The Chicago Booth Scholars Program is a deferred MBA admissions option that allows undergraduate students to secure a spot at Booth’s MBA program before gaining full-time work experience.
In this in-depth Chicago Booth Scholars program essay tips, we cover:
• Chicago Booth Scholars Program - Overview
• Short Answer – Essay Tips
• Goals – Essay Tips
• Personal Growth – Essay Tips
Chicago Booth Scholars Program - Overview
Open to students in their final year of undergraduate or joint bachelor’s/master’s programs, the program provides the flexibility to explore career opportunities for up to five years before enrolling.
During the deferment period, admitted students become part of Booth’s global network and gain access to career development resources. Successful candidates demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a strong track record of internships, part-time roles, or entrepreneurial initiatives. The program values applicants from all academic backgrounds and encourages those pursuing a master's degree immediately after undergraduate studies to apply.
Short Answer – Essay Tips
What do you plan to accomplish after graduation and prior to starting your MBA?
How To Approach
For deferred MBA applicants, this essay is a critical opportunity to demonstrate career clarity, strategic planning, and alignment with Booth’s values. Since you are applying as an undergraduate with no full-time work experience, Booth wants to understand your rationale for pursuing an MBA early and how you will make the most of the deferral period.
1. Clearly Outline Your Immediate Career Goals
- Define your target industry, role, and what skills you aim to develop.
- Explain why this career path makes sense based on your background.
- Show how this experience will prepare you for Booth’s MBA.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan should highlight his intention to start his career in management consulting, leveraging his internship at Deloitte Consulting. He can explain that consulting will help him gain problem-solving skills, industry exposure, and business acumen—preparing him for long-term leadership roles. He should also emphasize that his Economics and Psychology background has fueled his interest in strategic decision-making, making consulting an ideal entry point.
2. Demonstrate a Thoughtful Approach to Skill Development
- Identify specific technical, leadership, or business skills you plan to refine.
- Tie these skills to your MBA aspirations.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan can discuss how he plans to enhance his analytical and quantitative skills, particularly in business innovation and market expansion. He might mention that he will take on high-impact consulting projects to strengthen his ability to scale businesses using data-driven strategies—aligning with Booth’s analytical approach.
3. Show How You Will Explore Your Interests and Passions
- Beyond work, how will you engage with industries or experiences that align with your long-term goals?
- Discuss any side projects, entrepreneurial ventures, or initiatives.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan can discuss his interest in exploring entrepreneurship by testing new business ideas before enrolling at Booth. He might also mention his goal to travel, visit 12 more countries, and expand his global business perspective—linking this to Booth’s global footprint in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong.
4. Highlight Booth-Specific Engagement Plans
- How will you stay connected with Booth during the deferral period?
- Mention any Booth resources, events, or networks you plan to engage with.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan can mention his plans to stay engaged through Booth’s deferral community, attending networking events and business conferences. He could express interest in leveraging Booth’s mentorship programs or connecting with Booth alumni in consulting.
5. Connect Your Plans to Long-Term Goals and Booth’s Mission
- Demonstrate a strategic vision for how your pre-MBA experience will position you for long-term success.
- Reinforce how Booth’s values of analytical rigor, personal integrity, and continuous improvement resonate with your career trajectory.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan can conclude by stating that his consulting experience will refine his leadership and strategic thinking, making him a strong candidate for Booth’s MBA. He can tie this to Booth’s mission of educating future leaders and creating enduring impact, showing how he will contribute to Booth’s culture.
Goals – Essay Tips
Essay 1: How will the Chicago Booth Scholars Program contribute to your short-term goals during your deferment period? How will the Booth MBA then help you achieve your long-term post-MBA career goals? (250-word minimum)
How To Approach
This essay requires a well-structured response that clearly outlines both short-term (pre-MBA) and long-term (post-MBA) goals, emphasizing why Booth is the right place to achieve them. A strong answer will demonstrate strategic career planning, alignment with Booth’s resources, and personal motivation for pursuing an MBA.
1. Start with a Clear Introduction: Define Your Career Vision
• Begin by stating your long-term career goal and how you plan to get there.
• Show how your short-term experiences will serve as stepping stones toward that vision.
