In this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we get the inside scoop on the leading Weekend and Online MBA programs at Michigan Ross, as five students share their admissions experiences and insights into their part-time option and more.
The Weekend and Online MBA options at Michigan Ross are both top-tier, part-time programs. Weekend MBA students join a cohort of peers for classes every other weekend and earn their degree in just two years. Online MBA students can choose to start the program in the fall or winter and complete the degree in 2 to 3.5 years. While coursework is completed online, Online MBA students have the option to attend electives on the Ann Arbor campus. They are also required to complete in-person Learning Residencies, either in Ann Arbor or internationally. Both part-time MBA tracks enjoy the hands-on Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) that Ross is known for.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Ross Weekend MBA Class of 2023. The 62 Weekend MBA students average an age of 29 and 6.4 years of work experience. Twenty-two percent are women and 32 percent are international. Forty percent of students are from out of state. During their undergraduate years, the Ross Weekend MBA class averaged a GPA of 3.4. Fifty-eight percent had majored in engineering and 22 percent in business/finance/accounting. Ten percent each had studied humanities/social sciences or math/physical sciences. Prior to matriculating, Ross Weekend MBAs worked in a variety of industries. By function, 24 percent had held engineering management roles. Eleven percent came from consulting and 10 percent from operations/supply chain roles. Nine percent worked in finance. Four percent came from general management positions. Others came from HR, entrepreneurship, sales, strategic planning and other work experience. When it came time to take the GMAT, the Ross Weekend MBA students averaged a 671 with an 80 percent range of 620-720. For those who took the GRE, their Quant average landed at 160 and Verbal average at 156.
The Online MBA class at Ross numbers 80 members. They average an age of 30 and seven years of work experience. Twenty-six percent are women and nearly seven percent are international. Roughly 86 percent of Online MBA students are from out of state. Ross Online MBA students earned an average GPA of 3.5 during their undergraduate years. Nearly 29 percent had majored in engineering followed by almost 21 percent in social sciences. Nearly 20 percent had studied business/accounting/finance/marketing. Approximately 10 percent earned degrees in the humanities. Prior to starting the online MBA at Ross, students came from more than 17 different industries. The highest percentage–11.5–came from healthcare. Then, roughly 9 percent had worked in the automotive industry. Nearly 7 percent each came from the aerospace, consulting or manufacturing fields. Approximately 6 percent have entrepreneurial ventures going; the same number work in internet & software services. The military and pharma/biotech each claim 4.6 percent. Other fields include consumer packaged goods, finance, energy and more. When Ross Online MBA students took the GMAT, they averaged a score of 677 with an 80 percent range of 620-730. Those who took the GRE clocked in average scores of 158 in both the Quant and Verbal sections.
Get to know some students behind the stats in the following pages, as five current Ross Part-Time MBA students talk about their professional and admissions journeys.
Manu Mehta, Michigan Ross Weekend MBA Class of 2023
Age: 30
Hometown: Pune, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Pune, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): I have around 7 years of work experience in technology consulting, product development, and digital transformation working across multiple industries like Life Sciences, Digital Media, Manufacturing & Retail, etc.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After working as a software engineer for several years, I discovered that I loved operating at the intersection of technology and business. I decided to pursue an MBA to complement my technical know-how with critical business knowledge and communication skills. My goal is to grow as a strategic leader and develop effective business decision making skills.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The Weekend MBA program at Ross provides an immersive and cohort-based MBA experience while allowing candidates to work. This meant that I could immediately apply the concepts I learned in class to my current role. Also, the WMBA students have access to all the resources and opportunities available to full-time students. This was very appealing to me as I was really interested in participating in the student clubs as well as Sanger Leadership Center activities. Finally, Michigan Ross offers one of the best MBA programs in the world and I was really excited to be part of the Ross community.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your part-time MBA class?
I have shared my experiences and knowledge working in technology companies with my classmates. I also joined the Tech Club to foster community building among Ross students interested in technology careers. I was selected to be a board member of the club, and one of the highlights of my role has been securing sponsorship for the annual Tech Week to provide candidates with networking and internship opportunities at top technology companies.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I am very interested in cultural anthropology and always keen on learning about the historical, social, and economic conditions that shaped the unity and the diversity of human societies.
