The Michigan Ross Admissions Portfolio: What Makes a Strong Submission?

By Barbara Connolly, JD, CEP

Founder, College Choice Counseling

Former Admissions Reader, University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Applying to the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business?

A key component of your application is the Ross Admissions Portfolio. Submitting a great Ross Portfolio can make a real difference in your application. Yet many students aren’t quite sure how to approach it. 

What makes a strong submission?

The portfolio isn't about proving how much you already know about business. Ross wants to understand how you think, how you approach problems, and what you've learned from your experiences.

The Ross Admissions Portfolio includes two components:

1.   The Business Case Discussion

2.  The Artifact & Description

Let's take a closer look at each component and what students should keep in mind as they prepare their Ross Admissions Portfolio.

Business Case Discussion: Where Do You Start?

For the first part of the portfolio, Ross asks students to identify an issue in their community, discuss its business implications, and propose a possible solution. The response should be approximately 500 words.

This assignment can be intimidating, especially for students who have never taken a business course. One of the first things we tell students is that they don't need to tackle a major economic issue or come up with an elaborate business plan.

In fact, starting with something familiar is often the better approach.

Think about your school, your neighborhood, or the organizations you're involved with. Maybe you've noticed that businesses in your downtown area are struggling to stay open. Perhaps a nonprofit where you volunteer has difficulty raising money, or a school program you participate in has seen a decline in enrollment.

Any of these could be a starting point for a Business Case Discussion, as long as the problem hasn't already been solved. Ross isn't asking students to write about a project they've completed or a problem they've already fixed. They want to see how students would approach a challenge that still needs a solution.

The important part is understanding the problem and being able to consider it from a business perspective. Why is it happening? Who is affected? What changes might help?

Students should also be careful not to spend their entire response explaining the issue. Ross wants to see how they would approach solving it. That means considering the practical side of their ideas, including costs, funding, marketing, or how resources might be used more effectively.

We encourage students to choose something they have a genuine interest in rather than a topic they think will impress the admissions committee. A student who understands a local issue firsthand may be able to offer much more thoughtful ideas than someone writing about a complicated global problem they have little experience with.

And remember, this isn't meant to be a research paper. Ross is interested in the student's own thinking. Using complicated business terminology or trying to sound like an experienced business professional isn't going to make the response stronger.

Artifact & Description: Choosing the Right Artifact

The second part of the Ross Admissions Portfolio asks students to submit an artifact, along with an approximately 250-word description explaining how it represents learning in action.

An artifact might be a photograph, school project, presentation, article, website, or something else that represents a meaningful experience or accomplishment. And something students are often surprised to learn is that the artifact doesn't have to be related to business.

Students naturally gravitate toward their biggest accomplishments, whether that's an award, leadership position, or something they've worked years to achieve. While those can be excellent choices, we encourage students to consider experiences that may be less impressive on paper but have had a greater personal impact.

For example, a student might choose a photograph from a community service project. The photograph itself may not tell Ross much, but the experience behind it could. Maybe the project didn't go as planned and the student had to adapt. Perhaps they took on an unfamiliar responsibility or learned something about themselves in the process.

That's what makes the description so important. Ross doesn't just want to know what students did. They want to understand what students learned from the experience and why it mattered.

We also encourage students to consider what they've already shared in the rest of their application. If a student has written extensively about athletics in their Common Application essay, for example, the Ross artifact may be an opportunity to highlight a different interest or experience.

There's only so much space in a college application, and we want students to make the most of every opportunity to share something about themselves.

How Much Does the Portfolio Matter?

With admission to Ross being so competitive, students should give the portfolio plenty of attention. For the Fall 2026 entering class, Ross reported 13,596 applicants and just 951 offers of admission, an admission rate of approximately 7%.

While Ross doesn't publish exactly how much weight the portfolio carries in admissions decisions, it's an opportunity for students to show something that grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities don't always reveal.

We encourage students to spend time choosing their topics and developing their responses, but not to overthink what they believe admissions officers want to hear. A thoughtful, well-written portfolio that reflects the student's own ideas is far more valuable than one that simply tries to impress.

