For MBA hopefuls looking to enroll in a part-time program in the United States, there is a certain unspoken caveat. While the part-time is often presented as the malleable, flexible alternative to the traditional full-time program, it is often just a different restrictive version. For many schools, even some of the most prestigious in the country, the choice between full-time and part-time is simply just two options. However, the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business has continually expanded the parameters of what a part-time program can truly be.
The Michigan Ross part-time MBA, ranked as the sixth best in the country according to U.S. News & World Report, isn’t simply a longer version of the full-time offering. Rather, the school gives potential students three indelibly different avenues to take. The 60 credit part-time Evening MBA, perhaps the most “traditional” part-time offering from the school, allows students to craft their own academic schedule, with classes offered after work on weeknights, weekends, and online. Some courses can even be taken during the day with the full-time MBA cohort at the school’s Ann Arbor campus. The part-time Weekend MBA offers a more compressed schedule, in comparison, with classes held every other weekend. In contrast to the Evening MBA offering, which takes three-to-four years to complete, the Weekend MBA offering can be finished in just two years.
Two part-time MBA variations may not seem unconventional, but few schools regularly lauded as much as Michigan Ross (10th overall in U.S. News & World Report, 19th globally in Bloomberg) also have the option of an Online MBA.
In late 2018, Michigan Ross introduced its brand new Online MBA program, embracing the ever-changing business school landscape head on. It wasn’t too long ago that the idea of an online degree, never mind an online MBA, was met with heavy skepticism, with major academic institutions sticking with traditional degrees despite the oncoming sea change. And while the inclusion of the online option to its part-time MBA opportunities may have seemed unorthodox at first glace, the administration crafted it as carefully as it does all its MBA programs.
In a recent interview with MetroMBA, Anne Schoen, Associate Admissions Director of Part-Time MBA Programs, talks about how the Online MBA features all-important elements found all of the school’s MBA curriculum:
“One of the signature features of a Michigan Ross MBA is an emphasis on action-based learning, and our Part-Time MBA: Online is no exception. Our three required on-campus residential experiences and required Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) course set us apart from other online programs. Our students will enjoy the flexibility of an online program, but also will benefit from engaging in-person with faculty and fellow students during these fully immersive experiential learning projects. These experiences will require that students take the theories they learn in class and apply them to real-world business scenarios. We also will offer our online students full access to our Career Development Office resources, including assistance with on-campus and off-campus recruiting, and individualized career development planning.”
When talking with several Michigan Ross part-time MBA Class of 2020, the school’s expansive options seem to reflect the diverse background of its students, of which include an experienced engineer from Kanpur, India, a former restaurant manager from New England, and a Canadian chemist, among others. Read on to see their stories and what the future may hold for life after an MBA.
Chris Grant, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Age: 39
Hometown: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Undergraduate Institution and Major: St. Francis Xavier University (St.F.X), Chemistry
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I’ve spent the last decade in the biotech industry. After completing my doctorate in chemistry, I worked in product development for companies in Chicago, San Francisco, and Ann Arbor. The work spanned development of clinical diagnostic tests to improving next-generation DNA sequencing.
Chris Grant, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Why business school? Why now? Over the last number of years, I have discovered a growing passion to operate at the fringe of business and science & technology. I felt to be most effective, I needed a quality MBA education. The knowledge gained would allow me to be most effective in not only developing ideas, but also presenting solid and thorough business cases for moving these innovative ideas forward.
Why the Ross School of Business part-time MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I was looking for a program that delivered a high quality of education and a commitment to develop positive and impactful leaders. After visiting several classes and speaking with current students, alumni, and staff I felt confident Ross was the place for me. In addition, the part-time format was important to me because of two reasons. First, I felt stepping away from the workforce for two years wasn’t the best means for me to achieve my goals. I have a desire to stay in the biotech industry and continuing to build relationships and progress my career was important. Second, and perhaps more personal, my family and I weren’t willing to take on the additional financial burden that would result from me leaving the work force.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? The breadth of my experiences working in the Healthcare industry. Several of my classmates have expressed interested in learning more about the industry, including the types of careers it can offer. I feel fortunate to be able to provide insight, based on my experience in the industry. In addition, I often can connect them with individuals in specific careers they are interested in.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I’ve been to nine of the ten Canadian provinces.
Post-MBA career interests? I have developed a real passion for business strategy. Post-MBA I’d like to move towards a senior strategy or business development role, preferably in the biotech industry.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Start early! The more time you allow yourself to thoroughly research programs, talk to people in the program, and prepare your application the better. I believe the application process creates stress for most people, so do yourself a favor by allowing time to collect and process the information.
One thing you would change or do differently? I would have applied to the program several years ago.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The GMAT—without question. Personally, finding the right study materials, becoming familiar with the test formats, and creating a schedule were key factors. After that, I just needed to trust the system and put in the work.
