You must have a U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or the equivalent, by the time of application. You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcripts (and degree documents, if applicable) with your application. If accepted, official transcripts will be required.

The Michigan Ross MBA Program is quantitatively and analytically rigorous. There are three ways you can satisfy the test requirement for the Online MBA Program. 

1. Take a standardized test
   • GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition
   • GRE
   • Executive Assessment (8+ years of work experience required)
2. Take the Michigan Ross Quantitative Readiness Course (must achieve a minimum score of 80% on the final exam)
3. Submit a test waiver request within the application
    

GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE, or Executive Assessment* 

Scores are valid for five years from the date you took the test. 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, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE, or EA* 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. We will accept scores received from taking the at-home versions of the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, GRE, or EA test. 

*Applicants with eight or more years of professional post-collegiate work experience (by the time the program begins) may submit the Executive Assessment.

GRE School Code: 1839; GMAT Reporting Code: SN1-J6-92; EA Reporting Code: SN1-J6-92.  

Quantitative Readiness Course

Applicants to the program may also take the Michigan Ross Quantitative Readiness Course in lieu of submitting a GMAT or GRE score. This is a free, online course designed to test your readiness for an MBA program and help prepare you for a successful transition to Michigan Ross. The QRC is ideal for students who are interested in understanding and preparing for the quantitative rigor of a Michigan Ross MBA Program. Applicants who devote adequate time to the course should perform well. 

• Must achieve a minimum score of 80% on the final exam to waive test requirement
• Must be completed within 60 days of receiving access
• Includes six, self-paced modules
• Can be completed in approximately 20-30 hours
• Covers and evaluates statistical techniques and applications from functions to hypothesis testing

To learn more, or to enroll in this course, please visit the Quantitative Readiness Course page.

Test Waiver Options

For a small pool of experienced, academically and professionally high-performing candidates, a standardized test waiver may be requested. 

If you are considering applying for a test waiver, please examine your candidacy in terms of academic and professional accomplishments. A few things to consider when submitting your waiver:

• Quantitative ability is a prime requirement for waiver eligibility. This may be demonstrated by graduate level quantitative courses, work experience, and/or certification.
• Your application must be submitted before your waiver request is reviewed. 
• The Admissions Committee grants waivers on a case-by-case basis after considering individual credentials. 
• Test waiver decisions will be communicated within approximately 10 business days. The decisions of the Admissions Committee are final.
• A granted waiver does not guarantee admission.
• If you are not granted a waiver but would still like to be considered for admission, you can do one of the following: submit a GRE or GMAT score, EA score if you have eight or more years post-collegiate work experience, or successfully complete the Quantitative Readiness course.
• Some recruiters (specifically those in very competitive industries) seeking to hire graduating Ross MBAs may use standardized test scores as part of their initial candidate screening process.

If you are requesting a waiver, please select that you are applying for a test waiver under the testing section of the application. Once your application has been submitted, the waiver request will be reviewed, and a member of the admissions team will contact you via email within approximately 10 business days with the waiver decision. Application fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if waiver is not granted.

All applications submitted after April 1, 2022 are subject to currently published waiver guidelines.

Your resume should include up-to-date educational information and professional experience. Please include dates. These should correspond with the dates you provide in your application.

You may include community/professional service activities as well as hobbies/interests. Be sure to include any Executive Education or other professional certificates.

Your resume should be no longer than one page.

Part 1: Ross Action-Based Learning

At Michigan Ross, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. In our Part-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) 

• What makes you unique? 
• Can you provide a specific example of how you've overcome a personal challenge? 
• What makes you excited to get up each morning? 
• Describe a time when you made a difference in your community or with an Individual. 

Part 3: Career Aspirations 

What is your short-term career goal, and how will Ross help you achieve it? (200 words) 

Optional Essay 

Is there something in your resume or application that needs a brief explanation? Appropriate uses of this essay would be the explanation of an employment gap, academic outliers, choice of recommender, completion of supplemental coursework, etc. You may use bullet points where appropriate. (250 words)

Note: Ross graduate admissions recognizes the appropriate use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for providing guidance and suggestions. If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) software in the creation of your essay answers, you are required to use the APA in-text citation "Personal Communication." Rule: (Communicator, personal communication, Month Date, Year); example: (OpenAI, personal communication, January 16, 2023).

