As an institution, this has meant a shared responsibility to keep our community safe, while continuing to deliver an enriching academic experience to our current students.
Shifting to largely virtual work has the potential to create distance and dissonance, but we’ve been fortunate to see Chicago Booth’s community continue to connect and creatively engage with one another.
We are grateful for the strength of our researchers, staff, and students during these times, and we’re also thankful for individuals like you who remain interested in a world-class education. You have reached out to us quite a bit in the last few weeks, and we wanted to share information with you that could provide clarity to a few of your common questions during this uncertain time.
Given the various test center closures, is Booth offering additional opportunities for prospective students that still want to apply this year?
Yes. We want to do as much as we can to ensure everyone who wishes to apply for the Class of 2022 has the opportunity to do so. Our original Round Three deadline of April 2, 2020, will remain in place and anyone who submits a completed application by that date will receive a decision on May 21, 2020. Additionally, we hope the following adjustments give people expanded opportunity to submit their applications during this unprecedented period.
- Following the April 2 deadline, we will continue accepting applications for this admissions cycle through May 31, 2020, and release decisions on a rolling basis.
- We will also continue to accept GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL test scores through July 1, 2020. There will be an initial review of applications submitted without test scores, however, decisions will be made only after the required score(s) are received.
- While test centers remain closed, we will allow applicants to submit interim at-home or online proctored test scores as GMAC and ETS make them available to applicants. (Please Note: We trust the integrity of these testing organizations and should you opt to participate in the at-home testing option, your scores will be reviewed in the same manner as those taken in a traditional testing center.)
How is Booth supporting current students throughout the COVID-19 public health situation?
Like many institutions, the University of Chicago moved to remote learning for undergraduate and graduate classes for the Spring Quarter of 2020. The entire Booth community has come together in ways both large and small to navigate this uncharted terrain together. Here are some of the official shifts Chicago Booth has experienced to date:
- Faculty have taken great care to deliver a level of academic excellence and community-oriented experience that Chicago Booth is known for. Professors are developing virtual coursework that will continue to drive deep thinking and unfettered class engagement.
- With all student operations now remote, including social meetups and student groups, supporting departments have implemented online one-on-one sessions for students, inclusive of career coaching and academic advising sessions.
- Our incredible pay-it-forward culture has come to the forefront in the past few weeks as we continue to receive outreach from Booth alumni and corporate partners offering their support to current students and faculty.
- Our Career Services team has proactively connected with organizations about employment opportunities, moved to virtual program delivery, distributed an up-to-date resume database to employers, and explored virtual career fairs.
- Chicago Booth's research centers, including the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship, are providing community support for local businesses and startups, as well as continue to offer online workshops and seminars. If you are interested in exploring these offerings, many of them are available to the public.
How will COVID-19 impact coursework for the new Class of 2022 entering in the Fall?
At this point, we do not anticipate continuing a virtual experience into the coming Fall. While we are cognizant of the fact that circumstances may change, we foresee classes and the in-person experience resuming on campus by the Fall Quarter. Our key goal continues to be protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Any information regarding a campus reopen date will be posted to the University’s online coronavirus information hub when available.
I’m interested in applying next year. Will there be an impact on Booth’s Round One application?
There are no major date changes at this time and we are planning to release next year’s application in the summer as we typically do. That said, as the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop, we are fortunate to have multiple round deadlines for next year and can adjust if needed. We will send out updates to applicants in the case that any application deadlines are modified moving forward. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay engaged with our community.
We hope you continue to stay safe and healthy and look forward to welcoming you to campus in the future.
Donna Swinford
Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions
MBA Programs
