university of chicago booth essays

Chicago Booth Essay Examples

Read these Chicago Booth MBA essay examples and tips to learn how to write a stellar MBA personal statement for one of the best MBA programs in the US . The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago is considered one of the best MBA programs in the world and is therefore also extremely selective and competitive to get into. Your admissions essays are an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and give your application a boost. In this blog, we have Booth MBA essay examples, plus tips on how to write an MBA essay for this competitive program.

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Article Contents 8 min read

How to write an mba essay for chicago booth.

MBA acceptance rates in the US are notoriously competitive, and this is true at the Booth School of Business. Your Chicago Booth MBA essays are a chance to distinguish yourself from a competitive crowd and personalize your application for the admissions committee, so they are a very important part of your overall application.

The mission of the Booth School of Business is to “create knowledge with enduring impact, and influence and educate current and future leaders.” The school also pioneered the “Chicago Approach”, an educational philosophy which uses a multidisciplinary approach to business education, challenging students to think about business from a scientific standpoint.

As we’ll see below, the Chicago Booth MBA essays are focused on the seemingly simple question of “ why do you want to pursue an MBA? ” or “why Chicago Booth?” When you’re brainstorming ideas for your essays, consider the values of the Booth School of Business and their unique approach to business education. What about the “Chicago Approach” or the school’s curriculum and unique opportunities appeal to you and why? How will this specific MBA program help you advance your career or achieve your goals?

To ace the Chicago Booth MBA essays, you’ll need to have a strong reason for choosing Booth over any other school.

Chicago Booth offers a variety of MBA admissions streams for those wondering how to choose the right MBA program for their needs. Keep in mind that the MBA essay topics and prompts are different, depending whether you choose a full-time MBA at Booth, an executive MBA program or a weekend and nighttime MBA program. Reapplicants are also asked to respond to an additional essay prompt. ","label":"NOTE","title":"NOTE"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

It’s important to read the prompts carefully and keep your word count in mind. Your essay should be written for maximum impact, so revising your drafts a few times, and getting an expert eye to review your final draft, is a good idea.

The MBA requirements for Chicago Booth include two required MBA essay questions and one optional essay response. There is also an additional required essay for any reapplicants to the Booth MBA program. We’ve included the prompts for all the Chicago Booth MBA programs below:

Full-time MBA Program

The prompts for the full-time Booth MBA program are:

• How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)
• An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

The optional essay prompt is:

• Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words.)

Reapplicants must answer the following question:

• Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words)

Chicago Booth boasts one of the best part-time MBA programs in the US. Applicants for this program will have slightly different essay prompts to respond to in their application. These are:

• Required Essay: Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth, and why is Chicago Booth's Evening MBA or Weekend MBA your program of choice? (Maximum 400 words).
• Optional Essay: If there is any important information relevant to your candidacy you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here. (Maximum 500 words).

Executive MBA Program

Chicago Booth offers an Executive MBA stream for more experienced candidates. The essay prompts for this admission stream are:

• Required Essay: Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth, and what unique knowledge and experiences do you hope to contribute to the program? (Maximum two pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman.)
• Optional Essay: If there is anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you, please share that information. (Maximum one page, 12 pt. Times New Roman.)
• Reapplicants: Please give us an update on your professional, academic, and community activities since your previous application and highlight what you have done to strengthen your application. (Maximum one page, 12 pt. Times New Roman.)

The Booth MBA admissions essays must be entered into a text box in the online application. This means that while there is no maximum word count limit, you should carefully consider the length of your essay and revise it several times. Focus on eliminating any unnecessary details or filler words so your essay is lean and clean. If you want expert help with writing or revising your essays, you can hire an MBA essay writing service or ask for help from an MBA admission consulting service.

Booth MBA Essay Example #1

Prompt: How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

 An MBA from the Booth School of Business will allow me to step into a new role and achieve long-standing goals. A Booth MBA will enrich my leadership education, give me unparalleled experiential learning opportunities and immerse me in a higher level of international business. Currently, I work for a multinational telecommunications company, and my immediate goal is to accept an exciting promotion to vice president of operations as we expand our company into a new continent and diverse new business cultures. Earning my MBA from Booth will prepare me best for this new venture and new direction in my career, and it will provide me with the tools and education to bring opportunities for growth to untapped economies.

In this new role, I will be working in foreign business cultures and interacting with many diverse individuals. Booth MBA’s international business concentration and its understanding of global business practices is incomparable, and it is my wish to learn from the very best. Booth’s LEAD program would be instrumental in developing my leadership skills further, particularly in the context of working with international teams and within new cultural work environments. Booth’s focus on coursework such as macroeconomics and global finance will also enrich my understanding as I enter new markets and help launch this new division of my company. Lastly, I am intrigued by the chance to learn from incredible business experts around the world through Booth’s Masterclass series and networking opportunities for students.

The Booth MBA program electives, in particular the Global Social Impact Practicum, are of great interest and value to me in achieving my long-term goals. In this new position, my long-term goal is to instigate economic growth through building partnerships, creating jobs and investment opportunities, and of course bringing valuable resources to the communities I will be working in. The practicum would allow me to experience firsthand how remote and rural communities approach problems, offer solutions and work to build them. It will give me a unique window into their perspective and their side of the business equation. I think earning an MBA from Booth will show me how to lead effectively in a global market, how to think creatively about solutions, and will remind me always who is on the other side of our company’s business. 

Working on your MBA resume for Chicago Booth? Here are some items to include:

Booth MBA Essay Example #2

Prompt: An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

 I used to think personal growth and professional development were inextricably linked, and my dedicated focus to my professional development naturally resulted in personal development, as well. I learned the need to separate and individually prioritize the two when a friend of mine broke his leg and asked me to take over coaching his minor league baseball team. I had little experience with sports or working with kids, but as my background was in management, I thought I would have no trouble translating my professional skills to a personal setting.

From the first time I stepped onto the field I knew I would have to make drastic changes in myself. In my professional life, I was well used to coaching teams of adults in high pressure environments. I could rely on my team by now to get the job done and do what was needed. My new team of 20 kids wasn’t interested in my pushing them to be their best, to reach the limits of their potential and find out what they could do. After a frustrating first week, my friend advised me to try a new approach. As someone who was professionally driven, I’d rarely taken time to enjoy simple things like a good baseball game. My professional persona was such a huge part of my identity, but it bled into my out-of-office time too much. If I wanted to be a successful coach for these kids, I needed to be more self-aware of my leadership style, allow myself to be flexible and adjust my expectations. I had to separate my professional side from my personal life.

I started with attending a baseball game with my friend and his son, who was one of the kids I was now coaching. This was a major league game, so the stakes and performance were at a peak. And still, I tried to see the game through the eyes of my friend’s son. He didn’t care that his team lost in the end—he was sure they’d done their best and would do better next time. When I practiced seeing baseball from his perspective, I realized how much I enjoyed the game, which I’d never had an interest in before. At the next minor game he played, when our team lost, I told him I knew he and his teammates had done their best. He smiled and gave every one of his teammates, and me, a high five. When I focused on providing structure and encouragement to my players, I saw an immediate response. They were more engaged, more positive, and more present in the game. Whether they were winning or losing, they were focused on playing more than anything. In doing so, they taught me to leave my professional persona at the office and come to each game with a clear mind.

I have now been coaching minor league teams for the past 8 years, all thanks to this group of kids who showed me how rewarding it can be to help young people grow and learn in a personal sphere. Coaching kids has taught me patience, flexibility, resourcefulness, and positivity. Most of all, I think they have taught me kindness and enjoyment. How to have fun. They’ve shown me my life did not have to center on my professional development and improvement, but also that my own personal development could add to and enrich my workplace skills. Coaching these kids has been incredibly personally rewarding, as it has allowed me a needed separation in my life, and shown me how to tap into personal passions like baseball for the sake of enjoyment, more than anything else.

Yes. The Booth School of Business is considered one of the best MBA programs in the world, and it is quite selective in its admissions processes. The acceptance rate for the Chicago Booth MBA program is around 22%.

There is a minimum word count of 250 for the regular full-time Booth MBA admission essays, and no maximum word count. However, you should carefully consider your word count when submitting your essays and revise them to ensure you’ve removed unnecessary details and keep a strong flow throughout.

