OT: Any tips/help to get into Ross

Submitted by RickH on

I'm currently having a "what the hell am I going to do with my life" moment and I'm settling on the idea of working for myself (via franchising chains) and getting a MBA from Ross.  I've researched a bit and found mean/median GMAT scores and some other stuff but was wondering if any recent applicants (or anyone at all) have any suggestions or tips for me?

 

I'm a freshman (might as well find out what I need now before I go too far) and I go to Virginia Tech.  Double majoring in psychology and business (possibly adding a sociology minor) with a 3.75 GPA (only one semester though).  Just wondering if anyone can help as I'd like to know what I'm up against before I make it a concrete goal.  Thanks.

 

Also, I did try to search on here because I remember threads here and there about peope getting into Ross but after 10 pages about James Ross and Fremont Ross, I gave up hope of finding a thread.

 

Cliffs:

- Give me advice to get into my dream school via Ross

FgoWolve

March 7th, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^

Make a few billion dollars, give a bunch of money to the school, have them name a school after you, enter that school. It's almost too easy.

BlueDragon

March 7th, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^

Lots and lots of A's.  Talk to an advisor for advice on selecting classes and/or minors that would help your application.  Talk to your business program about volunteering, shadowing, co-ops, anything you can find that will look good on an application.  I'm also in the professional school hunt; I'm working on med school and these places like well-rounded individuals who go above and beyond simply cranking out good grades...but you also need the good grades.  Researching the GMAT is a good first step.  Plan on taking a review class, if you have the time/money two years down the road.  The review classes really do raise your score.  It's worth it.

I realize this post is a little scattershot, but off the top of my head, these are all the ideas that come to mind.  VT's a good school and their advisors can help point you in the right direction.  Good luck in your undergraduate career.

justingoblue

March 7th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^

Just to add onto that, make sure you major/minor in something you like (or can at least pretend to like) and that you're good at. It's fine to have a different degree than business; hell, BlueDragon is going to med school with a music degree. But make sure you can communicate why you spent four years studying your chosen field.  Also make sure you can do their math and what-not.

Also, get involved in different things. Join an academic club, play a club sport if that's your thing, rush a fraternity (or sorority as the case may be), whatever gets you involved in different ways. Make sure you snag leadership positions in each, along the way too.

Then make sure you murder the GMAT's, it's not easy to get into B-School right out of college.

Johnny Blood

March 8th, 2011 at 9:09 AM ^

I agree strongly with this. 

An MBA is all about advancing your career in business, if you haven't already started with some solid experience you really have nothing to advance.  Plus you won't get very much out of it without experience first... the more real-world experience you have to compare against what they teach there, the more it will make sense to you.

FYI, I graduated from there in '99 (did the joint degree program with Industrial Engineering that used to be called TMI, now the Tauber Institute for Global Operations).  I have in the past done alumni interviews for them and I go back each year to recruit for my current company.

And, yes, this is my first post... I've been reading the site for a couple years but mostly find that I don't have much to add in the way of information so have chosen not to post. 

BlueDragon

March 8th, 2011 at 8:56 AM ^

I should clarify:  I earned my music bachelor's degree last year.  However, I'm essentially taking a year and a half to take all of the pre-med science requirements.  It's OK to major in a non-pre-business field, but you still have to take all of the pre-business course requirements, whatever they happen to be.

justingoblue

March 8th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^

I should have clarified too; business doesn't have the same requirements as med school. Basically you're required to know their math, but even that isn't a necessity because they'll do a pre-enrollment summer course for you if they really want you. The other two professional schools have a lot less "check-the-box" requirements than med school does.

aaamichfan

March 7th, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^

Just make sure you keep your grades up. No sense in worrying about minute details of grad school admissions as a freshman undergraduate. I believe Ross requires a couple years of work experience, so you wouldn't be applying for another 6-7 years.

RickH

March 7th, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^

Not worrying too too much but my anxiety loves to make me think about random stuff.  On a side note (and not anxiety related), I can now solve a rubik's cube completely on my own.  That is what I did with my day.

WindyCityBlue

March 7th, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^

You got a long way to go.  Typically, you should have about 4-5 years of experience before entering the program.  So my suggetion is:

1.  Kick ass in your undergrad studies

2.  Get a great job that highlights your future goals/passions,  Kick ass there as well

3. After about 3 years, then decide if an MBA is right for you, Ross or not

Chances are you will change and an MBA might not be right for you.

Disclaimer: Ross '08 Full-time MBA grad

wolverhorn

March 7th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^

This is good advice.  You're a freshman, you have tons of time to change your mind.

