agree to indicate in a footnote or otherwise that this manuscript was granted a prize in the Cooley Writing Contest in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, and indicate the year of the award.

Start Writing!
We encourage first-year students to begin writing an essay soon after finishing Born a Crime this summer. Here are some topic/theme ideas to get you started:
- Racism, Apartheid, and the Cycle of Poverty
- Identity, Belonging, and Community
- Love and Personal Growth
- Resilience through Religion, Education, and Humor
- (another theme of your choice)
Deadline:
Essays are due by October 7th, 2022.
Questions?
For additional information, contact Connie Hallom, (734) 764-1427 or challom@umich.edu
