The Ross MBA: What You Need To Know

Founded in 1923, The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan rightfully believes that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in the world.

Located at the heart of the University of Michigan, the nation’s No.1 public research university also ranks No. 3 in the world by the Economist for alumni effectiveness, and top 10 business schools to watch in 2021 by P&Q.

The two-year program has an average class size of 400 students and 57 credit hours total.
The Ross School of Business emphasizes action-based learning, bridging the gap between theory and practice. The first-year core features four seven-week terms and provides a broad grounding in business fundamentals.

A staple of the program, in the fourth term, students put the core to work in the Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) course, combining analytical tools with teamwork and leadership development on a consulting project with an actual firm or organization. Students typically bid on over 80 available projects, most of which involve field work and travel.

The program offers different concentrations including a STEM-designated Specialization in Management Science, Business and Sustainability Concentration, Data and Business Analytics Concentration, and Healthcare Management Concentration.

Michigan Ross hosts unique experiences through their multitude of REAL learning opportunities. REAL.START allows students to develop, launch, and scale new business ideas through courses at Michigan Ross and the resources and offerings of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

The school also offers REAL.ADVISE, which gives students the opportunity to consult with real-world organizations on strategic issues, providing substantive analysis and recommendations during MAP and other courses. REAL.INVEST allows MBAs to manage student-run investment funds in all aspects of its operations with $10 million in funds, across more asset classes than at any other school, and REAL.LEAD allows students to help operate an ongoing business unit with a corporate partner.

There are a variety of student-run investment funds at Michigan Ross, for example the Social Venture Fund, the first student-led impact investing fund at a business school. The schools’ newest fund is the International Investment Fund which invests in small to medium size enterprises starting with India with plans to expand worldwide.

Students get involved in cocurricular activities such as 60 affinity and professional clubs and organizations, many of which host their most popular events, such as the Women Who Launch conference, Diversity Week, VetX, and Wellness Week.

“My favorite aspect of the Full-Time MBA program is the community we have at Michigan Ross. Our students and alumni are smart, humble, team-oriented, and supportive,” says Soojin Kwon, managing director of Full-Time MBA Admissions and Program.