Executive MBA Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago Booth's Full-Time, Part-Time, and Executive MBA Programs all hold the same standards in terms of academic rigor and curriculum. They vary, however, in their delivery formats and student profiles. The Executive MBA Program takes 21 months to complete, is cohort based, and has a lockstep, fixed curriculum. The average age of Executive MBA students is about 37, and they have, on average, 13 years of work experience. The Full-Time, Evening, and Weekend MBA Programs, in contrast, have a more flexible curriculum, and students are typically younger and have fewer average years of work experience.

Despite the differences between the programs, Executive MBA students earn a Chicago Booth MBA—the same MBA degree awarded to all four of our MBA programs.

Yes. Although you apply to a primary campus, you take classes at each of our global campuses during five international session weeks. All Executive MBA students spend three weeks in Chicago, one week in Hong Kong, and one week in London.

As an Executive MBA student, you are also able to take advantage of our global campus locations when it suits your personal or business needs. Students who are looking for campus flexibility are encouraged to work with our program office teams to relocate for a period of time during the program, either on a short-term or long-term basis.

Yes, we are happy to offer you the flexibility to relocate to any one of our three campuses should your professional or personal needs change during the course of your program.

No, all classes are taught in person by Chicago Booth faculty.

The program begins in September and runs 21 months. For details, see the Program Timeline.

The program begins in September and runs for 21 months. For details, see the Program Timeline. Please contact the admissions team if you would like to discuss the option of spreading the program over a longer time period than 21 months. Students have eight years to complete the degree.

Students attend classes Monday through Saturday during the day and work on case studies, readings, quizzes, and/or assignments in the evenings. For details, see what a typical week looks like in London and in Hong Kong.

Our students and alumni are happy to share their experiences, and you can meet them at information sessions, class visits, open houses, and other recruitment events.

Yes, Chicago Booth has an active alumni network with more than 56,000 members living in more than 120 countries. All Booth MBA students and alumni have access to the Chicago Booth Community Directory, an online searchable database.

Yes, our Global Career and Leadership (GCLD) team includes dedicated and knowledgeable executive coaches who reside on each of our campuses in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong. They will support you at every step of your career journey. What’s more, you can tap into their support for life. Our team will help you define your professional goals and optimize your leadership and career potential through a variety of resources such as one-on-one coaching, career workshops, and a resume database that is shared with our corporate partners.

We do not offer on-campus job recruitment for Executive MBA students.

Yes, all program and course materials are in English.

No, there is no other language requirement.

There is no typical Chicago Booth Executive MBA student. Our students represent a wide range of nationalities, industries, and functions. On average, our students are in their mid- to late 30s with 13 years of work experience. Many have already earned advanced degrees in a variety of fields. To learn more about our most recent entering class, see our Class Profile.

Test scores are intended to help the admissions committee assess academic readiness for Booth’s program. Applicants have two options as it relates to test scores:

• Submit a standardized test score from the Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT, and GRE. After you submit your application, we’ll confirm your self-reported score with GMAC or ETS as a part of our consideration process.

• Test waiver requests are available and encouraged for applicants with highly proficient, quantitative and academic backgrounds. Upon request, test waiver eligibility will be reviewed by the admissions committee on a case by case basis.

For more information on tests and test waivers, visit our how to apply page. 

If you are a University of Chicago graduate, you may be eligible for a GMAT/GRE/EA waiver if you have a cumulative 3.4 or above GPA.

Additionally, GMAT/GRE/EA test waiver requests are available and encouraged for applicants who can demonstrate strong quantitative ability through their academic and professional achievements. Eligibility for test waivers are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering a combination of factors like your resume, transcripts, advanced degrees, certifications, and analytical work experience.

For more information on test waivers, visit our how to apply page.

To learn more about the Executive Assessment, visit our Executive Assessment page or the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

To find out more about the GMAT, including test centers and test dates in your area, visit the Graduate Management Admissions Council website. Test dates are limited, so we encourage you to review this information early in your application process.

You can learn more about the GRE, including test centers and test dates, from ETS. As test dates are limited, we urge you to review this information as soon as possible.

Executive Assessment
Select the Chicago Booth Executive MBA campus of your choice from the Executive Assessment account dashboard. Your Executive Assessment score is valid for five years.

