Chicago Booth Scholars Accelerated Option
The accelerated MBA degree program allows you to complete nearly a third of the MBA curriculum before you graduate from the College by applying six undergraduate courses toward your MBA.
Depending on which program format you choose, you could earn a Booth MBA in just 15 months of matriculation.
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Current UChicago students may apply to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program during college, then defer admission while you work for one or two years.
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Current UChicago students with two years of full-time, pre-College work experience may apply to earn an accelerated MBA in just five years.
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Recent UChicago alumni have two options:
- Alumni one (1) year out from graduation are eligible to apply to the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA Program using the Autumn Quarter application. Admitted candidates will matriculate in the Autumn Quarter of the year in which they apply.
- Alumni two (2) years out from graduation are eligible to apply to the Full-Time MBA Program using the Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3 application. Admitted candidates will matriculate in the Autumn Quarter of the year in which they apply.
Either way, you may be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver, if you have a 3.4 GPA in at least four (4) 200- to 400-level BUSN classes, and have no BUSN grades lower than a C+.
And you'll enjoy immediate full access to the Chicago Booth Scholars community, networking opportunities, events, and programs that will prepare you to hit the ground running once you start your Booth MBA.
Choose Your MBA Program
The accelerated option gives you the flexibility to enroll in the Full-Time MBA, Evening MBA, or Weekend MBA Program, depending on whether you want to work—or complete an internship—while earning your degree. Whichever program you choose, you’ll enjoy the same powerful curriculum, the same world-class faculty, the same influential network.
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How It Works
- Complete four BUSN courses (200- to 400-level) by the time you apply
- Complete six BUSN courses (200- to 400-level) by graduation
- Defer your enrollment after graduation to gain professional work experience:
- Two years if you plan to enter Chicago Booth’s Full-Time MBA Program
- One year for Evening MBA or Weekend MBA Program
- Earn your MBA in:
- 15 months (Full-Time MBA with summer internship), or
- 21–27 months (Evening or Weekend MBA)
- Complete six BUSN courses (200- to 400-level) by graduation
- Defer your enrollment after graduation to gain professional work experience:
- Two years if you plan to enter Chicago Booth’s Full-Time MBA Program
- One year for Evening MBA or Weekend MBA Program
- Earn your MBA in:
- 15 months (Full-Time MBA with summer internship), or
- 21–27 months (Evening or Weekend MBA)
- Complete six BUSN courses (200- to 400-level) before graduation
- Enter the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA Program
- Earn your MBA in 21–27 months while working full time
- If you prefer to pursue a Full-Time MBA, wait to apply until two years after graduation
- Complete six BUSN courses (200- to 400-level) before graduation
- Enroll in the Full-Time MBA Program
- Earn your MBA in:
- 15 months (including a summer internship)
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How to Apply
The application process is the same as for the Chicago Booth Scholars Program, and the $250 application fee is waived.
The application deadline is April 11, 2023.
Learn How to Apply
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Chicago Booth Scholars accelerated option for UChicago undergraduates and recent alumni will put you on the fast track to a Chicago Booth MBA. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
About the Program
Designed exclusively for UChicago College third-years, fourth-years, and recent alumni, this exciting new option is an expansion of the Chicago Booth Scholars Program. It provides a unique opportunity to apply six (6) BUSN 200- to 400-level courses—taken as an undergraduate—toward Chicago Booth’s degree requirements, allowing you to graduate from the Full-Time MBA Program in 15 months (four quarters) or the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA Program in 21 to 27 months (seven to nine quarters).
- By applying 6 (six) BUSN 200- to 400-level courses toward Booth’s degree requirements, you’re able to complete nearly one-third of your MBA curriculum before you graduate from the College.
- You’ll earn a Booth MBA on an accelerated timeline, significantly reducing the overall time and cost of your MBA degree, while gaining a top MBA experience.
- You will fast track your career trajectory, stand out to employers across diverse industries, and enhance your leadership capabilities.
- Upon acceptance, you gain early access to the Booth Scholars global community and to specialized programming that prepares you to hit the ground running.
- You will go beyond your undergraduate academic experience and build your business acumen with new and relevant courses.
- You may be able to waive the GMAT/GRE admission requirement.
Yes, the accelerated option for the Full-Time MBA allows for participation in a summer internship. Students graduate at the end of the Autumn Quarter.