Current job or Post-MBA career interests:
I currently work as a Solutions Architect at a San Francisco-based software start-up where I help our customers adopt robust data, analytics, and AI strategies to unlock growth and accelerate their business models.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Working on the essays was the most challenging yet the most rewarding experience of the application process. The strict 200 word-limit on the prompts ensured that I spent significant time thinking about my career goals and setting a clear vision for pursuing an MBA. I could then tie the vision to specific personality traits or experiences that helped shape that vision.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I deliberated the decision to attend B-school as I did not share the same post-MBA goals as many of the prospective candidates. However, after meeting with Ross alumni and attending several information sessions, it was clear that an MBA was the right fit for me. I would advise students to engage with as many alumni and admissions team members as they can. Ross has a diverse community and many students have discovered career paths that they didn’t originally plan on pursuing.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the GMAT/GRE test. It was challenging to find the right prep material in the beginning; however, I value the critical thinking capabilities that I honed because of the preparation.
What is your initial impression of Michigan Ross’s students/culture/community?
I found the current students and alumni to be very helpful and invested in the collective good of the entire Ross community. Students guide and support each other to achieve their goals while cheering them to take on new challenges.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Ross that has surprised you?
Michigan Ross truly has a vibrant and diverse student body. My classmates have different professional and cultural backgrounds; and many students fly in from across the country to attend the residencies. Every conversation with a classmate is interesting and I have already learned a lot from their diverse experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
My application process was delayed due to unexpected challenges that I faced due to COVID-19. I would advise students to start early in their application process to give themselves ample time to put their best foot forward.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I was anxious about missing out on participating in various activities that Michigan Ross had to offer due to working full time while pursuing my MBA. I found that prioritizing your tasks and being upfront about your time commitments helped me set the right expectations with my teammates at work and at Ross, and I could participate in activities that I truly was looking forward to.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am really excited to be pursuing an MBA at a time when I can apply my learnings to my job. This helps me reinforce my learnings from the classroom and apply them in practical settings. It has challenged and elevated my view of the world of business. Looking back, I’m very glad I made the decision to pursue the Weekend MBA at Michigan Ross.
Age: 29
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Undergraduate Institution and Major: UMBC University of Maryland, Baltimore County – BA in Art History & Museum Studies and BA in Media & Communication Studies
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 8 years, arts, event planning, and social impact
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Really what sparked the idea was the pandemic. I found myself thinking – what do I do with all this extra time I have not commuting to the office and to meetings? Naturally, I always seek to continue to grow as a human being and move forward in my career. At that point in my career nearly two years ago, I had been leading organizations from within and from behind-the-scenes type roles for years. I thought the next step in my career would be to challenge myself to step out from behind others to take on a more public-facing leadership role. So, I decided a masters’ education in business would help me to fill the gaps of knowledge and know-how that would allow me to have the confidence I need to lead organizations in my next career chapter.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
As I started to navigate potential MBA programs, one factor that heavily weighed on how I narrowed in on the programs I would eventually apply for is diversity of perspectives. On one hand, I applied to programs local to the Baltimore-DC area as I felt connections from these communities could strengthen my current social capital. On the other hand, mentors and advisors stressed the importance of being able to “go beyond my regional bubble”. Having grown up in Maryland, having done my undergraduate education in Maryland, and having spent all of my career in Maryland, I saw my MBA education as an opportunity to maximize the diversity of perspectives and experiences from beyond Maryland that would broaden my own perspective. Ultimately, I decided on Michigan Ross for the diverse, global, and, frankly, massive alumni network that bleeds to proudly blue.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your part-time MBA class?
As a woman of color navigating systems of power in the nonprofit/social impact sector, I constantly have to toggle between communities and communicate across lines of difference. I’m looking forward to joining the diverse classrooms of Ross to sharpen those skills and share that experience with my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
My bucket list goal is to see all the Cirque Du Soleils in the world and I’ve so far seen 12 out of 23!
