Sandeep Shah Singh Jr.
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
“I love telling stories, sharing adventures, and moments that leave the room laughing.”
Fun fact about yourself: There is a mural of me somewhere on campus.
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
High School: Los Osos High School
Major: BBA
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: Fin 402: Managing Real Estate Fund 1
This course was one of the coolest classes I have taken at Michigan. You are paired with a real estate private equity company and must go through the process of sourcing a deal. Not only do you have to find the deal, but you also have to analyze the cash flows, and then put it all together into a succinct presentation and pitch it to the company you were assigned based on their thesis. This initial real estate exposure is what got me most excited about a potential career. I also cannot speak highly enough of Zach Sheinberg, who leads the course. He put everything together and was a great resource during class and outside of the classroom when thinking about jobs and careers in real estate.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Delta Sigma Pi Professional Fraternity – VP Alumni Relations, President
Alternative Investment Club
Ross BBA Ambassador (Resource for future students)
Real Estate Fund Deal Team Lead
Sikh Student Association Member
Where have you interned during your college career?
Xclusif Realty – Realtor (California)
Crestlight Capital – Analyst (Detroit and New York)
Lazard – Analyst (NY)
RHP – Analyst (Ann Arbor)
Where will you be working after graduation? TPG Real Estate Partners – Analyst
Who is your favorite business professor? Maria Coolican is one of the best professors I have had the pleasure of being a student and working with over the past few years. As a student, Maria’s passion for her teaching and students truly shines through. She consistently demonstrates that students are her #1 priority. She helped build confidence in me and many others because of her teaching style. On the other side, working with her as a TA, I saw the amount of work she puts in to create a fair and equitable learning environment for all students. I am extremely grateful that she has been a part of my college experience, and I cannot thank her enough.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Building relationships is the key to success. You never know where someone will end up or what kind of career path they are going down. When you are at a school like Michigan, almost everyone is doing something cool. When you get to know different people and their backgrounds, you can leverage those relationships for the future, whether you have a startup idea or want to work at a similar company. Getting to know anyone and everyone and maintaining that relationship is important. That’s not to say that you should be getting to know people for the sole purpose of growing your network. My point is, it’s important to be curious and open to the people around you and that is when doors truly open. You will never be the smartest in the room and that is why you should always try to learn something.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Be curious….do not come into the business field thinking how can I make the most money. Think about what your passions truly are and how they relate to business. By doing this, you can find a rewarding career path for yourself. Business is involved in everything we do. Whether you are creative or analytical, there is some way that business relates to you. Do not be afraid to say yes to an opportunity that may take you to a new location where you do not know people.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? If I could go back, I would try and explore outside of business school more. Michigan has so many resources and opportunities, it’s a disservice to yourself not to explore them. By doing this, I think you can become a better business student because you can apply multiple perspectives and bring a unique perspective to class or whatever you are working on. Business can be seen in everything we do, so it’s important you can think about different ways of applying it.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? I think it was really cool the way AI was incorporated into the classes we were taking. For example, we take a technology and operations class during junior year, which is math-based and can be challenging at times. However, the AI resources provided additional learning opportunities where you can actually use a GPT-style program that helps you go over problems, learn the material better, and explain concepts that might be difficult. One insight I have gained is how important prompt engineering is. I know people say it left and right, but if you are able to understand how to craft a prompt so you are getting the best answer, it’s a complete game-changer.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of my work as a BBA ambassador. I think this has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college career. My deciding factor when going to Michigan was because one of these tour guides was so impactful on me that I knew I belonged at Ross – and I hoped to pass on that feeling to others. Now four years later, I hope I have been able to do that. Whether it was through our fly-in programs, tours, panels, or any other admissions event we have had, I hope I made a positive impact on someone in helping them see themselves at Ross. I
know it can be intimidating, so I just wanted to foster an inclusive environment that helps students feel ready to take on the business world.
Which classmate do you most admire? Aaron Gong, Simon Davis, and I have become an inseparable unit. Coming from different walks of life, these two remarkable guys have grown from best friends into so much more: the heart and soul of my college experience and catalysts for changing me.
Since the day we met, we have found an uncanny ability to find common ground in our differences. Aaron’s unique perspective, born of his experiences, complements Simon’s distinct worldview. Together, they create a dynamic that challenges and enriches my understanding of life. They possess an exceptional talent for pushing me beyond my comfort zone while simultaneously providing unwavering support.
What really makes our friendship so great, though, is its depth and authenticity. In a world where people can be spread thin and in a college atmosphere that’s so temporary, we formed something a little different. It’s the little things – the late-night philosophy talks, the celebration of successes, and sharing moments of mundane beauty – but there was such a level of belonging and understanding that permeated that relationship.
I cannot possibly overstate their influence on my personal development. By encouraging me, giving candid feedback, and believing in my potential, they always inspire me to excel in every aspect of my life. This friendship has shaped my college years and will no doubt affect my future path.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? It’s cliché, but I would not be where I am today without my parents, who have sacrificed so much for me to be able to attend the University of Michigan as an out-of-state student. They work so hard every day so I can follow my dreams. My dad is one of the hardest working people I know, and he has taught me that if you want to do anything in life – if you work hard and keep going – you will achieve what you want. Most importantly, he has taught me what it means to take care of the people around you no matter what. If anyone needs help, my dad would be there without hesitation, whether it’s helping a neighbor late at night or driving across town for a friend in need.
My mom not only works but also has the full-time job of being a mom. Whether it was taking me to practice, school, a friend’s house, or letting me stay late at school, she is always there. She’s rearranged her schedule countless times and never complained about the early mornings or late nights, all to make sure I could pursue every opportunity. Through every step of my journey, she’s been my biggest supporter and the person I know I can always count on.
Together, they’ve gone above and beyond to make my dreams possible, postponing their own plans and making countless sacrifices I probably don’t even know about. The financial burden of out-of-state tuition would discourage many parents, but they’ve never once made me feel guilty about it. So, if I have anyone to thank, it’s them for making me the man I am today. Their love and unwavering support have shaped not just my education but who I’ve become. I hope to make them proud by making the most of every opportunity they’ve given me.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The first thing is to one day have my own investment fund. I hope one day to invest with my own thesis and my own terms, with the goal of benefitting the communities I invest in. I also hope to provide a more accessible way to invest for people who may not be exposed to these kinds of opportunities. I also hope to be able to pay it forward, as many have for me, and take on a group of Michigan interns every year and help propel their careers forward.
My second bucket list item would be to come back to Ross and lecture for a class or something along those lines, where I can hopefully give back to the school, as it has given me so much. I am going to be a wolverine for life, so I just want to be as involved as possible.
What made Sandeep such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Sandeep worked with me as a course assistant during F25 for BA200, and he is one of the best students with whom I have ever worked. Sandeep is deeply dedicated and showed up every day with not only a positive approach to the work, but a deeply personal one. He is passionate about the undergraduate experience here at Ross, and he was a huge part of what made our class both highly effective as well as thoroughly enjoyable. He learned every student’s name and would spend time before and after class chatting with the students to make sure they knew he was there to help and support their learning. Sandeep is an amazing listener in an era where that skill is so needed. He is also such a gentle, genuine, and compassionate person. He’s wicked smart. Sandeep is going to be wildly successful in the business world, and he’s going to make it better due to how much he cares about the people with whom he works.”
Maria J Coolican, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor of Education
Lead Faculty, World Languages Teacher Education & IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning
Lead Faculty, Educational Leadership and Policy MA in Educational Studies
Faculty, BA200, Ross School of Business
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