Asness and Liew Master in Finance Recorded Admissions Events

Admissions Director: Thank you all for attending today's application tips and tricks session for the Master's in Finance or MiF program. My name is Bianca Ward and I'm the Assistant Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions. I primarily work with early career advancers who are interested in our Specialized Master's Programs in Management, Finance, and Booth's deferred MBA program for Chicago Booth Scholars. And as I said earlier, it is such a pleasure to meet with you all today and share insights on submitting a competitive application. I'm also joined today by my colleague, Wynne, who will be present in the chat if you have any questions or to share any relevant links. During this Application Tips and Tricks session, Booth representatives will introduce our application process, review key details on timelines, supporting materials, and outline the next steps, including interviews. We'll dedicate most of our time to Q&A, ensuring that we address the questions that you brought here today. Please note that the annual application deadline for the Asness and Liew Masters in Finance program is January 7th, 2027, with rolling review of applications beginning on October 1st. So we just started that rolling review. Applications submitted with required supporting materials by this deadline will go through several rounds of holistic review by our admissions staff with each application reviewing a minimum of two reviews. After this process, selected candidates will receive email invitations to schedule a 20-minute behavioral interview via Zoom with a Booth staff member, typically taking place in mid-February. Following the interviews, the final application reviews are conducted by a Director or Dean to determine eligibility for admission and merit-based scholarship offers. Admissions decisions for applicants will be released during the second week of March. 


Admissions Director: When reviewing applications for the Asness and Liew Masters in Finance Program, the Booth admissions team evaluates a range of factors as listed on the screen. To better understand what makes a strong candidate, you can explore data on our current MiF class profile about halfway down our program page, which Wynne will share the link in the chat. A competitive MiF applicant demonstrates strong logical career goals and clear vision for how Booth's MiF Program will help achieve your goals and objectives. Academic rigor and achievement as shown through transcripts and test scores, and at the application stage, please note that unofficial copies are acceptable. A resume that captures your educational and professional experience as well as relevant extracurricular activities, career preparation, leadership roles and interests. For the resume, one page is preferred, but two pages would be the absolute maximum length. A competitive application will also demonstrate clear communication skills and intellectual curiosity, including how you will contribute to the classroom's dialogue, academic diversity, and the Booth community's development. And finally, examples of collaboration and your intention to engage with Booth and its alumni network. Additionally, foundational quantitative skills and coding experience are required as prerequisites for the MIF Program. The quantitative requirements are intentionally broad, but relevant coursework and experience that really would be the key to success. We really want you guys to succeed in the program, and we know that to do so, a quantitative background is necessary. So you'll be able to include those course descriptions in the academic history section of your application to demonstrate your preparation for this rigorous program. Finally, application essays are an opportunity to add context to any of these factors. Please use these essays to share what inspires you to pursue advanced study through the Asness and Liew Master's in Finance Program at Booth. Their optional essay can address any educational challenges or obstacles you've overcome, trends in grades or test scores, or any other information you believe is important for our admissions committee to consider during our holistic review. To be considered for the January 7th application deadline, the following materials listed in our how to apply checklist must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Central Time on that Thursday. A complete application includes the online master's application, transcripts from all credit granting higher education institutions attended, required test scores, a professional resume, two letters of recommendation, and three application essays, two of which will be written and one will be a video. 


Admissions Director: Invitations to schedule admissions interviews will be sent by email in early February. Please note, not all applicants will be invited to interview and participation in an interview does not guarantee admission. Also know that there is going to be no application fee required for the 2027 application. Also, please note that while admission interviews are going to be sent out in early February, that is for those who apply by that final January 7th deadline. If you have already applied or will apply before then with our rolling admission, those invitations will be sent out on a rolling basis. So you could expect that notification on if you move forward before February. To help you better understand what Admissions looks for when reviewing applications, your resume should be a snapshot of your educational and professional experience. We understand that applicants for this Master's program designed for early career advancers may have minimal relevant experience or background. For the resume, focus on content over design. One page is preferred, like I said, but we will accept two pages if you need that space to really detail experiences that have prepared you for graduate study at Booth. Be sure to spell check your resume and application materials. We recommend having a family member, colleague, or friend review your documents prior to submission. Ensure dates, titles, degrees, accomplishments, et cetera. match the details shared with your application record. Also, avoid jargon, acronyms, or any overly technical language in your resume just to ensure that clarity for your admissions committee. For those invited to interview, your resume will be the only piece of your application that is reviewed by the person conducting this meeting. So be sure to highlight how your academic preparation, professional experience, talents, and skills make you a unique candidate for our next cohort. You will also need at least two letters of reference with your application with a preference for one academic and one professional reference. Choose individuals who know you well and are familiar with your accomplishments and can speak to your professional goals and readiness for a rigorous quantitative graduate program. Prioritize strong relationships over the status or job title of your recommenders and ensure that they have enough time to write and submit their letters before the deadline. Furthermore, we recommend entering two references in the application to avoid delays in processing. And if you anticipate changes or delays in the receipt of your letters, please notify admissions promptly. And most importantly, letters of recommendation must be sent directly to Booth from your recommender via the applicant application portal. 


