UPDATE: This article was originally posted on October 7, 2019. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With its famous MAP project, Michigan Ross is a haven for collaboratively-minded leaders who love to learn by getting their hands dirty.
However, Ross has maintained consistently high rankings in the past few years, making it more difficult than ever to secure admission to this elite MBA program.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Ross admissions interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Ross application your best shot.
How the Ross MBA interview works
As one of the most elite business schools in the world, landing an interview with Michigan Ross is no easy task.
Thus, if you have passed to the interview phase of the Ross application process, congratulations! This is already an exceptional achievement.
Ross interviews, since they are conducted by current students and alumni, tend to be slightly friendlier than interviews conducted by the admissions committee. Nonetheless, the interviewer is still trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the Ross program, and if you fit well with the program’s collaborative community.
Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test your intellectual horsepower. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions.
Our clients who have interviewed with Ross in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. For some clients, questions were far more personal in nature, covering topics like their childhood and family upbringing. Other clients reported their interview was strictly professional, so make sure you’re ready for anything when you interview with Ross.
Who will interview you?
Michigan Ross has a rich tradition of alumni and second-year students conducting admissions interviews. This year, interviews will take place both online and in person, depending on your arrangement with your interviewer.
If you do end up interviewing virtually, this will have no negative impact on your application.
Will the interviewer have read my application?
No. The Michigan Ross interview is blind, meaning the interviewer will only have access to your CV.
How long will the Ross interview last?
45-60 minutes.
Who is Ross looking for?
“Ross students and alumni are a highly engaged, impressive network of people.” Ross Admissions
Every year, Michigan Ross searches the globe for outstanding professionals for its annual class of around 380 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity and leadership, there is no “typical” Ross student, yet the average admitted student has 6 years of work experience and generally high test scores. Find the full class profile, including GMAT and demographic stats, here.
NOTE: Michigan Ross is continuing to offer GMAT/GRE waivers. If you would like to be considered, an additional essay is required.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Ross offers its students the chance to prepare themselves to lead by giving them multiple opportunities for hands-on learning.
Check out this podcast to learn more about the Ross experience:
How can you prepare for your Michigan Ross interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, Michigan Ross interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Ross interviews.
What questions are asked in the Ross MBA interview?
The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Ross interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview.
STARTING UP QUESTIONS
- Tell me about yourself. / Walk me through your resume. / What should I know about you? Expect follow-up questions like: Why did you choose your undergraduate school/major and current employer? Why did you switch industries? (if applicable)
- What do you do outside of work?
- What are your career plans? / What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why MBA?
- Why now?
- Why Ross?
- What criteria did you use to define your school search?
- What will you do if you aren’t accepted?
- What will you be involved in at Ross, both inside and outside the classroom?
- How will you contribute to Ross?
TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP
- Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult teammate.
- What would you do if you had a member of your team who wasn’t acting like a team player?
- Tell me about a time when your team faced a lot of obstacles. What did you learn?
- How do you deal with disagreement on a team?
- What would you do on a team that consisted only of strong personalities?
- Tell me about a time when you were effective in a team. Why were you effective?
- Tell me about a time when you had to step into a role or take on a responsibility that you were not initially prepared for. How did you handle it?
- How would you define your leadership style? Can you give me an example?
- How do you manage conflict?
- Tell me about a time when you showed initiative.
- Tell me about a time you worked with people from different cultures.
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- Talk about a time when you experienced a professional failure. What did you learn from it?
- Tell me about a time when you received negative feedback. How did you respond?
- When was a time when you had to think outside of the box?
- Tell me about a situation where you had to make a decision that aligned with your personal values, even though it wasn’t the easiest or most popular choice.
- Give an example of a time when you had to balance achieving business goals with making a positive impact on your community or society.
- Tell me about a time when you had to pivot your strategy or approach due to unforeseen challenges. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?
- What was the most important thing you have learned in your working life?
- What is the most useful constructive criticism you have ever received?
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- Tell me about a time you had to convince someone of your idea.
- Tell me about a time when you showed resilience.
- How would your friends define you?
- What one unique or fun fact would your Ross classmates be interested to learn about you?
CLOSING
- Is there anything else you would like Ross to know about you? / Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
- Questions for me?
We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.
We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview.
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What to do if you get a question you weren’t prepared for
Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared.
First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!
Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation.
If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation.
Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you.
Effectively Tell your Story During your Michigan Ross Interview
Most applicants walk into their MBA interview hoping for the best. You’ll walk in knowing exactly what to say.
My Admit Coach helps you prepare smarter with instant AI-powered feedback, proven frameworks, and practice questions from the world’s top programs.
It’s like having a personal interview coach available 24/7, without the $10K MBA consulting price tag.
Start your free trial today and feel the difference confidence makes.