GMAT
Add Chicago Booth to your list of schools with access to your GMAT scores through Pearson VUE and ACT Inc. via mba.com. Our school codes are:

• Chicago: H9X-9F-66
• London: H9X-9F-28
• Hong Kong: H9X-9F-71

GRE
Add Chicago Booth to your list of schools with access to your GRE scores through ETA via ets.org. Our school code for all programs is 3225.
For more information about exam scores, please visit Application Process page.

Your test score is just one piece of information we use to assess your suitability for the Executive MBA Program. We also consider your educational record, previous management experience, leadership potential, letters of recommendation, and interview to make a holistic assessment of your candidacy. That said, you can retake the exam of your choice to strengthen your application. The highest of your valid scores will be considered the official one. You can only retake the Executive Assessment up to two times and we do not recommend taking any test more than three times.

Scores are valid if you took the test fewer than five years before the date of the application deadline. The test date makes no difference in the assessment of an application as long as it was within the past five years.

We do not impose a minimum score. In making admissions decisions, we look at all aspects of your background, knowledge, and experience as demonstrated through the application process. You can view the average admitted student test scores in our class profile, which is available on the primary Executive MBA Program page.

The program is designed for those who are employed full time.

The formal admissions requirements call for a bachelor's degree. However, exceptions have been made for applicants who have displayed an impressive professional and/or personal track record. All candidates without a bachelor’s degree must take an approved standardized test to be eligible for consideration. 

The program requires a high level of English proficiency, but you won’t necessarily have to take the TOEFL. We’ll make that decision based on your completed application and in-person interview.

The minimum TOEFL score required for admission depends on whether you take the computerized, the internet-based (iBT), or the paper exam. The TOEFL computer test minimum score is 250. The TOEFL iBT minimum score is 104. The TOEFL paper test minimum score is 600. The minimum IELTS score is 7. Applicants who score below the minimums may still apply, but admission would be contingent upon meeting the minimum scores or other language requirements. While the University of Chicago has specific subscore minimum requirements for each test, Chicago Booth does not strictly enforce subscore minimums since a personal interview is part of our admissions process. TOEFL or IELTS score reports are valid for two years, and scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to submission of the application.

Please visit Executive MBA Cost for this information.

That depends on when you make the decision to withdraw. Final decisions for such a request will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

You don’t need to have financial sponsorship from your company. But you will need to get your employer’s support to enroll in the program, and we can help you make your case.

Yes, we can help you make special payment arrangements for these situations. Keep in mind that the final responsibility for tuition rests with you, not your company.

Tuition and fees cover all academic sessions, course materials, access to teaching assistants, most meals, daily snacks, and specific student activities. It also includes lodging for some global residential weeks. See Executive MBA Cost for details.

Yes, but it is your responsibility to ensure that the full tuition is paid in a timely manner.

Yes. We offer merit-based scholarships to exceptional students at all campuses and federal financial aid to US citizens and permanent residents. See Scholarships and Financial Aid for details.

We require an advance tuition deposit before the start of the program to hold your place. The deposit amount is US$5,000 for the Chicago and London Programs, and HK$40,000 for the Hong Kong Program. The balance of your tuition is due in seven quarterly installments throughout the remainder of the program.

A new class begins the program every September.

You may find the following resources useful:

• PreMBA Analytical Primer: Essential Quantitative Concepts for Business Math by Regina Trevino (paperback)
• Forgotten Algebra by Barbara Lee Bleau (paperback)
• Forgotten Calculus by Barbara Lee Bleau (paperback)

Orientation is part of Kick-Off Week, which marks the official start of the program. Students from all three campuses travel to Chicago for Kick-Off Week. You’ll have a local orientation during the first week of classes at your home campus.

Materials for the first session will be mailed to you. You may pick up all subsequent materials at your home campus or have them mailed to you.

Yes, you will have access to your faculty. All campuses also have teaching assistants to help with any academics-related questions in your courses.

You need to inform the program office and your professors as soon as you anticipate missing any classes. A decision will be made on a case-by-case basis as to how you can make up the material you missed.

Laptops are highly recommended but not required. All three campuses have computers available for student use.

Yes, but check with your local campus for hours of operation and to reserve a study room.

No, we don’t accept transfer credits from other institutions.

In general, students tell us that they spend 10 to 15 hours most weeks reading and preparing for class.

Yes. All students will spend three weeks in Chicago, one week in Hong Kong, and one week in London.