My freshman year at Michigan I started in EECS, didn't like it as much as I thought and through mid-sophomore year went --> thinking about transferring to art school --> taking architecture pre-reqs --> considering history --> taking and liking econ ---> applying to Ross BBA.  At multiple times in each of those steps I had major "what am I supposed to do with my life" moments.  Ultimately I got into Ross.  I'm extremely grateful I got in and had an awesome couple years in that program and a great 4 at UM.

For now, I'd advise you to not plan any specifics other than finding out what you enjoy doing and keep doing it, doing it, doing it well (/LL).  No sense in planning too much right now because I'd bet the farm things will change.  Just try to enjoy your time in undergrad!

steve sharik

March 7th, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^

...so the competition for admission isn't as fierce as it is right now.

Otherwise, do your best to have no weaknesses in your profile (+ grades, + work experience, +GMAT, + essays, + recommendations, + sense of direction/purpose).

ZBov82

March 7th, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^

Its good that you're thinking about this now, but keep in mind that most people work for 3-5 years after undergrad before going back for their MBA.  It is extremely difficult to get into most top programs without work experience.  Be sure to snag a good internship or two while you're at VT.  Other than that, I agree with the other posters.  Keep the grades up, stay involved in extracurriculars, and prep hard for the GMAT.  The nice thing about the GMAT is that you can benefit significantly from preparation.  Plan on spending 3-6 months preparing for it.  The GMAT score is only one of many factors admissions considers, but it is important.  The average GMAT score at Ross is about 90th percentile, but with significant prep that kind of score is very possible.  Best of luck!

Ross MBA Class of 2011

UMGoRoss

March 8th, 2011 at 2:07 AM ^

Worry about doing something you like and that motivates you to succeed.  Ross is filled with people from all different backgrounds (some business, but plenty who were in the Peace Corps, worked at Non-Profits, were Engineers, were in the Military, etc).

As people have said, you are at least 6 years away, so do something that interests you now.  You shouldn't even think about the GMAT until much closer to graduation.  Enjoy college now. 

 

Ross 2011 MBA

Voltron Blue

March 7th, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^

If it's truly your career goal to run a franchise business, then you may not even need an MBA.  It *may* help, but it would likely be major overkill and not an efficient use of your money and time.  And this is coming from someone with the degree that puts an enormous value on the life experience aspect of the MBA.  But I also have friends with franchise businesses and you don't need the fancy education to run them....which is not disrespecting the field at all, it's just a different skill set.

And regardless, I agree with others that it's awfully early to be positioning yourself for the sake of a business school application.  Get good grades, sure.  Get involved, yes, but do it because you care about the cause(s).  With regards to grades and GMAT scores...Ross cares much less about numbers than some other schools.  Be a good person, a team player, someone willing to roll your sleeves up and do real work, stay grounded, and you'll be a better fit than someone with strictly a sweet GMAT score. 

RickH

March 8th, 2011 at 8:27 PM ^

I know running a business is mostly leadership skills and either you have them or you don't usually, but the degree would help me learn even more as well as networking and giving me a higher chance of landing a job elsewhere if I don't like it/don't succeed.

dharmabum

March 8th, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^

Best advice?  Spend the next 8 years becoming a dynamic person and learning how to drink. The former you'll need to get into Ross, the latter will be important once you get here.  The last  thing you should be thinking about in your freshman year is how to set yourself up to get into b-school (passing calculus and getting laid should be high on that list).  Figure out what you want to do with your life, have some interesting experiences, and don't have embarrassing grades and you'll be fine.

JimLahey

March 8th, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

Completely agree, if you want to go into business for yourself you don't need an MBA. I don't want to insult anyone but professional schools are mostly just ways for big companies to distinguish people for high profile jobs. Plenty of people have become self made millionaires with grade 12's or less. If you really want to go, you will learn a lot, but you don't need it, and it requires tons of time and money so really think about it. I go to an ivy league law school and the only thing it's good for is getting a job at a prestigious firm. If I was opening my own private firm somewhere I would have saved myself the insane costs and gone to a cheaper school. Just my 0.02.

Bluestreak

March 8th, 2011 at 4:08 AM ^

One of the reasons why you go to a good B-school is to connect to people who think similarly and tap into a network of alumni and industry leaders who will guide you in the right direction.

Any startup needs seed funding and collaboration. Good Business schools are perhaps the best place to access both of them.

Feat of Clay

March 8th, 2011 at 12:38 AM ^

For Ross undergrad, your essay matters a ton. I don't know about MBA but it stands to reason that the same would be true. Lots of good candidates to choose from with similarly strong stats.

Bando Calrissian

March 8th, 2011 at 3:22 AM ^

Train thy liver.  Because everyone I knew from Ross partied harder and better than pretty much anybody else I knew.  And, it seemed, most of it was either paid for or facilitated by Ross.  America's corporate training ground indeed.

Bluestreak

March 8th, 2011 at 4:04 AM ^

Things to do:

Connect to professors and ask them for their advise - show interest in their research ... form an opinion on pressing issues in the field of your choice

Think on what distinguishes you from the crowd. Diversity is appreciated.

