Full-Time MBA Frequently Asked Questions

All candidates must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited US college or university or its equivalent in another country. (In light of the Bologna Accord, Chicago Booth will also accept all three-year international degrees to fulfill the undergraduate prerequisite for application to Chicago Booth.)

• There is no minimum required GPA to be considered for admission.
• Documentation of your education will be required as part of the application for admission. If you are wondering whether your degree meets these basic requirements, please reach out to World Education Services at wes.org and they will verify that information for you.

All candidates must take and submit results from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

• Admissions has no preference as to which test you take.
• There is no minimum required GMAT or GRE score to be considered for admission.

International students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). 

We do not have a minimum number of years of work experience required for admission; however, we strongly suggest having some form of work experience prior to applying. If you do not have significant work experience, you are still welcome to apply, as we review applications holistically, and work experience is only considered one component of your application.

Please view our application checklist and submission requirements.

TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE
An international applicant is exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement if the candidate:

• Has earned an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction.
• Is a citizen or permanent resident of a country where English is an official language. Applicants should indicate the exemption in the application where appropriate.

GMAT or GRE
We do not waive our GMAT or GRE requirement under any circumstance, including extensive work experience. Additionally:

• We do not participate in GMAT or GRE fee waiver programs.
• The GMAT score is valid if the test was taken less than five years before the date of your application submission. The test date makes no difference in the assessment of an application as long as it was within five years of your application submission date.

You can list your internship experience in your resume.

Chicago Booth does not accept transfer credits from other institutions and we do not waive any of the total number of courses required to graduate. Booth's flexible curriculum offers options for fulfilling any required foundation areas. All Chicago Booth students in the Full-Time Program MBA are required to complete 2100 units to graduate.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, we first suggest switching your internet browser. You may also try accessing your application on a home internet network versus a work network. If that does not resolve your issue, please contact admissions@chicagobooth.edu.

During the application process, you may notice a red X next to the "Official Scores" in your status portal. This is not a cause for alarm, and we have a few important things to note:

• The red X does not mean that your application is being stalled from review, as we only ask for "Self-Reported Scores" and not "Official Scores" when you initially submit your application.
• Official scores will only be requested if and when you are offered admission.
• The red X will be removed once we receive your official score report, though the process can take some time for your red X to change to a green check.

You may apply for an application fee waiver if you are a/an:

• Full-time enrollee in an undergraduate program (non-University of Chicago student)
• Summer Business Scholar graduate
• Teach for America participant, instructor, or alumnus who completed service within the past five years
• AmeriCorps and Peace Corps participant and alumnus who completed service within the past five years
• Forté MBALaunch Member Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) fellow
• JumpStart fellow
• Active-duty  military or military veteran
• University of Chicago employee
• University of Chicago student (all degree-granting programs)

Please note that Chicago Booth does not grant fee waivers on the basis of financial status or any other circumstance outside of the options listed above.

We have three rounds of application. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST on the day of the deadline in order to be considered for a particular application round. Applications submitted after a deadline will automatically be considered in the next round, provided that all required materials are included with the application.

If you have retaken the GRE or GMAT and would like to share your new tests scores with the Admissions Committee, you can self-report your scores directly through your online status page. Additionally, if you have received a promotion or other professional development that would necessitate an updated resume, you can upload one through your online status page.

Please note that we begin reviewing applications as soon as the deadline passes, so we cannot guarantee that we will see new information submitted to us and will not reevaluate an application if new materials or test scores have been submitted after it has already been reviewed.

As materials are received, your status portal will be updated with this information and you can check it at any time. We will only send notifications if anything is missing from your file. If our department does not contact you, please assume that we have received all of your materials.

Unfortunately, we do not review candidacy prior to application to our program. Additionally, we cannot provide postapplication feedback. We review applications holistically and evaluate based on a variety of aspects.

