The CAR method, Context, Action, Result, is not just a storytelling tool; it’s a strategic communication style that aligns well with how Ross evaluates candidates during behavioral interviews.
In this in-depth Ross MBA Interview Tips, we cover:
• Format
• Duration
• Style
• Location
• Do’s
• Don’ts
• Interview Questions
Format
The goal of the interview is to evaluate how candidates present their experiences, motivations, and potential contributions to the Ross community. While the tone is conversational, applicants should treat the interview with professional seriousness and align their answers with Ross’s values of impact, collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.
Duration
The Michigan Ross MBA Interview is by invitation only and conducted by a Ross alum with the duration of the interview lasting between 30 to 45 minutes.
Style
Since Ross's interviews are conversational in nature with behavioral-style questions, and the time is limited to 45 minutes, leave sufficient time for the right follow-up questions. There is an answering style called – “pillaring,” where you leave sufficient gaps in the answer to trigger a follow-up question. If you leave too wide a gap, your performance will suffer. If you aggressively answer all possible contexts, the interviewer will feel dominated.
Balance is the key.
Location
For the latest admissions cycle, all interviews are held virtually.
Dos
Practice the CAR Method (Context, Action, Result)
The CAR method (Context, Action, Result) is not just a storytelling tool; it’s a strategic communication style that aligns well with how Ross evaluates candidates during behavioral interviews.
Ross interviewers, especially alumni, are trained to assess clarity of thought, leadership style, and problem-solving ability through structured responses.
Candidates who ramble or jump between ideas risk losing the interviewer’s attention or diluting the impact of their story.
Using CAR ensures that your answers are coherent, outcome-oriented, and reflective, all traits Ross values in its students.
• Context sets the stage: What was the situation or challenge? Why was it important? Keep this part concise but clear, it allows the interviewer to understand the stakes.
• Action is where your leadership or problem-solving style emerges: What did you do specifically? How did you lead, persuade, or adapt?
• Result ties everything together: What happened? What did you learn? Did your actions have a measurable impact, or did they shift team dynamics? This is where reflection matters.
Ross’s action-based learning model, like MAP and the Leadership Crisis Challenge, places heavy emphasis on decision-making under uncertainty, and learning from outcomes, which is exactly what the CAR framework mirrors.
Know Why Ross, and Know it in Depth
This is perhaps the single most important part of your Ross MBA interview.
“Why Ross?” is not just a formality; it’s a window into your seriousness, your research, and your fit with the school.
Ross is best known for its action-based learning, collaborative student culture, and focus on social impact and leadership development.
Your response should not just touch the surface (e.g., “Ross has a great reputation”), it should convey personalized reasons that align with your goals and values.
Key USPs and Programs to Mention:
• MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects): This is a flagship, full-time consulting project where students work with real companies to solve strategic issues. It’s unique to Ross and is mentioned by nearly all alumni as transformative.
• Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies: One of the top-ranked programs in the U.S. for entrepreneurship. Especially valuable if you’re interested in startups or venture capital.
• Sanger Leadership Center: Known for experiential leadership development, including programs like Legacy Lab and Crisis Challenge, both of which immerse students in high-stakes decision-making environments.
• Business+Impact Initiative: Reflects Ross’s deep commitment to social impact. Students interested in ESG, non-profits, or inclusive business strategies find this a major draw.
• Global Learning Opportunities: Ross offers short-term global courses and exchanges. The Global Semester Exchange and Global Immersion Courses are particularly popular.
• Team-Oriented Culture: Ross is consistently ranked among the most collaborative MBA programs. The school emphasizes humility, approachability, and shared success
Bring Specific Examples That Align with Ross’ Values
Ross prioritizes candidates who embody its core principles: collaboration, humility, action-oriented problem-solving, and positive leadership. The admissions team explicitly seeks “students who are intellectually curious, team-oriented, and who act with integrity.” This emphasis stems from Ross’s identity as a school where students not only engage academically but also contribute significantly to one another’s learning.
Behavioral interview questions are designed to uncover your demonstrated history of teamwork, resilience, ethical decision-making, and inclusive leadership. To reflect this, your anecdotes during the interview should clearly communicate your alignment with these values. It’s not just about what you did, it’s about how you did it, who you collaborated with, and what values guided your decisions.
Candidates should also demonstrate emotional intelligence, receptiveness to feedback, and openness to diverse perspectives, all qualities that contribute to Ross’s highly engaged student culture.
Demonstrate Self-Awareness and Growth
Ross looks for candidates who not only understand their strengths but also have a clear-eyed view of their growth areas. This isn’t about portraying perfection, it’s about showing a learning mindset, which is a foundational element in the Ross curriculum and community. This mindset aligns directly with the school’s leadership philosophy, particularly through the Sanger Leadership Center, which encourages introspection, feedback, and continuous self-improvement through immersive simulations and peer coaching.
In this context, being honest about your past missteps, whether in leadership, communication, or teamwork, becomes a signal of potential rather than weakness.
Interviewers will be attuned to whether you can name a development area and show how you’re actively working on it.
Did you seek feedback?
Did you reflect on your choices?
Did you evolve?
