Calling all Michigan (Ross) Fall 2009 Applicants!

For my alternate career essay, I wrote about being a professional chef. I work (and want to continue to work post-MBA) in the food industry and wanted to tie everything together with my passion for food. In the essay, I spoke about how different aspects of cooking translates into creativity, resourcefulness, and leadership in the business world (and at Ross). Whatever you choose, make sure you can tie it back into your theme/past or at least make sure it's not a huge leap. It really makes your application flow well when you have reoccurring themes.

That was a really good approach. I took a totally different angle, and to be honest, I think I hurt my overall application. I think its good you showed a true passion for what you do.

I started a non-profit school during my undergrad and worked in it for a while.I led the effort,taught kids,collected donations,organized health camps for them etc.

My post MBA goal is MC.How do I make the connection? This essay is a tricky one.

I don't think there needs to be any connection. My alternate profession has nothing to do with my career goals or my extracurricular activities. I simply wrote about something that I like to do in my personal life. FWIW, I still received an interview invite (despite or because of the essay...). I think they are just trying to learn a little bit more about you as a person.

The connection is in the skills.

From my perspective, the ideal essay would do the following:

1. Describe something you are passionate about.
2. Describe skills you've acquired through your passion.
3. Show how these skills can translate to solving "multi-disciplinary problems"

Keep the skills very broad and the connect is a lot easier. Skills such as patience, the ability to motivate others, organizational skills, interpersonal skills, etc....

RF

Just wanted to add in my voice to the conversation...

27 F, 770 GMAT, 3.76 GPA, top 20 school, entertainment (performer) background 7 yrs entrepreneurial WE

Interviewed at super interview saturday. Waiting patiently for the call... *fingers crossed*

Do you happen to be a folk singer?

i'm working on my essays and looking at them as a whole and i'm not seeing much space to talk about leadership and extra-curriculars.

Why MBA & Why Ross - not much about leadership because it's building a case about why i'm interested in specific area since i have no work or academic experience here

Alt Prof - builds upon in a specific volunteer project in working with social entrepreneurs, so there's a community aspect here.

Challenging time - right now, this is embracing my ethnic identity in college since i'm born and raised in the US, but parents are immigrants. there is mention of leadership through extra-curriculars, but the main point is about self discovery. i could instead use a professional example talk about a difficult time in working with a colleague and how i fixed the situation. this would show teamwork, relationship building.

Significant prof accomplishment - still figuring out what to write about this one. but in reviewing the other essays, i definitely need to talk about teamwork, collaboration, leadership, impact on org since these qualities aren't addressed in my other essays.

I feel like I should use the optional essay to talk about extra-curriculars and how I'd be involved in clubs at Ross since there's not a good way to mention those anywhere else.

anyone have advice on how to approach this?

thanks!

just wanted a clarification.....can we write an optional essay for ross? i did not find the option to do so on the application itself?

I included my EC experience in the Alternate career essay.

Ross does have an optional essay.

I too met the "folk singer." Very nice girl.

I met the folk singer as well! Damn! She has amazing "stand out" quality if we can all bond together over the fact that we ALL met her! Way to bring us all together, folk singer! You are the Martin Luther King Jr. of Super Interview Saturday! She also fed me half of her sandwich, so she will always hold a special place in my heart!

I just got a call from Ross this morning - apparently I am in the same boat as the others from a couple weeks back that received interview invites - but no email!

Scheduled for tomorrow to give me sometime to collect myself after giving up hope for Ross.

Interesting note - The adcom I spoke to informed me that they were trying to finalize decisions this week before they leave for the holidays.

I wish they'd notify as well...

Not that I have any hopes from Ross, after a ding from Tuck, Duke and Tepper, but still I don't understand why would they announce decisions on 15 Jan when they would finalize 20 days prior. I would just like to hear a 'No' and move on completely.

Is this just a safety net for them, since R2 deadline is before R1 decision and more the overlap the better for the school ??