{"id":50639,"date":"2020-12-10T13:55:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T20:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/chicago-booth-essays-tips-strategy\/"},"modified":"2020-12-10T13:55:00","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T20:55:00","slug":"chicago-booth-essays-tips-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/chicago-booth-essays-tips-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Booth Essays: Tips & Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Every year, Chicago Booth receives\u00a0thousands of applications from wunderkinds with consulting, finance, and accounting backgrounds (4,909 apps for the class of 2022).<\/h2>\n

Chicago 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 from a business, economics, and engineering undergraduate background, the essays represent a valuable opportunity to distinguish yourself from other high achievers with similar profiles.<\/p>\n

For the 2020-2021 application cycle, Booth replaced its second essay question and added a pre-interview video prompt. Read on for tips and advice on how to tackle Chicago Booth\u2019s MBA essay questions.<\/p>\n

Essay #1. How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals?<\/strong> (250 word minimum)<\/p>\n

Booth\u2019s first question cuts to the chase, asking you to connect your compelling and coherent career vision to how the Booth MBA \u2013 in particular \u2013 positions you to achieve your greatest aspirations. It\u2019s a version of an old favorite, \u2018Why an MBA and why this school\u2019 \u2013 and significant self-reflection is key to delivering an essay that\u2019s both persuasive and sincere. Your ability to articulate clear goals \u2013 even if they evolve throughout the MBA journey \u2013 show the Admissions Committee your confidence and maturity.<\/p>\n

It also requires a deep understanding of Booth\u2019s values, culture and what makes it special. Without a nuanced appreciation of its unique community and program offerings \u2013 gained by thorough research, thoughtful networking and, whenever possible, a visit to campus \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

Booth is really looking to learn about what 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.\u00a0You want to create a cohesive story so Booth understands where you\u2019ve been, where you\u2019re going, and how they fit into your story.<\/p>\n

What 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.<\/p>\n

My Fortuna colleague Bill Kooser<\/a>, former Chicago Booth Associate Dean, offers this perspective: \u201cI also like to make sure that candidates think of their long term goal in terms of impact \u2013\u00a0personal, organizational and social\/community wide \u2013 not just in terms of a position or role. Why is this goal important to you? What led you to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. <\/strong>(250-word minimum)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second question is an appeal to share something much more personal, beyond your professional achievements, test scores and transcripts. This essay is new this year, and Booth is mining for a glimpse of who you are above and beyond a shimmering 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.<\/p>\n

Think of it this way: Similar to Wharton\u2019s MBA essay pairing<\/a>, the first Booth question wants to know what you\u2019ll get out of Booth, while the second asks what Booth and its community stands to get out of you. However, it\u2019s not quite as direct as Wharton\u2019s question. Booth has always been the home of \u201cinteresting\u201d students with wide and varied interests. This question seeks to learn what makes you \u201cyou\u201d and how that has led to the decisions you\u2019ve made and the directions you\u2019ve chosen.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0Perhaps 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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 \u2018wow\u2019 or \u2018interesting!\u2019\u201d says Bill. \u201cThe 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\u2019t 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. \u201c<\/p>\n

It can be tricky to know where to start, or intimidating if you think that your story isn\u2019t unique. Start by reflecting on milestones and moments that defined your personal journey and get introspective about what might set you apart from others \u2013 even if it doesn\u2019t seem relevant at first.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should also think about what gets you most excited, where you spend your time, or what you talk about when you aren\u2019t talking about work. Travel, hobbies, sports? The latest episode of the Queen\u2019s Gambit? Why are those things important to you? How did you get involved?\u201d prompts Bill. \u201cBooth isn\u2019t looking for anything in particular here \u2013\u00a0they really do want to get to know you. Therefore, if it\u2019s important to you, it will be a relevant topic for your essay. It\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

To put a fine point on Bill\u2019s comments, don\u2019t try to anticipate and respond with what you think the Admissions Committee wants to hear. Be yourself and show your enthusiasm \u2013 authenticity is essential.<\/p>\n

7 Tips to Get Started with Your Booth Essays<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n