Build a story on why you want to get an MBA - what have you achieved, what are your goals and how an MBA will help you get there

Go for information visits - Visit the school, find out about the facilities, the staff, the research and the courses. Make sure that you make a good impression (which means being yourself) and showing genuine interest. Be ready to make intelligent conversations

Concentrate on your essays - GMAT and grades are good but not necessary - if you have a good story, you will be picked. Be sure to appear focussed and how Ross will make a difference in your life.

Social Responsibility - Be ready to demonstrate social responsibility - nobody wants to hang out with someone who is always thinking about himself/herself.

 

Hope this helps. All the best.

2014

March 8th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^

This is what worked for me (class of 07):
1. Pleasure the dean. Repeatedly.
2. Lots of good work experience and references. Focus on getting a prestigious job out of undergrad.
3. Make yourself interesting on paper and in person.
4. Grades and test scores bring you into the consideration set but they won't get you in.
5. An MBA is definitely not necessary, but the breadth of knowledge you'll aquire at Ross will ABSOLUTELY BENEFIT AN ENTREPRENEUR.

ixcuincle

March 8th, 2011 at 7:33 AM ^

You're a freshman, grad school is 4 years from now. Enjoy yourself.

The best you can do is keep your GPA as high as it is. In 2 years take the GRE. Get some references and you'll be fine.

PS Also good to see another VT student on here, graduated in 2007 from there, good school

4godkingandwol…

March 8th, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^

... you're 18 or 19.  Go see the world, man.  Join the Peace Corps, sail the seas on a fishing vessel, wash dishes at a bar on the Greek Isles.  Unless you have visions of world conquest, you don't need to start at 18. 

Get good grades -- maybe try to get into the BBA program -- then whatever you do for a couple years, do it really well.  That along with a good GMAT score and you're money. 

username

March 8th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^

I'm a 2003 Ross grad who applied for the class of 2002, was rejected, reapplied for class of 2003, was waitlisted, and then finally got in off the waitlist.  My GMAT scores and undergrad GPA were more than adequate, but my 5 years of work experience was only ok at best. I did not follow the advice below, but if I had it to do all over again, I would.

There are all sorts of paths into business school, but the one that I think guarantees the highest likelihood of success is to spend a 2-3 years as an analyst at an investment bank.  It's a tough life right out of undergrad  but you actually learn a ton (from my experiences of interacting with others) and become very marketable to many different types of employers when walking out of business school. Further, most banking analysts end up at b-school at Harvard, MIT, Wharton, Columbia, etc. with not nearly as many heading to Ann Arbor.  Ross continues to seek to up its reputation with Wall St. and one way of doing that is attracting the analysts that will someday be the MD's making hiring decisioins. Having that banking pedigree on your application will be a big asset as you compete with others for a spot in the class. It doesn't matter if you don't want to pursue a long term career in banking, just get in, get the experience and name on the resume, and get out.

Also, in your essays, make it very clear how having an MBA will help you meet your career goals.  The admissions committee wants to know that you're not just looking for a place to spend a few years and instead this degree is part of a larger plan that you have and the MBA is a critical component of that.

 

Beavis

March 8th, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^

I think you can do just about anything with a banking pedigree.  However, be warned: the worst 2-3 years of your life from a "happiness" perspective.  Unless money makes you really, really happy (like, happy enough to be working constantly at 2 AM). 

It's not just 2-3 years of banking, then get your MBA anymore.  I'd say that's the road least traveled these days.  Banking to buy-side job to MBA to [sky's the limit] is the blueprint these days. 

That all being said, if the guy wants to operate franchised retail locations - methinks banking might be a bit too intense for him. 

Beavis

March 8th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^

No offense - but owning franchised chains isn't exactly the normal goal of a Ross grad. 

Not to say that cannot make you a ton of money (ask the guy who setup shop with Dunkin Donuts on Chicago's South Side), but you'll need to enter a market that's risky in order to be very successful.

 

Zone Left

March 8th, 2011 at 1:43 PM ^

Rick,

Now that I'm sober, here's my two cents.

There are several aspects to an MBA application, and each is really important to earn admission to any top MBA program.

1. Stats--This basically includes GPA and GMAT. Keep rocking your GPA, graduating with a 3.5+ is a solid goal. MBA programs use these stats to determine your general level of intelligence and, critically, your ability to handle the quantitative aspects of business school. My advice, major in whatever you enjoy most, but take and get A's in at least basic calculus, finance, and accounting. I can't understate how important quantitative ability is to your application. Additionally, learn how to write. Poor communication skills are the number one complaint among MBA employers. Smarts matter, but they don't help if you write in teenage text message code.