The acceptance rate for the Booth School of Business is around 22%.

Yes, your Booth MBA essays allow you to personalize your application, share additional information about your candidacy and make a positive impression on the admissions committee. Since competition to get into Booth is so intense, your MBA essays can help you stand out from a crowd of competitive applicants.

There are 2 required essays for the Chicago Booth full-time MBA program, and space for an optional essay submission. Reapplicants to Chicago Booth must also submit an additional essay.

Full-time MBA applicants must type their essays into a text box in the online application. Executive MBA applicants are asked to format their essays in Times New Roman, 12 point font.

Yes. The Booth School of Business is at the top of MBA rankings and is considered one of the best MBA programs. The MBA programs offered at Booth are all highly ranked and the school’s location in a major US city is an asset for professionals.

To write a strong MBA essay for Chicago Booth, focus on answering the prompt as directly and thoroughly as possible. Be sure to demonstrate why you’ve chose to apply to Booth’s MBA program and how an MBA from Booth will help further your professional goals. Use your word count wisely—don’t make it too long but go above the word count minimum. 

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2023-2024 Chicago Booth MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Jul 25, 2023

• Who is Chicago Booth looking for?
• How should I answer the Chicago Booth essay questions?
• Get admitted to Chicago Booth
• Chicago Booth Deadlines

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on August 29, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below.

With more Nobel Laureate professors than any other MBA program in the world and its unique flexible curriculum, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers those lucky enough to be admitted access to an unparalleled array of academic and extracurricular opportunities. 

However, as data becomes increasingly important in today’s business world, Booth’s data-driven approach to business has become even more sought after , making it more challenging than ever to secure a spot at this world-class business school. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Booth admissions essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up our best tips and links to Chicago Booth MBA sample essays to ensure you give your Chicago Booth application your best shot. 

1. Who is Chicago Booth looking for?

Photo courtesy of @chicagobooth on Instagram 

“ Since 1898, we have produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Today, we empower bold thinkers and inquisitive minds to dig deeper, discover more, and shape the future.” Booth Admissions 

Every year, Booth’s admissions team selects just over 600 students for the honor of joining their prestigious MBA program. With a focus on academic and career excellence, Booth admits have an average of 5 years of work experience and tend to have outstanding test scores (the median GMAT score for the Class of 2024 was 730 , down from 732 last year, and the average GRE score was 164 Quant, 163 Verbal). 

Booth also places an emphasis on diversity, admitting students from 57 countries (totaling 37% international students overall). The most recent class also contains 40% women, 7% LGBTQ+, and 11% first-generation students. 

Beyond impressive stats, however, Booth also looks for applicants who distinguish themselves in three specific areas: Curriculum, Community, and Career. 

For curriculum, “We look for applicants who have both the ability and desire to thrive within a challenging and stimulating environment. The qualities we seek include academic preparedness, intellectual curiosity, and communication skills.”

For community, “We look for applicants whose unique personal and professional experience will contribute to a strong, congenial community that supports its members and pushes them to be the best they can be. The qualities we seek include leadership, collaboration and teamwork, respect for others, philanthropic tendencies, strong interpersonal skills, fit with Chicago Booth and contribution to school community/culture, and a unique perspective.”

Finally, for career, Booth states, “The qualities that contribute to your future success may be evident early in your career. The qualities we seek include a track record of success, resourcefulness, sense of personal direction, time-management skills, realistic expectations for the MBA.”

In addition, Booth highly values interview performance , specifically focusing on a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as this skill is critical to succeed in Booth’s culture of intellectual debate.

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Booth’s open-ended admissions essay question. 

2. How should I answer the Chicago Booth essay questions?

2.1. essay 1 tips.

Instructions: We’d like to hear more about your aspirations, your goals, and the passions and experiences that have and continue to shape you. Please respond to both essay prompts below. We have intentionally only set a word count minimum; we want to allow you the space needed to convey your thoughts, while using your best judgement regarding the length of response.

Essay 1: How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.) 

This year, Booth has again maintained its very traditional, straightforward goals essay.

Often overlooked by applicants, goals essays are incredibly important, as they give the admissions committee your most important argument — why do you need an MBA from their school and what are you going to do with it? 

For all goals essays, you should first begin with context , as goals without context often lack clarity or impact. You may want to include one mini-story or several small anecdotes to provide this context. 

Then, after you set the stage, clearly present your goals to the admissions committee . The section on your goals should include clear short-term and long-term goals, meaning you should list job title and industry for each. Furthermore, stating the motivation you have for wanting these goals and the impact you envision generating while pursuing them is an excellent way to take your essay from good to great. 

If you’re not sure exactly what your goals are, it’s a good idea to think through your arguments and define your goals before you sit down to write! 

Finally, end with a section on how Booth’s MBA program can help you continue to grow to reach your goals. You will first need to research the Booth experience in-depth , and considering the flexibility of the Booth experience, we suggest you consider much more than which classes you plan to take. 

Instead, show how you are going to take advantage of Booth’s offerings to become a more high-potential, driven professional who leaves a meaningful legacy behind. Doing this well means connecting how Booth can help you grow with specific outcomes tied to your goals. 

TOP TIP : Though Booth does not specify a word limit, we suggest keeping your essay to around 500 words . 

Need more guidance? 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of Chicago Booth MBA essays that worked to get our clients admitted to help you plan out a winning Chicago Booth essay. 

Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. 

Click to join ! 

2.2. Essay 2 Tips

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of work. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. (250-word minimum)

One of the hallmarks of Chicago Booth is its flexible curriculum . This format for the Booth MBA means that students are forced to create order out of chaos and make difficult decisions about what to pursue — and what to leave behind — each and every day. 

Booth’s second essay strikes at the core of this ideal, giving candidates the chance to explore who they are beyond their career goals. More importantly, it gives you the chance to show you are a self-aware leader with a clear vision for your future. 

This essay should show Booth who you are and what makes you tick . 

When considering how to approach this essay, first take a look back at your personal and professional experiences to identify the “tipping points” in your life. What has led you to the point you are at now? What has made you YOU ? 

Then, describe not only what these experiences were, but also how they impacted who you are and your life choices. 

This essay allows you to describe your personal and extraprofessional examples (though you can also work in a few professional examples too!) to show Booth a complete view of who you are as a candidate. 

Make sure, however, to choose a single theme and follow it all the way through. Jumping around without logic or connection will cause this essay to miss the mark. 

2.3. Optional Essay Tips

Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation or additional details you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? If so, please use this section to clarify. (Optional)

First of all, Booth has made it very clear that this essay is for extenuating circumstances only .  

This is not a place for you to retell your life story or sum up your interest in Booth or need for an MBA, or copy/paste another strong essay you wrote for a different school. Make sure you focus only on unclear elements of your application such as a low GMAT score, not receiving a recommendation from your current boss, etc. 

Remember, excuses will not get you very far, so make sure to provide sufficient context for the weak spots you mention here. 

2.4. Reapplicant Essay Tips

Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.)

Here, make sure you clearly demonstrate how you have improved since your previous application. We have written extensively on the topic of reapplying to business school here. 

Looking for Chicago Booth MBA essay examples? 

Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here .

3. Need help?

Landing a spot at Chicago Booth is no easy task. You’ve spent years building a track record of professional success, dedicated yourself to getting a good GMAT score, and carefully developed your application strategy . 

Now is the time to make sure your accomplishments truly shine, and the only way to do so is to write a clear, compelling admissions essay. 

Ellin Lolis Consulting began with one mission: provide the best possible service to our clients and get them the best possible results . Serving our customers is at the core of our company, and we know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but our goal is to take away as much of the stress as possible by acting as your ally in the process. 

So if you need much more than just a few comments on your essay, but instead want focused help shaping how you present your life’s greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics, you can count on us. 

In the words of our client Bruno , 

“Anyone who wants to have a solid application should work with Ellin Lolis Consulting.  I really think it would be extremely difficult for me to have had such a strong application to Booth without Ellin’s support. So, I always recommend Ellin to my friends who are applying for any MBA, because I have seen in practice the difference that Ellin makes.”

