Meet The Michigan Ross MBA Class Of 2025

GO BLUE!

“Community” and “Family” are two other words that the Class of 2025 associates with Ross. Brianna Ross observes that “You are the company you keep.” That, she asserts, makes students more generous, supportive and apt to pay it forward. The latter certainly made an impression on Sergio Peschiera.

“Ever since I decided to accept the Ross offer to join the school — and even before – I’ve felt incredibly included in the University of Michigan network. I have gotten nothing but support from everyone I’ve met, from helping me prepare for my interviews to navigating the housing and VISA discussions to helping me prepare for my interviews at Bain’s BASE program.”

The community extends to the alumni, with Bloomberg Businessweek ranking Ross 3rd for Networking Opportunities. Certainly, the scale is daunting when it comes to Ross alumni. Harshvardhan Joshi points to the 56,000 Ross alumni and 650,000 living UM graduates overall, adding that the university boasts the most alumni in Fortune 1000 c-suite positions among American public schoos. Indeed, many Ross students associate the school with the main school color: blue. It certainly fits the Michigan brand – a color that reflects the sea and the sky – and the openness, freedom, and possibilities associated with them. More than that, “Go Blue” has become a code of kinship.

The school spirit at Michigan is unmatched,” says ’22 alum Sasha Foo .”It’s crazy to be literally on the other side of the world and still have someone yell, “Go Blue!” because you happen to be wearing a Michigan cap or something. Alumni are everywhere and are very engaged.”

Harshita Pilla, a ’23 grad and P&Q Best & Brightest MBA, puts it a different way: “Michigan alums bend over backwards to uplift each other.” This compulsion is something that Cole Lethebe noticed from the very beginning of the recruiting process.

“It’s the involvement of alumni and their willingness to give back to the program that really stands out. Meeting with people who lived the MBA process, succeeded professionally, and can now give honest and genuine advice about school, career, and life was super unique. The Ross admissions team is incredibly thoughtful about curating these connections and using the passionate alumni base to its maximum value.”

LIVIN’ LA VIDA ANN ARBOR

Beyond alumni, Ross students – past and present – laud their Ann Arbor setting. Think of it as the embodiment of a Midwestern college town: cold in the winter but bursting with life. Think late night bar hops followed by early morning farmer’s markets: coffee shops and breweries galore. Arts and sports year-round (with the Detroit Metro Airport just 30 minutes away). Always something to do – anytime you want.

“I love the range of activities and proximity to the outdoors. You can view a concert from a world-renowned musician on a Thursday, hit the cross country ski trails on a snowy Friday morning, then enjoy delicious Spanish tapas downtown on a Saturday night,” says ’23 alum John Pontillo.

More than the activities, it is the culture of Ann Arbor that sets it apart, adds ’23 alum Harshita Pilla. “Undoubtedly my favorite part of Ann Arbor is its infatuation and commitment to the University of Michigan. Most of Ann Arbor’s small business owners went to Michigan, the signs of at least half the stores are colored maize or blue, and my 60-year-old neighbors set up their tailgate every Saturday morning of football season before I even wake up. It’s an electric energy to be around and I already feel nostalgic for it!”

Being an international student, Sergio Peschiera says Ann Arbor has been exactly what he’d hoped. “I came to the U.S. to truly meet and get to know my classmates. For better or worse, I feel that in Ann Arbor you are somewhat forced to hang out with one’s cohort. On top of that, having an incredibly strong sporting culture is something that greatly appealed to me.”

Indeed, football rules at Michigan, with its winning legacy and unbeaten record (at press time). Chances are, Peschiera has now indulged in one of Ross’ hallowed traditions: The Bus on game days. “The Ross Bus is a big yellow school bus that’s parked on a lot during the University of Michigan Football season and serves as the icon of the most outrageous tailgate experience I’ve ever seen,” says Harshita Pilla. “Ross is known to be a big community-oriented school where people equally prioritize working hard and playing hard. This sentiment and sense of community is exemplified during a football Saturday, where our community comes together (regardless of interest in American football) and connects over unwavering school spirit.”

CLASS PROFILE

Demographically, women comprise 43% of the class, up a point from the previous year. The same is true for U.S. minorities, with underrepresented minorities accounting for 19% of the class. By the same token, international students make up that same 43% share as women and U.S. minorities. As a whole, the class consists of MBA candidates from 39 countries – the same as last year. In addition, the class includes 19% LGBTQ students and 17% first generation students.

In terms of GMAT, the Class of 2025 averaged a 719, down a point from the previous year. At the same time, their undergraduate GPA average came in at 3.43, also down from the Class of 2024. Academically, 44% of the class majored in STEM-related fields (up four points) and 34% hold business-related degrees (down four points). Humanities majors remained steady from the previous year at 22%. In terms of professional experience, the largest segment of the class – 18% — last worked in Consulting, up a point from 2022. Finance (17%), Tech (16%), Health (12%), and Engineering (10%) also cracked double digits. Military veterans hold another 6% of the class seats.

While the Ross MBA is known for its versatility, there is one quality that stands out about the program: Experiential Learning. The program is designed, top-to-bottom, for MBAs to gain first-hand experience with the concepts they study. That means getting their hands dirty with real life clients who provide real impact projects and hold really high expectations for student teams. For example, in the Living Business Leadership Experience (LBLE), Ross MBAs actually run a division of a real company. Not only do team members perform roles like finance, development, and operations, but they are also responsible for hitting measures ranging from sales growth to profit and loss. At the same time, Ross boasts the largest number of student-run investment funds. Individually, these seven funds target venture capital, early-stage startups, small- and mid-sized ventures, real estate, social ventures, securities, and student entrepreneurs. Together, they enable MBAs to invest over $10 million dollars based on their research.

