University of Chicago Booth School of Business

If you have missed the first part of the series, Read Booth vs Wharton MBA: Location, Ranking, Duration, Cost, Class Profile and Curriculum.

6) Experiential Learning

Learning by doing is an approach that some of the top Business Schools have adopted. Booth and Wharton have implemented them through Exchange Programs, Summer Projects, Student Club Projects, and Labs.

At Wharton, the Experiential Learning is focused on leadership development rather than individual functions. Booth on the other hand looks at experiential learning at Functional level with Lab Courses in Management, New Venture, Private Equity, Social Entrepreneurship, and Clean Tech.  Both Wharton and Booth offer experiential learning opportunities through Elective Courses. Marketing Research and Consumer Behavior are two courses that involve Experiential learning at Booth.

Chicago Booth provides experiential learning through Lab Courses. The Management lab, in addition to offering opportunities in developing strategic thinking,...

Feb 13th 2013: Booth MBA AdCom has sent interview invites to Round 2 MBA Applicants. The Admission Fellow or second year MBA Students are part of the Admission Committee who would be interviewing MBA Applicants. There are some useful tips that the AdCom has given about the Interview. Here is the summary:

Booth MBA Admission Interview Tips 2013

1) Be prepared with your stories – challenging ones, the ones that motivated you and examples that give the AdCom a clear picture of who you are.

2) Be prepared with Personal stories

3) Take plenty of rest the day before the interview, so that you can concentrate during the interview.

4) Relax – Don’t take this as a job interview

5) Make your stories short and relevant  - Focus on the actions that you have taken and the results

6) Get an overview of what the interviewer knows about your industry and job, and then explain accordingly. Don’t use industry jargons if the interviewer does not know much about your job.

7) Booth Interviews are not job interviews but it is still a professional meeting so...

When the MBA Application Essay Questions are filled with the “Why MBA” and “Why our Business School” questions in a written format, and Interviews restricted to the standard format, there were some Business Schools that have tried to be innovative.

1) Tippie Twitter Essay – Pulling the Plug too soon?

When Tippie School of Management retired the Twitter Essay, it was not because of poor response. In fact, when the pilot was run the responses were overwhelming and this led the AdCom to make the Twitter Essay a formal part of the application.

So what went wrong?

Innovation by definition “is the use of novel ideas or methods for better results” and Tippie AdCom was innovative in their approach.

The culprit was the instruction in the question.

Here is the excerpt of the 2011 Application...

If you have missed the first part of the Series - Top 4 MBA in Accounting, Click Here to Read: Top 4 MBA in Accounting: MBA vs Masters, Career Options, Job Responsibilities & Titles

2) University of Texas--Austin (McCombs)

The McCombs School of Business offers a Full-time MBA program with a concentration in Accounting. The concentration is offered by the renowned McCombs Department of Accounting. The program covers in details: Corporate financial reporting, making and analyzing corporate financial statements and financial reporting. It has 2 areas of focus - Investment Banking and Corporations.

The core curriculum is the same as that of the general MBA program, covering Financial Accounting, Financial Management, Statistics, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Managerial Economics and Strategic Management. The flexible core has the option of a Responsibility and Integrity Requirement. The subjects offered as part of the concentration include Financial Accounting Standards and Analysis, Strategic Controls, Advanced...

CommonBond, has recently announced that it will disburse $2.5 million in student loans at Wharton, benefiting as many as 50 students. What makes this significant is that the loans are funded by Wharton alumni itself. CommonBond is a startup founded by Wharton Alumni. They oversee the disbursal process. At the heart of CommonBond's effort is a philanthropic quest - a positive social change. A case in point is that for every fully-funded degree, the company will sponsor a child's education, for a year in partnership with the African School for Excellence.

The news is a boost to the nascent alumni-sourced loan industry, which seeks to ease the difficulties faced by MBA students looking for loans. Students do not have to put up with the intense scrutiny and paperwork, which they must go through otherwise. And even more significantly, the interest rates are just 6.24%, lower than the lowest Federal loan rate of 6.8%. Private loan rates go even higher, averaging around 12%. Alumni who contribute to the loan pools get returns of above 4.25% - profits with a cause attached. What's more, the risk factors are very low. The 10-year cumulative loss rate estimated for the Wharton loan pool is around 0.70%.

...

Chicago Booth’s Part-time MBA program stands out for its international focus. Called the International MBA Degree (IMBA), it supplements the typical Booth MBA with five international business courses and one term abroad. It also requires students to obtain proficiency in a language other than English.

Key Advantages

• An identical curriculum to that of the full-time program, which has been consistently ranked among the top 10 MBA programs.

• Flexibility of weekend and weekday options

• Can complete the course in 2.5 to 5 years.

• Access a worldwide alumni network of 45,000 across 116 countries.

• Students from one stream can take classes in the other, and can even attend Full-time MBA courses.

• Can choose from 14 concentrations.

• The weekend program has an airport shuttle service and discounted rates at hotels.

• Access to all campus facilities as well as the 205 top-notch faculty

• Can take part in the campus recruitment process with Full-time students  

Course Details

The Core curriculum in Booth Part Time MBA program is identical to that of the Full-time MBA program. The program offers a wide choice of electives with a choice of 14 concentrations. Among them are Analytic Management, Econometrics & Statistics,...