Get in touch and let our award-winning team of writers and storytellers help you make an unforgettable first impression. 

4. Chicago Booth Deadlines

Here are the deadlines for the 2023-2024 season. You can access the Chicago Booth application here .

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• Chicago Booth School of Business Essay Tips and Examples

July 22, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

Chicago Booth 2023–2024 Essay Tips

Response guidelines: we trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how to best allocate the space., essay 1: how will the booth mba help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-mba career goals (minimum 250 words, no maximum).

If this essay prompt seems rather simplistic and straightforward, that is because it is. Chicago Booth is requesting very fundamental—yet incredibly important—information and really just wants you to provide it so the school can understand your motivation for pursuing an MBA from its program and where you expect to go in your career afterward. Be as specific as possible in your description of where you see yourself after graduation and several years down the line, from the industry and role to any additional details about which you currently feel confident (perhaps specific companies or responsibilities that appeal to you in particular). Explain what has brought you to this point in your professional life, not only your career progression to date but also what has inspired you to earn an advanced degree as a vital tool in moving forward. And ideally, take the extra step of noting which of the program’s resources you believe will be most helpful to you in your pursuits. To be effective, this needs to be more than a passing mention, so do your research on the school and draw a clear picture for your admissions reader as to how and why the particular offerings you have identified relate directly to your needs and how you intend to apply them.

This essay includes some of the most elemental components of a traditional personal statement essay. We therefore encourage you to download your free copy of the mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , in which we provide much more in-depth guidance on how to consider and respond to these sorts of questions, along with numerous illustrative examples. 

Essay 2: An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

As we have seen, Chicago Booth’s first essay question focuses specifically on candidates’ professional paths and aspirations, and with this prompt, the admissions committee is very explicitly directing applicants to discuss their personas and lives, separate from the workplace. The school is essentially asking for whatever information or insight you believe it needs to understand you more fully as an individual and to be able to evaluate you thoroughly and fairly.

The admissions committee will already have a lot of information about you that it can and will use to get to know you better, including your resume, extracurricular activities, recommendations, short-answer question responses, and academic transcripts. You should therefore approach this essay by first thinking about what these portions of your application convey about who you are. Whatever you discuss should complement that information and help provide the school with a more well-rounded impression of you. Do not use this essay to pander to the school or make a general pitch for your candidacy or why you need an MBA. The focus needs to be on you and on giving the admissions committee a new window into your profile. Consider elements of your personality that you feel are particularly revelatory of who you are as an individual (e.g., values, hobbies, skills) as well as significant instances from your past that illustrate something about you or influenced the person you are today (e.g., accomplishments, excursions, milestones). The ideas about which you feel most enthusiastic are likely your best options and should also be the easiest to write about.

You might also consider giving some thought to which elements of your persona or background mesh best with the Chicago Booth experience. (Dig deeper into what life at the school is really like by reading student blogs, perusing discussion boards, catching up on press releases from the school, watching videos on Chicago Booth’s YouTube channel , and downloading a free copy of the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to the Booth School of Business .) If you are struggling to decide among several topic options, selecting one that aligns with Chicago Booth’s character or with specific offerings could help to illustrate your fit with the program.

In the end, as with all application essays (no matter the school), what you want to convey most is authenticity. Do not get caught up in trying to say what you think the admissions committee wants to hear or writing in a way that is incongruent with your natural communication style. And avoid just indiscriminately relating as much information as possible about yourself in hopes of stumbling on the “right” answers. Writing with sincerity and letting your true self shine through will make your essay its most compelling and memorable.

Optional Question: Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation or additional details you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? If so, please use this section to clarify. (Maximum 300 words)

Chicago Booth’s optional essay prompt is a little quirky in that the admissions committee uses the word “unclear,” which to us says, “Don’t share additional information just to ‘sell’ your candidacy. Use this space only to address a problem area.” So let us be especially clear : however tempted you may be, do not simply submit a strong essay you wrote for another school or offer a few anecdotes you were unable to include in your required essays. This is your opportunity to address— if you need to —any lingering questions that an admissions officer might have about your candidacy, such as a low GMAT or GRE score, a poor grade or overall GPA, or a gap in your work experience. For more guidance, we encourage you to download your free copy of our  mbaMission Optional Essays Guide , in which we offer detailed advice on when and how to take advantage of the optional essay, along with multiple examples, to help you mitigate any problem areas in your application.

Reapplicant Question: Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words)

With this essay question, Chicago Booth is testing your resolve and your reasoning. We surmise that the admissions committee wants to be certain you are not just stubbornly following a path and trying to “finish what you started,” so to speak, but that you have truly reassessed your needs in the aftermath of your unfortunate rejection. We recommend that you discuss your subsequent growth and development as they pertain to additional personal and professional discovery, which validates your need for an MBA. In the interim, some of your interests or goals might have changed—that is not a bad thing, and the admissions committee will not automatically assume that you are “wishy-washy,” unless you give them good reason to do so. Just be sure that any of your updated goals still logically connect to your overall story and desire for an MBA. Your aspirations—new or original—need to represent a compelling progression of the growth you have achieved in the past year.    

The Next Step: Mastering Your Chicago Booth Interview

Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. And, on your way to this high level of preparation, we offer our  free Interview Guides  to spur you along! Download your free copy of the  Chicago Booth School of Business Interview Guide today.

To learn more about the essays for other top business schools, visit our  MBA Essay Tips and Examples Resources Page .

2023-2024 Business School Essays MBA Essay Tips University of Chicago (Booth)

Tags: business school essay Chicago Booth free guides Insider's Guides MBA application essays optional essay reapplicants

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• Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
• Columbia University (Columbia Business School)
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Chicago Booth • Essay • MBA

University of Chicago Booth MBA 2022-2023 Essay Tips

July 7, 2022

For those wishing to apply in the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, the University of Chicago has recently released its MBA Application essays, which remain topically unchanged from last year’s. As a general note, when it comes to the two main essays, there is no word limit. However, based on our experience, we recommend that successful candidates keep their responses to between 500 and 1,000 words for each. Of course, there are always exceptions, so there’s no need to panic if you fall outside the norm.

You can also find details on Booth’s MBA application deadlines by following the link.

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)

There is no maximum length, only a 250 word minimum. We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how to best allocate the space.

For the first part of this essay, it’s important to state your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals. Booth likes to see goals that are ambitious and actionable. In order for your goals to meet both standards, they should be related to or, at a minimum, take advantage of your previous professional experiences. This can also provide you with the opportunity to briefly mention what sorts of previous experiences or accomplishments you’ve had that make your short and long-term goals more realizable.

The second part of the essay should concentrate on how a Chicago Booth MBA will help you reach these objectives. Here, try to point out the specific attributes of the MBA program that will be useful for you career. This is a chance to show the research you’ve done and knowledge you’ve gained from Booth events and meetings with alumni, as well as the research you’ve done into the courses, professors, and student organizations on offer. It’s important to avoid generality, so make sure that any Booth advantages that you mention are directly linked to your goals.

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (250 words minimum)

Our lives are filled with a plethora of experiences. And Chicago Booth is looking to understand who you truly are through the motivations and experiences that have driven your life beyond your work. Moreover, they’re trying to understand how you connect yourself to communities outside of the construct of a job, and, potentially, how characteristics demonstrated through your career ambitions also translate into non-professional areas of your life.

Therefore, this essay is an excellent place to recount your history from a personal lens and to highlight the impact of successes that may not be located on your resume or appear in other parts of the app. When working on the stories you’d like to include, it’s usually easier to work backwards. What are your focuses beyond work, and what big moments have occurred in those personal areas of your life? What choices were at the root of those moments for you? How did those moments and actions reveal something deeper about who you are?

Perhaps there is a value that guides your decision-making, both in your profession and beyond, that can be linked back to family upbringing. Perhaps you come from a unique background that this essay offers a chance to flesh out in more detail, exposing your diversity. Whatever the lens you chose, just remember that the goal is to clarify who “you” are, while not falling back onto your professional identity.

When approaching this essay, it’s also vital to make the admissions committee feel engaged with your narrative. That doesn’t mean that you can’t mention different points, however finding a link that connects, at least to some extent, those various instances you wish to share will help strengthen your answer.

