School guides · 2026-27

Michigan Ross

The essay prompts, word limits and deadlines for 2026-27, and what Michigan Ross says it looks for. Always check the official site before you submit.

Essays

Career Aspirations

300 words

Career Aspirations: What is your short-term career goal, and how do you plan to leverage the Ross MBA and its program offerings in your first role after graduation? Please be specific and answer both parts of this question.

Impact and Growth

200 words

Impact and Growth: Choose one of the following prompts and list it at the top of your essay. (1) Think of a time something important did not go as planned. What did you do next? (2) What is something you worked on for an extended period of time (over six months) that ultimately resulted in a positive outcome? What kept you committed? (3) Share an example of a specific situation when your actions created a positive impact on your community or an individual.

Optional statement

250 words · optional

Is there anything in your resume or application that needs a brief explanation, such as an employment gap or an academic outlier? You may use bullet points where appropriate.

Deadlines

R1September 8, 2026
R2January 4, 2027
R3March 29, 2027

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Sources

Last checked November 7, 2026. Storylode is not affiliated with Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.