The Chicago Booth MBA interview is designed to assess an applicant’s fit for their MBA program and to provide insights into their experiences and aspirations. Below is an overview of the interview process:
Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Format: By Invitation only
Who conducts them: The Booth MBA Interview is conducted by admissions committee members, alumni and second year students
Location: Applicants have the flexibility to choose the interview modality that best suits them. They can take the interview on campus, in-person (outside campus), in a location convenient to them or via Zoom.
Interviewer’s access: Alumni interviewers have access only to the resume, so Booth interviews are blind
How to schedule the interview? Upon receiving the interview invite, you are required to schedule their interviews within 72 hours. You can decide upon the modality- whether you want to interview on campus, in a city of your choice or virtually. You are then matched with our interviewer and expected to contact them within three business days to set up a mutually agreeable date and time for the interview.
Interview invitations are sent mid-decision dates, between your application deadline and decision notification dates. Applicants who do not make it to the next stage are also informed about their application status at this time ( A little less agony for them!).
Booth MBA Interview Process: Booth requires you to complete a short video before your interview. At the time you receive your interview invitation, you will be given the video essay prompts – you have to submit this before the interview. You have to give your answer in 60 seconds.
The two prompts for the 2024-25 application cycle are:
1. “Tell us about something new you learned recently that shifted your worldview. How did it influence your behavior and/or actions?”
2. “What is something you wish people knew about you, but you’re not sure that they do?”
The purpose of this video is to provide applicants with a fun and informal way to showcase their personality. Make sure that your video does not sound over scripted, be natural while delivering your response.
Booth’s interviews are relaxed and conversational. The b-school expects a two-way exchange – while the interviewer gets to know about you and your experiences through the interview, you should also use this opportunity to learn more about Booth. Its therefore acceptable for you to take down notes and ask questions to the interviewer.
Booth has some very unique features in their MBA program – their flexible curriculum, analytical focus and emphasis on debate and enquiry. Applicants can use the opportunity to show their understanding of the Booth MBA by articulating how these factors appeal to them for their specific learning needs.
The interview questions are the regular ones- walk me through your resume, career goals, why Booth, and behavioural questions. Here’s a list:
Work, Career Goals and Booth related questions:
Tell me about yourself/ walk me through your resume.
What are your short term and long term career goals?
Why MBA? Why now?
Why Booth?
What do you hope to take away from your experience at Booth?
How will you contribute to Booth?
How will you juggle your time and choose activities to pursue at Booth?
Which clubs and activities will you be involved in?
Behavioral Questions:
Tell me about a proud professional experience.
What is a recent learning you are going to take to future projects?
Failure/ Adversity questions:
Tell me about a time you received critical feedback.
Tell me about a time you dealt with a challenge in a team.
Tell me about a failure and what did you learn from it?
Self-awareness questions:
What are three words your friends would use to describe you?
What are three words your supervisor would describe you?
What are your major weaknesses?
Tell me about a time you had to improve upon a weakness.
Tell me about a time you had to open your mind to other people’s perspectives.
Tell me about meeting a person who broadened your horizon
Tell me about a time you worked with people from different backgrounds. What did you learn?
Leadership and Teamwork questions:
What kind of team do you work with best?
Tell me about a time you asked for help.
What kind of a leader are you?
Tell me about a time when you had to influence someone above your level
Tell me about a time when you had to influence your peers.
Tell me about a time you exhibited empathy or collaboration at work.
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone at work. What did you do?
Tell me about a time you had to engage with someone who did not agree with you. How did you navigate the situation?
Who is your role model and why?
How do you keep yourself engaged in your free time?
Was there anything I didn’t ask you that you wish I had?
Any questions for me?