Booth MBA Essay Analysis

(2022-23 Application Cycle)

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Booth MBA Essay 1

 

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

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To write this essay, first, figure out your main reason for pursuing an MBA. Reflect on why it's the right time in your career to go for an MBA. How do you think an MBA will open the door for the roles you're targeting, especially the Chicago Booth MBA? How is Booth MBA going to help you create an impact? Lastly, think of a story that demonstrates your passion and is indicative of your future goals.

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Once you've penned down these points, structure them into an essay that connects what you’ve done in the past to your short term and long term goals. 

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A strong essay might follow this structure: 

• A story that demonstrates your career progression thus far

• Your career goals and why you need an MBA 

• Why Booth in particular

 

There’s no upper limit on the word count, but you can’t go far wrong if it’s around 500 words which is the word limit of other schools’ career goal essays with very similar prompts, such as Columbia and Wharton.

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Booth MBA Essay 2

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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 your 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)

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A solid essay structure here is: 50% story, 50% analysis. 

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Brainstorm different meaningful moments and achievements in your life outside of the office. Think about projects, conferences, extracurriculars, volunteer activities, time abroad, accomplishments, interests, and events that have impacted you. Find the common thread between all or some of these things that can potentially reveal something integral to you or your personality. It could be a common value that has been your guiding principle in life or one of your key strengths. 

 

Then, check out the Booth value system & mission, and community to identify and establish how the Booth leadership values resonate with yours.

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Again, there's no upper word limit. However, other similar M7 business schools with similar prompts have 400-500 word limits, so that's a sensible guide.

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Optional Additional Information

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Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation?

(Maximum 300 words)

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It is crucial that your overall story adds up. Your resume, the stories in your essays, and your letters of recommendation should be well aligned. Use this essay to connect them together.

 

Also, if you’ve taken an unconventional path that might be unclear to a reader, address it in the additional information section. 

 

Unconventional aspects of your business school application might include: 

• A low GPA in a particular academic semester or overall

• A gap in your CV due to Covid-19

• Some overlapping work/academic experiences

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Note: Don’t be tempted to use the entire word count! Instead, be as concise as possible in explaining your exceptional circumstances, and close the essay with a constructive outcome, such as what you learned from the experience.

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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.)

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As the question directly asks, discuss any new academic credentials or promotions or changes of the role that have added to your experiences since the last time you applied to Chicago Booth. 

 

Consider discussing:

• New managerial experience

• Improved GMAT score

• Promotions at work

• Certificates and awards

 

Delve into how these experiences have helped you learn and grow further and prepared you to tackle challenges at business school.

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Check out our Booth MBA Interview Guide for in-depth insights into Booth's interview process, what they're looking for in prospective candidates, interview questions, and tips to ace your interview. 

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