Chicago Booth’s two required essay questions have 250-word minimums. While specifying a minimum length for an MBA essay 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 to be verbose. 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.

Ready to get to work on your Chicago Booth application? Here is some expert advice to help you get accepted:

• Chicago Booth application essay tips
• Chicago Booth application deadlines
• Chicago Booth class profile

Chicago Booth application essay tips

Chicago Booth Essay #1

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

To answer this question, you need to know three things:

1. Your immediate post-MBA goal: You should be able to define this in terms of function (what you want to do after you earn your MBA, not what you want to study during the MBA) and industry or type of company. Sometimes, location can play a role, and if so, provide that information, too.
   
2. Your longer-term professional aspirations: These don’t have to be as specific as your short-term goal, but the two should be related.
   
3. 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 will help you achieve your goals when combined with the Booth MBA, clarify.

In your essay, you can start by presenting 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 school’s curriculum, strengths, career placement record, 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 – and 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, which was hosted for one morning by Chicago Booth. During the school’s information sessions, the admissions committee members made clear that they look for individuals 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 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.)

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 this activity 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, and so on.

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 Optional Essay

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, such as 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 Reapplicant Essay

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. 

Let this brief essay show a maturation and evolution of your goals and of your 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. Schedule a free consultation with an Accepted expert today!

Chicago Booth application deadlines

	Submission Deadline	Decision Notification Date
Round 1	September 19, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST	December 5, 2024
Round 2	January 7, 2025 11:59 p.m. CST	March 27, 2025
Round 3	April 3, 2025 11:59 p.m. CST	May 22, 2025
Chicago Booth Scholars	April 29, 2025 11:59 p.m. CST	July 1, 2025

Source: Chicago Booth website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Chicago Booth directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Chicago Booth MBA class profile

Here’s a look at the Chicago Booth Class of 2025 (data taken from the Chicago Booth website):

Full-Time MBA Students: 637

Applications Submitted: 4,184

JD/MBA Accelerated Students: 20

Chicago Booth Global Footprint:

• United States: 64% 
• Asia: 17% 
• Central/South America and Mexico: 11%
• Africa: 3% 
• Europe: 3%
• Canada: 1% 
• Middle East: 1%
• Other: <1%

Countries Represented: 54

Students Born Outside of the United States: 49%

First-Generation Students: 12%

International: 36% 

Women: 42%

Veterans: 11% 

LGBTQ+: 12% 

U.S. Race/Ethnicity (Federal guidelines reporting)

• White: 45%
• Asian American: 28%
• Hispanic/Latinx: 11%
• Black/African American: 7%
• Did Not Report: 5%
• Multi-Race: 3%
• American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander: 0.2%

Average Age: 28

Average Years of Work Experience: 5

Pre-Booth Industries

• Financial Services: 19%
• Consulting: 18%
• Technology: 15%
• Non-profit/Government: 14%
• Other: 12%
• Healthcare: 7%
• Consumer Products: 3%
• Energy: 2%
• Manufacturing: 2%
• Accounting: 1%

Undergraduate Majors Represented

• Business: 26%
• Engineering: 25%
• Economics: 20%
• Liberal Arts: 14%
• Physical Sciences: 8%
• Other: 6%
• Law: 1%

Undergraduate Institutions: 277

Average GPA: 3.6

GPA Range: 2.4-4

Hold Graduate-Level Degrees: 19%

GMAT Average: 728

GMAT Median: 730

GMAT Range: 600-780

GRE Quantitative Average: 163

GRE Quantitative Range: 148-170

GRE Verbal Average: 162

GRE Verbal Range: 149-170

More resources for Chicago Booth applicants

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

• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2024
• GMAT, GPA, and MBA Acceptance Rates: The Selectivity Index
• Deferred MBA Programs and Other Options for MBA Hopefuls with No Work Experience

Do you need help gaining admission to Chicago Booth or any other top MBA program? That’s what we do! Schedule a free consultation with an experienced admissions adviser who will help you get accepted!