How Can I Get into the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business?

The University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business is one of the most eminent business schools in the world. Also known as Michigan Ross, the B-School is located inside the sprawling University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It has a second campus in Los Angeles to support the expanding EMBA program.

The University of Michigan Ross School of Business offers various quality management programs across different levels. Its action-based learning approach helps students learn from working on actual projects for real companies. As a result, the students become industry-ready after completing their courses.

The University of Michigan, Ross MBA program puts a premium on hands-on experiential learning opportunities through its REAL programs, which offer students the chance to work on consulting projects for major companies, to make live real estate investments from a pool of student-run capital, or to work on an entrepreneurial venture.
The second most important factor about Ross is that it’s connected to the overall University of Michigan and its immense alumni network. “Go Blue, Go Anywhere,” as they say when referencing the school’s trademark blue color, and there is a lot of truth in the claim that you’ll find Michigan alumni in any major company or city.
The school also takes pains to recruit a class that will fit well into this network, using a fun group interview format in which the prospective students in a recent year had to tell a business story using buzzwords written on cards that were randomly selected.
Although Ross itself is situated in the beautiful Midwestern town of Ann Arbor, Michigan, most graduates don’t stay there. Around 2/3rds of the graduates take jobs outside the Midwest, including 40% who move to either the Northeast or the West Coast.

Steps to get Into the University of Michigan?

What are the admission criteria at the University of Michigan Ross? Can I get into the University of Michigan with my scores and academic profile? If yes, how? These are some of the routine queries of overseas applicants.

However, the admission process in US universities is relatively more complex than in India. So, you need to understand the factors involved in the process to improve your chances of getting into the University of Michigan Ross.

The Ross School of Business is highly selective in its admission, with an acceptance rate of around 23-26 per cent. This means you’ll have to compete with a sizeable number of applicants with strong profiles regardless of your chosen program.

So, begin with the basics. Get the right scores. For instance, you need to have a strong GMAT score to get into the Ann Arbor MBA program. The average GMAT score for a full-time MBA program at the University of Michigan Ross is above 720. Additionally, you should have a good TOEFL or IELTS score.

Obtaining a good score helps you focus on the other admission requirements like work experience, essays, letters of recommendation, etc. Moreover, give your best and try to crack the admission in the first round when the chances are higher.

Michigan Ross School of Business World Ranking

The Michigan Ross business school ranking usually hovers among the top 50 B-Schools globally. In fact, it is consistently ranked among the best B-Schools worldwide by all major publications. What’s more impressive is that many of its courses separately make it to the list of top B-School courses in the USA.

Ross School of Business MBA Courses

Michigan Ross offers the following 5 MBA programs.

1. Full-Time MBA

The rigorous two-year MBA program at the University of Michigan Ross prepares students to face various business challenges in the real world confidently. Besides, you’ll gain valuable experience from fruitful collaborations and countless networking opportunities.

2. Weekend MBA

The two-year Ann Arbor MBA course is suitable for working professionals. You can get a valuable MBA education while staying at your full-time job. Classes are held twice every month during the weekends.

3. Executive MBA

The EMBA program is of 21-months duration. The once-a-month executive-level classes are suitable for mid-level executives who want to grow further in their careers and get to the next leadership level.

4. Online MBA

It’s the most flexible MBA format where students can learn online at their own pace. The program duration can be 3-4 years, depending on your learning pace.

5. Global MBA

The 15-month accelerated MBA program is designed for mid-career professionals who want to develop leadership skills and an international approach to business.

The MBA curriculum is strategically designed to impart a comprehensive education in business management. During the first year of the MBA program, students encounter a series of carefully structured courses that provide a foundational knowledge in key areas of business. The curriculum kicks off in the fall with “Financial Accounting” and “Applied Microeconomics”, essential for understanding the financial and economic environment of business. “Financial Management” and “Marketing Management” follow, broadening the knowledge base into strategic financial decision-making and customer-centric business strategies. The winter term deepens this knowledge with courses such as “Management Accounting” and “Operations Management”, equipping students with a robust skill set in internal accounting practices and the complexities of operations and supply chain management. “Corporate Strategy” emerges as a cornerstone, setting the strategic direction for enterprises. The curriculum is further enriched with multidisciplinary action projects, providing students with practical, hands-on learning experiences. In the second year, the focus shifts to elective courses or degree requirements, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals, such as “Business Communications”, “Business Law”, and “Technology and Operations”.

Ross School of Business Application Deadline

Disclaimer: The dates have been taken from the school’s official website. Check with the official B-school website before applying, as these dates are subject to last-minute changes. 

Steps to Crack University of Michigan MBA Admissions

The Michigan Ross business school acceptance rate for the class of 2023 was 20 per cent. So, you can imagine how fierce the competition is to get into this elite B-School.

Therefore, apply well before the deadlines to ensure you have the best chance of enrolling into the University of Michigan MBA admissions and diligently follow the application checklist given below to avoid committing any errors or missing out on any vital information.

1. Keep Your Transcripts in Order

Keep all your transcripts in order. You’ll be required to submit the official transcripts if your application is accepted.

2. Display Your Readiness

This is one of the most vital stages in the Ross School of Business application process. The admission committee wants to know whether you’re academically ready to take the rigors of the MBA program. You have many ways to demonstrate your academic readiness.

