Michigan Ross stands as a premier institution for MBA education due to its exceptional commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact-driven learning. Renowned for its dynamic and relevant curriculum, Ross equips students with practical skills to navigate complex business challenges successfully. The school’s emphasis on action-based learning fosters real-world problem-solving, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the ever-evolving business landscape.
Additionally, Ross boasts a vibrant and collaborative community, promoting diverse perspectives and networking opportunities through its extensive alumni network. Additionally, with top-notch faculty and a strong focus on leadership development, it is not difficult to see why the University has thousands of applicants for their MBA program. An important part of that application process, however, is the essay, which is what we will dive into below!
Michigan Ross MBA Essay Prompts
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)
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.
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)
Essay 1
Prompt:
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)
Essay Analysis
This essay combines the career goals question with Ross’ signature strength—Action-Based Learning (ABL). Ross admissions wants to see three things here:
- Clarity in your short-term goal → A well-defined role, industry, and function. Avoid vague answers like “consulting” or “something in tech.” Instead, state: “I want to join a management consulting firm such as Bain or BCG to focus on digital transformation projects.”
- Logical career progression → Show how your past experiences plus an MBA prepare you for this role. It must feel achievable within 2–3 years of graduating.
- Connection to Ross’ Action-Based Learning → Ross is unique in its emphasis on experiential learning. They expect you to explicitly connect your short-term goal with programs like:
- MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects)
- Living Business Leadership Experience (LBLE)
- Impact Studio
- Student-led investment funds (e.g., Zell Lurie Institute)
- Centers & Institutes (e.g., Tauber Institute for Operations, Erb Institute for Sustainability, Center for Positive Organizations)
The key is specificity: Ross wants to see that you’ve done your research, know what ABL is, and can explain how these hands-on experiences will directly help you succeed in your short-term role.
Framework to Write
1. Short-term Career Goal (100–120 words)
- Be precise: role + industry + function + target firms or sectors.
- Explain why this goal makes sense given your past experiences and skills.
- Example: “Post-MBA, I aim to transition into product management at a global technology firm such as Amazon or Microsoft, where I can leverage my engineering background and consulting experience to drive customer-centric innovation.”
2. Why Ross’ Action-Based Learning (150–180 words)
- Identify 2–3 ABL opportunities most relevant to your goal.
- Explain how each will help you bridge the gap.
- MAP → exposure to real-world problem-solving in diverse industries.
- LBLE → managing live business challenges in global companies.
- Impact Studio → practicing innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Student-led funds → hands-on investment or VC exposure.
- Be concrete: link the learning to the exact skills you need (strategic decision-making, leadership under uncertainty, customer insights, financial modeling).
3. Closing (20–30 words)
- End with a confident statement that Ross’ ABL uniquely equips you to achieve your short-term goal and create long-term impact.
Tips for Writing
- Be laser-focused: Don’t drift into long-term goals—the prompt is strictly short-term + Ross ABL.
- Do your homework: Show that you know Ross-specific programs beyond just “MAP.” Mention the ones that directly fit your career path.
- Show the bridge: Make it clear how ABL fills the gap between your past experience and your short-term goal.
- Keep it balanced: Roughly 1/3 career goal, 2/3 Ross ABL. This ensures both parts of the question are fully addressed.
- Avoid generic praise: Don’t just say “Ross’ ABL is unmatched.” Instead, explain how MAP will help you refine your consulting toolkit by solving a supply chain challenge for a Fortune 500 client.
Essay 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.
What the Admissions Committee Seeks
The admissions committee wants to see the personal side of you—how you think, what motivates you, and how you engage with the world around you. This essay should highlight aspects of your character and experiences that are not evident in your resume or academic records.
- Unique Personal Qualities: Share characteristics or experiences that differentiate you from other applicants.
- Resilience and Problem-Solving: Demonstrate your ability to overcome challenges and your approach to problem-solving.
- Passion and Motivation: Show what drives you and how it aligns with the values of Michigan Ross.
- Community Impact: Illustrate your commitment to making a difference and your leadership potential.
How to Write This Essay
When approaching these essay prompts, consider the broader themes of uniqueness, resilience, passion, and impact. Reflect on experiences that have shaped who you are and how you engage with the world.
- Brainstorming: Start by listing significant personal experiences, challenges, and moments of impact. Think about what makes you unique and how you’ve demonstrated leadership and resilience.
- Choosing the Prompt: Select the prompt that best aligns with your experiences and allows you to showcase your authentic self. Ensure that your story is personal and not something that can be easily replicated by another applicant.
- Structuring Your Essay: Given the 200-word limit, be concise and focused. Structure your essay to quickly provide context, elaborate on the experience, and conclude with the impact or lesson learned.
Prompt-by-Prompt Guide
What makes you unique?
- Brainstorm Unique Traits: Make a list of attributes or experiences that set you apart. This could be a unique hobby, a cultural background, or an unconventional career path.
- Tie to Ross: Highlight how these traits will contribute to the Ross community. Show that you have thought about how your uniqueness fits with the school’s values.
Can you provide a specific example of how you’ve overcome a personal challenge?
- Narrative Approach: Use a storytelling method to present your challenge and how you overcame it. Focus on your decision-making process and the strengths you utilized.
- Reflect on Growth: Discuss what you learned from the experience and how it has prepared you for future challenges, particularly in the Ross MBA program.
What makes you excited to get up each morning?
- Identify Your Passion: Reflect on what drives you daily. This could be a professional goal, a personal mission, or a community initiative.
- Connect to Your Goals: Explain how this passion aligns with your goals and how the Ross MBA will help you pursue it further.
Describe a time when you made a difference in your community or with an individual.
- Specific Example: Choose a concrete example where you had a significant impact. This could be a community project, a mentoring relationship, or a leadership role in an organization.
- Highlight Your Role: Focus on your actions, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes of your efforts. Show how this experience has prepared you for the collaborative and impact-driven environment at Ross.
Conclusion
The key to writing successful Ross MBA essays is to present a clear, authentic narrative that showcases your unique qualities and potential impact. Reflect deeply on your experiences and choose the prompt that allows you to highlight your strengths and alignment with the school’s values. Be concise, specific, and genuine, and demonstrate how you will contribute to the Michigan Ross community.
Final Thoughts
Drafting the essays is one of the most important parts of the application process. And the above should perhaps help you craft it more effectively and efficiently. However, if you think you could use additional help with the process, our team of experts at Admit Expert have ample experience and will undoubtedly be able to guide you better through our in-depth analysis catered specifically for you. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us now.