A candidate who shows this kind of introspection mirrors the type of leader Ross aims to develop, one who is adaptive, reflective, and grounded. This approach also suggests that you’re likely to make the most of the program’s experiential learning opportunities and peer-based environments.
Show You Understand Ross’s Collaborative Culture
Unlike some MBA programs that place heavy emphasis on competition, Ross fosters a deeply collaborative environment reinforced through team-based learning, shared leadership roles, and student-led initiatives. The school actively selects students who thrive in a peer-driven culture.
Ross has one of the highest rates of student engagement in extracurricular clubs, investment funds, and leadership initiatives. The Ross MBA Council and professional clubs play a central role in shaping the student experience, and first-year students often take up leadership roles early in their MBA.
Moreover, team-based deliverables are built into the academic model, including in core courses and experiential learning programs. Success at Ross depends on your ability to work with and learn from, others, not outshine them.
Demonstrating an appreciation for this culture and showing that you’ve already operated in such environments (e.g., cross-functional teams, diverse teams, or volunteer leadership roles) helps communicate that you will not only fit into but also contribute meaningfully to Ross’s ethos of “learning together.”
Articulate Clear Short and Long-Term Goals
Ross values clarity of purpose. While your goals can evolve during the MBA, the admissions team looks for intentionality and direction. During the interview, vague or generic aspirations raise concerns. Instead, you should articulate how your current experience, post-MBA goals, and Ross's offerings form a coherent path.
What’s more, Ross is particularly strong in helping students pivot, around 60–70% of students make a career switch in industry, function, or geography. The Career Development Office (CDO) is highly regarded for its coaching and employer outreach, particularly in consulting, technology, finance, and impact sectors.
You should connect your goals to these structural strengths at Ross, whether it’s through the CDO, MAP, or alumni networks, and explain how you plan to leverage them. This kind of intentionality reassures the interviewer that you are ready to hit the ground running.
Do Research on Ross Alumni and Tie it into Your Story
Ross alumni are notably involved in admissions and post-graduation mentorship.
Over 30% of interviews are conducted by alumni, and many maintain active engagement through mentorship programs, recruiting, and student clubs. This close-knit, responsive alumni base is one of Ross’s hidden strengths.
Your ability to reference specific conversations with alumni or learnings from webinars, panels, or info sessions can show your depth of research and enthusiasm. More importantly, it demonstrates that you’ve made the effort to validate your fit with the community.
Ross is also known for its pay-it-forward culture, where students actively mentor incoming classmates and help each other in recruiting. Candidates who proactively build relationships with alumni are viewed as future contributors to that culture.
This research also informs your answers to questions like, “How will you contribute to Ross?” or “What communities will you engage with?” Your connections with alumni allow you to speak with authority on how your profile fits into the Ross ecosystem.
Show Enthusiasm, Curiosity, and Humility
Ross interviewers are not only evaluating your accomplishments, they’re evaluating your attitude. The school has a strong bias toward candidates who exhibit humility, a learning mindset, and genuine enthusiasm for growth and community.
This aligns with Ross’s emphasis on inclusive leadership and its belief that good leaders are not just high-achieving but also self-aware, open to feedback, and curious about others. Ross seeks leaders who are confident without arrogance, assertive yet empathetic.
Candidates who come across as rigid, transactional, or overly rehearsed risk signaling poor cultural fit. Instead, approach the interview with curiosity about the program, the interviewer’s experience, and how you can grow at Ross. Ask meaningful questions at the end of the interview, not just to show interest but to learn and engage.
Ultimately, Ross wants students who are ambitious, yet grounded; driven, yet collaborative; smart, yet teachable.
Enthusiasm that is sincere, not performative, signals that you’re ready for and excited about the journey ahead.
Don’ts
Don’t Ignore the Virtual Interview Setup
Your virtual environment speaks before you do.
Ross interviews are mostly virtual and alumni-led, so while the tone may be conversational, the professionalism of your setup matters greatly.
A poorly lit room, a cluttered background, laggy internet, or crackling audio can undermine even the strongest content.
You don’t want your leadership story interrupted because your Wi-Fi stuttered or a roommate walked by in the background.
Ross values attention to detail and preparation, qualities that show up in how you present yourself, even virtually.
Opt for a neutral, distraction-free background, test your technology in advance, and use headphones to avoid echo. These small steps reflect that you take the process seriously and are ready to operate in professional, remote settings — something highly relevant given the rise of hybrid work.
Don’t Generalize “Why Ross”
Generic responses to “Why Ross?” signal a lack of depth, effort, and real interest. Saying things like “it’s a top-ranked school” or “it has great professors” could apply to dozens of MBA programs.
Ross interviewers want to see that you understand the unique aspects of the school and how they align with your personal and professional goals.
Talk about what excites you specifically, the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), where you’ll work with real companies on real challenges; the Zell Lurie Institute if you're into venture capital; or Ross’s commitment to DEI and sustainability. Mention student-led initiatives like Business+Impact, or how the Leadership Crisis Challenge resonates with your growth goals.
Ross is proud of its action-based learning model, strong community, and real-world application focus. Demonstrating this understanding shows that you’ve done more than surface-level research; it shows you know what makes Ross Ross, and why you belong there.
