Calling all Michigan (Ross) Fall 2009 Applicants!

Agreed -

I actually wrote about a similar topic - becoming a teacher. I tied it into my ECs and how I seek to be a leader and teacher currently in some aspects of my life. Actually turned into a decent essay.

~Sam

That was my take on it too. I don't think they are asking the question to trap someone ("Hey! Because you said a non-MBA career, I'm not letting you in!!").

I agree that one should be careful to not phrase the essay in a way that suggests you'd RATHER pursue those goals.

Plus, talking about a real experience is going to be MUCH more valuable than something less concrete.

Thanks guys.

RF

You could always say if money were no concern (which it won't be after an MBA from Ross of course) I would indulge a passion in building boats I inherited from my great grandfather who was a sailor on the high seas in the time of Lord Nelson et cetera. You get the "drift" (get it?).

Whatever floats your boat

Ha...who says MBAs don't have a sense of humor.

Wooooooooo! I'm in for Thursday the 25th. I'll be the guy in the maize and blue striped dress shirt!!!

Has anyone started on Ross essay #3?
Here is the question "If you were not pursuing the career goals you described in Question 1, what profession would you pursue instead? (for example, teacher, musician, athlete, architect, etc.) How will this alternate interest contribute to your effectiveness in solving multi-disciplinary problems?"

I can write the answer to the 1st part, but struggling with the 2nd part. What does it mean by multi-disciplinary problems? How can a person with alternate profession such as athlete, musician solve such problems effectively? What exactly is the school looking in the answer?

Exactly my problem.. I had posted this question in the main MBA application forum but didn't get any responses. So, I posted it in this forum again and then I saw your post. How can careers such as musicians, chess player help solve multi disciplinary problems? Also, why would you care about solving multi-disciplinary problems if you are a musician or an athlete? If I pursue a completely different profession, say musician, I wouldn't go to business school. If I become a musician, my goal would be to entertain people. How can my ability to play musical instruments or perform in a concert contribute to solving multi-disciplinary problems?
I am confused.

I think I've got a better grasp on the question now that I'd had some time to think about it.

I think the ideal content for this question would be an extra-curricular activity that you have a real passion for. Something that you can relate your experience to when it comes to solving multi-disciplinary problems. For example, if you volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, you could say your alternate career would be a home builder. You could then talk about the leadership you needed to show when you volunteered.

As to skills useful in solving MD problems, think "soft" skills like communication, persuasion, organization, motivation, vision, innovation, etc.

You don't have to go for the grand slam. I think this question also tests your ability to relate your personal experiences to the "bigger picture". Going back to the Habitat for Humanity example: If you were working on a bathroom remodel and people were getting in each others way, maybe you organized the work so it was done more efficiently? That would fall under leadership and organization. Those are both skills that would be useful in solving MD problems.

I think you need to focus less on what the alternate career is and more on the day-to-day skills you show when you pursue it. For example, if you had a musical skill you could talk about the leadership you showed when you tried to organize practice sessions.

RF

But, then I thought you never answered how you would solve the multi-disciplinary problems. 2nd part of the question asks "How will this alternate interest contribute to your effectiveness in solving multi-disciplinary problems?" As a musician what MD problems will I solve? I might be able to answer how based on the leadership skills I have shown lets say in arranging practice sessions. or is it that answering what MD problems is irrelevant?

I think this is a poorly written question, so your confusion (and mine) is understandable.

Apparently they took out parts of the question that were in there last year. Did you read the links to the admission consultants blogs that I posted above? They are helpful in getting a sense of what the question is asking.

The MD problems they talk about relate back to the MAP projects. So what the question is actually saying is:

What skills have you obtained through your alternate interests and how will they contribute to your effectiveness during a MAP project?

RF

Yes I read those. So, does that mean the answer to 'What MD problems' is not relevant here?
Here is how I was trying to write this essay.

Para 1 - what alternate profession
Para 2 - Why this alternate profession
Para 3 - skill 1 & 2 learned though this alternate interest will help solve MD problem X.
Para 4 - skill 3 & 4 learned though this alternate interest will help solve MD problem Y.

OK, I see what you're getting at now. I think you have two options. Talk about specific MD problems you can solve, or talk about MD problems in general (which I think is an easier approach).

What MD problems were you thinking of talking about? I think that might be pretty hard to do.

RF

Hehe... I was struggling with talking about specific problems, but I thought the adcom wanted me to talk about a few MD problems...

Your approach seems right.

This may seem like a silly question, but the essay instructions say, "Use at least 11pt font and 1.5 inch spacing." Does this mean use 1.5 inch spacing or use at least 1.5 inch spacing?

Thanks!

I'm going to take the latter latter approach as well.

Just signed up for the Ross event on 9/29 in Marina del Rey. Hope to see some of the SoCal gmatclub crew there!