During the years leading up to COVID, the Admissions team traveled around the world to meet prospective students. This year, we will continue to hold virtual recruiting events, which we found helped us connect with more candidates than ever before (all from the comfort of their laptops). We encourage you to attend these events to help you prepare for your application process.
Below are factors that Ross students have told us they considered. I encourage you to develop your own list and weigh each factor.
Rankings
When applications are making target lists, this is the place applicants typically start. If you're considering rankings, make sure you understand the factors and weights used by the organizations that rank Opportunities and Career Outcomes.
Career Outcomes and Opportunities
The career outcomes of MBA candidates are another top factor. You should review their employment report when looking at a school's career prospects. You should also consider the following:
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Employers from this school hire students?
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How many graduates work in my field of interest from the school? Look at their LinkedIn profile.
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Can the school offer career search assistance?
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What are the opportunities at this school for me to gain experience in a field that interests me?
By answering these questions, you should be able to narrow your MBA application shortlist based on your recruitment goals and needs.
Teaching Method
Identify your preferred method of learning, then target schools that accommodate that method. Can you learn more by doing than by reading? Will case studies help you to learn? Work with others or prefer independent study? Are you team oriented and eager to work with others? As a leading action-based learning company, Michigan Ross takes a team-based approach. Be sure you can succeed in the academic environment of each school by studying the teaching method.
Culture
In order to be successful, MBA experiences require a strong sense of culture. MBA networks can be one of the most beneficial aspects of the program, so choose people who can be trusted later in life. Speak with current students and alums. What is their response time? How enthusiastic are they about their experiences? Do you feel energized after these conversations? You may have found the right MBA culture match if you are consistently having great conversations and making easy connections.
Sometimes it is difficult to determine where to apply. Let me hope that my guide will assist you on your MBA journey. You can find more information about choosing the right MBA program in our webinar.
