The University of Michigan Ross School of Business
MBAFair 2024 chat transcript
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business is the business school of the University of Michigan. Michigan Ross offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, including a Full-time MBA program. The Full-Time MBA Program is anchored in action-based learning opportunities , including our flagship hands-on learning experience, MAP. The Full-time MBA program is ranked #8 in the US by US News and has consistently been rated as the best administered program by The Princeton Review.
Representative: Digna Patel Raj | Associate Director of Admissions, Full-time MBA Program | [email protected]
School brochure: click to open
School Q&A: click to open
701 Tappan Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
2024 Chat Transcript:
Ariel
haha
Michigan_Ross
On a fun note - we also offer MTreks, which are weeklong trips you can take with your fellow MBA classmates! See here for a list of trips: https://mtrek.org/2024-treks/
Michigan_Ross
@Ariel - yes, it is cold, but you can still have a great time! We have recruiters coming from across the country, and locally as well. Most of our students land postgraduate jobs on the East and West Coast, and Chicago. Pursuing your MBA at Michigan Ross is not geographically limiting at all!
Ariel
Shalom from very hot Tel Aviv.
not going to ask about the weather there, as it all seems very cold
But I did want to ask, after the mba, do most students stay int he michigan area? do the local employers come and recruit?
Michigan_Ross
@Barak - Michigan Ross does require completion of an undergraduate degree prior to starting our program
Barak
Hello,
I do not hold an undergraduate degree but have a strong GMAT score (695 GMAT Focus) and an excellent career record in tech and military intelligence, including management experience. Would I still be considered for the MBA program? How significant is the lack of an undergraduate degree given that I surpass all other criteria?
Michigan_Ross
If you are interested in pursuing a dual degree, we have 22 established dual degree programs to choose from, more than any other top university! https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/curriculum/dual-degrees
Michigan_Ross
Upcoming events - both virtual and in-person:
https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/events
Michigan_Ross
Please also check out our Business Beyond Usual podcast run by full-time MBA students at Michigan Ross. They cover a variety of topics, including careers, curriculum, life in Ann Arbor, coming to Ross with a partner, etc. https://businessbeyondusual.simplecast.com/
Michigan_Ross
They are by invite only
Michigan_Ross
@yuval - great question! All of our interviews are conducted virtually with an alum
yuval
How do you conduct admission interviews? in person or via zoom/phone?
Michigan_Ross
@alon - you can find our students and alumni ambassadors here! https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/connect-with-a-student
Michigan_Ross
@Lior - we do admit students who have less than 5 years of work experience, it really just depends on how impactful those three years have been for you.
Ofir
Thank you for your answers!
Michigan_Ross
@Lior - a test score is only one part of the application, so we would view it alongside your essay, recommendation, etc. to make a final decision.
Michigan_Ross
@Ofir - great questions! I often receive this question around what sets us apart – it is definitely community, culture, and action-based learning opportunities! Students who choose Michigan Ross are very intentional about having an immersive MBA experience and are extremely dedicated to seeking out, creating, and maintaining community. In terms of courses, there is the core curriculum, which will provide you with a strong business education, and you can also engage in multiple electives during your two years. Our students are extremely social and love to have fun. There is a list of all of the clubs that are offered: https://ross.campusgroups.com/club_signup
alon
How can I connect with current students/alumni?
Lior
I have just 3 years of WE, can my GMAT score cover up for my less years of WE?
Lior
Hello!
How much importance will be given to my GMAT score of 750?
Michigan_Ross
@sharon - yes, Ann Arbor, which is the city the University is located in, is incredibly safe for women! I pursued my graduate studies at Michigan, and never felt unsafe. Although Ann Arbor is a smaller city, it is incredibly easy to navigate and extremely cosmopolitan
Ofir
Hello!
1.What sets you apart as a business school compared to other schools?
2.Do you have any programs or courses for students that have mechanical engineering background?
3. How are the social activities in the campus? do you have the time to engage in social activities that are not related to school directly?
Michigan_Ross
@alon - not necessarily. We focus on the impact that you have had during those nine years of work experience, and any progression/promotions you have received in addition to all of the other components of your application
sharon
hi, I am an Israeli single female, is Michigan a safe place? I was only thinking about big cities till now, but started reading now (thanks to you!) about Ross MBA option
alon
I have around 9 years of experience. Is that too high?
Michigan_Ross
Michigan Ross also offers a number of centers and institutes our students can share with the core curriculum: https://michiganross.umich.edu/institutes-centers-initiatives
Michigan_Ross
My pleasure!
David
Thanks
Michigan_Ross
@David - international experience is definitely a plus and I would encourage you to highlight it as much as possible in your resume and essays where appropriate
David
How much importance would international exposure be given in my work profile? I have handled clients through out the globe and I assume it to play a major role in my profile.
Michigan_Ross
@lian - definitely consider applying. Ross welcomes professional diversity and is well-equipped to support your career pivot as 94% of students coming to Ross are making a career switch
lian
hi Michigan. I am a lawyer with 4 years of experience I am also a minority. I do want to do a shift into the business world, but most of my work experience is leagal stuff. is this ok? or should I find a different job for now and then apply?
Michigan_Ross
@David - general things to highlight would be impact you have had an organization or on a project, leadership experiences, extracurriculars
Michigan_Ross
@David - at Ross, we review our applicants holistically. I would encourage you to view your application as a puzzle that gives us a view of you as a candidate not only from the professional perspective, but personal as well. An example would be that it would be beneficial to share different experiences or examples throughout your essays and have your recommender also highlight something we may not know about you through looking at your essays or resumes. I would also recommend taking time to learn about the schools you are targeting in-depth so your knowledge of the program will inherently come out in your application.
