How to Get Into Michigan Ross

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is rising in prestige and rank.

The acceptance rate for the class of 2020 at Ross was just 27%, making it a very selective b-school.

But what exactly does it take to get into the prestigious b-school? And what can you do to better your application to Ross?

Business Insider recently spoke to former admissions officers, recent grads, and current students at Ross to find out.

PUT YOUR RESUME TO WORK

Experts say it’s important to use your resume as a centerpiece in your Ross application to demonstrate the depth and breadth of your experience.

Natalie Grinblatt Epstein, a senior consultant for Accepted and former MBA admissions director at Ross, says she once took a chance on an applicant whose resume outshined his test scores.

“He was a leader for a youth-at-risk organization,” Epstein tells Business Insider. “His resume demonstrated how he added value to the organization through fundraising, partnerships with community leaders, local businesses, and parents. He also described how he made the club more appealing for the kids and was able to tie that into their success as a whole.”

CONNECT WITH ALUMNI

Ross boasts a strong, tight-knit alumni community. In fact, it’s consistently ranked as one of the best MBA networks amongst b-schools.

Experts say applicants can tap into the Ross network when applying.

“I specifically focused on Ross alumni in my target industry — automotive and mobility — to articulate a clear career odyssey and explain how Ross was the right place to reach my goals,” Mark Daughert, a 2020 Ross MBA grad, tells Business Insider. “From there, I made a point to emphasize these specific assets in my essays and interview to prove that Ross was a top choice and that my last-minute application wasn’t flippant.”

BEING HUMBLE IS KEY

While admission officers want to see your accomplishments, it’s important to stay humble in your application.

It’s about finding a balance between telling your story and remaining cognizant of how the reader reads it.

“Ego and arrogance will get you nowhere,” Andy Gifford, a consultant at Deloitte Consulting LLP who was recently accepted to Ross, tells Business Insider. “It’s important to have examples of where you take initiative and lead teams, but be cognizant of how your stories read to be sure that your stories give off a sense of confidence and not cockiness.”

Sources: Business Insider, P&Q, P&Q