Optional Question: Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (300 word maximum)

In this essay, Chicago Booth is only interested in information concerning issues in your profile. If you don’t have any problems—such as, gaps in your job history, poor academic performance, uneven job progression, lack of a supervisor recommendation, etc.—it’s best to leave this essay blank.

However, if you do have an apparent weakness, make sure to deal with it in this section. Explain why that particular issue or situation was an anomaly, and how you have since proven that it will remain firmly in the past. For example, if you had poor academic performance during your university studies, you could show how you have since dealt with it by taking and acing additional courses in a local college and receiving a strong score on the GMAT.

Re-applicant Question: Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 word maximum)

It’s vital to approach this essay carefully. You might feel the need to rush into an answer that simply focuses on showing changes in exam metrics or your professional responsibilities, however, you’ll most likely need to dig deeper to develop a convincing response. Booth is asking about how your perspective has changed, meaning how has your view of the process and your future evolved. Try to convince the admissions committee that, more than before, you understand how you fit into Chicago Booth and how Chicago Booth fits into your future.

To develop a winning application for the Booth MBA, you’ll need to approach the process carefully. So, be sure to connect with a Chicago Booth Expert who can help you develop the best admissions strategy for the program. And, if you need more technical information on the application process, you can head on over to Chicago’s MBA site .

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A Guide to the Booth Essays

Tips and tricks to help you write the best essays possible for the Booth MBA Application, including essay and application deadlines as well as Booth coach recommendations.

Posted January 10, 2024

Featuring Geri T. and Andy P.

Applying to Top MBA Programs as a Consultant

Wednesday, april 24.

11:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

What are the booth essay questions.

Arguably the most important part of any MBA application, essays give applicants the chance to present different personal qualities. Unlike resumes, GPAs, and recommendation letters, the essays are purely in your voice and provide a forum for you to showcase your charisma and reasons for applying to Booth. Here are the two Booth essay questions:

1. How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 words minimum, no maximum) 2. An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (250 words minimum, no maximum)

Both of the Booth essay questions are relatively open-ended, which can be especially difficult because of the unlimited word count. Regarding the essay guidelines, Booth says that it trusts “that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how best to allocate the space.”

Though each applicant is unique, it’s generally recommended that you keep the essay lengths to about 500 words each. You don’t want to bore or waste the AdCom’s time, and you also want to show that you can get to the point clearly and succinctly.

Enter your email in the form below to receive our FREE customizable MBA Checklist to help you stay organized throughout the application process.

University of Chicago Booth Application Deadlines 2023-2024

Here are the recently released Booth application deadlines for the 2023-2024 application cycle:

• Round 1: September 21, 2023
• Round 2: January 44 2024
• Round 3: April 4, 2024
• Booth Scholars (Deferred MBA): April 4, 2024

See more info on the new deadlines and requirements here: Chicago Booth MBA Application Deadlines (2023-2024)

If you’re interested in the deferred enrollment program at Booth, here is another article to get you started on your application: Chicago Booth Scholars Program .

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Tips for Success on the Booth Essays

Research booth.

With the first essay prompt, Booth wants to know that you understand the specificities of its MBA program. It also wants to understand why you’d like to attend Booth instead of all the other business schools. Notice that the prompt is not asking how an MBA will help you in your career goals but how a Booth MBA will help them.

As part of this research, we recommend taking an in-person or virtual campus tour, speaking to alumni, watching videos, and/or reading blog posts. Answers to this question may also include specific classes you want to take or professors you want to take them from, or on-campus clubs/groups that you’d like to join.

2. Know Yourself

Pivotal to many parts of the MBA application but especially the essays, Booth wants to understand your dreams and how you’re planning on using an MBA to achieve them. In order to answer this question well, you must have a clear idea of your motivations for pursuing an MBA, and where you see your career going after graduation. Also, reflect on your career journey thus far, including what you have learned in previous roles and what is lacking.

To get started, we recommend that you talk with a peer or mentor to outline this. Have them ask you important questions such as:

• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? Twenty years?
• Why do you want to pursue an MBA?
• How do you plan on using your MBA?
• How do you plan on making an impact at your current or future workplace?
• What are your professional and personal goals?

Leland MBA coaches are a great resource to utilize as your brainstorm, outline, and draft your essays.

3. Answer the Question

When the question is so broad, it is difficult to stay on one narrative without straying to irrelevant topics. This difficulty is exacerbated by the lack of a maximum word count. In order to prevent tangential asides, plan the outline of your essay before you begin writing a draft. Having an idea of the overall structure while you write will help you stay on track, improve the structural flow, and remain clear and concise throughout. Before you begin the draft, reread the essay question to make sure that you’ve addressed each part. For example, the first question asks about immediate goals and long-term goals. Have you mentioned both in your outline?

4. Be Unique

The Booth Admissions Committee will read thousands of essays and your job is to make yours stand out. What makes you different from every other MBA applicant? Whatever it is, highlight it. Think about the experiences that have made an impact on you and create a story that leads to Booth. As mentioned earlier, stay on topic. Choose stories that are relevant to the characteristics you’re trying to highlight. You have limited space and you want each part of the essay to build on the last so that the whole thing is fluid and logical.

On its website, Booth says that it wants “ambitious, intellectually curious professionals” and “bold leaders.” While writing your essay, think about how you can show that you possess these traits in the stories. To get started, we recommend answering the following questions:

• What events/experiences/people have shaped you as a person?
• What matters most to you?
• What motivates you?
• What are your values and where did they come from?
• What has challenged you the most and what did you learn from it?

Once you’ve written your answers to these questions, think about the stories that come with them and look for themes that tie the major events together. This will give you a good start on the outline.

5. Start Early

We recommend that you begin outlining and drafting your essays early to give you ample time to review them and receive feedback. Start brainstorming at least three months before the application deadline. Once you have a draft, leave it for a few days so that when you come back to it, you are reading it with a fresh perspective.

After you’ve made edits, have a peer or mentor review it, ideally a Booth alum or someone with extensive writing experience. Leland coaches are uniquely positioned to help you succeed in this aspect. After you’ve received feedback, rewrite it with edits and then leave it again. If, when you have come back to it, you are confident in its caliber, review it one more time with a coach or mentor before submitting it.

Where Can I Start?

Writing the essays is one of the most difficult parts of the MBA application process for many people. For this reason, there are many essay-related articles in the MBA Hub of our Leland Library. Here are some specific ones to get you started:

• How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay
• 7 MBA Essay Tips to Make You Stand Out
• Chicago Booth-MBA Program and Application Overview

If you would prefer to work one-on-one with a Booth or essay expert, browse all of our vetted coaches here . Below are some of our highest-rated MBA admissions coaches.

Leland provides you with the content, community, and coaching that you need to get into your dream MBA program. Sign up today to gain access to additional free resources, community events, small group classes, world-class coaching, and more.

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Chicago Booth MBA Essay Examples

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Chicago Booth MBA Essay Samples

“Booth wants to understand what about Booth’s culture resonates with them, their viewpoints, and their aspirations,” shared a representative of Booth’s MBA program. One of the former Booth Admissions Officers on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team clarified that nuance is important with its applications. “If the why now, why an MBA, and why Booth questions don’t organically come out in the application or interview, the candidate isn’t a strong candidate.”

SBC has former Chicago Booth Admissions Officers and several additional Chicago Booth experts on our team. We know the nuances of applying to Chicago Booth successfully. If you’d like to speak with one of our Principals about your candidacy, please request a free analysis here.

Successful Examples of Chicago Booth Essays

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team .

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School Kellogg MBA

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School MBA, the Wharton School

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Asst Director MBA Admissions at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Director MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Minority Admissions, the GSB Diversity Programs, the GSB

Associate Director MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute

Director, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Professional Writer

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) NYU Admissions

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure.  Ashley  holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years,  Ashley  was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...

Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and  ...

A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally.  Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM.  For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...

Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).  In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds.  Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students.  In additio ...

Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years.  Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...

Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.  In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School.  Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...

Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...

Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...

Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications.  She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...

Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.   Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...

Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year.   Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...

Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...

Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team.  During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students.  She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...

Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS).  During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...

Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...

Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director.  Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants.