Greatest highlight so far at Michigan/Ross? My greatest highlight so far has hands down been the interactions with my classmates. They are an incredibly talented, diverse, and intelligent group of people that I am privileged to be around on a regular basis.
One thing about Michigan/Ross that you didn’t expect before arriving? The strength of the Ross family. Prior to starting the program, I had formed very positive impressions about the program and culture. However, I was still surprised at how positive and inclusive the culture is at Ross. There is a genuine desire to see you succeed and reach your full potential.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was most anxious about balancing the demands of a full-time job, family, and a rigorous two-year part-time MBA program. While it certainly hasn’t been easy, it can be done; particularly with the incredible support and understanding of your family.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? Getting started! I was excited about the opportunity to learn from the high caliber professors and build a solid foundation in business fundamentals through Ross’ core curriculum.
Junyan Crandell, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Age: 28
Hometown: Xuancheng, China
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Central Michigan University, double major in finance and accounting.
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Five years in public accounting (IT Risk and Assurance) and currently in the financial services industry.
Junyan Crandell, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Why business school? Why now? I thought about getting an MBA for a few years before finally applying. I wanted to make sure I did my research to find out the right program for me. I was also at a point in my career where I am ready for a change, and business school would prepare me well for a new set of challenges.
Why the Ross School of Business part-time MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I considered both full-time and part-time programs. I eventually chose the Ross Weekend program because I can keep working while still getting a world-class MBA degree in two years. Through my interactions with different schools, Ross also stood out as a close-knit community that offers all the benefits associated with being in a large research based academic institution.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? With five years working at a top public accounting firm, I have gained valuable experiences and knowledge that I was ready to share with my classmates. Growing up in China and coming to the U.S. for college also allowed me to offer different culture perspectives in the classroom.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I have two cats who have over 10k followers on Instagram.
Post-MBA career interests? I’d like to pursue opportunities within tech and strategy. I would also be interested in experiencing start-ups and social enterprises.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? An important part of the application process is finding out who you are and where you want to be. In order to figure that out, I did a lot of self-reflections and assessments. I also reached out to family and friends to get their inputs. This allowed me to have a clear picture of the story that I wanted to tell.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? Taking GMAT. I had previously taken GMAT in college, but the score expired. Getting back to it after being out of school for six years was tough. I ended up taking it twice before getting the score I wanted. My advice is to get it out of the way early. Prepping for the applications takes just as much time, if not more, as the GMAT, and you don’t want to have to divide your attention. It might stink for a few months, but I promise it will feel so good seeing the score you are hoping for pop up, and you will never have to touch it again.
Greatest highlight so far at Michigan/Ross? My MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects) experience. I had the unique opportunity to work with an Israeli software startup company that is looking for a U.S. market entry strategy. Our team really connected with the project sponsors as well as with each other. We also traveled to Israel for a week with two other MAP teams and had an incredible time. Our final deliverables were a 100-page written report and a final presentation containing our recommendations. I learned so much through this experience including market research, U.S. software industry, start-ups, project management, communication, and Israeli culture. I also had lots of fun doing it. This is truly a differentiating factor about Michigan Ross.
One thing about Michigan/Ross that you didn’t expect before arriving? I was amazed by the diverse cohort as well as the alumni/student network. It seems that I will be able to find another Rosser in no matter what field or geographic location I end up in.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? It’s hard not to feel the fear of missing out. It is very tempted to sign up for every opportunity, but the reality is that you will get overwhelmed quickly and not be able to fully enjoy the process. Try to select the key things that are most important to you and dedicate your energy to those things to extract the most value.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? Israel trip with my MAP team, case competitions, and Sanger Leadership programs.
Joe Papiro, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Age: 29
Hometown: Southbury, Connecticut
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Marist College, Business Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Prior to the MBA, I spent five and a half years working in the quick-service restaurant industry. I started with Domino’s in 2012 in a Leadership Development Program that had me experience restaurant operations as a Restaurant Manager in Virginia Beach, Virgina, and a Regional Manager (multi-unit supervisor) in Baltimore, Maryland. Following that role, I relocated across the Atlantic to work as an International Operations Consultant in Amsterdam. In that role, I supported several Domino’s markets in Western Europe, including the UK, France, Netherlands, and Belgium, from an operations perspective. After three and a half years, I decided to retire my Dutch clogs and returned to the U.S. as a Manager–Leadership and Performance Development.
Joe Papiro, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Why business school? Why now? After almost six year at Domino’s, I realized that I had deep knowledge in Operations and Human Resources, however, I wanted to build my technical knowledge in other aspects of business. The MBA from Michigan Ross helps to round out my leadership and technical skills, while allowing me to learn from impressive faculty and classmates.
