Take the Next Step
Sign Up for Ross Email
DEADLINE: October 1, 2018
DECISION: December 19, 2018
Stand Out. We'll Show You How.
Oct1
Round 1
Jan7
Round 2
DEADLINE: January 7, 2019
DECISION: March 15, 2019
Mar18
Round 3
DEADLINE: March 18, 2019
DECISION: May 10, 2019
Your Application Checklist
1. Choose your deadline.
The most amazing application in the world won’t help you if you miss the deadline. While we understand your desire to perfect your materials, time management is a skill that’s critical in both business and applying to B-school.
Applications are due by 11:59 PM EST on the due dates noted above.
2. Order your transcripts.
You must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by the time of application. You can submit an unofficial copy of all of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts (and degree documents, if applicable) with your application, but official transcripts will be required if you’re accepted.
3. Take the GMAT or GRE.
You can provide either GMAT or GRE scores, which are valid for five years after you took the exam. You may self-report your score on the application or upload unofficial score reports. If accepted, official reports will be required. If you take the GMAT or GRE more than once, we will use your highest total score and the corresponding breakout scores in evaluating your application. We do not mix and match scores.
4. Update your resume.
Make sure your resume provides current educational information and professional experience, including dates. These dates should match your application. Including community service activities and your hobbies/interests is encouraged, as it helps us get to know you better. Your resume should be no longer than one page.
5. Write your essays.
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 less (<100 words each; 300 words total). Every word counts here — the tight word count is intentional to force you to focus.
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 was different when:
I find it challenging when people:
Part 2: Essay
Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. What brings you here? For this essay, please share your short-term career goal. Why is this career goal right for you? (300 words)
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Admissions Blog:
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Optional statement
Is there something in your resume or application that could use some explanation? This is your chance to elaborate. You might want to discuss completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc.
6. Choose your recommender.
Michigan Ross uses the GMAC Common Recommendation Form, and we require only one recommendation. Select a recommender who can discuss your professional performance and work style; a current or former supervisor is ideal. Alternatives include a client, project manager, or professional mentor. Your recommender should be able to answer the following questions:
- Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant's role in your organization. (50 words)
- How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g., what are the applicant's principal strengths?) (500 words)
- Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (500 words)
IMPORTANT: This is NOT the official recommendation, but rather a list of the questions that will be sent to the individual you identify as your recommender in the application. The actual recommendation and ratings form must be submitted online by your recommender. Your application is not considered complete until we receive your recommendation.
7. Prepare for your interview.
Interviews are conducted by invitation only. You may interview on campus or with a Ross alum in your local area. Skype interviews are available as an alternative.
If you interview on campus, you can take part in a full day of activities, including sitting in on a class, hearing from a panel of current students, networking with representatives from centers and institutes, participating in the team exercise, and eating lunch with Admissions staff and current students.
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Admissions Blog: Interview mythbusters and other things you need to know |
8. Pay the $200 application fee.
The nonrefundable $200 application fee is waived if:
- You are a current or former member of the U.S. military.
- You have served in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America within three years of the application deadline.
We do not waive application fees for any other reason. Please email rossmba@umich.edu to request an application-fee waiver prior to submitting your application.
9. Participate in the Team Exercise (optional).
The team exercise is up to you, but we highly recommend it for a few reasons:
- It allows you to get to know potential classmates.
- It allows us to gauge your interpersonal and communication skills.
- It provides another way to assess your “fit” with Michigan Ross.
The team exercise is offered in Ann Arbor and internationally.
Your Future Begins Here. Get Started Now.
Create an account to start your application, or log in to manage an application in progress or add recommenders.
The Bar Is High. Here’s How You Rise Above the Rest.
The Admissions Committee looks for talented students from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds. Applications are reviewed holistically; no single factor — e.g., GPA, GMAT/GRE score, or years of work experience — determines the outcome. If you’re right for Ross, you’ll probably identify with the following:
You’ve Accomplished a Lot
The Admissions Committee is looking for professional and personal achievements in your resume, recommendation letter, and interview (if invited). Your achievements indicate:
- Your career path and progression
- Your contributions and impact
- Your potential to succeed in your desired career
You Work Well with Others
The interview (invitation only) and Team Exercise (optional) help us to get a feel for your interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills. We look at how you present yourself in a professional setting and how you engage and work collaboratively with others.