An application to Chicago Booth should be submitted for the year in which you intend to enroll. Deferrals are handled on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the associate dean for Admissions. There are no guarantees that a deferral will be granted, regardless of the situation. This policy does not apply to students who are applying to Chicago Booth through a dual-degree program or the Chicago Booth Scholars Program.

If you were not admitted or if you declined an offer of admission, you may reapply in the next academic year. You are considered a reapplicant if you submitted an application for admission to Chicago Booth's Full-Time MBA Program within the past two academic years. If you applied to the Full-Time Program more than two years ago, or if you applied to another Chicago Booth MBA program, please apply as a new applicant. View the requirements for reapplication here.

If you want to complement the MBA experience and develop specialized expertise and credentials, Chicago Booth offers you several options to do so. With access to courses at the University of Chicago, you can further tailor your program of study to suit your career goals through our joint-degree and certificate programs. Learn more about our programs and how to apply.

Early career candidates are identified as those with three or fewer years of full-time, postundergraduate work experience, including current undergraduate students. If you are considering an MBA program at an early stage in your career, we welcome your interest. Chicago Booth has several programs that cater to early career MBA program candidates. View program options.

A scanned, unofficial transcript is needed at the time you apply. We require a copy of both sides of your transcript to be attached to your application at the time of submission. An official transcript will be required only if you are admitted to the MBA program. Review our transcript requirements.

Any transcript that is not in an official, sealed envelope from your registrar is unofficial. Additionally, any transcript that is scanned, copied, faxed, emailed, or sent directly from the applicant is considered unofficial.

No. We ask that you refrain from sending any official transcripts until you have been admitted. If you send in an official copy before that time, we will not keep it, and you will need to resend an official copy upon admission.

Please list all institutions that you have attended in the Academics section of the application. You must include a transcript for each institution listed in this section. If the transcript from your degree-granting institution includes the name of the outside institution(s), course title(s), and credit granted you do not need to submit a separate transcript.

No. We only require official transcripts upon admission.

You can upload your unofficial transcripts into your online application. Once you've entered your educational institution in the Academics section, you will be prompted to upload your transcript.

You can scan the document and send it to the Booth Admissions email address at admissions@chicagobooth.edu or mail your unofficial transcript to our office and we will add it to your file.

You need to provide unofficial copies of your transcripts from the beginning of your studies up to the time you submit your application. If you receive an offer of admission, it will be contingent upon submitting your degree certificate and degree-granting official transcripts in time for orientation activities.

Our Admissions Committee is familiar with grading systems around the world and will review your grades within the context that they were awarded. Please do not attempt to convert your grades to the GPA system. You can send your transcripts, as they are, via a scanned JPG or PDF version.

Yes. Degree certificates are required from all universities attended outside of the United States.

We require that you submit official transcripts in their official language as well as an English translation.

All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. Generally, one should come from a supervisor and the other can be professional in nature or come from an individual who has worked with you in an organization, club, or volunteer project. View more details.

We understand the concerns about using a current employer as a reference. Former or other supervisors can be used as references if you are uncomfortable requesting one from your current employer. Your reference should know you and your work well enough to tell us about your abilities and address the areas indicated on the reference form. If you do not use a current employer, you should comment on the reasons for this in the Additional Information section of your application.

Email Booth Admissions at admissions@chicagobooth.edu and our Admissions coordinators will assist you with the change.

The security features of certain companies can prevent your recommender from receiving their letter of recommendation request. We encourage you to have your recommender check their spam folder for the request. If it is not present, please reach out to admissions@chicagobooth.edu. Please allow 24–48 business hours to process your request.

Visit our Chicago Booth Scholars page to view all application requirements.

All international applicants are required to be in their final year of a college or university degree program equivalent to a four-year American baccalaureate degree. In light of the Bologna Accord, Chicago Booth will also consider students in a three-year international degree program to fulfill the academic prerequisite for admission. You will be asked to provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application. If transcripts are not in English, please be sure that you provide an English translation.

