The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has shared its Executive MBA application essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle. This year, the school’s application features one required essay and three optional short-answer essays.
For those interested in the Chicago Booth EMBA Program, take a look at the latest class profile to assess whether the school may be a good fit for you.
The Chicago Booth EMBA class of 2025 is made up of 209 students representing 45 nationalities. Of these students, 112 have advanced degrees, and a quarter identify as women. Class of 2025 Booth EMBA students had an average of 14 years of work experience and an average age of 38.
Twenty-six industries are represented in the Booth EMBA class. Top pre-EMBA industries include technology (18.7%), investment banking/brokerage (8.6%), and investment management/research (8.1%). Top pre-EMBA functions were general management, engineering, and investment management/research.
Below please find the upcoming application deadlines and our analysis of the Booth EMBA application essays.
The 2023-2024 Chicago Booth Application Deadlines
Round 1: Oct. 30, 2023
Round 2: Jan. 15, 2024
Round 3: April 8, 2024
Round 4: June 10, 2024
2023-2024 Chicago Booth EMBA Application Essay
Chicago Booth EMBA Essay 1
Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth and what unique knowledge and experiences do you hope to contribute to the program? (2 page maximum, single-spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman)
At two single-spaced pages, this can amount to a very long essay. That said, admissions committees appreciate concise writing, so do not feel compelled to write for writing’s sake (the same writing tips apply to writing full-time and executive MBA essays; check out this blog for more). This essay has a few key foundational parts: Once you have satisfied those, do not add unneeded generalities or fluff.
Personal MBA Coach suggests approaching the Chicago Booth EMBA essay by first establishing where you are today professionally. In this introduction, you should briefly discuss the skills and expertise you have mastered.
Next, you want to make clear why you are seeking an MBA now. To do this, discuss what skills it will give you, generally speaking, and how these specific skills will help you to reach your future ambitions.
Finally, devote the remainder of the essay to the EMBA program at Booth—courses you will take, programs you will follow—citing specifically the know-how that Booth will edify.
This discussion should include not only what you will learn from the program but also what you will bring to Chicago Booth. Think about where you are in your career, special expertise you possess, unique perspectives and experiences you can share, and cite specific ways in which you will funnel/share those to contribute. This final part gives you an opportunity to go a bit beyond the professional arena to share something more personal about you, for example, your involvement in nonprofits, or talents or activities you cultivate. Whatever they are, make sure you show how you will share them specifically through the Booth program and how you will improve the school community as a whole.
Personal MBA Coach always recommends that applicants research the school’s particular culture and priorities. While they should, of course, be part of your reason for applying there, it is helpful to keep them in mind while writing about what you will get from a Chicago Booth EMBA and what you will give back to Chicago Booth.
Chicago Booth EMBA Optional Short-Answer Essays (250 words maximum each):
Chicago Booth has added three optional short answer essays. As with all optional essays, less is more. Do not feel compelled to answer these questions if they do not apply to you. If, however, you have something valuable to add here, this can be valuable real estate to leverage as you discuss why you are a good fit for the Chicago Booth EMBA program.
1. Academics and Career
The Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth is an academically rigorous course of study that focuses on the fundamental tools of business. As a student, you will draw upon key learnings from coursework and your professional background to make valuable contributions to the classroom. If there is anything else you would like the admissions committee to know about your academic background or professional experience, please share that information here. You may wish to respond to the following prompts:
Do you believe your previous academic performance is indicative of your academic potential? If not, please provide specific reasons for your underperformance.
Do you have a gap in your professional experience?
Are there additional insights that might be useful for the Admissions Committee to know?
2. Commitment to Diversity
At the University of Chicago, diversity is not only an ideal to which we strive, but a core institutional value. The Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth seeks a population of students across different industries, functions, cultures, and geographies. How will your life experiences help you contribute to and participate in this diverse learning environment?
3. Scholarship Consideration
Each year, we award a limited number of merit-based scholarships to incoming Executive MBA students at all three program locations. Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic and professional achievement. All candidates are automatically considered, and no additional application is required. However, if you’d like to provide one to two reasons why you should receive a merit-based scholarship, please do so here.
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