Why the Ross School of Business part-time MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? Ross provides a cohort-style learning environment that allows me to network with world-renowned faculty and talented classmates. The weekend format also draws students from a wide range of industries, which improves the caliber of our in-class discussions. Secondly, Ann Arbor is home for me. I am able to take part in all of the co-curricular activities that the campus has to offer. Although I am a member of the Weekend MBA program, I am privy to all of the opportunities that are available to full-time students.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? As a Learning and Development professional, I view my coursework through a people development lens. That “people-focused” perspective, I believe, enhances our group and classroom discussions.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? It’s safe to say that I am an enthusiastic Harry Potter fan. I am a verified–and the Sorting Hat has confirmed–Gryffindor. In addition to reading each of the books twice and watching the movies numerous times, I have seen the Cursed Child in the West End, visited the Warner Bros. Studios, and visited the Harry Potter theme park in Orlando. I even have my own wand!
Post-MBA career interests? After the MBA from Ross, I’d like to continue to advance my career in Learning and Development. I have a deep passion for developing others and improving the team member experience.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Be true to what you want out of an MBA program. Be discerning when listening to advice from others about which school to attend. Attend class visits, speak to students and alumni, take a campus tour. If you feel at home on campus (as I did), you’ll know that you made the right choice.
One thing you would change or do differently? I would have attended more workshops and events during my first year at Ross. The Sanger Leadership Center hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Crisis Challenge, that help to develop your leadership skills.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The GMAT! I am not a fan of standardized tests. Fortunately, I had a friend going through his b-school application process at the same time as me and we both helped each other prepare. I can happily say that after months of hard work and diligent prep, I will never have to take that test again.
Greatest highlight so far at Michigan/Ross? My team’s MAP trip to Tel Aviv, Israel. After several days of consulting with our sponsor, we had the opportunity to ride camels, swim in the Dead Sea, and visit the many open-air markets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Nazareth. It was the trip of a lifetime with incredible people.
One thing about Michigan/Ross that you didn’t expect before arriving? The people! I came to Ross looking for a degree, the chance to strengthen my business acumen, and to secure career advancement opportunities at my current company. I never expected to become such close friends with my classmates in the process. In addition to working hard, our cohort spends time with one another outside of the classroom, including trivia nights, ski trips to Saugatuck, and other meet-ups around Michigan.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was most concerned about striking the right balance between the rigors of a full-time job, five classes per term, and maintaining a semblance of a personal life. It’s a lot to balance, but there are plenty of resources available to make sure that you succeed (as well as the 130 students who have your back!).
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was most excited to go through the MAP experience at Ross. After a year of core courses, you have the opportunity to apply course concepts to real-life situations. Our team worked with a start-up company based in Tel Aviv, Israel that was looking to develop a U.S. entry strategy for their personalized treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. It was an amazing experience to work with a company that had such a strong purpose.
Joanna Wicher, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Age: 36
Hometown: Chicago
Undergraduate Institution and Major: DePaul University, BA in Sociology; University of Chicago, MA in The Social Sciences
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I have 14 years of work experience in the field of market research spanning several industries including non-profit and CPG, but I’ve settled in the pharmaceutical industry.
Joanna Wicher, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Why business school? Why now? Having a very specialized career, I realized that an MBA would be a springboard to advance my skill set and professional network, thereby making it easier to explore new career opportunities.
Why the Ross School of Business part-time MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I targeted Ross for three reasons: the culture, the academic rigor, and the expansive Michigan network. My professors are approachable and my classmates are intellectually curious and capable. There is also an incredible sense of belonging at Ross that extends beyond campus, as the Michigan community is truly ubiquitous.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? I have more work experience and, therefore, more work experiences than most of my classmates. I have a bit of wisdom that helps us solve problems in a more facile way.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I was in a punk rock band in high school.
Post-MBA career interests? I plan to stay in pharmaceuticals but shift to a role that is focused on commercial strategy.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I took both the GRE and the GMAT practice exams to get a feel for which one worked better for me; the overlap in topics meant that I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel when studying.
One thing you would change or do differently? I often second guessed my decision to go back to school at the mid-point of my career. Looking back, I’m only halfway through the program and have already gained a significant network of professionals, worked on an amazing global consulting project, and developed an illuminated perspective on what really keeps business managers awake at night.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? Like many individuals pursuing an MBA, I would have happily skipped the GMAT and GRE. I also really dreaded the business school informationals that blew into town every few weeks. I think I attended 15 to 20 such events. Prior, I had assumed that the social portions would function much like a networking mixer where strangers are forced into awkward conversation. I wasn’t wrong, but attending these functions is a fantastic way to collect data about the types of people that would potentially be my classmates and to determine whether an individual school was looking for someone like me or a different type of candidate. Even though I didn’t like going to them, informationals were actually a big factor in my decision to apply to Ross!
