University of Michigan Essay #2: Why the Ross School of Business?

Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests?

Social justice has always been a foundational mission of my faith. In my church’s ministry to the needy, Isaiah’s Room, I help organize social events and laundry services for our friends in need. Working to provide more opportunities to those in need has made my passion for service bloom.

My church sits in the heart of a city that embodies modern-day segregation. In AP/Honors classes at our single high school, African-American are drastically underrepresented. Additionally, the layout of neighborhoods in the city fosters segregation. The wealthy, white, and Jewish families live on the north side of town, while mostly middle and lower class African-American, Latino, and Asian families live on the south end. As a result of the injustices in New Rochelle, I have developed an interest in seeking opportunities for the underserved. I would like to pursue an interdisciplinary study in Social Impact and Public Policy with a minor in Community Action & Social Change through the School of Social Work.

Although Isaiah’s Room provides some necessities, I have come to realize these are really Band-Aid fixes. Meals, clothing, and laundry services will certainly help our friends in need, but it will not transform their lives entirely. I want to put an end to societal issues, straight from their roots, beginning with public policy. Fostering change through service is truly impactful. However, being able to pair service with eradicating issues such as systemic poverty and educational inequality is more powerful. I believe an education at the Ross School of Business will provide me with the knowledge and skills to confront issues that plague our society.

Personally, Ross stands out because of its Business + Impact initiatives. Ross is actively working to fuel positive change into business and revolutionize strategies to solve complex societal issues. The work of Professor Ted London has caught my attention because his exemplifies social innovation. He utilizes business enterprises in a new way to attempt to alleviate poverty. Similarly, I aspire to create revolutionary and sustainable solutions to big issues such as poverty just as Professor London has done.

I’m also attracted to the Merge curriculum because it’s interdisciplinary, hands-on, and a force for social good. The idea of 360-degree thinking has enormous value. I’ve come to understand the importance of taking into account diverse perspectives in order to create more effective solutions. I recognize how direct engagement with communities is essential to meeting their needs. This goes hand in hand with learning by doing. Ross sees the value in action-based learning and so do I. Action-based learning, in my service to Isaiah’s Room, has helped me better understand those in poverty in order to guide decisions on their behalf. This kind of learning can help form new ideas that create sustainable solutions using business-thinking.

Social impact is a common theme throughout the Ross curriculum. The overwhelming effort of the school, as a whole, to advance social good is inspiring. After visiting nearly twenty schools, I’ve found that Ross is one of the few that has an emphasis on social impact. This is the same theme that has been present throughout my life and the top reason why I know The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is the right fit for me. 

Published in Successful University of Michigan Essays

Delaney

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) 2023
Top Rated
About the Author 🎓
Major: Business (Business Economics & Public Policy; Social Impact & Responsibility)
Accepted Universities:
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) - University of Michigan - Georgetown University - Northwestern University - Cornell University - Carnegie Mellon University - Northeastern University - Wake Forest University - University of Massachusetts Amherst - Spelman College
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Delaney

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) 2023
Top Rated
Delaney is a verified Squired mentor from University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School). Sign up to connect with Delaney and other mentors from top schools including Stanford, MIT and the Ivy League. Whether you’re looking for advice on your essay, program selection or application planning, Squired’s mentors are here for you.

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