Chicago Booth is one of the leading business schools in the US and in the world. ARINGO conducted a short interview with Kim Epps, Senior Assistant Director of MBA Programs at Booth, who told us about the MBA program, the admission process and the school:

Q: What is special about your MBA program? In addition to its’ excellent reputation, what differentiates it from other Top MBA programs?

A: Chicago Booth’s unique program consists of a highly flexible curriculum, incredibly supportive community and a data-driven approach to business education among many others. Explore the many aspects that make Chicago Booth’s Full-Time Program unique here.

Q: Has the COVID-19 situation have an impact on getting accepted to the programs at your school? Is there any other impact candidates should be aware of?

A: There have been no changes to the admissions policy or evaluation policy due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 has pushed the world to rethink the ways in which we connect with one another while physically distancing. Prospective candidates should expect to see an increase in virtual events to pop up throughout the year to continue to ensure the health and safety of our community and our prospective students, while providing many opportunities to engage with Booth staff, students and alumni.

Q: Can you share some of the leadership development opportunities with the program?

A: A core piece of Chicago Booth’s curriculum is the Leadership and Effectiveness Development program, also known as LEAD. LEAD provides students with the opportunity to develop and more deeply understand their leadership style at the beginning of their MBA experience. Beyond LEAD, students can take additional leadership development courses, hold leadership positions in student-led groups, and hold leadership positions within department-led programs.

Q: How can applicants get to know Booth’s student culture?

A: We recommend connect with current students to hear about Booth’s unique culture and the community first-hand through the Connect with a Student Tool or by exploring the Booth Experience blog as a resource.

Q: Can you share some details about the area the school is located in?

A:  Chicago Booth is located in Chicago, IL. The Full-Time MBA Program lives within the Harper Center on University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus. The Evening and Weekend Program lives within the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.

Q: Can you share some details regarding job opportunities and summer internships for students in your school?

A: Students have a number of internship and job opportunities at their fingertips! For a more in depth look, check out the Full-Time MBA Employment report here. This report shares employment date from full-time positions and internship positions landed by Chicago Booth students.

Q: What is it that you are looking for in a candidate? Who will especially enjoy this school? Who will be a good fit to the school?

A: Successful Booth students have the desire to thrive within a challenging and stimulating environment, are intellectually curious, and value diverse perspectives. Their unique personal and professional experience contribute to a community that supports its members and pushes each other to be the best they can be. To explore the elements on our application further and see what we look for, explore the Admission Requirements page.

Q: Can you provide any advice to candidates looking to apply to your school?

A: Taking time to engage and find ways to learn about the program, culture, and community is important as you research your various options. Hearing different student and alumni perspectives will allow you to internalize the culture and how your goals will be supported.

Q: How heavy does the GMAT weigh in evaluating candidates? What is the minimum GMAT you are looking for?

A:  In evaluating applicant’s candidacy, we take a holistic approach that considers every component of your application. There is no minimum required GMAT or GRE score to be considered for admission. Chicago Booth provides GMAT ranges to emphasize that our application review is holistic and includes a review of elements beyond test scores. To explore the Class of 2021 stats, please use this link.

Q: Can you tell us more about funding – scholarship/fellowship options in your school?

A: The majority of our students fund their MBA experience through student loans, repaying them within 10 years of graduation. We also offer merit-based scholarships for MBA students and fellowships to select admitted students, and we encourage you to explore external funding sources, such as foundations, corporations, and associations.