Ross Admissions Portfolio Deadlines

The Ross Admissions Portfolio is submitted through SlideRoom, separately from the Common Application.

For students applying for Fall 2027, the November 1, 2026 Early Decision and Early Action deadline has already passed. However, the Regular Decision deadline is February 1, 2027, so there is still time to apply.

We always recommend getting started early. Between the University of Michigan essays and the Ross portfolio, there's quite a bit of writing involved, and students will want enough time to work through their ideas without feeling rushed.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Michigan Ross Admissions Portfolio

Do I need business experience to complete the Ross Admissions Portfolio?

No. You don't need to have taken business classes, started a company, or completed a business internship. Ross wants to see how you approach problems, think through solutions, and apply what you've learned from your experiences.

Can I write about a problem I've already solved for the Business Case Discussion?

No. Ross specifically asks students to choose an unresolved problem in their community. Rather than describing a project you've already completed, focus on a challenge that still needs a solution and explain how you would approach it.

Does the Business Case Discussion require research or citations?

Ross makes it clear that this isn't a research paper. You don't need citations or outside sources. The focus is on your own ideas, your understanding of the issue, and how you would approach solving it.

Does my proposed solution have to be something I could actually implement?

Not necessarily. Ross doesn't expect you to solve the problem yourself, but your proposed solution should be realistic. Think about how your idea could work, what resources might be needed, and whether it makes sense from a business perspective.

Should I create something new for my Ross artifact?

No. Ross wants students to submit something that already exists rather than create a new project specifically for the application. Think back over your high school experiences. You may already have something meaningful that would make an excellent artifact.

Does my Ross artifact have to be related to business?

Not at all! Your artifact could come from academics, athletics, community service, a personal project, or another meaningful experience. What matters is what you learned and why the experience was important to you.

What if I don't have a major accomplishment to use as my artifact?

That's okay! Your artifact doesn't need to be a prestigious award or an impressive leadership position. Sometimes a smaller, more personal experience can reveal much more about who you are. Think about something you're proud of, a challenge you've overcome, or an experience that changed your perspective.

Can I use the same experience in my Ross portfolio and Common Application essay?

Yes. However, be careful not to repeat the same information. If you've already written about an experience in your Common Application essay, consider whether your Ross portfolio can show a different side of that experience. We generally encourage students to use the portfolio as an opportunity to share something new about themselves.

How College Choice Counseling® Helps Students Applying to UMich Ross

One of the advantages of working with College Choice Counseling® is the experience of our founder, Barbara Connolly, JD, CEP, who previously served as an admissions reader for the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. As a former Ross admissions reader with more than 20 years of college counseling experience, Barbara provides expert guidance and oversight to the CCC counseling team, drawing on her firsthand knowledge of the Ross admissions process.

Our counselors work individually with students throughout the Ross application process, including the Business Case Discussion and Artifact & Description. We help students explore possible topics, talk through their ideas, and provide feedback as they develop their responses.

Sometimes students have a great topic in mind but aren't sure how to approach it. Other times, they overlook an experience that could make an excellent artifact. We help students work through those decisions and recognize experiences that may be worth sharing.

Our job isn't to tell students what to write. It's to help them find the right direction, develop their ideas, and feel confident that their application represents who they are.

If your student is considering Michigan Ross, we'd be happy to help your family navigate the application process, from the University of Michigan essays to the Ross Admissions Portfolio.

At College Choice Counseling®, we help students build balanced college lists, manage deadlines, and develop thoughtful college applications. Our experienced counselors and tutors also provide college essay assistance, SAT and ACT preparation, and academic subject tutoring. Whether you're preparing Regular Decision applications or considering ED II, we're here to help you take the next step with confidence.

Barbara Connolly is the Founder of College Choice Counseling®, a Certified Educational Planner (CEP), and Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). She is a former University of Michigan Ross School of Business admissions reader with over 20 years of experience guiding students and families through highly competitive college admissions.