mbaMission

The University of Michigan is one of the top public universities in the United States. Like the school’s other prestigious graduate programs, including law, medicine, and public policy, its MBA program is consistently ranked in the top 15 in the country.

The University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business (Michigan Ross) offers a well-rounded general management curriculum, complemented by many signature hands-on learning opportunities, including the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) course, through which all Ross MBA students complete consulting projects for companies and nonprofits (located either in the United States or abroad) during the last seven weeks of their first year, and the Leadership Crisis Challenge, a role-playing competition that puts Ross students in the decision-making shoes of an executive facing a dilemma.

A Ross education prepares students for a variety of careers, with consulting (49.0%) and general management (10.8%) being particularly popular post-MBA paths. Michigan Ross is also a fitting choice for candidates with an interest in operations—the Tauber Institute for Global Operations (to which Ross MBA applicants can apply at the same time) trains students for a global career in the field. Given the strength of the University of Michigan’s other graduate programs, Ross also attracts candidates interested in dual degrees. Notably, students with a strong passion for environmental sustainability have the option of doing a joint MBA/MS program through Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise. And those with a keen interest in the intersection of business and societal challenges can complete an MBA/master’s in public policy through the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Many candidates who are seeking a true campus vibe with the amenities of a larger city feel that Ann Arbor, Michigan offers both. On Saturdays in the fall, the whole town turns maize and blue to cheer on the football team, the Michigan Wolverines. The university’s basketball and hockey teams also draw plenty of excitement and spectators. Apart from the campus revelry, Ann Arbor offers a vibrant and active arts, brewery, café, and dining scene.

Above all, what sets Michigan Ross apart in the eyes of its community is its collegial culture. At Ross, MBA students are divided into six sections of 70–85 students each, and members tend to show strong allegiance to their sections even after graduation. Alumni describe Rossers as “accomplished yet humble” and the environment as heavily collaborative, with students enthusiastically helping each other master new academic concepts and prepare for job interviews—even for positions they are competing for. Newly accepted candidates get a taste of this culture at Go Blue Rendezvous, the Ross admitted-student event that showcases the Michigan school spirit (cheers of “Go Blue” are frequent) and the business school’s welcoming nature, featuring activities such as a scavenger hunt and smaller group dinners.

The highly streamlined Ross MBA application does not give you much space in which to explain your perceived fit with this culture, but you will have the chance to do so in your interview if you advance to this stage of the process. In your application, you want to focus on concisely communicating your professional and personal accomplishments through your resume and essays, and have your recommender (one is required) attest to your strong performance, potential, and growth. Fortunately, mbaMission offers a depth of resources and services to help you on your application journey.

Michigan Ross and Social Entrepreneurship/Impact

The University of Michigan highlights its significant impact on the Ann Arbor community through initiatives in medicine, environmental sciences, and technology. This university spirit of “doing good” permeates the Michigan Ross School of Business, which has a long-standing commitment to social impact.

The Ross Business+Impact initiative—a major resource for Ross students interested in social issues—offers a Board Fellows program, speaker events, and sponsored consulting internships via its Summer Fund. The Ross Net Impact chapter, designated as a Gold chapter for multiple years, has previously hosted the organization’s annual conference (held in a different location each year) and provides various social entrepreneurship resources to students interested in this track. Additionally, Ross offers a MAP option focusing on the relationship between profit generation and social value creation, a fellowship for students to work on action-based learning projects, and the C. K. Prahalad Grand Challenge, a competition that gives students the opportunity to build a business plan for value creation at the base of the pyramid.

The Michigan Ross MBA Insider’s Guide

After consulting with Michigan MBA students, admissions committee members, and alumni about their Ross experiences, we have prepared our Insider’s Guide to the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. We take an in-depth look at life as a Michigan Ross MBA student, highlighting how the school’s location, class size, curriculum, teaching methods, facilities, alumni involvement, and rankings all affect its culture and MBA experience. Then we delve into Ross’s faculty (including renowned finance professor Gautam Kaul) and professional student clubs, revealing how they facilitate the careers of Ross MBA students. Through our guide, you will learn more about the hands-on learning philosophy that underpins the business school—evidenced by distinctive resources such as the Social Venture Fund, the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies’ Michigan Business Challenge, numerous student-run conferences, and other such opportunities. Further, you will come to understand how the LEED-certified 270,000-square-foot Ross building, along with other features of the campus, facilitates collaboration and socialization among students and underscores Michigan’s commitment to sustainability.

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The Michigan Ross School of Business Interview Guide

Ross interviews—which are most often conducted by students or alumni but occasionally by admissions officers—tend to be friendly and conversational in nature. However, Ross applicants should not get so comfortable that they lose their focus and fail to provide the admissions committee with the critical information that their trained Ross interviewers are seeking. Ultimately, through behavioral questions, the interviewer will generally ask about past experiences to gain insight into your decision-making abilities and your values. Further, you will need to be ready to share why you are a good fit for the school, offering particular reasons why the Ross culture appeals to you and why your post-MBA goals can be best served via the business school’s mix of teaching styles and resources inside and outside the classroom.