An English language proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE) is required. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement if they:

• Have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction
• Are citizens or permanent residents of a country where English is an official language

Yes, the $250 application fee is waived for students applying in their final year of undergraduate study to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program.

Candidates selected to move on in the application process will be invited for an in-person interview with a member of the Chicago Booth community. Following the interview, the Admissions Committee will review your application again, with the added insight provided by your interviewer.

All candidates will be informed of their admissions decision by the Chicago Booth Scholars decision notification date.

Yes. All Chicago Booth Scholars will be given scholarship consideration. All scholarship and fellowship are decided on the basis of the merit of each individual candidate. Chicago Booth does not offer need-based financial aid.

No. Chicago Booth Scholars may not matriculate before two years of deferment are completed. If they wish to delay their attendance longer than four years, they are required to reapply to the MBA program of their choice. Previously paid deposits will not be refunded.

All admitted students are required to:

• Secure and maintain full-time employment status throughout their deferral period and to make professional progress satisfactory to Chicago Booth’s admissions process
• Submit an annual form with updated employment information for each year of their deferral period, and provide supplemental material at Chicago Booth's request
• Pay a series of nonrefundable deposits in their first, second, third, and fourth year of deferral

As a Booth Scholar, you are part of the Chicago Booth community and have access to support and resources, including the following:

• Access to select Chicago Booth community events
• Dedicated Admissions team support throughout your deferment period 
• Special access to current Chicago Booth Scholars and alumni of the program

Upon completion of the 2–5 year deferment period, Chicago Booth Scholars have the option to matriculate to our Full-Time MBA, Evening MBA, or Weekend MBA Program. If you are a Booth Scholar interested in the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA options, you must be authorized to work in the United States, as you will continue to work full time while completing the program.

If Chicago Booth Scholars are interested in a joint-degree program at the University of Chicago (e.g., JD/MBA or MPP/MBA), they will need to apply separately to the second program. We recommend that applicants get in touch with the admissions office corresponding to the second program of interest regarding their timeline for applying to that program.

As per the Area Admission Review policy, authority to revoke admission for any misconduct before matriculation rests with the Area Admissions Review Committee. Chicago Booth reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission at any point during the deferral period, if candidates:

• Show a significant drop in academic performance during their final semester or quarter of their program
• Do not have a degree conferred from their undergraduate institution by the time of matriculation
• Have engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, material omission of fact, dishonesty, or any other misconduct, including prematriculation misconduct
• Have a prolonged gap between full-time positions or fail to make professional progress satisfactory to Chicago Booth’s admissions process

Throughout the year, you will have multiple opportunities to engage with Booth Admissions staff, alumni, and current students in cities around the world. Our informational events will give you a comprehensive look at our Full-Time MBA Program and help you understand how a Booth MBA will impact your career. You’ll learn about the Booth experience and what it’s like to be a member of our community.

Types of informational events:

• Booth Full-Time Admissions Information Sessions: Our admissions receptions will provide you with an in-depth overview of the Full-Time MBA Program, as well as offer insight into the Booth admissions process. Hosted by Admissions staff and local alumni, these receptions consist of a presentation and a networking reception with our alumni. Booth holds these events in various cities across the globe each year.
• Booth Student-Hosted Events: At our student-hosted events, you’ll have the unique opportunity to engage with our current students in a relaxed and informal environment. Held during our students’ summer and winter breaks, these gatherings are a great way to learn more about the Booth community and student experience.
• Other Booth Events: Throughout the year, Chicago Booth offers a wide variety of programming that allows you to learn about different issues and meet alumni, faculty, and other members of the Booth community.
• Educational Forums and Fairs: We participate in several MBA forums and fairs throughout the world. Sponsored by organizations such as the Forté Foundation, Kaplan, and the World MBA Tour, these events will provide you with the opportunity to meet Booth Admissions staff and alumni.

