Chicago Booth received 5,876 applications for its Class of 2027 and enrolled 635 full-time MBA students. Booth no longer asks for long essays: you answer four prompts of 300 characters each, one of them built around an image you choose, and support them with a resume and a single recommendation. Every line counts. MBA Center has helped candidates into Booth’s full-time and Executive MBA programmes, including career switchers into investment banking.
Source: Chicago Booth class profile. Booth has no minimum score, accepts the GMAT or GRE and does not accept superscores.
Round 1 has closed. Waitlisted candidates are normally held at least until the next round’s decisions, and Booth does not rank its waitlist. Final-year undergraduates can apply through the Chicago Booth Scholars deferred programme; see also deferred MBA programmes. Source: Booth: how to apply.
Our earlier Chicago Booth essay analysis covers Booth’s former long essays; the short-answer format above replaces them.
Interviews are by invitation only and are required for admission. You have one virtual interview, conducted by a current student or another member of the Booth community; Booth gives every interview equal weight, whoever conducts it. You also complete a brief video simulation exercise, recording answers to a series of questions on Booth’s platform.
• Mock interviews with a coach who knows Booth’s culture and the career questions it asks. Interview preparation → • Video practice for timed, recorded answers. Video interview preparation → • Waitlist strategy if you are placed on the Booth waitlist. Waitlist strategy →
Booth’s estimated first-year cost of attendance for 2026–27 is USD 132,449 for nine months, including USD 89,976 in tuition, fees, housing, food and a computer allowance. Source: Booth full-time MBA cost. Read our guide to US MBA loans for international students.
GMAT scores above are on the classic GMAT (200–800). Considering the Executive MBA? See EMBA admissions consulting.
Read our Wharton, Columbia, Kellogg and MIT Sloan guides, or start with MBA admissions consulting.
An honest view of your chances. Plan ahead →
GMAT Focus or GRE, timed so your score is ready before your deadline.
Choosing the one picture and four facts that best show who you are.
A resume that carries your story and a well-briefed supervisor. Final review →
Mock interviews and recorded practice.
Our all-in On the Road to a Top MBA package covers Booth and five other schools. Read more about how we work.
Not long ones. Booth asks four short-answer prompts of up to 300 characters each: your immediate and long-term post-MBA goals, an image you upload with an explanation of its significance, and a fun fact about you. An optional 300-word answer is available for anything unclear.
Round 1 closed on 15 September 2026. Round 2 closes on 7 January 2027 with decisions on 25 March 2027, and Round 3 closes on 1 April 2027 with decisions on 20 May 2027. All deadlines are 11:59 pm Central Time.
Booth has no minimum score. For the Class of 2027 the GMAT Focus Edition average was 670 (median 675) and the legacy GMAT average was 736. The GRE averages were 163 Quant and 161 Verbal. Booth does not accept superscores.
One, from a supervisor, ideally your current one. If you work in a family business or run your own company, Booth asks for a letter from a client or outside party who can assess you objectively.
Invited candidates have one virtual interview with a current student or another member of the Booth community, and complete a brief recorded video simulation exercise. An interview is required for admission.
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