Chicago Booth MBA Essay Questions & Analysis 2025 -2026

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has released its MBA Essay Questions for the 2025 - 2026 application cycle. This year, there has been a major change in Essay 2, which is now a visual prompt. 

Here are the Chicago Booth MBA Essays for 2025 - 2026.

Essay 1

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

Like many other business schools, Booth wants to understand your motivations for attending their school. How does an MBA fit into your goals, and is Booth really the right fit for you? This is a classic career goals and “why MBA” essay, so you’ll need to clearly articulate what your greater professional purpose is, and the specific opportunities (and people) at Booth who can help you get there.  

Note that this essay has a minimum 250 word count limit. Since there's no upper limit, you may be tempted to tell your story in full, and detail every career decision. But in doing that, you risk rambling and losing the AdCom’s attention. Aim for 500-600 words – this is enough to build a strong narrative without losing the plot.

1. Start with a short, compelling story that shows career progression

Open with a brief story or experience that illustrates your motivation or inflection point. This could be a moment when you realized you wanted to switch careers, lead larger teams, or solve a systemic problem. Ideally, it shows progress and intention in your career so far.

Example: "At my fintech startup, I led a team that piloted a lending product for underserved communities. The success of that program made me realize I want to work at the intersection of financial innovation and social impact."

2. Explain your short-term and long-term career goals

Spell out exactly what you want to do after graduating. Be specific:

• What role are you aiming for? (e.g., Product Manager at Google, Associate at McKinsey, Investment Associate at a VC fund)

• Which industry and geography do you hope to work in?

• Where do you want to be 5–10 years from now?

  
  

Don’t be vague. Show Booth that you’re not drifting, and you have a clear plan for the mission you hope to achieve.

3. Why an MBA?

Over the course of your career, you may have realized that there are some skills, knowledge, or networks you're missing that are preventing you from reaching your goals. If you didn’t have a gap you needed to cover, why would you need an MBA? Look closer at your target roles and identify what skills – whether it's building leadership ability, gaining financial expertise, or exposure to global business – you’re lacking that an MBA can provide.

4. Why Booth

Now, get specific about Booth. Go beyond surface-level mentions of "flexible curriculum" or "M7 brand." Mention classes, faculty, clubs, conferences, or lab programs that are relevant to your goals. For example:

• Booth’s "New Venture Strategy" class for aspiring entrepreneurs

• The Polsky Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• The LEAD course for leadership development

• The Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence to connect AI innovation with business

• Random Walks and Booth communities and clubs for building global peer networks

  
  

5. Close by reiterating your mission

End your essay by explaining the kind of impact you want to create with your MBA. This helps reinforce your long-term purpose.

Essay 2

Chicago Booth appreciates the individual experiences and perspectives that all of our students bring to our community. This respect for different viewpoints creates an open-minded environment that supports curiosity, inspires us to think more broadly, and take risks. At Booth, community is about collaborative thinking and learning from one another to better ourselves, our ideas, and the world around us.

The photos below represent some of the values described above that we uphold at Chicago Booth. Select one and share how it resonates with one of your own values. (250-word minimum)

Booth introduces a new, visual Essay 2 prompt this year. Although it’s known for its analytical approach, Booth isn’t just training business analysts or consultants; they’re developing well-rounded leaders who bring diverse perspectives to the table. This essay is your chance to showcase character, curiosity, resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

There are 4 photos given, which “represent some of the values described above that we uphold at Chicago Booth”. 

Let’s look at them more closely. 

Photo 1: This photo is based at a sports event, as evidenced by the Chicago Booth Tennis Club shirts the students are sporting. It represents a shared spirit of celebration, healthy competition, and community. 

Photo 2: In this photo, a student is raising their hand – perhaps to ask a question, state their opinion, or participate in a classroom discussion. And like the prompt says, Booth values “respect for different viewpoints” that “creates an open-minded environment that supports curiosity, inspires us to think more broadly, and take risks”. A Boothie values the spirit of inquiry and the willingness to broaden their worldview. 

Photo 3: A group of friends smile into the camera as fireworks go off in the background. With this, Booth indicates that their community is diverse, inclusive, friendly, and supportive. It links to the various student clubs, associations, and other student groups Booth hosts that bring together like-minded students. 

Photo 4: This photo showcases a group winning the Polsky Centre’s New Venture Challenge, which is a startup accelerator program. It speaks to Booth’s values of driving innovation through entrepreneurship. 

To write this essay, choose a photo that resonates most with you. 

1. Brainstorm meaningful experiences

Think of impactful life events or personal commitments that shaped your values. These could include:

• Volunteering or social impact projects

• Travel or cross-cultural experiences

• Family responsibilities or traditions

• Passion projects or side hustles

• Athletic, artistic, or community achievements

  
  

2. Connect these experiences to one of Booth’s values as represented in the photo

Look for a value that connects these experiences to the photo. Maybe you’re someone who always seeks growth, thrives in new environments, or believes deeply in giving back.

3. Tell a compelling story

Pick one or two moments and dive into the details. Use the SCAR method (Situation, Challenge, Action, Result) to structure your story. Don’t just state facts – share emotions and personal lessons.

4. Reflect on what you learned

After your story, reflect on how it shaped you. What value or mindset did it reinforce? How has it influenced the way you work, relate to people, or pursue goals?

5. Tie it back to Booth

Mention how this part of you will contribute to the Booth community. For example:

• "My experience as a community health volunteer will allow me to lead impactful initiatives through Booth Social Impact Club."

• "My passion for poetry and storytelling makes me excited to contribute to Booth Voices."

  
  

Overall, stick to around 500–600 words. Don’t ramble on!

Optional Essay

Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words)

Given the open word limit for Booth’s core essays, you have plenty of real estate to demonstrate a strong narrative and your achievements. Don’t use this essay as an additional one! Use this section only if you need to:

• Explain a gap in your resume

• Address a low GPA or test score

• Clarify a non-traditional career path

• Discuss unique personal or family circumstances

• Justify a recommender choice (e.g., not your current manager)

  
  

Remember to be straightforward and concise. Avoid making excuses for any gaps in your profile, take ownership of your actions, and end with what you learned or how you improved

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)

Booth wants evidence that you’ve taken feedback seriously and improved your candidacy. Show that you’ve used the past year to grow, not just repackage the same application. Include:

• Promotions, increased responsibilities, or new leadership roles

• A higher GMAT/GRE score, online courses, or certifications

• Clearer career goals or refined fit with Booth

• More school engagement: Booth info sessions, chats with alumni, etc.

  
  

Example: "Since applying last year, I earned a promotion to lead a 10-person product team. I also completed a certification in machine learning to better align with my long-term goal of leading AI-driven initiatives."

---

Need help crafting your Booth MBA essays? Book a free 20-minute strategy call with our MBA consulting team and get personalized advice on how to stand out.