Current job: Executive Director, Baltimore Homecoming (www.baltimorehomecoming.com)
Post-MBA career interest – To continue to change the world through social impact, whether in the nonprofit sector, corporate sector, tech industry, or elsewhere. Social impact is increasingly relevant and important in every industry.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Know and be able to communicate my goals and be authentically myself! Through the application written responses, through my interview – all the way through.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I spent more time talking with student ambassadors or Ross alumni to get a more well-rounded perspective of the program.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I actually very much enjoyed the application process – kudos to the Ross admissions team for making me feel like a valued candidate!
What is your initial impression of Michigan Ross’s students/culture/community?
Since I would have been joining the Michigan Ross OMBA community, and since the OMBA program is fairly new, my first impression was that the community is small, tight-knit, and nimble. By nimble I mean that students in these initial cohorts would have a major voice and influence in how the program is shaped and the program could respond “nimbly” to our feedback.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Ross that has surprised you?
Many of my classmates have STEM backgrounds – which was not necessarily a total surprise, but just further emphasized as I started classes. It’s a nice surprise as I think I can learn a lot from my classmates who have very different backgrounds and I too can bring a unique background in the nonprofit social impact sector to the classroom.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
(See answer 1). The COVID-19 pandemic certainly solidified my decision to pursue an online MBA as opposed to an in-person part-time MBA. With more MBA programs starting online programs and the credibility of an online MBA matching in-person full-time MBAs, it was a no-brainer to expand my choices to MBA programs beyond driving distance.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Time commitment.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Expanding my network of professional peers!
Age: 29
Hometown: Los Angeles, and currently live in Washington, DC
Undergraduate Institution and Major: UCLA, where I earned a B.S. in Psychobiology
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6 years, International Development in the Public and Social Sectors
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I made the decision to attend business school to complement my existing experiences and skills in core areas that would allow me to make a greater impact on my organization, particularly in finance, marketing, and operations. Additionally, strengthening my understanding in these core areas will not only allow me to develop stronger nonprofit best practices, but—alongside gaining direct experience with other sectors—will also help me speak the language of other industries, adding to my ability to develop strong cross-sector partnerships.
Now was the perfect time to attend because of my gained work experiences and my current position. With two years in the Peace Corps and four years at international non-profits, I have a deep understanding of how these multinational organizations are run, challenges they face, and their role in the international development space. Further, in my current role, I am responsible for the design, strategy, and execution of a new unit for the organization. There are gaps in the skills I bring to this role, particularly around marketing and finance as well as room to grow as a leader, so the curriculum will nicely fill those gaps.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I choose to attend Michigan Ross because the programs fit with my learning style, goals, and desired culture. Further, I wanted to stay in my current role and in the DC area, so I was looking for a program that would allow that flexibility.
Going into my school search, I knew that I learn best by doing, so Michigan’s action-based learning stood out to me as an important consideration and has since proven to make an impact on my ability to grasp new concepts. Ross also offers infinite opportunities to apply what we learn outside of the classroom whether through case competitions or MAP, something that was important to me coming from a less traditional background. I also knew that if I was investing two years into a community, I wanted a school with a lot of spirit, and I have not been disappointed! I’ve loved going to the Big House and wearing my new Ross swag with pride.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your part-time MBA class?
I think my engagement in and understanding of international development issues and the non-profit sector brings diversity in the real-world examples I bring to class. From Managerial Accounting when discussing overhead and indirect costs to Marketing consulting projects when deciding how to engage with social media followers, I’m able to bring a different perspective that, when taken together with peers also from a variety of backgrounds, makes for really successful solutions.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a classically trained pianist! I started playing the piano when I was four and began competing at 5, graduating from the Certificate of Merit, a national standardized curriculum for music student development, and winning several awards at regional and state levels. I played competitively until 18, and now enjoy it as a hobby.