This is the second part of the series – Best Part Time MBA programs. If you have missed the first part, read Best Part Time MBA Programs - Part 1 (Kellogg & NYU Stern)

3) University of Chicago (Booth)

Booth offers working professionals a flexible, Part-time MBA program that has a unique international edge. The International MBA Degree (IMBA) adds onto the typical Booth MBA, with five international business courses, one term studied in a foreign country, and proficiency in a language other than English. The International Business Exchange Program (IBEP) allows students to study one academic quarter at one of 21 countries, chosen from 33 partner schools.

Course Duration: The course can be completed in 2.5 – 5 years, and has two schedule options, weekend and weekday. Students from one stream can take classes in the other, and can even attend Full-time MBA courses....

In this year’s Chicago Booth MBA Essays, the AdCom is trying to evaluate your leadership qualities, team building skills, maturity in handling challenges, fit, academic rigor, creativity and motivation for an MBA. The third essay can be answered as a PowerPoint presentation. If you are a creative person, don’t miss this opportunity to present your qualities in a creative way.

1. What are your short- and long-term goals, and how will an MBA from Chicago Booth help you reach them? (500 words)

When you mention your short-term and long-term goals, give a little bit of background context to your story. Subtly show how you can handle the academic rigor of Chicago booth with your proven track record. Clearly state why you made the career choices till now and how Chicago Booth MBA is a natural progression to achieve your short-term and long-term goals. To convince the AdCom, research and list courses and activities covered under Booth MBA. Pick relevant ones that would directly contribute toward your short-term goals. Long-term goals are important and should be presented in such a way that the MBA and short-term goals would act as pieces of the puzzle to achieve your long-term goals.

2 – MBA Application Example Short Answer Essays

a. What has been your biggest challenge, and what have you learned from it? (200 words...

1. What are your short- and long-term goals, and how will a Chicago Booth MBA help you reach them?  (500 words)

2.

a. What has been your biggest challenge, and what have you learned from it? (200 words maximum)

b. Tell us about something that has fundamentally transformed the way you think. (200 words maximum)

3. Presentation/Essay

The Chicago experience will take you deeper into issues, force you to challenge assumptions, and broaden your perspective. In a four-slide presentation or an essay of no more than 600 words, broaden our perspective about who you are. Understanding what we currently know about you from the application, what else would you like us to know?

For Re-applicants: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words)

For Tips to write Chicago Booth Essays: Download Chicago Booth Essay Guide

The Chicago Booth Executive MBA program starts in June and spans over 21 months with 17 classes (2 classes per quarter). Students can join the program on June at one of the campus locations – Chicago, London or Singapore. The primary goal of the program is to develop skills that enhance critical thinking and allow you to handle high-pressure challenges with confidence.

Key Advantages

1) Students can join any one of the campuses in Chicago, London or Singapore according to their work location or preference.

2) Curriculum structured to strengthen Business Fundamentals and Managerial Leadership.

3) Pick concentrations in finance, strategy, marketing or entrepreneurship.

4) Take 15 courses with your colleague in a class environment and pick 2 electives from 2 electives

5) Collaborate with individuals from diverse culture and experience.

6) Develop critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.

7) Learn from world-class faculty whose has real-world experience and expertise in their chosen field.

Course Details

1) Course Duration: 21 Months (17 classes – 2 classes per quarter)

2) Three Campus Choice – Chicago, London or Singapore

3) Class Size: 90 per campus

4) Average Experience: 12 Years

5) Average Age: 37 Years...

How should I prepare for MBA Admissions Interview? What are the skills, personalities and fit that top schools like Harvard, Stanford and Wharton are trying to figure out through the interview? Are there any additional aspect of my application that should be highlighted in the interview or consistency is the key?

In plain English, through the interview process, they want to know that you can listen, respond and connect with another human being in front of you (not everyone is good at that!). It is not just your ability to talk, but also your ability to communicate effectively face-to-face with another human being.

To do this, practice talking about your candidacy OUT LOUD. Either talking about it to someone (friend, family member, spouse, dog, cat, hamster, etc.) or to yourself (yes, it will sound strange and weird at first).

Interviews are not intellectual exercises. They are not carefully rehearsed speeches. A great interview is one where BOTH the interviewer and interviewee are fully engaged in conversation (but obviously with the interviewee doing most...

F1GMAT: Tell us a little bit about yourself

David Petersam: I graduated from Booth in 1996. I started off in strategic consulting and moonlighting as an admissions consultant to referrals. I was very, very fortunate to more or less fall into something I absolutely loved and still do absolutely love.

F1GMAT: What motivated you to do an MBA?

David Petersam: I wanted to be an investment banker. I had worked as a CPA and had some financial modeling and valuation experience. Alas, like so many others, I ended up changing my track and was very fortunate to be in a 2-year program where that was much more feasible.

F1GMAT: What are some of the biggest takeaways from your MBA Experience?...

Get tips on preparing for Chicago Booth MBA Admissions Interview with Expert Interview Guide

You need to understand how Chicago Booth MBA AdCom evaluates before you can prepare for your MBA Admissions Interview. Stacy Blackman has written a comprehensive Interview Guide for Chicago Booth MBA Aspirants.

What you can Expect in Chicago Booth MBA Admissions Interview Guide?

1) Discusses qualities that Chicago Booth AdCom is seeking
2) Provides the format of a Typical Booth MBA Admissions Interview
3) Outlines typical questions asked in the Interview along with sample answers and analysis.
4) Provides exercises to prepare for the Interview
5) Over 150 Sample Interview Questions

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