Considering applying to our deferred MBA Program? There’s no one better to convince you of the program's advantages than our students. Read on to learn more.
- By
- March 24, 2025
- Chicago Booth Scholars
Insights from Deferred MBA Student Isha Mehrotra
In this blog, current Booth student, Isha Mehrotra, AB ‘19, discusses what the Chicago Booth Scholars Program is all about and how it serves as a solidified way to secure future career advancement, while still in undergrad.
What is the Chicago Booth Scholars (CBS) Program?
The Chicago Booth Scholars (CBS) Program is our deferred MBA program at Chicago Booth open for undergraduate students to apply during senior year. This program is great for college students who have interest in pursuing a business degree in the future. Going through the MBA admissions process during undergrad can alleviate the stressors associated with applying to our Full-Time or Part-Time MBA Programs while working and balancing your professional life. Through the Chicago Booth Scholars Program, you secure your seat early, with the added flexibility to defer your admission for 2-5 years as you go out and explore your career interest.
Read on to learn more about the program from Isha Mehrotra, current Full-Time MBA student who applied to Chicago Booth through our deferred MBA program.
More about Isha and Her Journey to Chicago Booth…
Isha grew up in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Chicago in 2019 with a degree in Computer Science, a minor in South Asian Languages and Civilizations, and admission to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program. After graduating, she joined Google in New York City as a software engineer, where she spent four years working on projects in Docs and Ads. In 2023, Isha took a leap of faith to co-found a quantitative hedge fund startup, which gave her invaluable experience in scaling a business from the ground up and pitching to investors. This journey inspired Isha to take the next big step in pursuing her MBA, as she wanted to broaden her skill set beyond technology and entrepreneurship, while also exploring a range of career opportunities. Having gained firsthand insight into the challenges entrepreneurs face, Isha is now passionate about helping founders turn their visions into thriving businesses.
Fun Facts about Isha: Isha has a twin sister who also attended UChicago undergrad! Also, in Isha’s spare time she enjoys solving NYT puzzles, honing in on her amateur photography skills while traveling, and dancing to Bollywood music.
More on the Chicago Booth Scholars Program with Isha...
What attracted you specifically to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program?
Although I initially planned to join Big Tech as a Software Engineer, I found myself uncertain about staying in the industry permanently. Entrepreneurship had always intrigued me, and I recognized that business school could provide the skills and knowledge I needed to explore that path. Given that I was already contemplating an MBA, applying during my senior year seemed like the perfect opportunity. It would allow me the freedom to take risks and experiment with my career during the deferral period. Additionally, I had thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate experience at UChicago and was excited by the possibility of returning for graduate school.
What was the application process like? Any advice for individuals considering the Chicago Booth Scholars Program?
My main piece of advice would be to ensure your application story is cohesive. It's important to clearly show how your past experiences have shaped who you are today, and how they’ve guided you toward your decision to pursue an MBA. Be sure to articulate how you plan to leverage business school to build on those experiences and outline the direction you see for your career after the MBA. Authenticity and a clear vision will make your application stand out.
What did you find advantageous about applying for your MBA during undergrad?
The Chicago Booth Scholars Program gave me the freedom to explore and take risks in my career before starting my MBA. After four years at Google, I was able to co-found a startup without worrying about how it might affect my admission prospects. This entrepreneurial experience was crucial in refining my business acumen and helping me clarify my post-MBA goals. Without it, my Booth experience would have been vastly different.
What courses and other resources have you found most beneficial in reaching your career goals?
I plan to leverage my entrepreneurship and investing experience to transition into venture capital post-MBA. When I began my MBA journey, venture capital was a completely new field for me, and Booth's resources have been invaluable in both educating me and offering hands-on experience. The Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Group (EVC), in collaboration with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, have provided me with exceptional educational and professional programming. I’m particularly excited to serve as EVC Co-Chair for Seedcon, our flagship conference, next year. Additionally, my role as an associate on the student-run Steven Tarrson Impact Investment Fund has given me firsthand experience in sourcing and evaluating startups. Guest lectures in my New Venture Strategy and Impact Investing courses have also further deepened my understanding of the industry, while helping me expand my network.
In what ways are you involved at Chicago Booth and how has it contributed to the connections you’ve made throughout your MBA journey thus far?
I am an active member of several student groups, including the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Group (EVC), Chicago Women in Business (CWiB), and the South Asian Business Group (SABG). These communities have been instrumental in helping me build a supportive, tight-knit network at Booth, enriching both my personal and professional growth. This year, I co-led EVC’s Venture Capital trek to New York City, coordinating firm visits to gain industry insights while fostering connections among students. Looking ahead, I’m excited to organize Seedcon, EVC’s flagship conference, to cultivate meaningful relationships within the Booth community and beyond.
We encourage you to learn more about the Chicago Booth Scholars Program and apply before the upcoming deadline on April 29, 2025. If you'd like to receive more information about the Chicago Booth Scholars Program before the upcoming deadline, we encourage you to sign up below.
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