Current job or Post-MBA career interests:
I currently work at Pathfinder International, an international sexual and reproductive health and rights organization as their Next Generation Engagement Officer where I do a combination of strategy, external engagement, and business development. Post-MBA I hope to continue to drive social impact, whether by advancing in my role at Pathfinder or pivoting to consulting or the private sector to advise their sustainability and impact initiatives.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Start exploring schools and attending school prospective student events early. Once applications open, you will be busier than you expect and doing research and having exploratory conversations early will make the application process go much more smoothly.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I probably would have applied to fewer schools. Having a focused list will ensure that you are applying to schools that really reflect your goals and learning style, and it will also make the application process much more manageable. It’s very easy to get worn down from essays and interviews, and you want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward for each application.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I felt that I had to go to every event for the schools I liked, even if I felt confident that I understood why I wanted to attend and was ready for their application (or even already applied!). I probably would have skipped some of those last events. But, in the beginning of the process, they really helped me stay engaged and remember the connections I felt to the school. Staying very organized in the end is what really helped me get through it!
What is your initial impression of Michigan Ross’s students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the Ross community is exactly what I felt during the application process. It is made up of genuine and well-rounded leaders, eager to learn more on how they can lead more effectively, open to learn about positions, industries, and cultures that are different than those they already know, and are equally committed to their academics. My classmates are incredibly intelligent while also engaged outside of the classroom, and I know I’ve found a community where I can bring my authentic self.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Ross that has surprised you?
I have been surprised by how much the Ross community supports each other, though in hindsight I shouldn’t be! Especially over the summer when so many students were attending class virtually, there has always been someone willing to help if you need it, including both students and faculty. The community is there to help with concepts you don’t understand, giving you a ride to campus, or offering recommendations on how to maximize your time at Ross.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
COVID-19 made it challenging to visit campuses and connect with current students and faculty in real life, so it was much more important that I took out time to do additional research on my own and take advantage of the virtual opportunities schools put together to connect with the campus and community. That said, it also made it much more accessible because I was able to attend prospective weekends from home rather than flying across the country!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Going into my first year, one of the things I was most anxious about was managing my time. Not only do I have to balance work and school, but I also want to take advantage of other learning opportunities, clubs, and events across campus. Now that I’m into my second semester, it’s becoming easier to reestablish my priorities so that I’m able to fully participate.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The most exciting thing going into my first year and in the first few months has been to connect with the Michigan community. As I’m based in the DC area, establishing my Ann Arbor network was one of my first priorities. I’ve not only been able to form great connections with my classmates but I’ve also already seen how fantastic the Michigan community is across the US. I get stopped all the time with a “Go Blue!” no matter where I am.
Age: 37
Hometown: San Francisco, CA, but currently live in Seattle, WA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Art History at Columbia University
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): After undergrad, I attended law school at UC Hastings and passed the New York Bar. I leveraged my law degree and experience to work in nonprofit management for a little over three years. In 2013, I left the paid workforce to become a stay-at-home parent, and in the intervening years, I’ve applied my legal and nonprofit experience in volunteer positions in my community and my children’s schools.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to attend business school because my kids are in school, and I am ready to reenter the workforce. While the intervening years had given me clarity on what types of roles I’m interested in, I was concerned my skills had grown stale since I was last in a proper office setting. Business school has been the perfect way to not only refresh my skills and network, but also to formalize what had previously been an ad hoc education in management.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Michigan Ross for a lot of reasons, but my primary reason was because it was the only top program that offered a format that I could fit into my life. I don’t have the luxury of relocating, so I was thrilled to find the Online MBA program at Ross. I have access to a world class education and fascinating classmates with such diverse perspectives without uprooting my family. Ross was my top choice program, so I applied early and, while I had other options on deck, it was the only one I applied to ultimately.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your part-time MBA class?
My most differentiating contribution is probably my legal background – it has been a useful set of skills over the years! I’m also a first-generation American, and I think that helps me bring a unique perspective to the classroom.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m an avid fan of Disney travel and plan at least one major Disney trip per year – matching shirts included. I even happened to be on one of the last Disney cruises in February 2020 before COVID-19 temporarily shut down the industry.