As the decedent of two generations of Air Force fighter pilots, you could say that adventure and challenge have been core drivers throughout my life. My grandfather was a decorated two-star general praised for his thoughtful leadership and dedication to success. He was on the path to become one of our nation’s top military leaders until a fatal plane crash, and his gifts as a leader were never fully realized. I inherited my grandfather’s driven, adventurous spirit, and this has shaped my decisions as a student, athlete, professional, and member of society.

Beginning in high school, I achieved academic and athletic success that bore many collegiate options. I chose to attend College Z because I desired a challenging academic environment away from the familiarity of home. By my senior year, I earned captainship, chaired charity events with my sorority, and secured a management consulting job.

Treasured childhood memories of camping and hiking through our country’s beautiful National Parks created a lasting influence on me. I moved from City A to City B seeking a cultural change from the east coast and the convenience of outdoor recreation like snow skiing and hiking. The mountains have provided the best avenue to push myself physically and for meeting others who also share an adventurous spirit and love of nature.

During a bold solo trip to Peru, I trekked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Traveling alone enabled deep observation and self-reflection. It encouraged me to connect with other travelers and locals in meaningful ways. One night at camp, I jumped into a soccer-juggling contest with some Peruvian porters. My rusty Spanish and soccer skills were laughable, but we all shared a common love for the sport that created a level of understanding, despite the language and cultural barriers between us.

When considering ways to volunteer within my community, I wanted to focus on women who lack the resources and choices that I had growing up. This past year, I have led experiential workshops at correctional facilities throughout the state. I was overcome with nerves and discomfort my first day at prison. Within minutes of conversing with “offenders,” I realized they, too, have stories, pain, happiness, and regret, which are not too different from my own. Despite my facilitation role, I find myself learning through the different experiences and perspectives shared. They leave with new skills for life post-incarceration, and I leave with a more empathetic understanding of others.

My journey has been built upon taking risks and putting myself in uncomfortable situations. Channeling this mindset, I will enthusiastically contribute to Booth’s community while learning from others’ experiences. The flexible curriculum and choice-rich environment at Booth may be daunting for some, but I view it as a unique opportunity to steer my own development as a thoughtful and inclusive business leader.

The most rewarding part of management consulting is the ability to help companies and clients realize their full potential. However, as each engagement closes, I never feel full ownership of the transformative work I’ve implemented. Consulting does not provide the opportunity of truly owning a profit and loss statement, steering a business unit, or executing a multi-year growth plan. I began exploring other ways to pursue my passion for growing and scaling companies.

That’s when Booth’s pay-it-forward community stepped in.

I connected with a Booth alumna and she enthusiastically recommended me for an internship. Next thing I know, I was identifying acquisition targets, analyzing market risk, valuating companies, and developing growth strategies – all foundational skills necessary to acquire and grow a private small to middle-market enterprise (SME). I was experiencing the value of a Booth MBA, first-hand. Alumni go above and beyond to help one another, and they openly welcome young professionals, like myself, seeking new opportunities. I was both impressed and inspired.

Chicago Booth is the ideal program due to its flexible curriculum and rich resources aligned to these goals. Having no cohort or fixed curriculum is extremely appealing, as I have already gained broad business experience through consulting. With this flexibility, I will focus on courses and labs that will strengthen my financial and entrepreneurial skills – in particular, the New Venture and Small Enterprise Lab and the popular Entrepreneurship through Acquisition class with Professor XXX.

To start my own fund, I need a strong network of investors and advisors. I will seek a leadership position in the Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Club to cultivate resources for capital acquisition, technology innovation, and general enterprise management for myself and other students.

After gaining experience strategically growing a company, I aim to move onto more challenging transformations as each comes to a natural end. Private-sector SMEs offer tremendous untapped opportunity, as they represent close to one third of the United States’ GDP and contribute heavily to job creation and innovation.

Once I have built a brand as a mid-market growth leader, I plan to earn the seat of a C-suite leader in a mid-market company where I can continue the rewarding work of helping organizations and people realize their full potential.

Booth’s supportive community has already begun to arm me with the growth-minded skills necessary to lead a profitable business. Attending Booth will allow me to contribute back to this community and ultimately, contribute much more to organizations I lead in the future.

My dream is to invest in and support companies that push the healthcare industry forward and to help them grow and achieve their goals. This is high order work that will require an intimate knowledge of the fundamentals of business and adept problem solving skills. A Booth MBA is the ideal next step in preparing me to accomplish my dream. At Booth, I will gain a formal education in finance, economics, accounting, and other core business proficiencies; areas where my learning thus far has been mostly through experience. Booth offers everything that I am looking for, and has the added benefit of being in Chicago, where I call home.

Initially, I was attracted to Booth because of its strong emphasis on analysis and critical thinking. I consider these skills to be personal strengths, but I want to continue developing them throughout my career. The Booth curriculum, which focuses on analytical problem-solving, has countless opportunities to prepare me for a career in private equity or venture capital. The lab courses are especially exciting for me, since I learn faster and more deeply when I have the chance to apply what I’ve learned in class or on the job. If I were to be accepted to Booth, I would hope to participate at least three lab courses:

• The Private Equity/Venture Capital lab, which would be invaluable in bridging the gap between my experiences. The work experience, skills, and the Booth network would provide a significant jumpstart to my career.

• The Healthcare Analytics Lab, because data, insights, and action are crucial to every business model. This class would continue to develop the skills that I have built, while broadening my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in healthcare analytics.

• The New Venture/Small Enterprise Lab, which would provide exposure as to what goes into building a startup. This is pivotal in becoming an enlightened investor and advisor to startups and small companies.

Also, the curriculum at Booth is taught by world renowned faculty, with professors like ZZZ and XXX. XXXs publication “Private Equity Performance: Returns, Persistence, and Capital Flows” was part of my early self-education in private equity, and I look forward to continuing that in his class “Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity.”

Beyond the world-class education I would receive at Booth, Chicago is my home; my family is here, and I have already begun to build my career here. The University of Chicago is woven into the fabric of the city, and at Booth I will have the opportunity to study and work with individuals who will be changing the city and the world. That is the kind of network that I want to build.

The extensive alumni network and affiliate organizations provide an immediate connection to thousands of capable people and organizations throughout the city, especially in healthcare through the University of Chicago Hospital system. I plan to be an active member of the University of Chicago network, particularly through the XXX Center. The XXX Center is an incredible hub for entrepreneurship and is a gateway to the Chicago startup industry. It is critical to keep a pulse of the startup scene, and I plan to participate in as many XXX events and programs as possible.

Booth provides a clear stepping stone toward accomplishing my goals. At Booth, I will get a world-class business education and the opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience in venture capital. I will learn from professors who are active leaders in their fields and the extraordinary students around me; students who will be future leaders in their own fields, and will be friends and allies in my mission to help people live healthier lives.

On February 13, 2014, I was nervous for two reasons: I was stuck in the library due to a snowstorm and I was scheduled to talk with the CIO of XXX about analytics. We met through mutual connections as I was pursuing my masters in business analytics. The CIO discussed how analytics was transforming every aspect of XXX’s business from engineering to compliance and how I was entering one of the most in demand job roles for the next decade. After the call, I trudged across campus with excitement and confidence knowing that I wanted a career on the front lines of data science.

In 2016, I was placed on my first analytics project at XXX. My team and I developed predictive models for a commercial aircraft engine manufacturer for their aftermarket leasing business line. Engine failures cost millions of dollars each year due to flight delays, passengers missing connections, and maintenance. We had over 1000 engine sensors available across five flight phases and trained our models using 4 years of data. One of the challenges with this endeavor was missing and incomplete data. We overcame this obstacle by only training on engines with consistent data across multiple months. We also harnessed external data from a NASA satellite that captures concentrations of particles in the atmosphere. As aircraft fly across the globe, we found engines deteriorate faster when flying within one region than others. I led development of the data cleaning and enhancement routines for all the engine parameters and the business documentation once the project ended. These models would likely prolong engine life by 1 additional year and reduce maintenance costs by $1,000,000 per engine.