We unfortunately do not individually connect prospective applicants/students with alumni or current students. We encourage you to personally make those connections with current students through our Connect with a Current Student feature on our website. We also host a variety of events throughout the year where alumni and students are present to share their Booth stories and to engage with prospective students.

At Chicago Booth, we believe that great ideas have many different fingerprints. The best ideas arrive from a student body with diverse backgrounds and multiple perspectives. It is this philosophy that has facilitated our long-standing commitment to diversity. Diversity is essential if we want to create an environment where we can continue to generate and refine ideas that truly impact the world in which we live. We actively recruit and support underrepresented students of color (including African Americans and Hispanic Americans), women, Native Americans, and LGBTQ individuals through hosting admissions events and partnering with several organizations to reach and attract the best students and brightest minds. Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at Booth.

Student Loans: Chicago Booth is committed to assisting all admitted students in financing their MBA, regardless of citizenship. Financing is available for all admitted students in the form of student loans and merit-based scholarships and fellowships only. Chicago Booth does not offer need-based scholarships.

Loans are calculated on a standardized cost of attendance including room and board, books, and other expenses for three academic quarters (nine months). Personal savings are a contributing factor when deciding how you will finance your education. Employer support has been beneficial for many students looking for other ways of financing their education.

Scholarships and Fellowships: All Chicago Booth scholarships and fellowships are awarded based on merit. In addition to financial support, fellowships provide further assistance, such as special programming and mentoring relationships with faculty, alumni, and industry leaders.

Scholarships and fellowships do not have additional applications. All award decisions are determined from your MBA application by the Admissions Committee. The eligibility for many scholarships and fellowships is defined by the criteria of individual alumni and foundation donors. Award amounts will vary. Chicago Booth does not negotiate scholarship and fellowship decisions.

For specific questions regarding financial aid, please feel free to contact Booth Financial Aid at 773-702-3984 or financial.aid@chicagobooth.edu.

Fall, Winter, and Spring Campus Visits: Our Full Campus Visit Program occurs during our Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Days of the week vary quarter to quarter and year by year due to the fluctuations in class availability.

Spring Break Visits: When students are on spring break, we offer options for prospective students to visit campus; however, no class visits are available. The day will include an information session and a tour of Harper Center.

Summer Campus Visit: Abbreviated Campus Visit days occur on Mondays during the Summer Quarter and are available once our Full Campus Visit Program ends in the Spring Quarter. These Monday visits include an information session and a tour of Harper Center with an Admissions director. 

Booth Live: Booth Live is an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in Chicago Booth's supportive culture and diverse perspectives by spending the day with current students for a comprehensive and authentic introduction to life at Booth, from academics and resources to community and clubs. Please note that Booth Live occurs only in November and February. 

Noncampus Visit Days: If you plan to visit campus on a non-visit day, we have campus maps and a Harper Center self-guided audio tour. Please check with the Booth Admissions upon arrival for more information. If you have specific questions you would like to discuss with an Admissions representative, you can ask to speak with someone who will be able to meet with you. No appointment is necessary.

Other Relevant Information
You can see a schedule of visit days and register for a visit here.

• Please note that we are unable to connect prospective applicants with faculty members. Meeting with faculty must be personally arranged.
• Our office is not open on Saturdays and Sundays.
• We regularly update our admissions event calendar once domestic or international events are scheduled, so please feel free to check out our admissions events to keep up to date on events occurring at a location near you.

We encourage you to register for our Campus Visit Program to make the most of your visit. If you are unable to attend, Booth Admissions is open to visitors during the following days and times (excluding holidays):

• Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. CST during the academic year
• Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. CST during the summer break

The Campus Visit Program is offered three times a week for the majority of the academic year. During exam periods and academic breaks, we offer an abbreviated campus visit schedule that includes an information session and building tour led by an Admissions staff member. We encourage you to view the campus visit calendar before planning your visit. For more information about visiting campus, please see our Campus Visit Program page.

