After more than two years of separation and lack of cohesion, we relish the opportunity to come back together, to reunite with our communities, families, friends and beyond. As we think about what coming together looks like for those around us, it is equally important to consider the unification of the self, and what that can look like for each unique individual. On that note, for this year’s Big Thinker’s Scholarship we have chosen the theme of coalescence; thinking about what it means to bring together different components of our lives and selves, and understanding the significance of these intersections. Reflect on these ideas through one of the following prompts:

WRITING PROMPTS

a. Describe an experience in which you took broken parts, metaphorical or physical, and used them to create something new. What was this like? Was it by choice, or did the situation necessitate it? Looking back on the
experience, what are some thoughts that come to mind?

b. Sometimes, coalescence is worth questioning, especially when it comes to one’s own values. With that in mind, do you believe that an artist and their actions can ever truly be separated from their art? Explain why you feel this way, and feel free to use examples. Optional: If you have had an experience in which you desired to separate yourself from your actions, discuss what this was like for you. Was it successful?

c. No human identity is truly single-faceted; we are each a coalescence of the various life experiences that shape us. Detail a few different components of your identity that have, or have not, coalesced to form the person you are today. What are some reflections on how these different pieces have made you, you?

2. For scholarship consideration, complete a 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1, 2023. For more information about applying for financial aid at UM, visit https://finaid.umich.edu/apply-aid.