Current job or Post-MBA career interests:
I plan to look for a role in either operations or project management.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I only set aside five weeks to prep for the GMAT, which was just enough time to maintain my energy and focus on the exam without risking burn out. It was absolutely the right decision because everything I had reviewed and practiced was fresh for the actual exam.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started working on my resume much earlier! It had been such a long time since I had revisited it, and it was a massive undertaking to overhaul the whole thing.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the interview – I find interviews stressful under the best of circumstances, but when it’s on video chat and I can see myself, it makes me far more self-conscious. My spouse “helped” me prepare by randomly firing interview questions at me in the days preceding the interview, which actually did prepare me quite well in the end!
What is your initial impression of Michigan Ross’s students/culture/community?
The word that comes to mind whenever I think about the community is “nice.” It’s a common trope that Michiganders are nice, polite people, but Ross seems to draw in people who fit that description from all over the world. I’m so impressed with how much my classmates genuinely want to help each other succeed in the program.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Ross that has surprised you?
I’ve been surprised at the reach of Ross’s network. I have met so many alums here on the west coast in such a range of roles and industries.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how? The growing acceptance of virtual communication and collaboration that the pandemic has facilitated has been a huge benefit for me as an OMBA candidate. The fact that my program is virtual hardly raises any questions in 2021, whereas it may have been a bit more of a foreign concept to a lot of people before the pandemic.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The fact that I wasn’t working outside the home when I started classes gave me quite a bit of anxiety – I was worried I wouldn’t have enough to bring to the table.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The coursework! I am really excited to dive into the material.
Age: 31
Hometown: Toronto, Canada (born in Xinjiang, China)
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Windsor, Engineering Materials
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years, Automotive
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Before Ross, I spent 4 years with an automotive manufacturer where I led a small engineering team to improve the customer-perceived quality of the sports vehicles. I enjoyed solving challenging problems and working with a talented engineering team. However, as I progressed in my career, I noticed that I am gradually falling into my comfort zone, and I felt an increasing urge to explore different industries and organizational verticals, hence I choose to pursue my MBA at Ross.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Ross because of my personal experience of working with “Rossers.” In my previous company, Ross MBA graduates are always the most innovative and hands-on leaders. Seeing that impact, I knew that is what I want for myself, so I applied for Ross without hesitation.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your part-time MBA class?
During my first semester at Ross, I found marketing to be very interesting and I decided to devote my career to the marketing field. With great help from Ross’s career development team, I walked into my first day as an MBA marketing intern at Johnson & Johnson before the start of on-campus recruiting. My experience helped my peers to better understand how to efficiently utilize Ross’s resources to make an early career change.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I am an advanced open water scuba diver and a recreational pilot, but my family has no idea about it.
Current job or Post-MBA career interests:
MBA Intern- Enabling Technologies Marketing at Johnson & Johnson
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would definitely connect with current MBA students to learn more about Ross and the program.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I can go back in time, I might apply for Ross slightly earlier in my career, rather than waiting for my 4 years mark. I would definitely purchase the Michigan Wolverine season tickets.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I might not be so anxious before the admission interview if I knew how nice the admission team is.
What is your initial impression of Michigan Ross’s students/culture/community?
The students at Ross are an energetic, social community that emphasizes innovation, practicality, empathy, and inclusion.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Ross that has surprised you?
I was surprised about the amount of, and the variety of resources Ross provided to its students to help us succeed both academically (with world-class professors and knowledgeable staff at Kresge Library) and professionally (with the career development office, FACT groups, and Clubs).
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Thanks to the efforts of Ross’s admission team, I did not experience much impact on my application or admission process.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I was anxious about the classes in my first year. As I have no business background, I was afraid that I might have a hard time catching up. However, my anxiety was gone after the first weekend, as the professors made all courses so interesting and easy to follow.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I was excited about meeting new people in my class, and I was not disappointed. The cohort style of the program has already enabled me to form connections with a variety of people and facilitates a great learning experience at Ross.