Michigan Ross MBA Sample Essays

Michigan Ross Application Essays for 2019-20

Short Answer questions: Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (<100 words each; 300 words total).

Group 1
• I want people to know that I:
• I made a difference when I:
Group 2
• I am out of my comfort zone when:
• I was humbled when:
Group 3
• I was aware that I was different when:
• I was challenged when:

Essay 1: Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words)

Optional Essay: 

This section should only be used to convey information not addressed elsewhere in your application, for example, completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate.

Michigan Ross Winning Sample Essays – 1

Ross Career Goal Essay: Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this career goal right for you?  (300 words)

The last four years have seen me imbibe the spirit of marketing, strategy, and consumer awareness as a marketing executive in ABC, California. From customer satisfaction to customer delight, I have learned on the job, working on the implementation and deployment of strategies at the ground level. However, I find myself drawn towards the actual making of these strategies, to be involved in the marketing mix, right from inception, so I wish to delve deeper into global marketing by pursuing an MBA in International Business. It will provide me with an in-depth perspective of how business is transacted globally, with insights into global strategic management and innovation, key components to thrive in the ever-challenging business world.

In the next three to five years post my MBA, I wish to carve a niche in the field of international marketing as a Brand/ Marketing Manager in a leading Multinational organization like Amazon, Google, Apple or Tesla, eventually moving on to a broader role of Chief Marketing Officer. My experience in ABC, California will be an asset in this field while I shall employ my newly acquired skills in innovation, entrepreneurship and business management to give flight to my lofty ambitions. In the words of Philip Kotler, ’Marketing takes a day to learn. Unfortunately, it takes a lifetime to master’. My thirst to master Marketing and position myself as a global leader in the field is the driving force behind my aspirations. Future businesses are poised to be more competitive and collaborative than ever; whether it is international expansion, mergers or acquisitions, the global marketplace is breaking down international borders. With China, Japan and India dominating the world GDP index, global business is indeed going through a paradigm shift and I wish to be a part of this transformative experience.

Michigan Ross, with its inclusive culture, has people from diverse backgrounds learning together and I believe its collaborative environment will give me an opportunity to experience different cultures, make lifelong friendships and form professional networks in the half million strong alumni. I am positive that the two years here will empower me with business acumen, strategic analysis, and social proclivity to take the world in my stride, ready to meet business challenges as a market-savvy global leader.

What are you most proud of and why? How does it shape who you are today? (400 words)

“We are four months behind schedule and our suppliers keep pushing back delivery. Who has the answer? This young man?” Our CEO was not serious, but everyone looked  at me. It was my first meeting as the youngest project manager on a $70M program to launch a production line in India. “Sure! Why not?” I said. I was now side-by-side with some of the most experienced company executives,  handpicked to directly lead a $5.5M project. The journey was intimidating, but I was excited to work with a strong team across five countries. I knew the opportunity would  be an important step toward my goal of being COO at a Germany-based global automotive giant.

The challenge was immense. The Indian team was taking days to release raw  materials, causing delays that threatened the German supplier’s planned vacation. Having lived in both places, I understood the cultural differences: Europeans will not compromise work-life balance, while in hierarchical India requiring many approvals is standard. I worked with both sides to negotiate a solution. I explained the Indian process to European suppliers, requesting them to work with the logistics team to plan  ahead. I also convinced local Indian management that streamlining the approval process would prevent catastrophic delays.In the final phase, the German suppliers suggested to release substandard equipment. Under pressure, local management was willing to let the proposal slide. However, I learned from prior experience that this compromise would lead to an operational bottleneck, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. I presented a cost-benefit analysis, and persuaded management to allocate additional resources to alleviate the bottleneck. Both suppliers and company leadership applauded my  insistence on long-term benefits over short-term haste.The program was delivered on time, and our executives praised me for pulling the team  together.