Should you participate in the Campus Visit Program, you will have the opportunity to connect with an Admissions director during the information session. Additionally, with the exception of certain exclusion dates, we have a director who is available on a walk-in basis.

Both programs are designed to help prospective students learn more about the Booth culture and community. The Campus Visit Program takes place three times a week and offers the opportunity to attend an information session, tour the Harper Center, sit in on a class, and have lunch with students.

Booth Live events are offered a couple times a year and span a full day. These events provide more in-depth programming, including additional access to students through panels and interactions with faculty in class, as well as more engagement with the Admissions staff.
Register for a Visit

Information about application requirements for international applicants can be found here.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement if they have earned an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. Applicants are also eligible if they citizens or permanent residents of a country where English is an official language. Applicants should indicate the exemption in the application where appropriate.

Information about financing your MBA can be found here.

Booth's TOEFL test code is 1832-02.

Financing is available for all admitted students in the form of student loans and merit-based scholarships and fellowships only. Learn more about financing your MBA.

For more information on the standard cost of attendance—including tuition and fees, books, rent, food, personal expenses, transportation, and a computer allowance—visit our Cost page.

Yes. Yellow Ribbon awards are available to all veterans at Chicago Booth who qualify under the Veterans Affairs guidelines. Chicago Booth will offer $30,000 per year in Yellow Ribbon scholarship support and the VA will provide up to $30,000 in additional funding. The Yellow Ribbon awards are in addition to other VA programs. You can find the application through the University Registrar. For additional information, please contact Donna Swinford.

The Yellow Ribbon program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.

The Armed Forces Group at Chicago Booth is a student-run organization open to both current and former members of the US and international armed services. One of the group’s goals is to assist prospective military candidates with the Booth application process. Contact the group to learn more.

Student who are admitted to Chicago Booth who are called to active duty prior to matriculation will be granted a deferral of their admission to the following year. Deferrals will be reviewed/extended on an annual basis.

Chicago Booth financial assistance will also be deferred to the following year and reviewed/extended on an annual basis.

Information about readmission, taking a leave of absence, resuming studies, academic grievance policies, and add/drop requirements may be found in the Chicago Booth Student Handbook.

Chicago Booth does not accept transfer credits from other institutions, nor do we grant credit for experiential learning or online courses. An evaluated educational plan will be provided after a student is admitted.

You may apply for an application fee waiver if you are a/an:

• Full-time enrollee in an undergraduate program (non-University of Chicago student)
• Summer Business Scholar graduate
• Teach for America participant, instructor, or alumnus who completed service within the past five years
• AmeriCorps and Peace Corps participant and alumnus who completed service within the past five years
• Forté MBALaunch Member Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) fellow
• JumpStart fellow
• Active-duty  military or military veteran
• University of Chicago employee
• University of Chicago student (all degree-granting programs)

Please note that Chicago Booth does not grant fee waivers on the basis of financial status or any other circumstance outside of the options listed above.

Candidates interested in the three-year JD/MBA must complete the joint application. Applicants must also create an account with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), submit the JD/MBA Form through LSAC, and submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

Yes. Interested applicants will need to complete Chicago Booth's application.

No. Based on the structure of the three-year program, applicants cannot apply for the joint JD/MBA Program during their second year at UChicago Law.

No. Based on the structure of the three-year program, applicants cannot apply to the joint JD/MBA Program during their first year at Booth.

Yes. Applicants interested in the four-year program apply separately and must submit one application to UChicago Law and one application to Booth.

Yes. Applicants who are not admitted to the JD/MBA Program may elect to be considered for admission to either UChicago Law or Booth by answering “yes” to the question on the Acknowledgements section of the JD/MBA application.

Yes.

Yes. Although admission is granted for the upcoming school year, the Admissions Committees will consider deferring admission when necessary.

Applicants must submit either a GRE or GMAT score for admission to the JD/MBA program. Applicants can also submit an LSAT score, but only in addition to a GRE or GMAT score. We do not require an LSAT score, but if one exists, you are required to provide it. All LSAT scores will be automatically submitted through the CAS Report. Please submit all scores earned within the past five years.