A strong GMAT score can set your application apart. Additionally, you can submit your academic and professional achievements like

• An undergraduate or graduate record, especially the ones that highlight your analytical skills or quantitative reasoning
• Work experience after undergraduate
• Outstanding performance or appreciation at work
• Any other relevant achievement or testimonial

3. Keep Your Resume Updated and Concise

List all your educational information and professional experience. Ensure that the dates in your resume match your application. Highlight your hobbies and any community service that you undertook. Keep the resume limited to one page.

4. Complete the Essays

The Ross MBA essay section usually has three parts. You can find the current topics on the B-School’s official website. Take your time writing the essays. They can highlight your eligibility and mental preparedness for the program.

5. Select the Right Recommender

Every application at the University of Michigan Ross must accompany one letter of recommendation. The school will send your recommender a list of questions to be answered. Note that the recommender must submit the actual recommendations and ratings online.

Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a person who is well aware of your professional achievements and can talk about them in detail. You can consider people like your immediate boss, supervisor, or professional mentor for this purpose.

6. Prepare for the Interview

This is the last stage of your application, where a Ross alum will conduct the interview. You’ll receive the invitation and other relevant information about the interview a few weeks after the application deadline passes.

Michigan Ross MBA Class Profile 2024

The class profile of a B-School is a great tool to have an idea about the type of students the college prefers. It helps you self-evaluate your profile and identify the areas you need to work on to increase your chances of getting accepted into the program of your choice.

Ross School of Business MBA Fees

The University of Michigan Ross revises the fee amount every year around June-July. Keep checking the college’s official website for the current rates. However, international students can have a fair idea about the Michigan Ross MBA fees structure from the table below.

Disclaimer: Check the official website of the University of Michigan Ross B-school to know the latest fees as it is subject to change. 

Ross School of Business Scholarships

Pursuing an MBA from Michigan Ross can be costly. However, the University of Michigan Ross believes in making the MBA education as affordable as possible for every deserving student. Therefore, students can avail a wide range of Ross school of business scholarships if they fulfill the respective eligibility criteria.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Applicants of the full-time MBA program at the University of Michigan Stephen M Ross business school are automatically considered for over 200 merit-based scholarships without any separate application. Some of the important ones are

• Dean’s Impact Scholars
• Dean’s fellows
• The Consortium Fellowship
• Zell Lurie Institute Scholarship
• J.Ira Harris merit Award
• McGowan Fellows Program

Area-Focussed Scholarships

Such scholarships are provided to students who have the potential to excel in a particular area, such as health, operation, gender equality, etc. Some of the prominent scholarships are

• Health Innovation Scholars Program
• Forte MBA Fellowship
• Romba LGBT+Fellowship
• Tauber Institute for Global Operations Scholarships
• Erb Institute Scholarship
• True Grit

At the Ross School of Business, the pursuit of an MBA comes with the opportunity to obtain substantial financial support through the Ross Business Scholarships. These scholarships cater to a diverse array of talents and interests, ranging from the merit-based Dean’s Impact Scholars, designed for those with a vision to effect positive change, to the Romba LGBT+ Fellowship, supporting MBA students within the LGBT+ community. The Health Innovation Scholars Program is ideal for those focusing on transforming healthcare, while the True Grit scholarship acknowledges the perseverance and resilience of students who have faced and overcome significant challenges. Each scholarship at Ross is thoughtfully created to recognize and empower students with various strengths and backgrounds, ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow can hone their skills and knowledge today.

Other Scholarships and Awards

• Alumni Board of Governors Award
• Ross Community Impact Scholarship
• Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarship
• The Leslie Adkins Endowed Scholarship

Head to Michigan Ross

Big companies like Amazon, Mckinsey & Company, Google, and many more, routinely make a beeline to the campus during the placements. An impressive 90.2 percent of the Ann Arbor MBA graduates in 2021 received job offers by the time of graduation. No wonder the University of Michigan Ross attracts some of the best students globally every year.

So, you can’t afford to be complacent at any stage of your application. The good news is you can do it. All you need is determination, perseverance, and an insatiable hunger for success.

The full-time MBA program boasts impressive employment statistics, signaling robust career advancement and financial reward for its graduates. Within three months post-graduation, an outstanding 96% of students received job offers. The median base salary for these newly minted MBAs stands at an impressive $175,000. A significant 60% of graduates chose to steer their careers into consulting or technology, industries known for their dynamic work environments and substantial growth opportunities.
In terms of distribution by industry, consulting leads the way with 44.9% of graduates drawing an average base salary of $181,895, with a generous median signing bonus of $30,000. The financial services sector is another top choice, claiming 14.2% of graduates and offering a median salary of $175,000, reflecting the high demand for MBA skillsets in this industry. The technology sector, absorbing 15.5% of the graduates, offers a median salary of $152,625, showcasing the value of business acumen in this rapidly evolving field.
Remarkably, 90% of those who accepted offers reported receiving a signing bonus, underscoring the high value employers place on MBA graduates. Geographically, two-thirds of job acceptances are concentrated in the New York metro, West Coast, or Chicago, indicating these regions as hubs of MBA talent. Transitioning into new career paths is a common trend, with 94% of graduates shifting to new industries or functions, often facilitated by the school’s recruiting activities—a pathway chosen by 7 out of 8 graduates.
In the internship arena, consulting continues to dominate, with the highest median base salary offered to MBA interns. The financial services and technology industries follow suit, highlighting the diverse opportunities available across sectors. The top hiring companies demonstrate a strong preference for MBA talent, with McKinsey & Co., Bain & Co., and the Boston Consulting Group leading the recruitment drive for both full-time roles and internships.

MBA Interview with Ross MBA Graduate, Senior Leader Operations, Amazon – University of Michigan