Michigan Ross

Inside the Ross MBA: Is It the Most Collaborative Top 10 Program?

The first time I read about the MAP project at Ross, I had to do a double take.

Wait—did they just say you spend seven weeks solving a real business problem full-time, with actual clients, as a core part of your MBA?

At most schools, that kind of experience is optional. At Ross, it’s baked into the DNA. And it’s not just MAP. From Day 1, Michigan Ross has leaned all-in on action-based learning—which, in plain English, means: less classroom, more doing. But what makes Ross really interesting isn’t just the format.

It’s the kind of student this format attracts.

This blog is for you if you're looking for:

A truly team-first MBA culture
An American MBA that isn’t only East Coast/West Coast
Honest feedback on where Ross excels—and where it doesn’t
Grounded, real-life take on student life, career outcomes, and Indian community fit

Let’s get into it.

Why This Blog Exists

If you're an Indian MBA applicant exploring US schools, Ross often comes up right after the M7—ranked just below but often just as impressive in outcomes.

But because it's in Michigan (not New York, not California), and because it doesn’t sound as familiar as a Kellogg or Booth, there's always that question:

Is Ross really worth it? Especially if I want to work on the coasts, or get into product roles, not just consulting?

Let me walk you through that answer—with honesty.

The Ross MBA Culture: Built for Team Players

Let me be blunt: if you're a solo shark, skip Ross.

But if you thrive in messy group chats, cross-functional chaos, and late-night brainstorming with people smarter than you? Then this is your school.

Ross has spent years building a reputation as the most collaborative Top 10 MBA—and the MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects) system is the headline. Here’s how it works:

You and 3–5 other MBAs are embedded into a real company—startups, multinationals, NGOs—for 7 weeks.
You scope a real problem. You solve it. You present to execs.
It’s intense. No class. No safety net. Just you, your team, and your judgment.

But it doesn’t stop there. Most Ross electives, clubs, and even interview prep are team-driven by default.

From case competitions to investment funds to the school’s student-run impact investing initiative—everything is built for collaboration.

One Ross student told me:

“You can't hide here. Every part of the Ross MBA pushes you to show up—not just as a smart person, but as a team member who cares.”

Abhinav
Michigan Ross $$$

Ross MBA Class Profile & Community Vibes

Ross has one of the largest MBA classes in the US—about 400–450 students. And yet, students consistently describe it as tight-knit.

Here’s what stands out from the Ross MBA class profile:

~36% women
~40% international students
Average GMAT around 710
Median work experience: ~5 years

It’s also a deeply student-led culture. Clubs at Ross are proactive.

You don’t just join a Marketing Club; you help lead brand workshops. You don’t just attend events—you pitch them.

This creates an environment where EQ matters as much as IQ.

Student Life in Ann Arbor: Yes, It’s Cold. But It’s Connected.

You’ve probably heard this already: Ann Arbor isn’t a “city city.” It’s a college town. But here's what that means in real terms:

Everything is within 10–15 minutes.
You're not fighting traffic or wasting time commuting.
The entire town is built around student life.
Cost of living? Way lower than NYC or SF.

And surprisingly, Ross is more connected than you’d expect. The school flies companies in for on-campus recruiting, and you’ll find major employers making Ross a priority stop.

What surprised one Applicant-X client the most:

“Coming from Mumbai, I thought I’d feel isolated in Ann Arbor. But I met more Indians in the first two weeks than I expected. It felt like a campus inside a campus—tight, warm, and super active.”

Can You Work Outside the Midwest After Ross?

Absolutely.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions.

While Ross is located in the Midwest, more than 60% of its grads work outside it—especially in:

New York
Bay Area
Seattle
Chicago
International (small but growing segment)

Recruiting for the coasts from Ross is more than doable—but again, it requires effort. Ross has the alumni, the brand, and the pipelines—but you need to network early.

What No One Tells You About Ross

Here’s the catch.

Ross will push you hard—but it won’t always pull you.

What I mean is: It’s a school where you’ll get a ton if you put in a ton. You won’t be spoon-fed. Clubs are student-run. Projects are self-managed. Networking is your responsibility.

And that’s a good thing—for the right kind of person.

One alum put it this way:

“Ross isn’t a school where you wait to be told what to do. It’s a school where you start something—and suddenly, 10 other people show up to help.”

One Quiet Ending

Ross has a reputation for action-based learning, yes. But there’s another kind of energy that pulses through the program—and you’ll feel it loudest on game day.

At Michigan, sports aren’t just extracurricular—they're cultural.

Whether it’s basketball at the Crisler Center or football Saturdays at “The Big House” (third largest stadium in the world), Ross students show up hard. Even those who didn’t grow up following American sports often find themselves fully converted—maize hoodies, face paint, and all.

It’s more than school spirit. It’s shared emotion. Wins, losses, last-minute plays—they become bonding moments across sections, backgrounds, and time zones.

In a program that thrives on collaboration, Michigan’s sports culture adds a sense of unity that you don’t just read about—you live.

FAQs

Is Ross Business School prestigious?
Yes. Ross is consistently ranked in the US Top 10 for MBA programs and is part of the University of Michigan, a globally respected public university. Recruiters from top consulting, tech, and finance firms target Ross actively.

Is it hard to get into Ross Business School?
Ross is competitive. The acceptance rate hovers around 25–28%, and the average GMAT is about 710. That said, Ross is holistic—it values leadership, EQ, and clarity of goals as much as test scores.

How much does Ross Business School cost?
For international students, the total cost (tuition + living expenses) is around $130,000–140,000 USD per year. Scholarships are available and Ross is known to be generous with merit aid for strong profiles.