By Laura Nelson
Hello from Ann Arbor! I’m town for a conference unrelated to b-school or admissions, but everything to do with why Ann Arbor is worth a visit on its own. This week, the sun is finally breaking through, winter is on its way out, and Michigan is still riding high from its national championship.
Earlier this week, I also spent some time at Ross while catching up with students and staff. MAP projects are in their final phases for first-year MBAs, and the second-years are so close to graduation.
Here's what stood out – and what I think prospective Ross candidates (and incoming MBAs) should be thinking about right now.
Ross is not (just) a Midwest school
There's an ongoing perception that Ross is where you go if you want to stay in the Midwest or land in Chicago, but the data says something else.
The program’s “Ross Anywhere” campaign highlights what I've seen for years: roughly 60% of each class leaves the Midwest after graduation. In fact, the coasts pull the majority.
When I graduated from Ross, there was a large cohort of classmates in the Bay Area alongside me. Even today, that's still the case. Tech, in particular, has a strong Ross pipeline.
If you're evaluating Ross and worried the program might pigeonhole you geographically, don't be – the alumni network is truly coast to coast. I’m hearing the new EMBA campus in LA is awesome, too!
Last weeks of school vibes
Money is driving decision-making more than ever
This came up in almost every conversation I had. The MBA is a huge investment, and candidates are thinking harder about funding their educations than they have in years.
If you’re a prospective student, here’s something to ponder: the program you can afford often gives you more agency in your career than the program with the biggest brand.
I met with a student on a full ride who told me she had real freedom in how she thought about her post-MBA career. She won’t be forced into the highest-paying offer to service her debt. Compare that to a full-price M7 student, who's often locked into pursuing the most lucrative path…. whether it's the right one or not.
I know there are certain pockets of candidates (and online forums) are obsessed with M7 programs. They’re all great options. However, attending at an M7 does not meaningfully improve your odds of landing at MBB, if that’s what you’re targeting. The top consulting firms hire heavily across the T10 and T15. The same can be true for banking and many tech paths.
So the real question isn't “Can I get into an M7?”
Instead, it’s “Would you rather land your target job paying sticker price, at a reduced rate, or debt-free?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Know your price and think about the tradeoffs.
What's going on with recruiting?
Here are a few observations from my time on campus:
Consulting recruiting has been solid – Ross continues to be a strong pipeline into the top firms, and consulting remains the bread and butter career track for the program.
Summer internship conversions to full-time offers are still strong –This is still THE most reliable path to a post-MBA job. It’s not earth-shattering information, but all the more reason to nail the internship. That said, re-recruiting is happening for second-years who didn't get return offers or who didn't love their summer experiences. It's not ideal, but it happens – and it's survivable.
Some candidates are pursuing what I call “frontier roles” at organizations outside the typical MBA career paths. There are interesting companies coming into the mix that most MBAs aren't considering… but probably should be. (More on this in The Best Opportunities You're Not Looking At Yet.)
MAP is wrapping up, with final presentations in the coming days. The action-based learning ethos that defines Ross doesn't stop here, though. It carries into summer internships and shapes how students will approach problems out in the “real world.”
Odds and ends about the Ross class profile and employment data
The most recent class profile (Class of 2027) reported 39% women. My personal opinion is that it’s not good for a program of this stature. I'd love to see that number move up, and I think it represents a real opening for qualified women candidates who are considering Ross. Hopefully, the Class of 2028 numbers show improvement. I’ll be watching!
Military representation is strong at 15%. I've noticed this anecdotally among my clients, and it does show up in the data. Ross has built real pathways from military to consulting, banking, and leadership development programs.
Round 4 just closed this week, with decisions expected by May 20. Ross had one of the later deadlines, and it will be interesting to see how the class fills out at this stage!
My first Michigan baseball game… don’t wait as long as I did!
If you're an incoming student, get ready now
Ross has a robust pre-MBA career curriculum that started last month for admitted students. It includes assessments, programming tailored to specific career tracks, and 1:1 time with career office staff. If you're a career switcher, this is especially critical.
If you’re gearing up to start at Ross this fall (or any other top MBA program), take advantage of the summer before you start. The coffee chats, the casing prep, and the groundwork you lay before orientation all matters. You cannot dip into recruiting late and expect to catch up, especially for consulting and banking. This isn't unique to Ross, but multiple people reiterated this key point during my visit.
In sum….
Ross is more national than its reputation might suggest, and I think the pre-MBA prep is a real plus. The scholarship opportunities are worth negotiating for, and if you're a qualified woman candidate, I think there might be a meaningful opening right now.
Also, Ann Arbor is a great place to spend two years. If you're considering Ross – or already heading there – start your prep now (and Go Blue)!
Go Blue!
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