Hanna Renaldi's Blog: Michigan Ross MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines

Michigan Ross 2018-19 MBA essay tips and deadlines

The Michigan Ross MBA program is thriving. Its graduates are getting jobs throughout the United States and the world. Here are a few of the stats:

• 97% had at least one job offer within three months of graduation.

• Per Poets & Quants, Amazon is the top employer of Ross grads, and their 2017 Employment Report shows that consulting and tech snagged over 50% of all Ross MBAs.

• Ross broke into the U.S. News Top 10 this year, moving up from #11 to #7.

• The average GMAT score for the entering class of 2017 was 716, climbing significantly from last year’s average of 708.

• Average GPA moved up a notch from 3.44 to 3.46.

Despite these fantastic results, Ross has the highest acceptance rate of any program in the US News Top 10: For the entering class of 2017, 25.3% of applicants were accepted, and in terms of Accepted’s Selectivity Index Ross placed #17. All this means that the Michigan Ross MBA program is a fantastic option that is easier to get into than other top programs.

Michigan Ross 2018-19 MBA Application Tips:

Ross changed certain aspects of its application this year, but kept the same basic structure. It still gives you choice regarding your short answers, but this year you choose from two options for each question as opposed to last year’s three options. Per Ross, “We kept the ones that seemed to provide the best platform for sharing something meaningful and unique about yourselves.”

The short answer questions definitely give you the means to paint a unique, multi-dimensional picture of yourself. Keep that goal in mind as you respond. You don’t have to be something you’re not, but you can certainly use these questions to provide context for events described elsewhere and different perspective on who you really are. Remember, the application is a way for the admissions committee to meet you.

Ross also changed the Essay to focus on short-term goals and your reasons for those goals. Last year’s question was broader and also included a “Why Ross?” component.

Michigan Ross MBA Application Part 1: Short Answer Questions

Select one prompt from each group of the three groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or fewer (<100 words each; 300 words total).

While I wish Ross would have given you more room to answer these questions, make the most of what you’ve got. The first question you’re going to have to ask yourself is “Which prompts should I respond to?” Answer the question in each group that is easiest for you to answer and that allows you to present events and experiences that complement each other and the information provided in other parts of the application. You want to minimize repetition and overlap.

Ross hasn’t labeled the groups thematically. It seems to me that Group 1 is an opportunity for you to talk about something you’re proud of — a contribution you made or an achievement. Group 2 relates to handling a difficult experience or situation. And Group 3 is about you interacting with others. Again, choose the individual questions that allow you to present yourself best. All three groups ask for a behavioral response, where you discuss one experience or situation and reflect on it. You don’t have room for more.

Think a lot about what you want Ross to know about you as you choose the questions to answer. The question tells you what they want to know. Now answer it in such a way that allows you to tell them what you want them to know.

Group 1

• I want people to know that I:

• I made a difference when I:

Group 2

• I was humbled when:

• I am out of my comfort zone when:

Group 3

• I was aware that I am different when:

• I find it challenging when people:

Given the 100-word limit on each response to these behavioral questions, describe the incident or situation and succinctly analyze it in terms of the prompt. For example, why do you “want them to know” about X (Group 1, #1) or why were you humbled or out of your comfort zone for Group 2.

Michigan Ross MBA Application Part 2: Essay

Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words)

Ross is very clear in what it’s asking for: Your short-term career goals and the reasons (and experiences) that make this goal right for you.

The question is pretty straightforward. The word limits, however, will make it difficult to go into any depth. You could start with a “day in the life” that you foresee immediately after your MBA and discuss how you developed this vision for yourself. Given Ross’ strong behavioral approach I’d focus on a pivotal experience that shaped your goals. The experience could also reflect your fitness for your goals once you earn a Ross MBA.

Alternatively, you could start with an achievement or challenge that you faced and how it has influenced your goals. Tell the story of that experience and how it influenced your short-term MBA goals.

Michigan Ross MBA Application Optional Statement

This section should only be used to convey information not addressed elsewhere in your application, for example, completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate.

Use this statement if necessary to provide context surrounding circumstances that affected your performance or that may lead admissions readers to the wrong conclusion about your abilities.

Ross doesn’t provide a word limit, but keep it short.

For expert guidance with your Michigan Ross MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to Michigan Ross’ MBA program and look forward to helping you too!

Michigan Ross 2018-19 Application Deadlines:

	Application Deadline	Decisions Released
Round 1	October 1, 2018	December 21, 2018
Round 2	January 7, 2019	March 15, 2019
Round 3	March 18, 2019	May 10, 2019