“I have always been the kind of person who finds more joy in learning through action rather than musing over textbooks, admits Aruj Parajuli. “Experiential programs like those at Michigan Ross provide me with a license to explore uncharted territories and embrace life’s challenges. This integration of classroom learning with real-life challenges is paramount to me, ensuring that I not only understand business concepts but also master their practical implementation, setting me apart as a capable and agile business leader.”

A ‘MAP’ TO GAIN EXPERIENCE

The best known “action-based” program at Ross is MAP – or Multidisciplinary Action Projects. For over 30 years, Ross first-year teams have partnered with sponsoring companies on a project. MAP is held during the spring and lasts seven weeks, concluding with a presentation in front of company leaders. Last year alone MBAs completed 78 projects across 13 countries last year. In the past, students have worked with companies as different as Amazon, AT&T, General Motors, Microsoft Under Armour, and Whirlpool. Along the way, they have led product rollouts and expansions, evaluated logistical networks, formulated digital marketing strategies and budgets, and established sustainability KPIs. Not only do these projects give students real world experience before their internship, but often expose them to high-level Ross alumni.

For many first-years, MAP served as the marquee attention-getter that eventually led them to Ann Arbor. For MBAs looking to bridge theory and practice, MAP provides a avenue to “put [theory] to the test in the field” in the words of Brennan Dougherty. Cole Lethebe appreciates the “instant feedback loop” he’ll receive from employers, classmates, and faculty during the project. More than that, MAP project enables career changers to try something different or gain experience in an area they hope to pursue.

“This freedom provides me with a safe space to fill my skill gaps or experience various functions,” says Harshvardhan Joshi. “The practical application of my knowledge in a real business setting will step me up for success during my internship and in the future.”

FACING A CRISIS IN REAL TIME

Another popular experiential program is Open Road at Ross. Think Jack Kerouac – with an entrepreneurial bent. Each summer, student teams hit the road for five weeks, spending a week on-site with startups like fitness clubs, boutique shops, and restaurants. In recent years, Ross road warriors have hit destinations as different as Brooklyn, Birmingham, and Seattle to conduct exercises and devise plans to help founders address needs and capitalize on opportunities.

“It’s a unique and inspiring opportunity to meet and work directly with impact-focused entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. (hopefully a glimpse of my future)—and also see different parts of the U.S. since you’re road tripping,” says Brianna Ross.

In the spring, MBAs can participate in the much-ballyhooed Leadership Crisis Challenge. A 24-hour simulation held in the winter, the challenge starts at night, when student teams are given background information and a scenario on a particular crisis (such as their company’s autonomous vehicle causing damage). From there, teams must hatch messaging and solutions to address the needs of various stakeholders, such as a board of directors, media, activists, and government regulators – all while the situation evolves in real time. From there, MBAs present in front of alumni judges, who evaluate everything from the quality of their plan to the smoothness of their delivery. For MBAs, the Leadership Crisis is a chance to practice what they learn in a team-driven, pressure-packed situation.

“I find immense satisfaction in being the anchor during turbulent times, steering teams through challenges with unwavering resolve,” writes Aruj Parajuli. The prospect of testing and honing my leadership skills within a simulated crisis environment excites me. It aligns perfectly with my inclination to lead effectively when it matters most. Opportunities like the Leadership Crisis Challenge do an exceptional job not only in showcasing my abilities but also in further developing my capacity to inspire, guide, and unite teams amid difficulties, akin to C-suite executives.”

ROSS RANKINGS AND PAY RISING

While Ross has staked its value proposition on experiential learning, it has also developed an impressive Entrepreneurship program alongside it. This year, Ross placed 5th in P&Q’s annual Entrepreneurship ranking, How popular has entrepreneurship become at Ross? During the 2021-2022 school year, 68% of the full-time MBA students belonged to an Entrepreneurship club. And another 66% were involved in a startup project during the same period. George Okpamen, a ’23 grad, attributes some of this to the larger university.

“We’re one of the only top-tier schools with a highly ranked business school, engineering school, med school, and law school. Some may have two or even three but not all four. This concoction of talent overlayed with the rigor and connection to our undergrads through programs like the Living Business Leadership Experience, +Impact Founders, or the Applebaum Design Fellows provides an unrivaled stage to produce and invest in innovation. Additionally, the revitalization of the entire venture ecosystem in Detroit, with TechStars led by UM alum and ZLCF Advisory Board member Monica Wheat, will only accelerate the unlocking of untapped opportunities at the school in the years to come.”

This past year, Michigan Ross moved from 15th to 9th in the Bloomberg Businessweek ranking, while the program has climbed 5 spots to 8th over the past two years with U.S. News. More than that, the school is growing one of the most innovative online MBA programs, while maintaining a Top 10 undergraduate business program. In more good news, Ross built off a banner 2022 and reported record pay for the Class of 2023. What does Ross have planned for an encore in the fourth quarter – and 2024 in general? In August, P&Q reached out to Matt Ganderson, Managing Director, Michigan Ross Full-Time & Global MBA Programs. Here are his thoughts on the most important questions facing the Ross MBA.  

Next Page: An Interview with the Managing Director and 12 Student Profiles