The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
June 18 - 30, 2023
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy gives rising high school seniors the opportunity to discover business from the inside out. Explore how companies run, understand how leaders solve problems, and experience what it’s like to be a business student at Michigan Ross.
Nov 11
Application Opens
Nov. 11, 2022
Jan 13
Final Deadline
Jan. 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. EST
Introduce Yourself to Business
This two-week pre-college program is designed for highly-motivated students from various backgrounds who want to explore their interest in business.
See what business is all about.
Gain a deeper understanding of how businesses work and explore potential career paths.
Get an authentic college experience.
Learn alongside a cohort of high-achieving peers.
Learn by doing.
Experience the collaborative, action-based learning environment at Michigan Ross.
Connect with faculty and experts.
Interact with Ross faculty, company partners, and industry field experts.
Lead with purpose.
Learn more about what it means to be a socially-responsible business leader.
What You'll Experience
Led by faculty across multiple functional areas of business, students explore what makes high-performing companies so successful. During the 2022 Summer Business Academy, they meet virtually with local companies and work in teams to propose solutions to real-world corporate challenges, culminating in a presentation, and opportunities for individual reflection. We anticipate being fully in-person in 2023. Students also complete rigorous, college-level academic work through classes and workshops. However, no college credit is offered, and participation does not secure or influence admission to the Michigan Ross BBA program.
Students are expected to participate in all aspects of the Summer Business Academy.
A typical weekday schedule may include:
Class or Workshop
Attend a morning class session led by one of our faculty members.
Attend a morning class session led by one of our faculty members.
Lunch and Group Work
Grab lunch and collaborate on group project.
Grab lunch and collaborate on group project.
Class or Workshop
Return for an afternoon class session led by a faculty member.
Return for an afternoon class session led by a faculty member.
Field Trip, Guest Speaker, or Workshop
Attend an organized activity, or participate in a guest speaker lecture or workshop.
Attend an organized activity, or participate in a guest speaker lecture or workshop.
Dinner and Group Work
Break for dinner and take time to make progress on group work.
Break for dinner and take time to make progress on group work.
Community Meetings, Study, or Recreation
Choose from a number of different mentor-planned social activities or catch up on studying.
Choose from a number of different mentor-planned social activities or catch up on studying.
Summer Business Academy programming will also include company treks and weekend team-building. Costs for all plans will be covered by the program fee.
Program Fees & Scholarships
Program Fee
The Summer Business Academy program fee is $3,250. The cost of the program covers all program events, speakers, course materials, and Michigan Ross apparel.
Scholarships
The Summer Business Academy will provide a number of full and partial need-based scholarships for students accepted to this program. Students may apply for scholarships within the online application.
How to Apply
All students who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome to apply. In particular, we encourage applications from outstanding African-American, Latine, and Native American students; first-generation students; and students who have overcome social or economic hardship.
1. Meet the eligibility requirement
- You must be a current rising high school senior to apply. Preference will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- You must maintain a minimum, cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Complete the online application
- This includes an essay of 300 words or less and a letter of recommendation.
- Submit a copy of your most recent high school transcript.
- An unofficial transcript will be accepted for admissions decisions, though an official transcript must be provided to enroll.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of $50. Inquiries regarding application fee waivers should be directed to mross.sba@umich.edu.
Application Opens: Nov. 11, 2022
Final Deadline: Jan. 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. EST
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply for scholarships for the Summer Business Academy?
Scholarships will be determined with a holistic review and will be based on an applicant’s need. Full and partial scholarships may cover the cost of travel for students located more than 100 miles from the University of Michigan. All applicants will answer questions within the application about household income and affordability. Applicants interested in receiving a scholarship must complete the scholarship essay, which will be used in the review process to determine scholarship award recipients.
What if I am not applying for a scholarship?
Students who are not seeking scholarship can leave the question blank and we will consider your application complete.
What if I can’t afford the $50 application fee?
After completing the application, applicants seeking an application fee waiver should email their request to mross.sba@umich.edu.
Can international students apply to the Summer Business Academy?
Preference will be given to U.S. citizens, permanent U.S. residents, and Canadian residents. However, additional international students are welcome to apply for consideration if space is available. The University of Michigan will not sponsor visas for the Summer Business Academy.
Please email mross.sba@umich.edu for application support.
Is there a form or guidelines for the letter of recommendation?
Yes. Once you submit your application, you will be able to provide the information for your recommender. They will automatically be sent a recommendation form to complete.
A full recommendation letter is optional. If your recommender would like to submit a letter, they can email a PDF directly to mross.sba@umich.edu.
How should my teacher submit my letter of recommendation so that I don’t see it?
Once you submit your application, you will be able to provide the information for your recommender. They will automatically be sent a recommendation form to complete.
A full recommendation letter is optional. If your recommender would like to submit a letter, they can email a PDF directly to mross.sba@umich.edu.
How many students will attend the Summer Business Academy?
We will welcome up to 60 students.
How can I pay the $50 application fee?
After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email with instructions to pay the application fee.
We must receive your application fee payment by Friday, January 29 at 3 p.m. EST for your application to be considered complete by the deadline.
If you would like to request an application fee waiver, please email mross.sba@umich.edu
When will I find out if I have been accepted into the Summer Business Academy?
All admissions decisions for the Summer Business Academy will be released in late February. All applicants must accept within two weeks of receiving their acceptance.
Will the Summer Business Academy be in person?
Yes. We are planning to host a full residential summer program. We will follow programming guidelines set by the University of Michigan.
What information will I receive once I’m accepted?
Once accepted, participants will receive the expected schedule, a packing list, scholarship information (if applicable), and travel information.
If I email the SBA team, when can I expect a response?
The SBA team will typically respond within 48 hours. During busy times of the academic year responses may be delayed. We appreciate your patience.
Where will we stay on campus in 2023?
Participants will stay in a residence hall on the U-M Ann Arbor campus.
I will still be taking exams when the academy starts, can I still participate?
Participants must be available for the entire duration of the program.
