Ross School of Business has released the essays for 2013-14 MBA admission season. There are three mandatory questions this year. In this Ross MBA Essay Tips and Strategies article, we will give you specific tips on answering the essay questions, and provide you with additional information about Ross MBA program that would useful for Essay 2.
1. Introduce yourself to your future Ross classmates in 100 words or less.
100 words would be equivalent to just six sentences. So answer this question carefully and rewrite several times to get the right words, and cover all the essential information about yourself.
It should ideally have:
1) Your place of origin
2) Your Background (multi-ethnic background are of great interest in MBA programs)
3) Your school and childhood (if you had a multicity experience growing up, mention that)
4) Your Hobbies (Something unique – music, sports, writing, painting)
5) Your expectations (End the introduction with something positive and how you would be involved with the class, and community)
2.
a. What about your professional experiences has led you to determine that business school is the right next step? (150 words)
This question essentially asks the applicants to evaluate the career path until now, and logically connect MBA program as an essential next step. The answer should be convincing. To do that, first list your post MBA goals, then research about Ross MBA program, and find out courses, activities, and networking opportunities that would help you with your post-MBA professional goals.
We have written extensively about Ross MBA, to help you with the research, read the following articles:
- Top 5 MBA in Operations Management
- Top 5 Military MBA
- Top 5 MBA for General Management
- MBA Marketing Rankings - Part 2
- Entrepreneurship at Ross MBA
- Kellogg vs Ross MBA: Jobs by Industry, Jobs By Function, Salary, Exchange Programs, Alumni Network & Alumni
- Haas vs Ross MBA: Comparison based on Location, Ranking, Curriculum, Class Profile, Job Opportunities, Career Service & Exchange
b. As you have researched MBA programs, what actions have you taken to learn more about Ross and what has led you to believe that Ross is the right MBA program for you? (150 words)
The intention behind the question is to find out the effort that you have put in, researching about Ross School of Business and its MBA program. You should make it a point to meet Ross MBA representative in your city or through MBA Tours (QS Top MBA, The MBA Tour, or Access MBA). If you are from US, we would recommend that you visit the campus, and spend some time with a few current students.
In this essay, elaborate on your interaction with the Admissions officer, current student, or Alumni, and explain what information prompted you to confirm Ross MBA as the right program for you. Be specific. The previous question addresses the professional reasons. This question should address other aspects: action based learning, camaraderie between students, inspiring initiative by the Student clubs, and Community involvement. Don’t repeat what you have already written in answer choice a.
c. What career do you plan to pursue after business school and why? (150 words)
To answer this question, the possibilities available to Ross MBA students should be clear. Read the Ross MBA Employment trends, and Report. Find out the career path that is feasible for you based on the employment trends. If the career path is not typical, mention specifically how you are going to reach it - the courses, electives, student clubs and experiential learning that will help you make that transition.
3. Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What advice would you give to a colleague who was dealing with a similar situation? (400 word maximum)
To answer this question, you have to list at least 3-5 setbacks. Pick the setback that offered the biggest learning experience, or gave you the opportunity to reflect on yourself or the group dynamics in the organization.
The answer should reflect on why the setback was disappointing. A decision-making setback would be ideal for this essay. It should have a negative tangible output – decrease in sales, a deal not going through or missing the project deadline by 1-week.
How it was frustrating?
Did your misread an issue about the project timeline, cost analysis or resource utilization?
What did you learn from that experience?
The advice to handle a similar situation should be well rounded, and objective. Complaining about the setback and blaming a few individuals for the result would reflect poorly on your leadership potential.
Explain the inefficiency in the process that you adopted for the project
What were the assumptions you made?
Did you make the decision based on complete information?
Were you paralyzed by the few high stake options?
The ideal thought process and decision making technique should be explained, and specific advice about handling similar situation should be offered in the conclusion.
3. Optional question: Is there anything not addressed elsewhere in the application that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (300 word maximum)
Answer this question to address employment gaps or poor grades in undergraduate courses.
