About Michigan Ross
The University of Michigan Business School was founded in 1924 and became Michigan Ross in 2004 when Stephen M. Ross, a New York real-estate developer and undergraduate alumnus, donated $100 million to the school. It’s consistently ranked among the top 15 MBA programs.
Ross relies on its REAL learning philosophy (Ross Experiences in Action-Based Learning.) In 1992 the school launched its signature Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) program, which embeds teams of students in within US and global companies for seven weeks to address the firm’s challenges.
Ross students relish the experience of “learning business by doing business,” but they also want to leave their communities and the world better than they found them.
The Ross culture is incredibly spirited, team-oriented and close-knit – which extends from the classroom and extracurriculars to core action learning programs like MAP, IMAP, and EMAP. Michigan’s maize and blue culture envelopes students and permeates Ann Arbor, a vibrant college town less than an hour from downtown Detroit.
Strengths and Specializations
Technology, marketing, consulting, information management, social impact, sustainability, healthcare, real estate, design thinking and innovation, management science
Note: Thanks to its proximity to the heart of the US automobile industry, Detroit, the school has an excellent working relationship with this industry, especially with companies such as Daimler Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.
Graduating Class of 2026
Number of Applicants: 2976 (in 2023)
MBA Class Size: 396
Avg. Work Experience: 6 years
Avg. GPA: 3.42
Avg. GMAT: 728
International Students: 44%
Female Students: 40%
Tuition: $78,030/year
Post-MBA Careers (class of 2023)
Career Sectors: Consulting 44.9%; Tech 15.5%; Financial Services 14.2%; Healthcare 5.7%
Top Recruiters: McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, Amazon, EY-Parthenon, Dell Technologies, PwC Strategy&, PepsiCo, Nike, Accenture, Citi, JP Morgan Chase, Adobe
Avg. Base Salary: $175,000
Employment offered within 3 months of graduation: 96%
Michigan Ross Rankings
Admissions
Deadlines for the 2024-2025
| Application Round | Application Due | Decisions Released |
| Round 1 | Sept. 9, 2024 | Dec. 6, 2024 |
| Round 2 | Jan. 6, 2025 | March 14, 2025 |
| Round 3 | March 24, 2025 | May 2, 2025 |
Essays:
Michigan Ross Application Essay Questions 2025-26
Part 1: Career Aspirations
What is your short-term career goal, and how will Ross’ philosophy in Action-Based Learning help you achieve it? Please be specific. Please answer both parts of this question. (300 words)
How to Tackle it
Be specific and focused. Clearly define your short-term career goal, including target role, industry, and companies that recruit at Ross – vague aspirations won’t cut it.
Connect with intention. Demonstrate how Ross’s Action-Based Learning model and specific program offerings align with your career path.
Show real engagement. Go beyond the website – draw on personal conversations with students, events attended, or firsthand insights to show genuine interest in Ross.
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.
How to Tackle it
- Reveal who you are beyond the resume. The admissions team wants a window into your values, motivations, and personality – not a repetition of your accomplishments.
- Choose the prompt that brings out your most authentic story. There’s no preferred option, so focus on telling a compelling, personal narrative that reflects your character and growth.
- Demonstrate your future contribution to Ross. Connect your story back to how you’ll engage with the Ross community as a leader, teammate, or change-maker.
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)
Fortuna Tips & Advice
Check out our detailed advice on tackling each of the Michigan Ross essays.