Immediately after my first analytics project, I was asked to work on a project overseas in France with a major commercial aircraft manufacturer. My team and I developed predictive models that forecast critical pneumatic system failures for a commercial aircraft, which control air conditioning and pressurization of passenger cabin. I led development of the data preparation routines, model building, and model evaluation for accuracy and business impact. These models correctly flagged 86% of flights – before failure against a simulation of 50 aircraft, which would save the airline over $2,000,000 a year.

A year later, I was asked to attend a workshop in Abu Dhabi, UAE to discuss my experience on the previous two aircraft projects with one of XXX’s newer airline clients. I was asked to attend by XXX innovation executives who sell and lead XXX’s most innovative and technologically advanced engagements that IBM hopes will generate new revenue streams. I led a data workshop where I developed a data ecosystem diagram of the client’s data infrastructure to understand the availability and location of all the necessary data assets required to conduct analytics. The diagram was presented at the end of the workshop to the airline and XXX executives as outcomes of the workshop.

With XXX, I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients in the Middle East and Europe. The focus of the work is the same, but it’s been rewarding to develop my communication skills and apply my knowledge in different contexts. These experiences have fueled my passion for data science and its impacts globally.

I am generally dissatisfied, and I have been for the majority of my life. At a young age, my grandfather, a single father of three daughters — and a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. — instilled in me the value of challenging the limits of perception. During my childhood visits to my grandfather’s home in New Mexico, we often perused the stalls of a local market for that evening’s dinner ingredients, and my grandfather would press me to haggle with vendors for a lower price. As a young girl, speaking in broken Spanish, I certainly did not always succeed, but my grandfather displayed a satisfied look on his face regardless of the outcome. As I matured, I understood he had been pushing me to test the perception of my naivety, while also readying me to challenge forthcoming apparent limitations. As I have developed both personally and professionally, my grandfather’s preparation has continued to drive my choices.

Personally, I am dissatisfied with limiting my perspective to that of my own culture. In a first attempt to address this after my first year in college, I chose to complete a summer study-abroad program in Spain, during which I lived with a local woman, Selena. This intimate experience showed me that Selena’s daily joys and concerns made us more alike than different and developed my affinity for experiencing culture through food. I also realized immersing myself in foreign cultures and challenging the limits of my own perception energizes me. I am excited to further engage this passion at Booth through leading a Random Walk and leveraging my love of culture to enhance the experience for first-year students.

Professionally, I am dissatisfied with accepting there are limits to my potential impact, particularly those stemming from being a woman in financial services. As an undergraduate at [College], I was surrounded predominantly by men in my finance classes. I was also reminded frequently that securing my dream job in investment banking would be made even more difficult coming from a “non-target” school. Faced with two potentially hindering factors, I decided to set out on my first professional endeavor to address my dissatisfaction, and secured an analyst position at [Company].

Despite this personal success, I continued to be dissatisfied with the opportunity for [College] students on an ongoing basis. Therefore, post-graduation I have chosen to work actively with [College]’s Career Services department to coordinate biannual trips for students to visit financial institutions in New York and connect with alumni. In recognition of my contribution to the program, I was recently honored as the alumni speaker at the annual celebratory dinner for graduating seniors in the undergraduate business school.

As I entered my second year as an analyst, I was dissatisfied to learn many of my female peers were exiting the firm due to lack of internal mentors and career support resources, so I applied to be a member of the firm’s inaugural women’s initiative committee. In monthly meetings I highlighted topics that made sustaining a career in financial services difficult for women. The reports from these sessions were compiled for C-suite management review, and changes did phase in marginally. With Booth’s flexible curriculum, I will continue to prioritize impact and apply to the PE/VC Lab during my first semester. The course will provide me with the opportunity to intern at a Chicago-based PE fund during the semester and apply my classroom learnings “in the field.”

Ultimately dissatisfied with the transactional nature of my investment banking role and the lack of opportunity for profound impact on clients and other constituents, I chose to transition to an investment associate role at [Company]. [Company] is a middle-market, operationally focused private equity fund where I have already been making a difference working directly with the CEO and CFO of a portfolio company to implement operational improvement programs.

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June 30, 2022

Chicago Booth MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

The two required questions have 250-word minimums . While specifying MBA essay length minimums is very unusual, it fits with Booth’s history of breaking the mold. At the same time, don’t infer that the absence of a maximum is a license for verbosity. As Booth says, “We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be.” Do use your best judgement, otherwise you will be showing a different kind of judgement. And you really don’t want to do that.

Chicago Booth MBA application question #1

How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

In order to answer this question you need to know three things:

• Your immediate post-MBA goal, which you should be able to define in terms of function (what you want to do after you earn your MBA — not study during the MBA) and industry or type of company. Sometimes location can play a role, and if so, provide that information, too.
• Your longer-term professional aspirations. These don’t have to be as specific as your short-term goal, but the two should be related.
• The Chicago Booth program. Specifically, how do you intend to use distinctive Booth strengths to build on your past and realize your goals? If it’s not obvious how your previous education and experience when combined with the Booth MBA will help you achieve both goals, clarify.

To answer the question, you can start with a seminal experience, preferably an achievement that shaped your goals and aspirations. Tell a story about this experience and describe what you learned from it and how it has influenced you and your short- and long-term goals .

Then talk about Booth. Look at the curriculum, strengths, career placement, and extracurricular activities that support your ambitions.

Alternatively, start with the achievement of your goal — you can try using a day-in-the-life approach — then flash back and tell the story of that seminal experience and how it and Booth prepared you for the future day that started your essay.

A few years ago I attended the AIGAC conference, hosted for one morning by Chicago Booth. During the informative sessions at Booth, the admissions committee members made clear that they are looking for students who demonstrate self-awareness and direction. They want to read your application and see, based on what you’ve done, that you’re going to make a mark on the world .

Write this essay so that it shows both self-awareness and your ability to make that mark.

Chicago Booth MBA application question #2

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

This question was added a couple of years ago and is a real getting to know you kind of question. What do you like to do in your spare time? Why does it appeal to you? Introduce yourself outside the office. And if you can show yourself in a growth mode, do so.

You could approach this essay with a goal that you’re trying to achieve and the steps you’re taking to achieve it. The possibilities are endless: running a marathon, painting a certain painting, learning a musical instrument, acquiring fluency in a foreign language prior to international travel, contributing to a cause you believe in, etc. You could approach this essay by starting with your motivation for assuming this challenge or simply you doing what you enjoy doing. Tell a story about the experience and then explore why it’s significant to you. What does it say about you? 

Chicago Booth MBA additional information question

Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words.)

This is a restrictive optional question . Booth is really asking only for information that will clarify something that is unclear, like a drop in grades one semester or a period of unemployment, or why your current supervisor is not writing your letter of recommendation.

This question, unlike the required questions, does have a word limit. Respect it.

Chicago Booth MBA reapplicant question

Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.)

The answer to this question is critical for MBA reapplicants, and it’s different from most reapplication essays in that it’s more about your perspective than what you’ve done. Chicago wants to see growth and development. Same old, same old got you a ding last time and probably will again this time.

Let this brief essay show a maturation and evolution of your goals and reasons for wanting to attend Chicago Booth. Let it also reveal that you meet Chicago’s criteria better this year than last.

You’ve just made a smart investment of time in reading this blog post. Now you’re one step closer to submitting the kind of application that can lead to acceptance at one of the most prestigious programs in the country. Why not make the next smart investment and consider one of our consulting packages? We have helped thousands of qualified applicants get to “YES” from the adcoms. Click here to learn about how we can be there for you, too.

Chicago Booth 2022-23 MBA application deadlines

Source:  Chicago Booth website

Chicago Booth MBA class of 2023 profile

Here’s a look at the Chicago Booth Class of 2023, taken from the  Chicago Booth website :

Length of program:  21 months

Accepted job offers within 3 months of graduation (2021 grads):  96.4%

Student-led groups:  70+

Leadership effectiveness and development (LEAD):  1 required course

Qualified work experience (summer internship or other):  1 required

Concentrations:  13

Number of courses per quarter:  3–4

Class size:  620

Average GPA:  3.54

• GPA range:  2.7–4.0

Are you a competitive applicant at your dream school? Check out the B-School Selectivity Index! >>

International students:  38.9%

• Countries represented:  56

US minority students:  44.2% 

Average student age:  28

Female students: 42.3%

Average work experience:  5 years

GMAT scores

• GMAT average:  732
• GMAT median:  740
• GMAT range:  590–790
• Average GRE verbal:  162
• Average GRE quant:  163
• Percent of GRE test takers in class:  18%

Breakdown of undergraduate majors

Breakdown of pre-mba industry, breakdown of geographic representation, more resources for booth applicants.

