Exit Interview: Last Words Of Advice From Michigan Ross Gatekeeper Soojin Kwon

First, when I joined the admissions team in 2004 (and when I applied to what was then the University of Michigan Business School in 1997), the admissions process was a complete mystery. You mailed in your application and had no idea what happened behind the scenes. You didn’t hear anything until the decision notification date and hoped that you’d receive a 9×12 envelope rather than a letter-sized envelope. Now, there is much more transparency in the process. That’s one of the things I sought to bring about — to reduce the anxiety quotient in the admissions process — through the Full-Time MBA Admissions Blog, to shed light on where the AdCom was in the process, and through vlogs, to humanize the process.

Other big changes we’ve implemented are striving to take implicit bias out of the admissions process by implementing blind application reviews and unconscious bias training for all new application readers and interviewers. In addition, we have shifted more weight in our evaluation to a student’s potential for success in the career search and their potential impact in and on the community. We combined years of student outcomes data (e.g., career placement, academic performance, and classroom and community impact) with application data to help us identify the markers and traits of students who did well and those who needed more support. These data lead us to continually adapt our essay and interview questions as well as our evaluation criteria and weights.

What is the biggest difference now in MBA programs from when you earned your own MBA more than 20 years ago? How has Michigan, specifically, changed?

One of the biggest differences I have seen is the greater diversity of post-MBA career paths now. In the late 1990’s, MBA grads’ jobs were fairly closely aligned with the academic disciplines (e.g., marketing, finance, operations), along with consulting. Students went to large, well-known companies, typically Fortune 500. Now, MBA students are going not only to those firms, but also to tech startups, nonprofits, and launching their own ventures and search funds. Back then, MBA grads who pursued careers in healthcare, sustainability, and impact were few and far between. Now, especially at Ross, we see a large and growing number of students pursuing careers in fields that used to be considered “non-traditional”.

Similarly, we have seen a greater variety of pre-MBA careers and a more diverse applicant pool. Here at Ross, we continue to see more strong candidates from non-business backgrounds, including from nonprofit, education, government, and the military. And across business schools, there are now more women, underrepresented minorities, and first-generation college students who are choosing to pursue MBAs.

What is your view of the overall state of MBAs/graduate business education as you step away? What are the biggest challenges business schools face?

I believe that an MBA is an incredibly valuable degree. It provides an education in business fundamentals as well as leadership and the ability to make an impact, which are both important facets of the Ross MBA. Top full-time MBA programs like Ross also give students unique opportunities to learn new business skills (e.g., run a venture fund, advise a company, create a business plan, pitch and launch a business) and hone valuable professional skills (e.g., working on teams, influencing without authority, public speaking and storytelling, interviewing, and networking). And, MBA students gain access to a strong professional network.

I think one of the biggest challenges that business schools face today are students’ growing expectations for schools to deliver on their multiple goals, most of which fall outside the classroom. The student experience has become an important factor in school selection and student satisfaction. Today’s students are not just looking to learn cutting-edge business principles from world-leading scholars and secure a job through on-campus recruiting, as my generation did. They are looking to the school to recruit and cultivate a diverse and inclusive community, create opportunities to build meaningful relationships, and grow personally and professionally through co-curricular, extracurricular, and community- and network-building experiences. And, they’re looking for more support in their career search, particularly with companies that don’t recruit on-campus.

Another challenge that business schools face is adapting the curriculum to be on pace with business and workplace trends. That includes equipping students with skills to work in a world that is more digital, data-driven, and diverse than ever before. At Ross, we are preparing students for leading in this world by launching new courses and experiences, such as our Business+Tech initiative, Data and Business Analytics concentration, and Equity Analytics course. Schools will also have to navigate how to deliver learning in a post-pandemic world (e.g., striking the right balance between online vs. in-person teaching, and adapting content to get the most out of each mode).

Do you foresee a return to academia in your future?

I have learned never to say never. I did that once, and I had to eat my words. When I left Michigan to go to college (in Connecticut), I told my parents that while Michigan was a great place to grow up, I would never come back to live here. I ended up choosing Ross for my MBA and have lived and built my career here ever since. It’s been nearly 25 years now. My parents still laugh at me for that.

The short answer is, it’s about pursuing and seizing the right opportunity at the right time in your life. Right now, I’m excited to start my new adventure at McKinsey.

What will your role be at McKinsey and will there be opportunities to share your insights with Ross or other B-school students in the future?

I will be working on Professional Development and People Initiatives. I will be helping shape how the firm develops its people and assist in driving strategies for sustained growth in the North America region. It is this kind of work that has kept me so engaged at Ross – building an engaged and inclusive community, supporting students’ professional and personal development, and creating a student experience that will inspire them to be lifelong ambassadors. I’m excited to do this in a new organization, at a bigger scale, with really smart people who are driven to make an impact.

I’m sure there will be opportunities to share my insights with Ross and other B-school students in the future. What those insights will be, I’m excited to find out!

What is one piece of advice you can give MBA students, distilled from your 17 years of admissions experience?

Build your RQ (Relationship or Relational Intelligence). It will not only help surface new career opportunities, it will help you build a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

What would you advise applicants to MBA programs?

In all things that involve screening or evaluation — from MBA admissions to dating — show up as your authentic self so you end up with a good match. Showing up as someone you’re not can lead to one, or two, disappointed parties.