Upon acceptance, you become part of the broader Chicago Booth Scholars global community, benefiting from networking opportunities, access to events, and specialized programming. After the deferment period, whether you join the Full-Time, Evening, or Weekend MBA Program, you'll join a diverse class of Boothies.
No, if you are pursuing the Accelerated Option you cannot do a joint degree.
Eligibility
Current University of Chicago Undergraduates
- If you are a third-year student at the College, you may apply if you’ve completed at least four (4) BUSN 200- to 400-level courses prior to the application deadline. You must then complete at least two (2) additional BUSN 200- to 400-level courses prior to graduation.
- If you are a fourth-year student at the College, you may apply if you will have completed at least six (6) BUSN 200- to 400-level business courses by the time you graduate.
University of Chicago Alumni
If you are a graduate of the College, you can apply if you completed six (6) BUSN 200- to 400-level courses prior to graduation and meet one of the following conditions:
- You are two (2) years post-graduation and intend to begin one of the Full-Time MBA Program options in the Autumn Quarter.
- You are one (1) year post-graduation and intend to pursue the Evening or Weekend MBA Program option in the Autumn Quarter.
No. UChicago undergraduates and recent alumni of all majors are eligible and encouraged to apply.
No. There is no minimum GPA required to apply to either the accelerated option or the traditional Chicago Booth Scholars Program.
Six (6) 200- to 400-level BUSN courses will count toward your eligibility to the accelerated option.
Yes. As a fourth-year, you may apply as long as you anticipate completing six (6) 200- to 400-level BUSN courses by the time you graduate.
Not at this time. In order to apply as a third-year, you must have completed four (4) 200- to 400-level BUSN courses prior to submitting an application. However, you will be eligible to apply as a fourth-year.
Applying
The Chicago Booth Scholars application deadline is April 11, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Admission decisions will be announced on June 15, 2023. Learn more about the application process, or apply now.
If you meet the following requirements for a test waiver, you do not have to provide a GMAT/GRE score with your application:
- Have taken at least four (4) 200-400 level BUSN classes by the time of application (you will be asked to list the four BUSN courses taken)
- Have an average GPA of 3.5 or higher in four (4) 200-400 level BUSN courses (you will be asked for qualified grades of these four BUSN courses)
- Received a grade of C+ or higher in all BUSN classes (you will be asked to list all BUSN courses taken)
If you do not meet all of the above requirements, you must submit a GMAT or GRE score. Chicago Booth does not have a preference for which you submit.
*Test waivers are contingent upon adherence to the terms and conditions set forth by the Admissions Criteria and the Admissions Response Form.
Yes. If you choose not to waive your GMAT/GRE requirement, you may still submit a test score.
Yes. All admitted candidates will be considered for all relevant and available scholarships.
Yes. You may continue to apply to the accelerated option as long as you meet all eligibility requirements.
If you fail to meet the course requirements after applying, you are still admitted as a traditional Chicago Booth Scholar, but your undergraduate BUSN coursework will not be applied toward your MBA degree and you will not be allowed to accelerate your MBA.
Deferment Period
The length of your deferment period will depend on when you apply to the accelerated option and which program you intend to complete. If you apply as an undergraduate student, you can matriculate into the Evening or Weekend MBA Program after one year of work experience, or to the Full-Time MBA Program after two years of work experience. If you apply as a graduate, you will matriculate to the program you are eligible for in the year which you apply.
In alignment with the Chicago Booth Scholars Program, you must maintain full-time employment during your deferment period.
As an undergraduate, you do not need to select a program path when you apply. You will select a program when you are ready to matriculate at Booth. During your deferment period, you will have various interactions with the admissions office during which you can indicate your program of choice.
- If you graduated a year ago, you will be considered for the Evening or Weekend MBA accelerated options.
- If you graduated two years ago, you will be considered for the Full-Time MBA accelerated option.
If you decide later that you do not wish to do the accelerated option, you are still considered a Chicago Booth Scholar and you can matriculate to the Full-Time MBA, Evening MBA, or Weekend MBA after a deferment period of two to four years. However, you will no longer be able to apply your six (6) 200- to 400-level BUSN courses toward your degree.
Contact Us
Questions about accelerating your MBA? Contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Chicago Booth Scholars Accelerated MBA Option
Phone: 773.702.7369
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