Are you considering applying to business school? We have the resources to help you navigate the options and make the right choice for you:

• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know
• Harvard, Stanford, Wharton: What’s the Difference?
• GMAT, GPA, and MBA Acceptance Rates: The B-School Selectivity Index
• Deferred MBA Programs and Other Options for MBA Hopefuls With No Work Experience

Is Chicago Booth at the top of your wish list? Get the competitive edge with actionable advice and inside information:

• Finding and Articulating Fit with the Booth MBA
• Get Accepted to Chicago Booth Webinar
• Why MBA? , a free guide to writing about MBA goals
• A Chicago Booth MBA Shares His Journey to B-School and Important Tips for Applicants

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2023-2024 Chicago Booth MBA essay analysis and tips

Admit expert.

• July 3, 2023

Founded in 1898, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business is one of the oldest and most prestigious business schools in the world. The school is known for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and its distinguished faculty. Chicago Booth has a long history of intellectual exploration, nonconformity, and innovation. 

The Full-Time MBA Program at Chicago Booth is known for its analytical approach, and many economists teach courses on theory and practice. 

Students have a lot of leeway in choosing courses because there are no major requirements. Chicago Booth’s MBA program is considered one of the most flexible MBA programs in the world. If you are interested in applying for the 2023 intake, please see below for upcoming deadlines as well as Admit Expert’s advice on how to answer the Chicago Booth MBA essays.

• Application Deadlines

All applications are due by 11:59 PM CST.

Chicago Booth MBA essay questions

What should you do before you start writing the essay, how should you write essay 1, what should be the length of the essay, how to write essay 2, essay 2 tips, optional essay, reapplicant essay, let us help you get into chicago booth.

The Chicago Booth essay questions for 2022-2023 applicants have been confirmed. Both questions have remained unchanged this year. There are two MBA essays at Chicago Booth, each with no strict word limit.

All candidates are required to submit responses to the following two questions:

How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of your career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

Optional question

Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words.)

Reapplicants must answer the following question:

Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.)

These essays emphasize both your personality and your professional objectives. The focus of the first essay is your career objective and the focus of the second essay is your interests. 

Also take note that while most institutions offer a maximum word count for the required essay responses, Chicago sets a minimum word count. Therefore, Chicago Booth requests that you consider your answers to these MBA essays and ensure you have adequate room to do so.

This Booth MBA essay is a straightforward essay about your career objectives, both short-term and long-term.

Before you start writing the essay, examine your career accomplishments to date. Ask yourself these questions:

• What did you discover? 
• How did you use your past accomplishments to guide your present endeavors? 
• How can a Booth MBA fill in any gaps after that? 
• What courses will you enroll in? Competitions, placements, location, Professors, etc. who can advance your objectives? 
• How will you interact with your peers and clubs?​​

This question asks for both short and long-term goals, so answer with your long-term path in mind. Ideally, your short-term goal will lead directly to your long-term goal, and an MBA is required for both. Examples from previous roles will help you achieve your goals with the necessary education and experience.

Start by giving a quick overview of your professional background, highlighting the successes you had and the skills and information you have acquired. Describe how your future job aspirations are influenced by your past professional experiences and personality traits and qualities.

Please keep in mind that a thorough understanding of the Chicago Booth MBA program and its offerings is essential for an effective response to this question. Explain how the skills, knowledge, and experience you will gain at Booth will help you build on your previous knowledge and skills, bringing you closer to your goals.

Share your short-term objectives now. Indicate the role, position, industry, and 1-2 firms that you would like to work for when describing the position that you hope to occupy right after earning your MBA.

Please keep in mind that your post-MBA goal should be a logical extension of your current skill set, personality traits and knowledge gained through an MBA degree.

Your objectives should be both ambitious and realistic. That is, if you want to work in technology or consulting, you must demonstrate that you already have some skills/experience in those areas and are looking to improve them.

Similarly, if you are a career changer, you should demonstrate how your current skill set will aid in this transition.

Then, you’ll want to go over your longer-term (5–10 years) goal, outlining not only the position you intend to hold but also the overall impact you hope to have. Your short-term objectives should naturally lead to your long-term objectives, which may or may not be specific.

The next logical step would be to discuss how an MBA will help you achieve these objectives and why Booth is a particularly wise next step. Give examples of program offerings that are pertinent to these goals to highlight this fit. 

You can maximize the quality of your essay by doing a thorough study on the Booth MBA program—either by visiting an info session or interacting with students and alumni.

To learn more about what Chicago Booth is looking for and how to make your application stand out, get in touch with us at [email protected]

Given the open-ended nature of this Booth MBA essay, it could be tempting to incorporate achievements or details that aren’t related to the question or to give extra information about your aspirations, but remember to stay on topic! 

The application instructs you to “use your judgement,” and therefore while deciding the length of your response think about the volume of applications adcom would be receiving. So, your first consideration must be to make their life a little easier.

You can also get an idea about the preferred length from the optional essay’s 300-word word limit. You are certainly welcome to use more words than 300, but make sure they are meaningful. A punchy 400 words would be short and to the point. If you must write more than 500 words, which is pretty common, make sure each word is required to respond to the prompt. 

Chicago Booth is looking for self-aware, purpose-driven leaders. As a result, Booth is interested in learning about your personal life. Are you someone who values personal development? And how would you define purpose?

Consider using personal stories to help you focus on this essay. Have you done anything as a volunteer that demonstrates your personality? Or, does your cultural background influence your personality? What events have had an impact on you?

You could also try the following steps:

• List the top 10 to 15 moments, achievements, passions, or experiences from your life. Include all aspects of something—good, awful, amazing, ugly, etc.
• How have you spent your free time? 
• What principles did you fight for? 
• What seems to characterize who you are?
• Choose one or two elements from the list to define your approach and begin the writing process for this Booth MBA essay. These items should best reflect any strengths or values that have been provided.

Focus on experiences that have shaped your values and priorities over the years when writing this essay. Do not be afraid to share your difficult life experiences; they often make us stronger and more self-aware. Remember that each of you is an individual with unique experiences, values, and interests that will set you apart from other candidates. This essay is an excellent opportunity to discuss your involvement and passion for volunteer service, as well as your interests.

Connect your passions and interests that occupy your days outside of work hours and are guiding forces in your life to your potential experiences in Booth’s ‘choice rich’ environment.

Also, think about the challenges you faced and how you overcame the challenges, which will give you deeper insights into the personality traits you possess. Also think about any learnings that you got out of your experiences, and how you applied these learnings in your personal and professional journey. 

Your personal statement for the Booth MBA should describe who you are and your motivations. Your overall objective with both essays should be to present the admissions committee with a comprehensive picture of your potential.

Do you want to impress the Chicago Booth Adcom?

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This optional essay is open-ended, so you can provide as much relevant information while keeping in mind the word limit. Consider writing this essay if there are any gaps in your profile that need to be filled. Have you had any academic difficulties or gaps in your work experience? Then this is the place to go into more detail.

Your response shouldn’t come across as you’re trying to cover up a profile weakness; instead, it should be upbeat, honest, and fact-focused. Your character’s strengths should be highlighted by your weaknesses.

For instance, When describing your employment gap you should say that you were doing something productive like traveling, volunteering, or taking care of your family, like dealing with a medical problem in your family at that time.

However, if there are no gaps you can still leverage this essay if you have a compelling personal story that wasn’t covered in the other essays. It’s worth telling if it helps the admissions committee understand you better. You may also have a compelling leadership story or a meaningful extracurricular activity to add context to your MBA application.

You can also choose to skip this question and concentrate solely on the two mandatory essays if your profile is without any flaws or needs any justification or explanation. There is a word limit on this question, unlike the mandatory questions. Do not disrespect it.