I am proud of my contribution, combining technical expertise and business acumen, building international bridges, and rallying resources from different functions. This experience taught me the importance of listening to other’s perspectives. My current position requires working with suppliers and clients in 24 time zones. When our suppliers are not shipping quality products, I listen, identify conflicts of interest, and present solutions for long-term success. Looking forward, I want to combine my industry experience with Ross business skills to lead a top Indian automaker and build it into a major global player.

Michigan Ross Application Essays Tips

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is a top ranked MBA program that provides real-world opportunity for students. Ross emphasizes learning both inside and outside the classroom. This is a close-knit community, and you should demonstrate your fit with the program within the application process. Review our Ross MBA essay tips and show the admissions committee you are intellectually curious and able to accomplish your goals. Visiting Ross or learning about the program through current students, alumni or faculty would be helpful before starting this set of essays. The Ross admissions committee offers guidance through videos, blog posts and other communications. For example, Admissions Director has provided tips in a series of videos on the Michigan admissions website. In one of her videos, she says that a clear resume sets candidates apart and is the first thing they review in the application. Kwon also emphasizes the importance of test scores. In addition, Kwon and her team want to see candidates at events, showing strong people skills.

Ross Essay 1: Short Answer questions: Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (<100 words each; 300 words total).

Group 1
• I want people to know that I:
• I made a difference when I:
Group 2
• I am out of my comfort zone when:
• I was humbled when:
Group 3
• I was aware that I was different when:
• I was challenged when:

Take note that these short answers are about getting to know you personally, not your collection of accomplishments. Ross values: community engagement, interpersonal communication and teamwork skills. When you think about your short answers you may want to write about an important extracurricular moment, a challenge you overcame, or an event in your life that highlights something unique about your background. The questions are short and purposeful. The experiences you describe should be clear and stand alone. Looking at each group in turn, Group 1 might be an opportunity to talk about impact and action. It reads as a place to highlight accomplishments. The first open-ended prompt allows you to talk about something you feel proud of a personal quality, or an experience. For the next prompt, you could describe when you made a difference to an organization, person or advanced a cause important to you.

Group 2 is more about your reaction to events in your life and your character. How do you interpret what happens to you and how do you handle adversity and discomfort? Perhaps you have unique experiences in your life thus far. For example, living outside your home country, working with diverse groups, or overcoming a challenge at work or in your personal life.

Group 3 is an opportunity to highlight how you are unique as compared to other people you know. These questions ask for some self-awareness as you describe who you are and how others may view you. What makes you different from your peers? What is a particular challenge to you that may not be to other people?

Part 2 – Essay – Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words)

Admissions Director Kwon said Michigan Ross is “looking for — straightforward” in response to this essay question. Therefore, to answer this essay in a straightforward way you should state your career goal in a sentence or two. Then, use the remainder of the space to elaborate. Make sure to answer “why” you chose your short-term career goal. As you describe your goal make sure you explain what has led you to pursue it, and why it resonates with you. The answer doesn’t need to be elaborate or dramatic, but it should be convincing and real. Note that the question highlights “all backgrounds and different career goals” that all thrive at Ross. If you have a unique background or goal it can be an asset to show how you will contribute to this environment where everyone thrives. He advised last year that the admissions committee does not expect you to have all the experience needed for your career goals right now. However, “We want to know that you understand the skills that are important for your desired career. Recruiters assess whether you’re able to bring relevant skills/strengths to the table, so we do the same. Some of the skills and knowledge you’ll need will be developed during your time in the MBA program, but students are more successful in their career search if they understand the skills required to succeed in their chosen field.”

Optional Essay

This section should only be used to convey information not addressed elsewhere in your application, for example, completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate. Take it directly from the Ross admissions director: “The optional essay should only be used if there’s something in your background that requires a brief explanation. It’s not the place to submit an essay you wrote for another school, or to tell us how much you love Ross.” Think about anything that may raise questions while reviewing a resume, transcript or recommendations. Typically the kinds of gaps that raise questions are significant gaps in employment (more than a few months), anything below a C on your college transcript (particularly in quantitative coursework) and low test scores.