Submit Your Strongest Part-Time MBA Application: Tips From a Current Michigan Ross Student
The application process for any MBA program requires time, organization, and careful self-reflection. Writing your essays, gathering letters of recommendation, and making sure your transcripts, and test scores or test waivers are in order can sometimes be intimidating.
To help you prepare to submit your best application possible to the Part-Time MBA Program, we asked a current Online MBA student to share tips and advice from her experience. We also connected with a Ross School of Business part-time admissions representative to provide insight into why it’s good advice to consider before taking this significant step in your academic and professional journey.
Amanda Stricklen, OMBA ‘27
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Grad year: U-M Nursing School ‘02, OMBA ‘27
Current industry: Healthcare - quality improvement
Career interest: Executive healthcare leadership
What's your best advice to prospective students hoping to get into Michigan Ross?
Self Reflection
Understand your strengths and weaknesses: An MBA application is as much about self-awareness as it is about accomplishments. Reflect on your career so far and what has led you to apply to the Michigan Ross OMBA Program. What have been your key strengths, and how have they helped you succeed? Also, acknowledge areas where you’ve struggled and how you’ve worked to improve. Specifically, think about situations where you’ve made tough decisions or learned something that shifted your perspective. Detail how these experiences shaped you and led to growth in your personal and professional life.
Know Your "Why"
Be clear about why this is the next step in your journey: Admissions administrators look for a clear intent and purpose about why you want to pursue an MBA. I was asked in my interview, “Why Michigan, and why now?” It is important to be able to articulate your answers clearly. Make sure achieving your MBA aligns with your future goals, whether it is to be a leader in your organization, or to acquire the tools to run your own business, etc.
Be Yourself
Share your story: Everyone has a unique story to tell and unique experiences. Now is your time to shine. It is important to think about how you will stand out or shine amongst the high-achieving individuals competing for a spot.
Be Vulnerable
Show vulnerability with confidence: Vulnerability doesn’t mean weakness; it means you are being true to yourself and honest. Don’t shy away from expressing feelings, showing empathy, or discussing how your personal experiences shaped your approach to leadership and teamwork. The OMBA Program is challenging, and no one person’s journey through it will be perfect. In your application, show how you have been flexible and adaptable in situations that did not have the expected outcome you hoped. You are not perfect, and you are applying to the OMBA Program to learn and advance your personal and professional goals, show that you are willing to take on this new challenge, and give it everything you’ve got.
Why this is good advice: from Aleena Tan, PTMBA admissions representative
This advice is top-tier because it encourages you to dive deeper into both your personal and professional journeys. By understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, you can present a more genuine and comprehensive overview. The admissions committee seeks applicants who can demonstrate a clear purpose and direction.
Articulating why you wish to pursue an MBA and how it aligns with your short- and long-term goals showcases a high level of commitment and foresight. This makes it easier for the admissions committee to see why you’d be an excellent fit for the Part-Time MBA Program. Authenticity is important. Sharing your unique story allows you to stand out from other applicants. This paints a stronger picture of who you are, makes your candidacy more memorable, and leaves a lasting impression on the committee.
How did you choose what to write about in your essay?
For each short essay, I chose to write about experiences in my career that were unique to me. These experiences have contributed to my personal growth and allowed me to identify areas for further professional development. They have been instrumental in shaping my skills and my approach to challenges.
For the optional statement, I wrote about work I helped develop, implement, and monitor over the last twenty years. This work has significantly improved decision-making and patient outcomes. I played a key role in creating and executing this initiative, collaborating with stakeholders, and overcoming challenges to ensure its success. The work has led to tangible improvements in healthcare and deepened my expertise in driving impactful change within the field.
Why this is good advice: This advice is valuable because showcasing your unique experiences sets you apart from other applicants. Highlighting experiences that have contributed to your personal growth demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to continuous improvement, suggesting that you are prepared and motivated to excel in your studies. By illustrating how these experiences have shaped your skills, you provide insight into your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for addressing real business challenges in the action-based learning environment here at Ross.
What is one thing you wish you had known when you applied to Michigan Ross?
Growing up in Ann Arbor, I was aware of the prestigious reputation of Michigan Ross, but I didn’t truly understand its significance until I had the privilege of becoming a part of the community.
Discover more information on the Online MBA Program and application requirements, including additional application tips from the Part-Time MBA admissions director.
