Admissions FAQ
The following represent questions commonly asked by prospective students. Don’t see your question here? Contact us.
- Q. As an LGBT student, why should I choose Ross?
- Q. Should I be out in my application to Ross?
- Q. What’s it really like to be gay in the Midwest?
- Q. How does Ross OFB support the career goals of its members?
- Q. What can my partner expect if he/she accompanies me to Ann Arbor?
- Q. What is the nature of the social scene in Ann Arbor?
Q. As an LGBT student, why should I choose Ross?
A. Of course you know that Ross is a top business school with a talented and diverse student community. But did you know that…
The Advocate ranked Ann Arbor as one of the “Gayest Cities in America” and the University of Michigan as a “Best of the Best Top 20” campus for LGBT students.
The Ross Admissions office is actively engaged with Ross OFB in an ongoing effort to communicate the benefits of having a well-represented LGBT community on campus.
Ross OFB is among the fastest-growing LGBT student associations at a top MBA program.
Current and former members rank Ross OFB among the most rewarding parts of their MBA experience.
Ross OFB is just one of many LGBT student associations at University of Michigan. The University’s Spectrum Center maintains a list of other LGBT student organizations on campus.
Q. Should I be out in my application to Ross?
A. Ross is committed to bringing together a diverse set of students in every class, therefore, the Admissions Committee reviews all applications holistically. Accordingly, on the first page of our application we have a check box that asks “Do you identify yourself as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person?” If you feel that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is relevant to your application, feel free to answer the question and expand in other areas of the application as you see fit (e.g. extracurricular activities, essays).
Q. What’s it really like to be gay in the Midwest?
A. Beyond Ann Arbor, the atmosphere for LGBT residents is generally quite accepting. Ross OFB members typically don’t think twice before venturing forth to nearby attractions (hiking, biking, skiing, outlet mall shopping). In fact, Ross OFB has even encouraged members to explore the LGBT community outside Ann Arbor by hosting “field trips” to gay and lesbian bars in other cities.
As anywhere, there are certainly pockets of vocal anti-LGBT sentiment in Michigan and the Midwest generally, but it has little impact on our daily lives and is not generally manifest in our interactions with our neighbors.
Want more information? Our members come to Michigan from across the country and around the world, and they would be happy to tell you about their experiences at Ross. Contact us if you would like to speak with a member of Ross OFB.
If you are interested in learning more about the Michigan LGBT rights movement, check out PrideSource.
Q. How does Ross OFB support the career goals of its members?
A. Ross OFB offers many opportunities for its members to connect with potential employers that are committed to diversity. The club supports members through on-campus corporate and nonprofit presentations, connections to recruiters, and regular announcements about upcoming opportunities for LGBT students. Each fall, a group of Ross OFB members attends the Reaching Out MBA conference, where we connect with hundreds of employers and other LGBT students from across the country.
Q. What can my partner expect if he/she accompanies me to Ann Arbor?
A. Many Ross OFB members live with a partner in Ann Arbor (some even have partners who are fellow Ross students). Partners enjoy support from not only Ross OFB, but also the Ross School as a whole. Ross OFB invites partners to take part in all its social gatherings, and the Ross Partners’ Club offers regular activities for all partners of Ross students. At present, several partners of Ross OFB members participate in the Ross Partners’ Club and from all reports they find the club not only inclusive, but quite enjoyable as well.
Our members can attest to the welcoming atmosphere for partners in the Ross community and would be happy to tell you about their experiences. Contact us if you would like to speak to an member of Ross OFB who has a partner in Ann Arbor.
Q. What is the nature of the social scene in Ann Arbor?
A. Ann Arbor is home to a lively downtown area with great restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are many LGBT-focused businesses including Common Language Bookstore, Aut Bar, and local dance club Necto (which hosts a weekly Pride Night). Many other Ann Arbor businesses are also vocally LGBT-friendly.
Just a short drive from Ann Arbor, many venues in Southeast Michigan also offer social diversions. Some of these include Pronto restaurant and bar in Royal Oak, the large dance club Backstreet and Gigi’s in Detroit, among several others.
Out for Business also helps members connect with LGBT students at other UMich graduate schools through regular joint social events with organizations such as the OutLaws (UMich Law School).