Explore Chicago Booth’s Early Career MBA Program

What is the Chicago Business Fellows Program?

The Chicago Business Fellows Program (CBF) is an offering within Chicago Booth’s Part-Time MBA Program, designed specifically for working professionals with three years or less of full-time work experience. If you’re interested in earning an MBA during the first few years of your professional career without having to put it on pause, the Chicago Business Fellows Program provides an early-career entry point to the Booth community and degree.

How does the Chicago Business Fellows program work?

As a CBF student, you’re part of the Evening or Weekend MBA community and have access to the same courses, networks, and resources as all other students in those programs. In addition, each year, there is programming generated by co-chairs tailored towards themes of professional development and networking.

How can people apply?

One can apply for the CBF program through the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA application. After starting an application, navigate to the “Booth and You” tab and indicate your eligibility and interest in applying for the CBF program. Selecting this prompt will waive the $175 application fee upon submission. The Part-Time MBA programs operate on a rolling admissions process. Admission decisions are typically shared four to six weeks after the completed application is submitted. The only step needed after submission is the admissions interview, which is by invitation only.

What questions are unique to the CBF application?

Outside of indicating your interest in applying for CBF in the “Booth and You” tab of the application, nothing else is required outside of the general Evening MBA and Weekend MBA application requirements.

What does Chicago Booth look for in CBF candidates?

Chicago Booth looks for CBF candidates who demonstrate high levels of achievement, both academically and professionally. Pursuing an MBA at Booth while working full-time is a significant challenge. Chicago Booth expects CBF candidates to demonstrate their ability to balance these commitments and justify why now is the right time for them to join the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA program as an early career candidate.

Are students within the CBF program put into their own cohort?

CBF students will develop close bonds with other CBF students in their first quarter through LAUNCH (orientation) and LEAD (required leadership development course). However, Evening MBA and Weekend MBA students can individually choose what courses they take and how many they take in any quarter. While this deviates from a traditional cohort model, it gives students maximum flexibility to navigate the curriculum while working full-time.

What are some of the benefits associated with the CBF program?

CBF is commonly defined as a “community within a community.” Incoming CBF students are immediately identified and connected with one another upon start of the program, giving them a strong, foundational network of peers with a similar amount of work experience across various industries. The optional programs each quarter provide CBF students with opportunities to develop and/or refine professional development skills as well as get to know more students outside of the classroom setting.

Is it possible for Chicago Booth to admit a candidate to the general Evening MBA or Weekend MBA Program even if they applied as a CBF applicant?

Chicago Booth implements the same admissions standards for CBF as it does for the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA programs. There are some instances when an applicant who has just over three years of full-time work experience applies for CBF – these applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions can be made for those who may have a non-traditional career path or are just past the three-year work experience mark and would greatly benefit from CBF. It is possible for Chicago Booth to admit a candidate to the general Evening MBA or Weekend MBA with the determination that they are not eligible for CBF.