Inside the Michigan Ross Executive MBA Admissions Interview

One of the key components of the Executive MBA application at the Ross School of Business is the admissions interview. While it is a required and important part of our selection process, the interview tends to be the most misunderstood, often evoking anxiety in even the most confident applicants.

To put your mind at ease, I’ve outlined a few important things to keep in mind regarding what you should and shouldn’t expect during your admissions interview.

The Ross Executive MBA Interview IS:

• A casual conversation about who you are as a professional. The discussion will focus on how you have progressed over the course of your career and the levels of responsibility you have achieved. Your resume will be the sole guide for this conversation, so be sure that yours highlights the areas our committee will be the most interested in: your strategic planning and leadership experience. (Note: while the interview conversation is more casual, professional dress is recommended for all interviewees.)
• A chance to share your specific reasons for pursuing an Executive MBA. You’ll want to share why you are choosing an Executive MBA curriculum over other part-time options and, more specifically, why you’ve chosen Ross for this experience. Be sure to have a solid understanding of our program and how it specifically aligns with the goals you have set for yourself. 

The Ross EMBA Interview IS NOT:

• A test of your business knowledge. We assume you are attending a program like ours to learn the technical aspects of business, such as accounting, finance, and economics. In fact, many of our students come to the program each year from professional “non-business” backgrounds including healthcare, law, and the arts. We won’t be quizzing you, so there is no studying required and don’t bother bringing your calculator.
• A situational interview. Our committee members won’t present you with hypothetical situations or problems to solve. We’re more interested in hearing about the situations you have personally experienced and the specific problems you’ve solved.

I hope this information helps demystify our admissions interview process. Rather than a test or obstacle to overcome, our interview is intended to be a relaxed conversation where we can get to know each other better and assess mutual fit. The stronger the fit, the richer your experience, the greater your personal and professional growth, and ultimately the stronger the return on your investment.