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The Ross 2013-2014 Application
The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business has released their 2013-2014 application essays and requirements. Below we will detail the application deadlines, changes being made in application essays, and other application requirements.
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the Ross Class of 2016 will be as follows:
Round 1: Applications due by October 1, 2013
Round 2: Applications due by January 2, 2014
Round 3: Applications due by March 3, 2014
Essay Questions
This year, Ross has followed the trend that “less is more”, lowering its number of required essays from four to three (with an additional optional question) and reducing the maximum word count from 1700 words in the 2012-2013 application to only 1250 words in this year’s application cycle. The essay questions will appear on the Ross application as they do below.
Question 1. Introduce yourself to your future Ross classmates in 100 words or less.
Question 2. (a) What about your professional experiences have led you to determine that business school is the right next step? (150 words)
(b) As you have researched MBA programs, what actions have you taken to learn more about Ross and what has led you to believe that Ross is the right MBA program for you? (150 words)
(c) What career do you plan to pursue after business school and why? (150 words)
Question 3. Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What advice would you give to a colleague who was dealing with a similar situation? (400 word maximum)
Question 4. Optional question: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (300 word maximum)
Ross’ essay questions are very unique in that they are clear, concise, and guide applicants to break down their goals in a way that will be easily discernible to the admissions committee. Last year, the committee had added in an additional question about applicants’ “passion”. This year, the committee chose to eliminate that question under the belief that it did not help them understand or get to know applicants any better than with fewer required essays.
Essay question #1 has made an appearance in the Ross application for two years prior, asking applicants how they would present themselves to other Ross students. This question is about cultural fit, whereas questions #2 and #3 speak toward the applicant’s professional aspirations and experiences. Question #2 has been divided into three parts. This was done very intentionally to help applicants focus their responses, and to help the committee understand students’ goals in a methodical and standardized way. Finally, question #3 is arguably the most open-ended of Ross’ essays and allows for the most creativity. Question #3 was seen on the 2012-2013 application and left applicants with a wide range of stories to tell, experiences to choose from, and qualities to highlight.
Lastly, question #4 is optional and gives applicants an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that may have affected their career paths, academic history, gaps in work history, or other personal issues that may affect admission.
Other Required Material
Ross’ application requirements and criteria have remained unchanged from the 2012-2013 application cycle. Applicants this year will be required to send a GRE or GMAT score from within the past five years (the highest score is fine, as it will not be required to send in all test scores received), a TOEFL score for students who were born or studied outside of an English-speaking country, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and a $200 application fee.
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