Data-Driven Innovators: Meet the Master of Business Analytics Class of 2024

The Michigan Ross MBAn Class of 2024 comprises 50 students, 44% of whom are women. The Class of 2024 hails from five countries and 29 undergraduate institutions and represents 25 different undergraduate majors. This new cohort comes to Ross with a highly impressive academic record, entering the program with an average GPA of 3.72.

The 10-month program just kicked off in June, and MBAn students are already embracing the cross-functional curriculum at Ross and learning the skills they’ll need to tackle intricate business issues with their understanding of complex data. As the second-ever class in their program, the students in this year’s MBAn cohort are also forging a new place for themselves in the larger Michigan Ross network and community.

Below, meet three members of the Class of 2024. 
 

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Ruchi Pallod

Hometown: 
Mumbai, India

Undergraduate school and major: 
St. Xavier’s College, bachelor in statistics and economics

What is your post-graduation career interest? 
Program manager/strategy consultant

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program? 
The MBAn program has a comprehensive curriculum taught by exceptional faculty, with an opportunity for practical learning experience via the Consulting Studio. And that is exactly what I was looking for! Beyond the academic offerings, I was attracted to the extensive alumni network at Ross and the professional support offered by the Career Development Office.

What made the Ross MBAn program stand out to you versus other programs? 
When comparing the Ross MBAn program to other schools, one prominent difference was that Ross placed equal importance on ‘business’ and ‘analytics’ in the course curriculum. The program is prudently designed for developing technical skills alongside the understanding of its business application. Furthermore, the coursework encourages teamwork and focuses on peer 
learning as a simulation of real-world working culture.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
There are three main things. One, engagement with current students. The MBAn cohort is exceptionally diverse and talented, and I am excited about the group projects. Two, the active participation. Ross offers a lot more opportunities than one can grab in 10 months. The Sanger Leadership Center and Business+Tech initiative are the ones that I find most relevant for my personal and professional growth. Lastly, the challenge to become the best version of myself!

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future? 
Ross emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking skills, which can be valuable in various aspects of life beyond academics. At a personal level, I think that managing a rigorous curriculum, participating in various clubs and competitions, networking, and meaningfully engaging with current students and alumni will have a big impact on my future. These learnings and fulfilling experiences will last a lifetime.

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Aaron Zhao

Hometown: 
Irvine, CA

Undergraduate school and major: 
University of California San Diego, bachelor in international business and social psychology

What is your post-graduation career interest?  
Fraud investigation

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program? 
As a fraud investigator with a focus on large-scale data trimming and analysis, I recognized the Michigan Ross MBAn program as a unique opportunity to enhance my skill set and apply my academic foundation to real-world scenarios with tangible impacts. The program's comprehensive curriculum, encompassing essential and advanced courses, provides a robust groundwork for my future career path.

What made the Ross MBAn Program stand out to you versus other programs? 
The Michigan Ross MBAn Program stood out to me due to the school's exceptional reputation for seamlessly integrating rigorous analytics training and bridging textbook concepts with the practical realities of the business world, offering the best of both realms.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
I am enthusiastic about engaging in action-based learning experiences and collaborating with classmates who share the same passion for data. The program's emphasis on practical applications, particularly during the winter term when we tackle real-world problems with industry partners, aligns perfectly with my goals.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future? 
The program's emphasis on data-driven decision-making will empower me to have a meaningful contribution to the organizations that I will be in. I am confident that the experience at Ross will profoundly shape my future by equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and invaluable network necessary to excel in the dynamic business landscape.

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Sierra Brooks

Hometown: 
Plainfield, IL

Undergraduate school and major: 
University of Michigan - Ross School of Business, bachelor of business administration

What is your post-graduation career interest? 
Consulting - business and consumer strategy

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program?  
I’ve always been an individual who loves numbers, and after being introduced to introductory courses in business analytics and statistics in undergrad, this program immediately stood out to me as a potential option after graduation. For the past three years, I have absolutely loved Michigan Ross — everything from the professors to resources to other classmates, so it was an easy decision. In addition, I am able to continue my competitive gymnastics career here at U-M.

What made the Ross MBAn Program stand out to you versus other programs? 
This program stood out to me because of the curriculum and Michigan Ross itself. I have had a lot of exposure to business already, but I still love how we get to learn about analytics and even more business. The balance between these two is critical and I know that this school has some of the brightest people to learn from. Lastly, I think it is a unique opportunity to be in only the second class of the MBAn program, as the program's existence shows that Michigan Ross has been paying attention to the different demands of the workplace as they change and we're able to gain this knowledge on the earlier end.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
I am really excited to improve my technical skills in the area of business analytics. I get a lot of enjoyment out of learning new things and have an elementary understanding of a lot of the areas touching on business analytics, but I am looking forward to learning about them in more detail and in a structured setting. I am also looking forward to meeting new people through the program.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future? 
I think this experience will impact my future in a lot of different ways. For one, I think I will have a great fundamental understanding of how to interpret and use data for business decisions, which is an incredible asset in any industry or field. In addition, I think this program will help me to learn even more about what I want to do in the future and guide me in the right direction.

learn more about the mban program