Admissions Director: We will send them a secure link. Any letters that are going to be submitted by applicants will not be accepted. To complete your application, be sure to submit transcripts from all credit granting higher education institutions you have attended. Unofficial copies are acceptable for application consideration and official transcripts will be required only if you are offered admission and choose to enroll. Transcripts must include all courses taken and grades received, as well as the English type... I'm so sorry, as well as the degree type and conferral year if applicable, and all transcripts must be provided in English. Do not send original documents that cannot be replaced. Additionally, we are confirming applicants have demonstrated fundamental skills in quantitative study and coding experience as prerequisites for entry into this Master's Program. While our quantitative background requirements are intentionally vague, coursework and experience in these areas are essential for success at Booth. Course descriptions can be provided again in the academic history section of the application, and that is a great place to detail how prior coursework and experience have prepared you well and with the skills needed for study in this rigorous program. 


Admissions Director: So for test scores, GRE or GMAT scores help Admissions assess readiness across diverse global applicant pools. We do not have a preference between the two exams and do not set minimum score requirements for the GRE or GMAT tests. We encourage you to select the test that best suits your strengths and any more information about test score exemptions is available on our website, and I'll continue to share more information with you on the next slide. And I do want to note that while additional test scores sent after application submission may be considered, they are not guaranteed to be viewed based on timing of receipts. So this is another important note that if you expect retests or any update or changes related to your test scores or really anything in the application, you should email the admissions hotline, which Wynne will provide in the chat and keep us in the loop and we can try to be as flexible as possible about maybe holding off reviewing until all those materials are prepared just so you can be confident that the application that is going to be read is the strongest one that represents you as a student. So if you don't let us know and you are planning to send updated scores, they may still be considered, but depending on when we review applications, it really is best to ensure that we're all on the same page about what we are still expecting from applicants. Okay. A little bit more about the GRE and GMAT. 


Admissions Director: Test waivers for these tests are available only to current UChicago undergraduate students. No other exemptions for test scores will be granted. For reference, you can find average GRE scores for our current MiF class about halfway down our program page. And please keep in mind that these are average scores and not minimum requirements. At this time, we do not have enough data to provide average GMAT scores for the MiF program. However, you can use an online score calculator to estimate comparable ranges to guide your preparation. Furthermore, students who completed higher education outside of the US may be required to submit English proficiency exam scores such as TOEFL, I-E-L-T-S, or PTE, as well as provide transcript evaluations. The English test requirement can be automatically waived if you have prior education in the United States, you have attended the school where English was the primary language of instruction, and you have lived or worked in the US for two or more years. Please note that citizenship alone does not exempt you from submitting an English language proficiency exam. And for more details, please check our admissions website, which... I will link in the chat right now, actually. Oh, no. Wynne got it. Perfect. Thank you, Wynne. 


Admissions Director: For all required application essays, be sure you're responding to the prompted questions, spell check your essays again, and seek a peer reviewer who can provide insight from an outside perspective on your application. This is a chance to be yourself, share what makes you passionate about pursuing your Master's at Booth, and what your background experience adds to the cohort you're applying to join. The video essay is also a chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and tell us something about what you're interested in and more about your personality, and it is going to be up to 60 seconds. With this application piece, reviewers are looking for content and communication skills, not style and production quality. 


