Chicago Booth Scholars Program

The Scholars Program positions a college or grad school graduate with an interest in an MBA to explore careers more freely without worrying about the demands or requirements of a future MBA application. During the deferment period after being admitted, Booth’s Scholars gain two to five years of experience in a professional field of their choice, with the added negotiating power of an MBA admittance and also the resources of Booth, including career services, professional development programs, and the alumni and fellow Scholar network.

When they return to Booth after the deferment, Booth Scholars have the flexibility to choose between the full-time MBA or a part-time (evening and weekend) program. With their newly acquired professional experience and the related understanding of their future objectives, Scholars can use the MBA program to pursue the same path or change it entirely. Booth highlights how applicants to the Scholars program do not need to have a future professional journey set in stone.

To be considered for admission to the Chicago Booth Scholars 2024 cycle, you must be graduating from your program between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024. Graduate students must have entered their program of study straight out of college. Students can major in any discipline. However, PhDs, medical and law degrees are considered to be “professional experience” so students in these programs are not eligible for the Booth Scholars program.

The Booth Scholars Program Application Process

Applicants to Booth’s deferred MBA program follow the same application process as the Booth full-time MBA applicants, and must update their professional information during the deferment period.

If you need help with your Chicago Booth Scholars Program application essays, visit Personal MBA Coach’s blog for tips on how tackle the essay questions that are the same for the full-time MBA applicants and the Scholars applicants. This year, the Chicago Booth Scholars essay questions are:

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

As with the full-time MBA application, an interview will also be required for admission to the Chicago Booth Scholars program. Interviews are granted on an invite-only basis following application submission.

If you are looking for deferred MBA consulting, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our Deferred MBA Packages.