You've Got the Score
Your undergraduate record, graduate record (if applicable), GMAT and/or GRE score(s), and TOEFL score (if applicable) help show us:
- Your ability to succeed academically
- The degree to which you have challenged yourself
- Your quantitative background — college-level math should not be a problem for you
- Your English language ability
Additional Things You Should Know
International Applicants
Application Deadlines
While you are welcome to apply in Round 3, international applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials in Rounds 1 or 2 to allow sufficient time for visa processing.
Undergraduate Degree
You must hold a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year American bachelor’s degree prior to applying. A three-year degree is acceptable from regions that typically do not offer four-year degrees. In addition to your transcripts, you must also provide a diploma or similar document indicating the date the degree was earned. If these are not in English, you must provide a certified, literal (not interpretive) English translation along with the documents. If a copy of the original transcript is submitted, it must be certified by the institution from which the degree was received. Documents notarized by a notary public are not acceptable. Credentials must include the following:
- Institution name
- Your name
- Years of attendance
- Courses taken
- Grades receive
- The degree, diploma, or certificate awarded and date of the award
- You may submit a photocopy of the original document with your application. If admitted, you will be required to submit official documentation to World Education Services for authentication.
English Proficiency
If your native language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). The TOEFL or PTE must be taken no more than two years prior to the application deadline date. You must take the internet-based test (iBT) version of the TOEFL exam. Ross’ TOEFL score reporting code is 1839.
We will accept a PTE score as an alternative to the TOEFL. To have scores sent electronically to Ross, select “University of Michigan-Ann Arbor” as the recipient.
If you have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution where the sole language of instruction was English, you are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.
Underrepresented Student Applicants
Admission Through the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management
Ross is a member of the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management (CGSM), which aims to enhance diversity in business education and leadership by helping to reduce the serious underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in member schools and the ranks of management.
If you are committed to increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in business, you are encouraged to apply to the Ross Full-Time MBA Program through the Consortium, via the Consortium website.
If you apply as a Consortium candidate, you are not required to complete the Ross MBA application. Review the Consortium Prospective Student Page for more information.
Ross Consortium: Members of the Ross Consortium help you navigate the admissions process. They become part of your network, sharing information about job opportunities, study groups, and more.
Interview Day: There is a special Consortium Interview Day for prospective students. This combines admissions interviews with programming that demonstrates how the Consortium experience at Ross differs from other schools.
Webinars: Watch special webinars hosted by the Ross Consortium in conjunction with the Ross Office of Admissions.
For more information or to answer any questions about Ross Consortium activities, contact Ross Admissions, 734-763-5796.
Other Partnerships
Ross collaborates with other organizations that encourage students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities to pursue graduate management studies, including Management Leadership for Tomorrow, the Riordan Fellows Program, and Toigo Foundation.
Ross also participates in conferences that seek to address underrepresentation in business, including:
National Black MBA Association
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
We encourage you to visit Diversity Matters at Michigan, which serves as a comprehensive portal to diversity resources at the University of Michigan.
Reapplicants
Welcome back! It’s been awhile. If it’s been less than a year since you originally applied, you can submit an abridged application as follows:
- Complete an application form and pay the application fee.
- Submit an updated resume.
- Submit one recommendation letter. You may choose your original recommender, but the recommender must complete a new recommendation that reflects your performance and achievements since your original application was submitted.
- Submit a letter to update us on your achievements and goals since your original application. Upload the letter with your updated resume.
- If you retook the GMAT, GRE, or TOEFL, send or upload an updated score report. You do not need to submit new score reports unless your scores expired.
- You do not need to send transcripts that were submitted with your last application. We still have these on file.
- OPTIONAL: You may choose to answer one or more of our current essay questions.
If it has been more than one year from your original application, you need to submit a completely new application.
Attend an Admissions Event
Go beyond the website and have real conversations with students, alumni, and members of the Admissions team. They can answer your specific questions and help you decide if Michigan Ross is right for you.
Upcoming Admissions Events
Mar25
Mar26
Apr1
Apr4
Would you like to learn more about Michigan Ross?