Michigan, Ross Schoolの出願締め切り日がリリースされました。
http://michiganross.umich.edu/programs/full-time-mba/application-requirements

◆Round 1
・Deadline: October 3, 2016
・Notification: December 16, 2016

◆Round 2
・Deadline: January 2 2017
・Notification: March 17, 2017

◆Round 3
・Deadline: March 20 2017
・Notification: May 12 2017

10月に入り2nd Rdに向けた出願準備も本格化してきていますが、Application TipsがMichigan Ross SchoolのAdmissions Blogでも紹介されています。下記Q&Aのやり取りでは、Admissions側が「もっと時間を割いてブラッシュアップして欲しい出願書類」にレジュメを挙げています。自らのプロフィール(職業と教育）の業績内容をハイライト化した書類ですので、アドミッション側に対しても好印象（第一印象）を与える意識を持ちながら作成、見直しを行っていきましょう。そしてResumeコンテンツのActionsについて考えることは大切ですが、それ以上にResultsを的確に伝えるよう工夫していきましょう。
http://michiganross.umich.edu/admissions-blog/2015/09/25/5-things-know-you-hit-submit-your-mba-application?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RossSoojinBlog+%28Michigan+Ross+-+Admissions+Director+Blog%29

Q: My app is almost ready to go but my GMAT is just below the class average. Should I retake it and apply in Round 2 or submit in Round 1 and take my chances?

A: The best choice is to apply in the round when your application is the best it can be, including the GMAT score. Your application will be reviewed based on the information submitted in that round. A new score may not reach us in time for us to consider it in the round in which you submitted.

Q: For Essay 1 (“What are you most proud of?”), are you looking for a professional or personal story?

A: Either. The story itself isn’t the important part. What we’re “looking for” is why you’re proud of the thing you share with us. We hope that it’s authentic. By that, I mean it should be the answer you’d share with a close friend, not with an “admissions committee.” It should sound like you.

Q: Ross asks for only one rec letter. Other schools ask for two. Can I submit another one (since I have it anyway and the other letter makes me sound really good)?

A: No. We only want one letter. If you have two great ones, good for you! But we still only want one, preferably from your current direct supervisor. If you can’t ask your current supervisor, ask the one just prior to the current one, and be sure to briefly explain why you didn’t ask your current supervisor.

Q: If I’m invited to interview, should I do the Team Exercise?

A: Yes, if possible, because in addition to having a chance to demonstrate your communication and interpersonal skills (which we, and our recruiters, highly value), it will be a great way for you to evaluate our fit with you. If you come to campus for your interview, the experience will be more than just a one-on-one interview and the Team Exercise. You’ll meet potential classmates (even potential roommates), attend a class or conference with current MBAs, meet folks affiliated with our Centers and Institutes, and engage in an optional post-interview Q&A session with the AdComm and students.

Q: What is the one thing that you wish applicants would spend more time on?

A: The resume! Applicants think the essay is the part they have the most control over and can best distinguish themselves through. But the resume is a key differentiator too. It’s the first thing we look at when we open an app, so it’s the “first-impression-maker.” It’s your opportunity to tell us where you’ve been, what you’ve accomplished, how you’ve made an impact and what you’re interested in (yes, we like the “Additional” or “Interests” section at the bottom). We look at it through the lens of, “How clearly and effectively does this candidate present him/herself?

Michiganのエッセイ課題が発表となりました。

1. What are you most proud of and why? How does it shape who you are today? (up to 400 words)
2. What is your desired career path and why? (up to 400 words)

https://michiganross.umich.edu/admissions-blog/2015/05/20/here-are-new-essay-questions-michigan-ross-mba-application

こちらのブログでは、上記課題内容に対するアプローチ方法もシェアされています。近年ではこうしてアドミッション側のブログを通して積極的な情報発信が目立ちますの で、出願要綱欄のみならず、アドミッションブログにもアクセスを通じて適切な情報を入手してください。

以下、上記ブログからの抜粋です。
The first question is intentionally broad. We want to give you the option to pick something from either your personal or professional life. The context (personal or professional) is less important than your reason for being proud of something. We want to understand what makes something important to you. It gives us a glimpse into how you think about and process things, and what your priorities and values are.

This is how we assess fit – through alignment of your values with the values of our community – not whether you pick a personal or professional example.

The main purpose of the career path question is so we can evaluate whether business school makes sense.  A “good” answer isn’t about saying you want to go into a traditional business field. In fact, many of our students pursue a wide range of careers outside of traditional business fields (e.g., education, nonprofit, emerging markets). A good answer will describe your rationale for being interested in a particular path.

For both questions, there isn’t an answer that we “want to hear” other than a response that demonstrates that you’ve done some self-reflection and gives us a sense of you as a person.

A note about writing style: we like clear and succinct. “Up to 400 words” means it can be less than 400 words. It’s not a word count test, nor is it a creative writing test. Don’t write two paragraphs of introduction before stating what you’re most proud of. You can even start with, “I am most proud of….” Write as you would speak. To a real person. We, who read the essays, are real people.

Michigan Rossの出願締め切り日も発表されました。
https://michiganross.umich.edu/programs/full-time-mba/application-requirements

Round 1:
Application deadline: October 5, 2015
Decisions released: December 18, 2015

Round 2:
Application deadline: January 4, 2016
Decisions released: March 18, 2016

Round 3:
Application Deadline: March 21, 2016
Decisions released: May 13, 2016