Admissions Director: A supplemental essay is also optional, but it is available, and this space can be used to provide any additional context or detail, or any details that you believe the admissions committee should know or consider when reviewing your application to Booth, such as an affinity towards the program, any challenges or obstacles you may have overcome during your prior education, or any further details on how your experience has prepared you for success in this quantitatively rigorous program. The first application essay asks you to envision how the Booth Master's program will prepare you to achieve short and long-term career goals. Within this essay, there are two key components to address within 300 words. First off, you want to be able to identify your immediate and long-term career goals. Almost as important, you should identify what attracts you to Booth for the Master in Finance Program and how this education will help you towards achieving your career goals. The better you're able to articulate your, one, personal experiences, exposures and motivations. Two, where you envision your career in the long run, and three, what draws you to Booth's Master in Finance Program, the stronger your essay will be. The second essay topic is more broad and open. It states that graduate education and management and finance is as much about personal growth as it is professional development. 


Admissions Director: For this essay, in 400 words or less, share what inspires you outside of the classroom and work environments. This is your opportunity to tell us something about who you are. Within this piece, we want to know what you feel is most important to share with the admissions committee. We want to know what excites your passions and the value you aim to add to the Booth community. There's no wrong way to answer this prompt and people take it in a variety of directions, ranging from talking about important or inspiring individuals in their lives, key life moments, or something that they like to do every day. In your response, be authentically yourself and share what makes you a unique fit for the MiF Program. And then finally, there's that 60-second video essay, and that is a great opportunity for you to showcase your confidence, presentation style, and communication skills. And again, please focus on content because we're not going to be evaluating these essays based on any editing or styling choices. Admissions interviews for this program are granted on an invitation-only basis, and requests from applicants to interview will not be considered. If you are invited, your interview will take place virtually on Zoom in a behavioral format, lasting about 20 minutes. During this time, a Booth staff member will get to know you, learn about your professional goals, assess your communication skills, and determine your fit for the program. 


Admissions Director: Again, for those of you in the interview, your resume will be the only piece of your application that is reviewed by the staff interviewer. So really in that resume, be sure to highlight how your academic preparation, personal experience, talents and skills make you a great candidate to join for the next cohort. Admissions for the Masters in Finance Program for August 2027 enrollment is now open and will close on January 7th, 2027. We're currently reviewing MiF applications on a rolling basis and strongly encourage applicants interested in investment management... I'm so sorry, in investment banking to apply early. Early application allows you to receive an admissions decision in time to participate in winter 2027 recruitment for summer 2028 internships. If you apply by the rolling deadline, you can expect to receive an interview decision within four weeks of submitting your application and an admissions decision four weeks after the interview notification. For those applying by the final January 7th deadline, all interviews will be held in mid-February and admissions decisions will be released in the second week of March. Application requirements and selectivity remain consistent at all times, but submitting your application earlier and receiving your admissions decision sooner can be a significant advantage in planning your next steps, including relocating to Chicago to begin MiF courses on campus in August. Please note that application deadlines for UChicago 4 + 1 applicants follow a different schedule. All Specialized Master's Program applicants are considered with their application to Booth for a merit-based scholarship funding. Notification of scholarship offers are shared at the time of admission based on academic records, interview quality, and overall holistic assessment of a candidate's application profile. Award amounts are $4,000 and up with no full ride scholarships offered, unfortunately. Booth does not offer any need-based scholarships either. However, admitted students are encouraged to work with the Office of Financial Aid and Office of International Affairs to find additional external grants, loans, and scholarships to help fund their master's education. Military applicants are also encouraged to connect with VA services to learn more about available funding options and matching opportunities. We also have a very great military affiliated community office who is there to help support any veterans or family of veterans. 


Admissions Director: So if that's you and you want to learn more about what funding would be open to you through that, please feel free to message masteradmissions@chicagobooth.edu, and we connect you to the right resources and the right people. And that's the presentation today. Thank you so much for joining. This is now your time to ask questions. I'll look through the chat and see if there's any questions that Wynne hasn't gotten to, but for the remainder of the session, please feel free to raise your hands or unmute, or you can continue typing in the chat. I do also want to draw attention to the email on the screen. This is our hotline. I've mentioned it a couple times in the presentation, and it's the best way to contact the admissions team with any follow-up questions. So please definitely stay in contact. Use this if you have any further questions.