Business schools are looking for younger and younger applicants right now, so if that trend continues, you may want to take the GMAT while in college. Scores are good for five years. However, there is a major change to the test format coming in 2012, so I'd wait until the change has been dissected by the prep companies. Target 2014, or a couple years after you finish college to take the GMAT. This is really all you can control now.

2. Work experience--You mentioned you might be interested in going into franchising. I'll echo a couple of the other commenters and say that an MBA probably won't help you that much. Franchising involves taking on a lot of debt to purchase (hopefully) a proven business model. Franchisees need to work their balls off to succeed, not take on 70K+ debt to earn a professional certification. However, you're still a Freshman, and may change career ideas 20-30 times. Best advice for work experience is to do something you enjoy, work hard, and demonstrate your success through leadership positions and promotions. Actual work is a couple of years away, but you can start thinking about internships. Personally, I'd try to get an internship in an industry you may want to be a part of as a Sophomore. For you, maybe that's finding the office of a large franchisee. If you love it, stick with it. Otherwise, as a Junior, I'd try to get into something more traditional like consulting to see if you like that. Most schools look for at least 2 years of solid full-time experience before you apply, but average applicants have about 4.5 years experience.

3. Leadership experience--"Soft skills" like leadership are really important to MBA programs, because ultimately the MBA is a general management degree. You can start focusing on that by taking leadership roles in campus clubs and community service organizations. However, according to Ross's Director of Admissions, anything you do in college is "past the expiration date." Two ways to get experience are through work, by leading projects and teams, and through community service. The better your work experience is, the less important the community service is, but Admissions Committees want to know that you don't spend your evenings playing video games. They want social people who like to make a difference in what they do. Focus on quality, not quantity.

4. Recommendations--Pretty self-explanatory, but they need to be post-college, from supervisors, and they need to be excellent.

5. Essays--These are why you need to learn how to write. They're also a good reason to collect interesting experiences, explore the world, and have leadership experience. Essays are your chance to sell yourself to the Admission's Committee and really matter. Wharton's Director of Admissions said about 70% of applicants were academically qualified and the average applicant's (not admitted students) GMAT score at the top schools is over 700. They admit about 10-15% of applicants. Ross admits about 20%. In other words, average applicants are really smart and successful. To stand out, you need to sell yourself as unique, excited and knowledgeable about the school, focused on a clear goal, and excited to be a part of the school's culture. This involves a ton of research and many, many hours of work that you'll deal with during the Summer you apply to schools.

6. Interviews--Typically by invitation and after submitting applications. Worry about them later.

Bottom line, too many people focus on obtaining a MBA as their major goal--particularly undergrads. I assume it's because they've focused on academics their whole lives. The MBA is a professional certification designed to teach you basic business skills, teamwork, and time management. It also allows you to associate yourself with (hopefully) a highly regarded brand name, connects you to a largely successful and dynamic alumni network, and builds a network of successful classmates. The degree is a means to an end, not the end itself. Lots of consulting or banking firms require a MBA to advance past a certain point, but if you want to be your own boss, then the MBA may just be a really expensive piece of paper and a fun experience.

will

May 25th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^

Manhattan GMAT has a free essay workshop from 9:30-11 in AA tonight..

 

http://www.manhattangmat.com/ann-arbor-free-events.cfm

 

 

Class
Day
Date(s)
Time(s)
Essay Workshop presented by mbaMission (Live Online Classroom) Wednesday 05/25/11 9:30 - 11:00PM (EDT)
Live Online GMAT Preview Tuesday 05/31/11 8:00 - 9:30PM (EDT)
Live Online GMAT Preview Wednesday 06/01/11 8:00 - 9:30AM (EDT)
GMAT Preview at Ann Arbor Center Thursday 06/02/11 6:30 - 8:30PM
Trial Class: Live Online Summer A 2011 Saturday 06/04/11 2:00 - 5:00PM (EDT)
Live Online GMAT Preview Sunday 06/05/11 11:00AM - 12:30PM (EDT)
Writing Standout HBS Essays presented by mbaMission (Live Online Classroom) Monday 06/06/11 9:30 - 11:00PM (EDT)
Trial Class: Ann Arbor Summer A 2011 Tuesday 06/07/11 6:30 - 9:30PM
Trial Class: Live Online Summer B 2011 Tuesday 06/07/11 8:00 - 11:00PM (EDT)
Trial Class: Live Online Summer B2 2011 Wednesday 06/08/11 8:00 - 11:00AM (EDT)
Trial Class: Live Online Summer C 2011 Sunday 06/12/11 9:30AM - 12:30PM (EDT)
Live Online GMAT Preview Monday 06/13/11 9:00 - 10:30PM (EDT)
Choosing the Right B-School presented by mbaMission (Live Online Classroom) Thursday 06/16/11 9:30 - 11:00PM (EDT)