The Application Is Open: Our Top Three Tips for Applying this Year

While enjoying a beautiful summer in Ann Arbor, the Admissions team has been busy holding events for prospective MBA students both virtually and on the road over the past few weeks.

Each event has been very engaging, and we have enjoyed meeting with attendees and sharing more about what makes Michigan Ross and the Full-Time MBA Program unique, including our welcoming and diverse community and focus on action-based learning. 

One of the most common questions we hear from prospective students at these events is: “What can I do to make my application stand out?” 

Now that our application is live, we wanted to share a few tips that we recommend that you consider when preparing your application. Be sure to note that our Round 1 deadline this year is September 19. 

1. Share your story. We want to get to know you. Make sure to be self-reflective and share your experiences both inside and outside of work. While we are looking to see how you perform in a work environment, we also want to get to know you better outside your “9-to-5” so feel free to use personal or professional stories in your application (or both!). What are some unique experiences that you can share with us that help us get to know you beyond the bullet points?
2. Communicate your achievements. Make sure that your resume clearly states the progression that you have made over the years. You should highlight your personal successes as well as your contributions to your company’s success. Keep in mind we are not just looking at the number of years of work experience, but more importantly the impact you have had in those years.
3. Be honest. It is as simple as that. We want to know about your true experiences and achievements. There’s no need to exaggerate. We want to know who you are, where you’ve been, and how you got to where you are. The application process is not only a way for schools to get to learn how you would fit in our communities, but also a chance for you to make sure you can show up as your authentic self since it will be a lifetime relationship and you’ll have to proudly represent the school as an alum.

We look forward to reading your application and learning more about you. For more advice, you can watch our Quick Tips series, where you can learn more about standardized tests, writing your admissions essays and resume, and requesting a letter of recommendation.

We also recommend that you check out our upcoming events calendar for ways to connect with the Admissions committee and current students.