Greatest highlight so far at Michigan/Ross? The MAP program was an experience that I will not soon forget. Michigan Ross ensured that I had a robust learning opportunity at an interesting company facing a very real business challenge; our team’s strategic recommendations could have meant the difference between the startup getting their next round of funding or not surviving. We felt personally invested our client team’s success for this high-stakes project and gave 110 percent as a result. The classmates with whom I took the journey are now some of my best friends. I am even attending of their weddings later this year!
One thing about Michigan/Ross that you didn’t expect before arriving? I have met some of the finest professionals here at school, and I really didn’t see that coming. I look forward to maintaining this network of friends and colleagues for life.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was very nervous about my ability to attain work/life/school balance. It was admittedly difficult to adjust at first, especially being an out-of-state student, but it is one of those situations that works itself out for everyone after a little trial and error.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was really happy to be back in an expansive learning environment. When I pursued my first master’s degree, I was at a crossroads: enter academia or the business world. I am happy with my career journey, but it is wonderful to have this opportunity to examine the world of business critically in learning environment. It has also been rewarding to learn new concepts and immediately apply them back at the office.
Badri Yadav, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Age: 37
Hometown: Kanpur, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur, India; major: Civil Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I started my career as an Engineer in the Project Management team in the biggest construction firm in India, Larson and Toubro. Within a couple of the months, I was called to assist in a prestigious overseas construction project in Oman. Working in the construction industry made me aware of the environmental impact of the growth in a country. To further explore my interest, I joined the environmental engineering department at the SUNY, Buffalo. For the past few years, I have been helping out federal and state environmental authorities with cleaning and restoring bodies of water with the help of data driven models.
Badri Yadav, Ross School of Business Part-Time MBA, Class of 2020
Why business school? Why now? So far I have learned tools to mitigate the harmful effects and restore contaminated water resources caused by growth in early ’90s. Once again companies are growing at a fast pace and growth is not limited to one country but to countries struggling with clean water resources. An MBA will help me to be part of the growth strategy and provide an opportunity to help grow companies in sustainable manner.
Why the Ross School of Business part-time MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? The Ross Weekend MBA is a unique program allowing candidates to finish the MBA degree in two years (similar to full-time MBA timeline) while continuing to work. It provides me with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to my job right away. The most important factor for me in selecting Ross was the fact that part-time MBA students are given opportunities for career development and on-campus recruiting with prospective employers. Navigating five courses at a time along with a full-time job leaves little time for off campus recruitment for candidates looking to make a career jump. The on-campus recruiting process provides an opportunity to talk to recruiters, attend corporate presentations, and to network for job opportunities.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? Though quite a few people in my class come from an engineering background, my experience in environmental services and having worked on three different continents allows me to contribute a unique perspective and propose creative solutions in class discussions.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I am a huge fan of astronomy! I believe that other habitable planets exist and the idea of a network of gates connecting habitable planets excites me. I am also a diehard fan of Stargate-SG1 and Stargate-Atlantic.
Post-MBA career interests? I want to join a consulting firm as a strategy consultant with a focus on growth. My long term goal is to help developing countries join the ranks of developed country in a sustainable fashion.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I would again talk to as many current students and alumni as I could to understand the school’s culture. Here at Ross, part-time students are allowed to participate in almost all on-campus activities and that was one of the main reasons I joined.
One thing you would change or do differently? As a prospective student, I didn’t get the chance to conduct a class visit (since I was working abroad at the time). Hearing the experiences of candidates who did have a chance to visit before enrolling, I wish I would have had a chance to visit.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? Crafting your admission essays can be a daunting process. I stressed so much about the content and structure of each essay. Talking to current students, alumni, and friends helped me to ease the stress, reflect on how Ross fit in with my big picture goals, and then I was able to convey that journey on paper—but it wasn’t easy!
Greatest highlight so far at Michigan/Ross? The core courses provide a lens of clarity around the business and economic changes happening in the world. It is an amazing feeling to better understand the changing landscape of business at global level. Each course is adapted, bringing in current news and concepts into class, adding relevancy in our daily work as well as creating deep understanding of the core business principles.
One thing about Michigan/Ross that you didn’t expect before arriving? I was aware that Ross had a reputation of being collaborative and that students help each other prepare for the recruiting process. I did not, however, expect the second year MBAs to go such great lengths in taking time out for weekly education sessions and providing one to one guidance sessions with the first year students. We really are one big Ross family and everyone here is cheering for one another.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was most nervous about the course load. I had been out of school for several years and was uncertain if I would be successful in coping with both school and work, especially in the first semester. But the professors started with the basics before diving deeper into complex concepts and your classmates and team members all bring knowledge and skills to the table. You get through the material together.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was excited about participating in the student clubs and indeed the experience in the first year was rewarding. By holding club meetings and mentoring sessions on Sundays, both full-time and part-time students are able to attend.