This is an intriguing re-applicant question. Because, rather than asking how your candidacy has improved, Booth inquires as to how your perspective has shifted. Better test scores, a promotion, or a new job would still be beneficial information. However, the emphasis is on reflecting on yourself and your goals since applying to Booth.

Consider what has changed since your last application when writing this essay. Have you, for example, learned more about your career path, formed new relationships, or altered your career goals? This is also an excellent essay for demonstrating self-awareness and leadership qualities. Another important aspect is conveying a realistic sense of how the Booth MBA will fit into your future professional plans.

To stay within the word limit, you must be extremely precise in presenting your case and make every word count.

We will help you write essays that portray your unique strengths and experiences in the most favorable light so that your application shines above the rest. We have helped hundreds of students get into top US business schools. Let us help you too.

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Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, chicago booth essays: tips & strategy.

• By Bill Kooser

Chicago Booth requires two essays, with an optional opportunity to provide extra information.

Every year, as you might expect for a top-ranked school, Chicago Booth receives thousands of applications from great candidates with consulting, finance, and accounting backgrounds. However, the school also welcomes applications from candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. Teachers, nonprofit workers, military officers, and media professionals all find a home at Booth. As former Chicago Booth Associate Dean (and Booth alum), I can affirm that Booth aims to create a well-rounded, diverse, and unique class, and is looking for individuals who like to challenge conventional wisdom.

Given that most students enter the program with business, economics, or engineering undergraduate backgrounds, the essays represent a valuable opportunity to distinguish yourself from other high achievers with similar profiles.

The Booth application includes  two required essay questions, plus an optional opportunity to explain anything on the application form that requires clarification. There is also a video question for those invited to interview. Read on for tips and advice on how to tackle Chicago Booth’s MBA essay questions.

Chicago Booth MBA Essays: Decoded

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)

Booth’s first question cuts to the chase, asking you to connect your compelling and coherent career vision to how the Booth MBA, in particular, positions you to achieve your greatest aspirations. It’s a version of an old favorite, ‘Why an MBA and why this school’ — and significant self-reflection is key to delivering an essay that’s both persuasive and sincere.

Your ability to articulate clear goals — even if they evolve throughout the MBA journey — show the Admissions Committee your confidence and maturity. The critical element here is to think deeply about your goals, interests, strengths, and passions. Your “story” should indicate both self-awareness and an understanding of where you’ve been, where you are going, and they key elements to get you there.

It also requires a deep understanding of Booth’s values, culture and what makes it special. Without a nuanced appreciation of its unique community and program offerings — gained by thorough research, thoughtful networking and, whenever possible, a visit to campus — the admissions committee may not see you as a good fit. Acknowledging the specific things that stand out about the school and why they are important to you is key. Pay particular attention to the school’s overview and the letter from the Dean. Booth prides itself on its distinctive “Chicago Approach” to business education and you’ll want to make sure that you understand that approach and why it is good fit for your own learning style.

Booth is really looking to learn about the skills you have gained in your career thus far and how those will propel you into your MBA program. What specifically about Booth stands out to you? Professors? Classes? Student Organizations? Using your newly minted Booth MBA degree, what are your short and long-term career goals? The important thing here is to clearly identify your long-term goal and describe how your short-term goal will help get you there.

Note that Booth also asks similar short-answer questions in its online application form: 

• What is your immediate post-MBA career goal? (250 characters max)
• What is your long-term post-MBA career goal? (250 characters max)

With a minimum rather than a maximum word limit, the essay gives you more room to go deep and explore the “why” behind your goal and tie it firmly to the Booth community and culture. (Although there’s no limit, Fortuna coaches suggests between 500–650 words, and absolutely no more than 1000.)

Obviously, these answers must be consistent, but take care not to repeat yourself. Rather, explain clearly: W hat is it you want to do and how is Booth going to get you there? For a question like this, the why behind the goal is as important as the goals themselves. Think of your long-term goal in terms of impact — personal, organizational and social/community wide — not just in terms of a position or role. Why is this goal important to you? What led you to it? Think about the legacy you want to leave or the problems you want to solve. How are you going to make a real difference in your organization, industry, or community?

View the MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass for more on tackling the MBA Essays for Chicago Booth, CBS, MIT Sloan, and Kellogg. (Booth begins at minute 7:20). 

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are.  (250-word minimum)

The second question is an appeal to share something much more personal, beyond your professional achievements, test scores, and transcripts. Booth is mining for a glimpse of who you are above and beyond a shining track record of excellence. Booth admissions can glean your professional journey and goals from your resume, letters, and first essay. Now, in this essay, they are looking to find out about what motivates you outside the workplace. They really want to get a sense of what makes you “interesting.” There is no right or wrong answer here and it is a mistake to try to provide an answer that you think the committee is looking for.

Think of it this way: Similar to  Wharton’s MBA essay pairing , the first Booth question wants to know what you’ll get out of Booth, while the second asks what Booth and its community stands to get out of you. However, it’s not quite as direct as Wharton’s question. Booth has always been the home of “interesting” students with wide and varied interests. This question seeks to learn what makes you “you” and how that has led to the decisions you’ve made and the directions you’ve chosen. It also seeks to understand what would make you a fun and engaging member of the community. Again, the “why” behind your answer is often more important than the particular interest itself.

Booth recognizes that we are not linear people and both our work and personal lives inform who we are. Try to focus on an overall theme in your personal life and how that has led to your pursuit of extracurricular activities. Perhaps you had a unique upbringing? Or you have volunteered at a particular organization with a mission that resonates with you? These stories will help color in the areas of your application and help the admissions committee understand who you are and what makes you tick.

This is a chance to talk about something that is of real importance to you. It should not only provide an insight into what motivates or interests you, but make the admissions committee say ‘wow’ or ‘interesting!’ The first essay is designed to assess whether you have a well thought out career plan and have a solid sense of what Booth is and does, but it doesn’t provide a lot of opportunity for you to showcase how you are different from other candidates. Essay 2 is your chance to make the admissions committee want to know you better.

It can be tricky to know where to start, and an intimidating question if you think that your story isn’t unique. Start by reflecting on milestones and moments that defined your personal journey and get introspective about what might set you apart from others — even if it doesn’t seem relevant at first.

You should also think about what gets you most excited, where you spend your time, or what you talk about when you aren’t talking about work. Travel, hobbies, sports? Your favorite band or your current TV binge? Why are those things important to you? How did you get involved? Booth isn’t looking for anything in particular here; they really do want to get to know you. Therefore, if it’s important to you, it will be a relevant topic for your essay. It’s a chance for your personality to shine through and demonstrate that you would be a great addition to what is sure to be an accomplished, diverse, and occasionally quirky class.

To reiterate, do not try to anticipate and respond with what you think the Admissions Committee wants to hear. Be yourself and show your enthusiasm – authenticity is essential.

7 Tips to Get Started with Your Booth Essays

• Get introspective.
• Link future goals with past experiences and explore all facets of the business school experience.
• Understand Booth’s culture and vocabulary as well as the programs, faculty, and experiences that are particularly relevant and interesting to you.
• Convey what you bring to Booth and its community.
• Tap into your passion and share your enthusiasm.
• Remember that in both essays, you are telling a story. It needs to capture the interest of the committee and keep them engaged. Essay editing and polishing are critical.

“Booth looks for candidates that know what they want and will make the most of their two years there,” says Fortuna’s  Julie Ferguson , former Chicago Booth Senior Associate Director of Admissions. “The essays give applicants the opportunity to show that they’ve thought through this major life step, and that Booth is the perfect place for them.”

Let’s Get You In.

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA Admissions Directors and Officers from 18 of the top 20 business schools, including Wharton. With our unparalleled collective expertise, we are able to coach you to develop a clear vision of your goals for business school and beyond. We work closely with you throughout the application process and provide expert guidance at every stage to maximize your chances of admission to a top school.

Our free consultations are consistently rated as the best in the industry. To learn more about Fortuna and assess your chances of admission to Wharton and other top programs, request a free consultation .

Want More Advice?

Check out our team’s latest articles, videos, and analysis related to how to get into Wharton:

• Chicago Booth Video Questions & How to Craft Your Response
• Chicago Booth MBA Interview: What to Expect & How to Prepare
• Business School Profile on Chicago Booth

• Posted on October 3, 2023

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