Arik
I see thank you
Michigan_Ross
@Arik - I played recommend applying in the round that you feel you can put forth the strongest application. You have the option to submit a statement of academic readiness instead of a test score. Please refer to section 3 of our application requirements page to learn more about the statement of academic readiness. If you school further down to the international applicant section, you can also learn more about submitting the statement of English proficiency. https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/application-requirements
Michigan_Ross
@adi - yes, we can accept an update, but I would recommend submitting it at least a month before decisions are released for that round. If you are waitlisted, you will have the opportunity to submit an updated score as part of the waitlist process
David
Can you list some of the unique features or strengths I should possess while applying, which can increase my chances of acceptance?
Arik
Hi, if I dont manage to take the GMAT before round 1, should I wait for r2, apply without? or update the school? if I get a good score, can you waive the toefl?
adi
If I apply with low GMAT but improve it after the deadline, will you accept an update?
Michigan_Ross
Many of our international students also pursue the STEM specialization for an OPT extension. Here is more info on the specialization: STEM Designation
https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/curriculum/specializations/STEM-Designated-Specialization-in-Management-Science
Michigan_Ross
Michigan Ross is known for its action-based learning opportunities. Please click on the link below to learn more about our flagship MAP opportunity, which no other program has: https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/curriculum/map
Michigan_Ross
https://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/
Michigan_Ross
@Rachel - please contact the International Center at University of Michigan as they will be your best resource to learn more about the business. You may also contact me directly at [email protected] and I can make an intro to an Israeli student who sought a partner visa
Rachel
Hi @Michigan_Ross thanks for answering all of this. its so good to get Israeli specific information
if I may, how does the partner visa work?
Michigan_Ross
@Ezra Dohan - everyone who applies to the full-time MBA program is considered for scholarship and there is no separate application a candidate needs to submit. Unfortunately, we do not have any Israeli-specific scholarships at this time
Ezra Dohan
What are the scholarship options for Israeli candidates?
Michigan_Ross
You can filter by region, career interest and student club. We also have alumni ambassadors you can connect with
Michigan_Ross
For anyone who would like to connect with a current student – please visit our student Ambassador page: https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/connect-with-a-student
Michigan_Ross
@adi - no, there is no difference between the 2 rounds. I would recommend applying when you feel like you can put your best application forward. For visa purposes, we recommend that you do not apply in round three
adi
Is there any difference in Round 1 or Round 2 applications? Admission or scholarship wise?
Michigan_Ross
@Tsirison Albert - it is open now! https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/application-requirements
Michigan_Ross
If you are interested in learning about our program, please attend any of our upcoming events. We have many to choose from! Events: https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/events
Tsirison Albert
@Michigan_Ross Thank you for your willingness to answer our question. I saw the deadline for round 1 is September 9 for the Fall 2025 do you know when the application for round 1 Fall 2025 will open please?
Michigan_Ross
No problem, @kirti
kirti
Thanks!
Michigan_Ross
My pleaure Tsirison. Please let me know if you have additional questions
Michigan_Ross
Hi Kirti - typically our students are going to have 5 years of work experience after undergraduate studies. We prefer more work experience so students can effectively contribute to and learn from classroom experiences. The test score is only part of the application, which is reviewed holistically. We evaluate your test score in addition to GPA, work experience, essays, etc. Unfortunately leadership positions in UG do not count towards work experience. You are not required to submit a test score to apply to the full-time MBA program, but you would need to submit a statement of academic readiness instead. More details can be found here: Application Requirements / Dates
https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/application-requirements
Tsirison Albert
@Michigan_Ross ok thank you
Mahpara
Thank you!!!
Michigan_Ross
Unfortunately, we do not accept any transfer credits
Michigan_Ross
If you are wondering which MBA program is right for you, you can refer to this site: https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/which-mba-format-is-right-for-me
kirti
good evening!!
I have a work-ex of 2 years in different organizations. is this accepted? what is the Minimum work years required to get into MBA program?
I have work ex in Bank of America but I left it to come back to my hometown and currently working at Charted Accountant firm, while preparing for exams, Do this impact negatively?
If I scored less in GMAT- Quant section. Will any other quantitative skills value in place of that?
Do you have option of deferred MBA if work ex is less than what is required?
Is leadership positions at undergraduate college counts as work ex (professional experience) or not?
Is there any other masters degree related to finance, management, accounting or entrepreneurship Which do not require GMAT/GRE. only standardized tests TOEFL/IELTS
Michigan_Ross
Hi Mahpara - our students go into a variety of fields, including consulting, tech, finance, PE, VC, IB, Impact, and marketing
Mahpara
@Michigan_Ross Dear M. Ross,
Are students encouraged to attempt internships along with the Masters degree?
Thank you!
Tsirison Albert
@Michigan_Ross Dear Admission officer,
Do you know if some courses from another graduate degree, such as math statistics or finance, can be transferred to the MBA program please?
Thank you.
Mahpara
And also does Michigan MBA accept students with different College majors?
Mahpara
What kind of projects do MBA students take part in? Can you give an example
Mahpara
if i apply, how do I know which degree is right for me? EMBA/MBA/Part time MBA
Mahpara
Hello! I am interested in Michigan Ross MBA program. Can you tell me what kind of occupations students end up getting into?