Chicago Booth Essays and Essay Tips 2006-2007:

First get the basic principles right and then move on to the essay tips.

Chicago GSB MBA Essay 1

Complete all parts below. (1500 word maximum) Explain the path that has led you to pursue an MBA as the next step in your professional and personal development. Describe your short and long term post-MBA career goals. What or who influenced your choice of schools, and how specifically will Chicago GSB help you succeed?

Chicago Booth MBA Essay 1 Tips

Chicago GSB is seriously interested in EACH part of this application essay question. In fact, the earlier essay question was actually broken into discrete parts as given below.

1. Explain the path that has led you to pursue an MBA as the next step in your professional/ personal development. What steps did you take and how did you reach your decision?

2. What or who influenced your choice of schools? What criteria will you use to decide where you will attend? What is it specifically about Chicago GSB that is going to help you succeed?

3. Describe your short and long term post-MBA career goals. What steps will you be taking in order to achieve your goals?

Though the question is shorter, Chicago GSB's intent is very clear. Quite simply describe your career progression, and the reasons that connect Chicago GSB with your past, present and future. The question clearly expects you to delve into the Pre-Chicago, Chicago and Post-Chicago phases of your career (and life). This whopper of an essay is equal to 2-3 essays from another Business School.

"Why Chicago GSB" is to be dealt with application, research and intelligence. Look beyond cutting/pasting info gleaned from the Chicago GSB website. Personalize your answer as much as possible.

"Specifically". Remember that word when explaining your Post-Chicago GSB long term and short term career goals. Be realistic and be as specific as you need to be (both about the industry and the functional role). Find as many matches between what the Chicago GSB "specifically" offers you and your future goals. Having said that please remember that perfect links are acceptable but not at the expense of credibility.

Chicago Booth MBA Essay 2

Choose one of the following questions. (500 word maximum)

1. If the admissions committee were to interview one of your closest colleagues, what aspect of your personal development would this person say is especially important for the admissions committee to know?

2. You have been asked to write an editorial about the most pressing issue facing humanity. Please identify the issue and justify why you have selected it.

Chicago Booth MBA Essay 2 Tips

Unpack your decision making tools, because unlike most multiple choice essays this Chicago GSB essay offers two widely differing subject matters.

The first option offers you a chance to explore your development as a professional, team member and leader (hopefully). Since the point of view expected is that of a colleague, the situations and incidents would certainly pertain to your career.

The second option seeks a very different type of response - specifically an issue that has universal ramifications and which (hopefully) will find at least a local and partial solution through you. The latter is not explicitly stated in the question, but is implicit - after all this is not an essay writing competition!

Deciding which option to choose would depend to a large extent on the ground you have covered in the Chicago GSB first essay. Identify significant aspects of your career, personality or life which have not found place in the rest of the application and try to fashion that information into the Chicago GSB essay two.

Chicago Booth MBA Essay 3

Complete each of the following questions. (100 word maximum for each question below)

1. What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?

2. What book, play, or movie would you recommend to the admissions committee? Why?

3. It is your first day of business school and people are selecting study groups. How would you describe the value you will bring to a study group?

Chicago Booth MBA Essay 3 Tips

These delectable short essays are some of the best in the game. Have fun!

What is the one thing... Whichever trait or characteristic you mention, the relevance to application should be clear. It can be funny or serious, conservative or colorful, but the overall value of your Chicago GSB application package must by your 100 words.

What book, play, or movie... A wonderful (and rare) opportunity to talk about what really makes you tick. This essay can be used to give an sharper picture of your self or to act as a supporting pillar for a vital feature of your personality. If the significance of your choice to Chicago GSB, to you or the world at large can be made clear, this 100 word battle would have been won.

It is your first day... Rate and describe yourself as a team player. How and what value can you add to any group (perhaps more specifically in a learning environment)? Is there some way you can make it Chicago GSB specific? Do your worst!

Go for it!