Note that in 2018 and 2019, the Michigan Ross School of Business included an optional team exercise component in its interview experience for applicants interviewing on campus and in a few select locations off campus. Ross described this additional exercise as an opportunity for candidates to get to know potential classmates, as well as for the admissions committee to gauge applicants’ interpersonal and communication skills and to better assess their overall fit for Ross. For the 2020–2021 application season, the exercise was dropped because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Ross has not yet announced whether it will reinstate it. For more information, including examples of Ross interview questions, check out our University of Michigan Ross School of Business Interview Guide.

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Michigan Ross Essay Analysis, 2024–2025

In your first required essay for the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, you need to show the admissions committee that the program’s hands-on learning environment not only appeals to you but is also the best way for you to gain the skills and experiences you need to succeed in your career goals. In that same essay, you must also explain what qualities you can offer that will help strengthen or elevate that learning atmosphere in some way. For Ross’s second essay, you have a choice of four prompts, all of which give you the opportunity to share something about yourself and your life that is separate from your career. Rounding things out, the program’s third essay is a fairly straightforward discussion of your professional aspirations and how the school will help prepare you to achieve them. A brief optional essay is available as well, should you have any elements in your candidacy that you believe warrant some clarification.

In our analysis, we provide in-depth guidance on each of Ross’s MBA application essay questions:

Part 1: Ross Experiences in Action-Based Learning (REAL)
At Michigan Ross, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. In our Full-Time MBA Program, you will put your skills and knowledge to the test in real-world situations with real stakes. How will this learning environment benefit you, and how do you plan to contribute to the action-based learning experience? (300 words)
Part 2: How will you make an impact at Michigan Ross?
Michigan Ross is proud to support a community of leaders and impact makers. As a future member of this community, we want to know more about who you are and what drives you. Please choose 1 of the following prompts to tell us more about what makes you stand out beyond your academic and work experience. List the prompt you are answering at the top of your response. (200 words)

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Michigan Ross MBA Program Class Profile (Class of 2026)

Class Size	396
Average GPA	3.42
Average GMAT	728
GMAT Middle 80% Range	690–760
Average GRE (Verbal)	159
Average GRE (Quant)	162
Average Years of Work Experience	6.0
Women	40%
International	44%
Countries Represented (including the United States)	40
U.S. Students of Color (percentage of U.S. citizen/permanent resident matriculants who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander, Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic or Latinx)	53%

Michigan Ross MBA Rankings

Ross was ninth in the 2023–2024 Bloomberg Businessweek U.S. rankings. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report MBA rankings, Ross was in 12th place (in a tie with Columbia Business School and Duke Fuqua) within the United States. In the U.S. News specialty rankings, the school was included among the top five in the following areas: management (2nd), marketing (3rd), production/operations (3rd), project management (3rd), and accounting (4th).

Michigan Ross MBA 2024 Acceptance Rate

The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan has an acceptance rate of approximately 31%. This competitive rate highlights the school’s selective admissions process, which seeks to enroll students who exhibit strong leadership potential, academic excellence, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the business world.

As one of the top-ranked business schools globally, the Ross School of Business attracts a diverse pool of applicants from around the world. The admissions committee carefully evaluates each application, considering factors such as academic achievements, professional experience, personal essays, and recommendations. Prospective students are encouraged to showcase their unique qualities and experiences that align with the school’s values and mission. By maintaining a rigorous selection process, Ross ensures that each admitted student contributes to a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, fostering future leaders in business and beyond.

Michigan Ross MBA Application Deadlines (2024-2025)

Round 1
September 9, 2024

Round 1 Decision
December 6, 2024

Round 2
January 6, 2025

Round 2 Decision
March 14, 2025

Round 3
March 24, 2025

Round 3 Decision
May 2, 2025

mbaMission Testimonials from Michigan Ross MBA Applicants

Melissa Blakeslee is the reason I got accepted!

I have been out of college for 10 years and trying to get into one of the top business schools in the world seemed like a VERY daunting challenge. I was overwhelmed when I looked through the application process and knew I needed help. I found mba Mission which led me to find Melissa. It is a lot of money and I was not sure what to expect but immediately I could tell Melissa was going to get me there! She did tell me that I would get out of it what I put into it so I spent over a month getting her all the information she needed to get the process going and WOW.. She gave EXCELLENT advice, gave me beyond helpful edits on the first few drafts of my essays, and pushed me to do some online classes and other programs/ projects to make up for some of the weaknesses I had in my application. Everything she edited/ suggested is nothing that I would have done on my own. She was ALWAYS on time with giving back edits or answering emails- most of the time she even got back to me right away! I truly felt like she was in my corner, made sure I felt heard on my point of view regarding the essays, and was really fighting for me in any and every way. It was a team effort and never once did she make me feel like I was demanding too much of her time or that I was another client she had to deal with. She encouraged me when my score for the GRE didn't raise at first and she celebrated all my small wins along the way before getting accepted. I am so happy that I was paired with her as she was my rock the ENTIRE time. I WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN MY ACCEPTANCE INTO ROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL WITHOUT MELISSA. I think the best decision you will make is signing up for this service and then asking for Melissa. You can tell she cares and genuinely is fighting with you. Melissa, if you read this, THANK YOU<3 You have been an integral part of my success in getting in and anywhere that Ross takes me! <3

The University of Michigan Ross School of Business: Everything You Need to Know