Beyond the Admit Letter: How “Go Blue Rendezvous” Brings the Ross Experience to Life

Go Blue Rendezvous is put on by the Full-Time MBA admissions team to show future MBAs what their lives could look like at Michigan Ross. There are two days of official programming, including building tours, career development and leadership sessions, student speaker series, student club fairs, and much more.

GBR is a chance for students who haven’t yet matriculated to explore the Michigan Ross experience and culture to see if it would be a good fit for them, as well as their partners and families. It’s also a chance for matriculated students to meet new classmates, network with current students, and dive into opportunities that await them in the fall.

To learn more about this event, we asked three current Ross students what they took away from GBR and how it impacted their decision to come to Ross.

Mariana Canepa, MBA ’25

Hometown

Mexico City, Mexico

What is your post-graduation career goal?

My goal is to drive the implementation of sustainable practices across diverse industries, helping businesses integrate environmental and social responsibility into their operations. After graduation, I will join Mastercard Advisors Consulting as a consultant, where I’m looking forward to contributing to the growth of the sustainability practice by developing innovative initiatives that create long-term value for clients and the organization.

How did GBR change or solidify your impression of Ross?

Attending GBR was an incredible experience that gave me a true sense of the school's amazing community, its vast resources, and the exciting opportunities available — from professional development to personal growth. It was also the perfect chance to meet future classmates and start building lifelong friendships. I highly recommend joining the event to experience what makes the Ross and U-M communities so special.

What aspect of GBR did you find most valuable, and why?

Each event was fantastic and gave me a unique glimpse into what was ahead. Sharing the experience with my husband made it even more special, as we both felt genuinely welcomed. It was incredibly helpful to learn about the program’s structure, explore the building, and discover some of Ann Arbor’s charming spots. Talking with current students and hearing about their experiences — academically, personally, and professionally — provided invaluable insights that made me even more excited to join the community.

What’s one thing you learned about Michigan Ross that you didn’t know before GBR?

I was genuinely surprised by the wide range of opportunities Ross offers to collaborate with other organizations — whether through venture funds supporting startups, case competitions with other MBA programs, industry conferences, or the many dual-degree options. I also hadn’t realized the breadth of leadership opportunities available, from getting involved in professional and affinity clubs, participating in Sanger Leadership Center programs, or serving as a peer coach as an MBA2.

What would you say to someone who is considering attending this event in the future?

I strongly encourage you not to miss it. Visiting Ann Arbor, exploring the campus and the school’s resources, and beginning to build meaningful connections and friendships is an irreplaceable experience that can only happen during GBR.

Omar Elsherif, MBA ’25

Hometown

Ann Arbor, MI, and Cairo, Egypt

What is your post-graduation career goal?

Management consulting focusing on operations.

How did GBR change or solidify your impression of Ross?

GBR completely solidified my impression of Ross as a place where people genuinely care about each other. I knew about the collaborative culture before, but actually experiencing it — whether through chats with students or just how welcoming everyone was — made it feel so real. I left the weekend feeling excited, supported, and confident that Ross was the right fit for me.

What aspect of GBR did you find most valuable, and why?

The workshops were definitely the highlight for me, especially the ones led by the Sanger Leadership Center. It was such an engaging session that helped me think more intentionally about my MBA goals and how to make the most of my time at Ross. Plus, I got to meet some amazing people through the interactive activities. I left with a clearer sense of the resources and opportunities available to support my personal and professional growth.

What’s one thing you learned about Michigan Ross that you didn’t know before GBR?

I didn’t realize how strong the Ross alumni network is until GBR. I kept hearing stories about people reaching out to alumni across the world and getting helpful responses super quickly. It was also cool to learn more about the action-based learning opportunities beyond Multidisciplinary Action Projects, like the Living Business Leadership Experience and student-run funds. It made me even more excited about all the ways I can get real-world experience at Ross.

What would you say to someone who is considering attending this event in the future?

Definitely go if you can! GBR gave me a real feel for the Ross community — it’s one thing to hear about the pay-it-forward culture, but actually experiencing it through conversations with students, faculty, and fellow admits made it so much more real. Plus, it’s a great way to start building friendships before school even starts. I left the weekend feeling more confident that Ross is the right place for me

Annie Eng, MBA ’25

Hometown

Long Island, NY

What is your post-graduation career goal?

I'm aiming to move into the technology industry, specifically in educational tech or civic tech, where I can build upon my technical skills in data analysis and product management at the intersection of business and impact.

How did GBR change or solidify your impression of Ross?

I had heard wonderful things about the Ross community through my chats with current students, and I saw all of that energy firsthand at GBR.

What aspect of GBR did you find most valuable, and why?

I loved my small group dinner session, where I met some of my closest friends. It was great to break away from the larger sessions and hear from current students while meeting potential classmates.

What’s one thing you learned about Michigan Ross that you didn’t know before GBR?

I had no idea how diverse Ross was until I stepped foot in the building, and this diversity is reflected in the numerous centers, classes, and clubs we have on campus. On a fun note, I was also pleasantly surprised to see a Starbucks in the Ross building!

What would you say to someone who is considering attending this event in the future?

Take the weekend to explore the broader Ann Arbor area (aside from downtown) to get to know the place. There are so many hidden gems here!