Yes. Applicants must create an LSAC account, register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), purchase a Law School Report, and complete the University of Chicago Law School JD/MBA Form. Applicants must submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts through the CAS.

Once the application becomes available, and up until the application deadline, an applicant who fits any of the criteria below can request a JD/MBA application fee waiver. The applicant must be a:

• Full-time enrollee in an undergraduate program (non-University of Chicago student)
• Summer Business Scholar graduate
• Teach for America participant, instructor, or alumnus who completed service within the past five years
• AmeriCorps and Peace Corps participant and alumnus who completed service within the past five years
• Forté MBALaunch member
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) fellow
• JumpStart fellow
• Active-duty military or Military veteran
• University of Chicago employee
• University of Chicago student (all degree-granting programs)
• Recipient of a fee waiver from UChicago Law
• Recipient of a fee waiver from LSAC

Yes. While most candidates applying to Booth have five years of full-time, postundergraduate work experience and the majority of candidates applying to UChicago Law have one to two years of full-time, postundergraduate work experience, we welcome your interest at an earlier stage in your career.

Yes. Applicants invited to interview will interview with both UChicago Law and Booth beginning after the January 7, 2020, application deadline. UChicago Law interviews will be conducted via Skype. Booth interviews will be conducted in person. Interviews will be by invitation only.

Each jurisdiction has its own Character and Fitness requirements for applicants seeking a license to practice law in its jurisdiction. To determine the requirements for the jurisdiction in which you intend to seek admission, contact the jurisdiction. The National Conference of Bar Examiners has contact information for each jurisdiction.

The JD/MBA Admissions Committees will review the files using the same holistic review processes used at UChicago Law and Booth. A joint admissions decision will be made and communicated via email.

The three-year JD/MBA application deadline is January 7, 2020.

No. Applicants to the three-year JD/MBA program cannot apply early decision. The deadline for the joint-degree program is January 7, 2020.

No. Three-year JD/MBA applications will only be considered during Round Two of the MBA admissions cycle. All three-year JD/MBA applications must be submitted by January 7, 2020.

Decisions will be released on March 19, 2020.

All admissions decisions are communicated via email.

Applicants can review their application status in the online application.

Unofficial transcripts must be submitted through the submission requirement within the online application, as well as through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

Yes. JD/MBA students are eligible to be considered for all relevant merit-based scholarships and fellowships from Booth and UChicago Law.

There will be a single tuition for the three-year JD/MBA program. Tuition has not been set for 2020 academic year and will be available in early 2020.

Additional tuition and fees would accrue for students taking longer than scheduled to complete the two degrees.

The accelerated program is intended to take three years, by completing 1400 units of required Booth coursework (plus LEAD) and 105 credits of required coursework at UChicago Law. During that time, students can leverage the vast resources and flexibility of both programs to meet their needs and goals.

Three-year JD/MBA applicants begin at UChicago Law and complete their entire first year of study exclusively at UChicago Law.

Students navigate the program by taking 1400 units of required Booth coursework (plus LEAD) and 105 credit hours of required coursework at UChicago Law. 

For those interested in the accelerated structure, below is a sample schedule, where a student might complete their first year at UChicago Law, second year at Booth, and final year at UChicago Law.

Yes. JD/MBA students may still participate in the clinical programs available at UChicago Law in their third year. Read more about the UChicago Law Clinics.

Yes. JD/MBA students will participate in the Kapnick Leadership Program at UChicago Law prior to starting their first year of law school and complete LEAD prior to their second year of study.

Yes, JD/MBA students can participate in the three student-edited journals at UChicago Law.

JD/MBA students will typically complete internships during both the first and second summers. Students will also typically complete two Booth courses over the first summer.

Yes. JD/MBA students have access to the unparalleled expertise of the career services departments at UChicago Law and Booth.