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What Students Think About Michigan Ross’s Preparation Initiative

If you’re a first year at the University of Michigan looking to transfer to the Ross School of Business, the school’s Preparation Initiative might be just for you.

This Initiative was created to help those who may have missed out on rigorous academics in high school catch up to speed upon entering the business school.

What’s included? We’re talking business treks, personalized coaching & mentoring, weekly advising sessions, just to name a few things.

Ross asked a few students to share their perspective on their Preparation Initiative Experience, and first up was Class of 2027 student Wilder Wetzel-Righettini from Detroit. Here are some of his thoughts about the program.

Wilder Wetzel-Righettini, BBA ’27

“I found that the opportunities we got are unlike any other program I have ever been a part of,” he shares. “I was able to visit New York City and network with various companies such as Visa Inc., BlackRock Inc., Bloomberg Inc., and others. This experience alone showed me the physical scale of impact that PI has had on people, and being a part of that is a wonderful opportunity.”

When asked how this program will help him at Ross and beyond, Wetzel-Righettini said,

“This program has arguably shaped the course of my entire life after college in the best way possible.” “I feel that I have gained a clearer understanding of what career I might end up in and what I might do fresh out of college.”

Khalid Hamdan, BBA ’26

Khalid Hamdan, a BBA student from Rochester, MI, and member of the Class of 2026, discovered the Preparation Initiative through a mentor who had nothing but praise for the program.

As he approaches the middle of his time at Ross, the program has been a tool by way of connecting him with others with similar backgrounds and interests.

What’s the best part of the Initiative? “The resources provided through the program are truly invaluable,” says Hamdan.

“Benefits include the coaching sessions for our core classes throughout our first year and sophomore years and the various career development workshops that are exclusively for the PI community,” he continues.

Hamdan highly recommends the program to others in part because of the opportunity to go on the Trek. “The exposure you receive on the Trek to companies from various industries and individuals in unique roles can be eye-opening,” shares Hamdan.

“Too often at Ross, students get caught up in believing that consulting or finance-based roles are the only ones to recruit for,” Hamdan adds. However, you might change your mind after visiting some companies on the Trek that don’t necessarily fall under those industries and meeting individuals who aren’t in those general roles.”

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