Don’t Overlook Your Role in Team Success
Teamwork is core to the Ross culture, but don’t hide behind the team. One of the most common interview mistakes is saying “we” too often and failing to clarify your individual contributions. The school certainly values collaboration, but it also wants to assess your leadership, initiative, and personal growth.
When discussing team experiences, make it clear what you did: Did you mediate a conflict? Come up with the core idea? Led execution of an idea?
Show how your skills moved the needle. This doesn’t mean taking all the credit, it means demonstrating ownership and self-awareness.
Ross alumni interviewers are looking for signs of impact and accountability, not just participation.
Be proud of the value you added and articulate how that experience shaped your leadership style.
Don’t Be Vague About Career Vision
A strong post-MBA career plan is essential.
If your goals are unclear, unrealistic, or lack conviction, it signals that you haven’t thought deeply about how Ross fits into your journey.
Ross wants to develop business leaders who are intentional, purpose-driven, and prepared for the road ahead.
Avoid overused phrases like “I want to explore different industries” or “I’ll decide after my MBA.” Instead, articulate a clear path: what you want to do, why, and how Ross will get you there — whether that’s through MAP, industry treks, a specific track, or networking with its alumni in a certain sector.
Research from GMAC shows that candidates with a strong sense of direction are more likely to succeed both during and after the MBA. Ross looks for this clarity during the interview. Show you’ve done the work to craft a realistic and values-aligned career plan.
Don’t Be Too Scripted
Preparation should not come at the cost of authenticity.
Interviewers can easily tell when answers are over-rehearsed or memorized, and it can come off as robotic or insincere.
Ross interviews are conversational by design.
Alumni are there to connect with you, not to listen to a monologue.
Instead of memorizing exact lines, internalize your stories and focus on structure. Think in terms of bullet points, not scripts.
This allows you to sound natural while still being coherent.
Active listening is also key.
Respond to follow-up questions thoughtfully, and engage as you would in a real conversation.
Ross values emotional intelligence, adaptability, and communication, all traits best demonstrated through a relaxed, genuine exchange.
Practicing flexibility in mock interviews helps you build the right balance of preparation and spontaneity.
Don’t Skip Asking Questions
The end of the interview is your opportunity to stand out; don’t waste it.
When asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”, asking something easily found on the website shows a lack of preparation or curiosity.
Worse, it suggests you’re not seriously considering Ross.
Instead, prepare two or three thoughtful questions that reflect your research.
You might ask about the culture of certain clubs, how alumni stay engaged post-graduation, or how the MAP project shaped the interviewer’s career. This shows genuine interest and proactive learning.
Ross values students who take initiative and show intellectual curiosity, traits that emerge in the questions you ask.
Engaging your interviewer meaningfully is one more way to leave a lasting impression.
Don’t Undervalue Humility
Trying too hard to impress by showcasing only perfect stories or avoiding failure is a mistake.
Ross looks for leaders who are self-aware, grounded, and constantly learning. In fact, interviewers often ask about a failure or a tough challenge, not to trip you up, but to understand how you grow.
When discussing setbacks, don’t gloss over them or shift blame.
Be honest about what went wrong, reflect on what you learned, and explain how you’ve applied that lesson since. This kind of mature self-reflection signals leadership potential.
In Ross’s collaborative and feedback-heavy environment, humility and learning from feedback are key to thriving. Demonstrating this during your interview, especially in how you talk about difficult moments, makes your candidacy more relatable and credible.
Interview Questions
Resume-Based & Background
These help interviewers understand your academic and professional journey.
1. Walk me through your resume.
2. Tell me something about you that’s not on your resume.
Career Goals & Motivation
These assess your purpose, clarity, and fit with an MBA and Ross specifically.
3. Why MBA?
4. Why now?
5. Why Ross?
6. What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
7. What do you hope to gain from your MBA experience?
8. How do you plan to use the Michigan Ross network?
9. What other schools are you applying to, and how does Ross compare?
Leadership & Teamwork
Focus is on collaboration, initiative, accountability, and group dynamics.
10. Describe a time when you led a team.
11. What leadership experiences are you most proud of?
12. How do you manage accountability in a team setting?
13. Share an example of a time you made a positive impact in your workplace.
14. Tell me about a project where you had to work with diverse stakeholders.
Challenges, Mistakes & Growth
These questions test your self-awareness, resilience, and capacity to learn.
15. Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake.
16. Describe a time when you received critical feedback.
17. How do you stay motivated during challenging times?
18. Describe a time when you stepped outside your comfort zone.
Behavioral & Situational
Ross often uses behavioral questions to evaluate your skills through real examples.
19. Tell me about a time when you managed a project under tight deadlines.
20. How do you handle conflict in a team?
21. How do you approach decision-making under pressure?
Values & Personality Fit
These evaluate how well your mindset, values, and aspirations align with Ross.
22. How will you contribute to the Ross community?
23. What does leadership mean to you?
24. How do you define success?
Closing
This is your opportunity to ask meaningful questions and leave a strong final impression.
25. Any questions for me?