Admissions Guide for Applying to Chicago Booth

When deciding to apply for Chicago Booth’s MBA Program, one might be unsure where to start. Whether you’re interested in connecting with current students and/or alumni, finding out what student groups we offer, or wanting to learn more about the application process, we have you covered. In this blog, we’ll share an in-depth admissions guide as you consider pursuing an MBA at Chicago Booth. Check out our list on how to get started below:

1. Attend In-Person and Virtual Event Offerings
   We offer a wide range of virtual and in-person events that cover everything from program overviews and application tips to networking mixers in various cities and class visit experiences. If you’re looking to learn more about Chicago Booth, attending one of our informative online events is a great place to start. Our virtual offerings provide a comprehensive overview of our MBA Programs, while also leaving room for Q&A with admissions directors and sometimes even current students. In-person events, like our Campus Visit Program for the Full-Time MBA and Class Visit Program for the Part-Time MBA (which present the opportunity to sit in on a class with current students) offer great insight into what it’s like to be a student at Booth. We encourage you to register for a Full-Time or Part-Time event today to learn more about what Chicago Booth has to offer and what the admissions process entails. 

2. Familiarize Yourself with Application Requirements
   As part of our application process for the Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs, you are required to submit your essays, letters of recommendation, academic transcript(s), and standardized test score(s). We encourage you to familiarize yourself early on with the application requirements for the program you are interested in applying to so that you have ample time to submit your application with confidence. Check out our Full-Time and Part-Time how to apply pages for more information about application requirements.

3. Learn about Program Structure and Class Profile
   While you get the same rigorous education within all of our MBA Programs, each program offers a different coursework format. With that in mind, we encourage you to do a deep dive into our MBA Programs to see what each schedule looks like. For example, if you are someone who’s looking to fully immerse themselves in the MBA experience and is fine with not working for two years, the Full-Time MBA Program would be a good fit with its Monday - Friday daytime classes and summer internship. On the other hand, if you are someone who is looking to pursue an MBA while still working and furthering your career in real-time, the Evening or Weekend MBA Program would be a good fit with classes offered after work or on Saturdays. The class makeup of each program can also help inspire which program could be the best fit for you as the years of work experience and other factors may vary from program to program. With that in mind, we encourage you to take a look at the structure and class profile of each program to determine what MBA Program best suits your needs.
   Learn more about the Evening MBA Program
   Learn more about the Weekend MBA Program
   Learn more about the Full-Time MBA Program

4. Utilize Connect with a Student Portal
   Are you particularly interested in the student experience at Booth? Hear directly from Boothies through our Connect with a Student portal where you can ask questions to current Booth students within our Full-Time, Evening, or Weekend MBA programs. Within the portal you have the ability to hone your search by program, region, career background, student groups, and more. The student portal allows you to find students that align most with your personal and professional interests. Connecting with a current Boothie is an advantageous interaction to have during the admissions process as they can provide firsthand knowledge about the process, what to expect as a student, and more.

5. Learn about Student-Led Groups and Clubs Offered
   Many students attribute the life-long friendships formed at Booth to their student group involvement. With a wide array of organizations available, ranging from professional and special interests to sports and social clubs, there’s truly a student group for everyone to enjoy. We encourage you to look at our Full-Time and Part-Time listings to see which groups capture your attention, as it’s one of the many ways to express your interest in the value of a Chicago Booth MBA to members of our community during the admissions process. As you learn more about our student-led groups, feel free to check out recent co-chairs’ sentiments highlighting a few of the many clubs available:
   Sentiments from Full-Time and Part-Time Co-Chairs

6. Visit Prospective Student Pages on Student Group Websites
   The pay-it-forward culture at Chicago Booth starts even before becoming a Boothie. Our students are known for being kind and generous with their time in order to help peers and prospective students, like yourself, reach their desired outcome. With that in mind, we encourage you to connect with student groups you’re interested in—some even provide insight on how to navigate the admissions process. Check the individual websites for prospective student resources and guidance.

7. Read about the Student Experience at Chicago Booth
   Hearing about the MBA experience at Chicago Booth from the student perspective is one of the best ways to learn more about what your life could potentially look like as a student at Booth. With that in mind, we encourage you to check out student stories on our Admissions blog and our student run blog known as The Booth Experience (TBE). These stories cover everything from career impact and recruiting to social life at Booth and what it’s like living in Chicago. Reading through a few blogs to get a feel of the culture, curriculum, and career impact at Booth is a great way to learn more about our program and help you articulate why you want to get your MBA at Chicago Booth specifically. Check out stories from our students below:
   Full-Time Student Stories
   Part-Time Student Stories
   The Booth Experience