Michigan Ross uses the GMAC Common Recommendation Form, and we require only one recommendation. You should select a recommender who can discuss your professional performance and work style. A current or former supervisor is an ideal choice. Other alternatives include a client, project manager, or professional mentor. Your recommender should be able to answer the following questions about you:

• 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? (For example, 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 online 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.

The non-refundable $200 application fee is waived for:

• Active members and veterans of the U.S. Military
• Members of Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, Teach for China, Teach for India, or other Teach for All Network Partners who have served within the past five years
• Currently enrolled students in a University of Michigan graduate degree program
• Citizens of a country on the UN's list of least-developed countries - verified at time of application.
• Students who submitted an application to the Ross MBA program within the past five years
• Students who are current Fullbright Scholars
• Applicants who register for and attend at least one Michigan Ross Part-Time MBA event before submitting their application

In order to receive an application fee waiver, you must select the above criteria that applies to you on the Getting Started page of the application.

We do not waive application fees for any other reason.

Virtual interviews are conducted by invitation only, after all of your other materials have been completed.

If your native language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. All test scores must be active and not expired at the time of application.  

For the TOEFL exam, we require the internet-based test (iBT) version of the exam. The Ross TOEFL score reporting code is 1839.

We will accept a PTE or IELTS exam score as an alternative to the TOEFL. To have scores sent electronically to Ross, select "University of Michigan-Ann Arbor" as the recipient.  

International applicants for the part-time programs are exempt from the English language requirement if:

• You earned your undergraduate degree at an accredited institution where the sole language of instruction was English,

or

• You have been living, working, and conducting daily business in an English-speaking country for two or more years.

• Traditional business background not required.
• Individual evaluation occurs within context of larger applicant pool.
• No “formula” or “cutoff” determines a candidate’s outcome.
• There are no prerequisite courses for admission.
• We require at least 12 months of full-time work experience (post completion of your undergraduate degree), but highly recommend at least 24 months.
• Due to the analytical rigor of the program, it is expected that students have a working knowledge of college-level mathematics, including basic calculus. If you have not had this coursework, we recommend that you take a course that emphasizes business mathematics prior to beginning the program.

The University of Michigan is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Students wishing to receive accommodations must register with the University of Michigan Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office as soon as possible.

As soon as you are admitted to Michigan Ross, visit Get Connected with SSD | Services for Students with Disabilities to fill out the Student Initial Information Form and get started.

Testing Accommodations

Students must submit an official Accommodation Letter from the SSD office to the Ross Accommodations Coordinator at least two weeks prior to the first exam or quiz for which they require testing accommodations. Testing accommodation arrangements are not guaranteed for students who provide less than two weeks’ notice.

Using Accommodate

Students verified for accommodations must submit their Accommodation Letter at the start of each semester through the electronic portal called Accommodate. This can be done using the Semester Request feature. For Ross courses, these letters will route directly to the Ross Accommodations Coordinator, who will communicate and coordinate all accommodated needs with the student’s instructors at Ross. The day the Accommodation Letter is sent will be used to determine two weeks’ notice.

Short-Notice Accommodations

In rare cases, the need for a testing accommodation arises after the two-week deadline has passed (for example, a broken wrist). The student must still contact SSD and the Ross Accommodations Coordinator in these cases. However, we cannot guarantee that testing accommodations can be made with less than two weeks’ notice due to logistical constraints.

Other Resources

You can find peer support at Michigan Ross through student clubs and communities like Business Leaders for Diverse Abilities.

Additionally, access resources to help you get around campus, find study spaces, locate accessible bathrooms, request assistive technology, and more at Resources | Services for Students with Disabilities.

Contact Us

If you have additional questions, please reach out via email to [email protected].