• Connect your aspirations with Booth’s mission to educate future leaders and create knowledge with enduring impact.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan can open with his aspiration to become a strategic leader in business, helping companies scale through data-driven decision-making. He might mention how his double major in Economics and Psychology sparked his interest in understanding consumer behavior, market trends, and corporate strategy. He should explain that to build the necessary expertise, he will first gain hands-on experience in consulting before transitioning to leadership through an MBA at Booth.
2. Explain Your Short-Term Goals: How Will You Use the Deferment Period?
• Clearly outline your short-term career plan (first job, industry, and key learning objectives).
• Identify the critical skills and experiences you aim to gain.
• Connect these goals to Booth’s deferred MBA community and resources.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan should explain that during his deferment period, he will work in management consulting, using his role to develop problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills. He should highlight that consulting will allow him to explore multiple industries before specializing in a particular sector.
To tie this back to Booth, he can discuss how the Booth Scholars Program will enhance his deferment experience by providing early access to:
• Networking opportunities with Booth alumni in consulting and technology.
• Conferences and workshops where he can refine his leadership and quantitative skills.
• Booth’s flexible learning resources, allowing him to take part in events, mentorship programs, and business competitions like the New Venture Challenge (NVC) if he decides to explore entrepreneurship.
3. Connect Booth’s MBA to Your Long-Term Goals
• Show how Booth’s curriculum, experiential learning, and global network will prepare you for leadership.
• Discuss how specific Booth programs align with your career trajectory.
• Mention how Booth’s data-driven, analytical approach will enhance your strategic decision-making.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan can explain that after building his foundation in consulting, he will use Booth’s MBA to deepen his expertise in corporate strategy, data analytics, and business innovation. He should highlight Booth’s flexible curriculum, which will allow him to tailor his learning based on the industries he has explored during his deferment.
Key Booth programs that align with his goals include:
• The Lab on New Products and Services, will give him hands-on experience in innovation and product development.
• The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, where he can explore sustainable business models, particularly for African markets, aligning with his global aspirations.
• The Booth Technology Group, where he can engage with industry leaders and refine his understanding of emerging tech trends.
He can conclude this section by mentioning how Booth’s strong culture of collaboration, leadership, and intellectual curiosity will shape him into a well-rounded, strategic leader.
4. End with a Strong Conclusion: Reinforce Booth’s Unique Fit
• Summarize how Booth will support both your short-term growth during deferment and your long-term career trajectory.
• Express enthusiasm for joining Booth’s community and contributing to its culture.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan should close by reinforcing that Booth’s flexibility, analytical rigor, and global network make it the ideal place for him to grow. He should emphasize that the Booth Scholars Program will allow him to test different industries, refine his career vision, and enter the MBA with a clear plan—ultimately helping him achieve his goal of becoming a strategic business leader who drives innovation and market expansion.
Personal Growth – Essay Tips
Essay 2: An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experiences and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of work and the classroom. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are...(250-word minimum)
How To Approach
Understanding the Essay
This essay is an opportunity to showcase the person behind the resume—your values, passions, and personal experiences. Unlike the previous two essays, which focus on professional growth, this essay emphasizes personal identity, character, and interests beyond work and academics.
For deferred MBA applicants, this question carries an added dimension. The admissions committee understands that candidates are early in their careers and may still be exploring their professional paths. However, what remains constant is who they are as individuals—their motivations, resilience, and unique perspectives. Booth values students who bring diverse experiences, contribute to the community, and continuously push themselves to grow, both personally and professionally.
A compelling response will:
1. Share a defining personal experience or passion that highlights your character.
2. Demonstrate introspection, showing how this experience has shaped your values or outlook.
3. Illustrate how these qualities will contribute to Booth’s community.
1. Choose a Personal Story That Reflects Your Core Values
Rather than listing hobbies or generic personality traits, choose a meaningful story that demonstrates growth, resilience, or a unique perspective. Psychological research suggests that narrative identity—how people make sense of their life experiences—plays a crucial role in shaping leadership potential. Booth wants to see how your lived experiences have contributed to your personal development.
Case Study (Tosan): Tosan could discuss his experience growing up as an immigrant in a new culture and how it shaped his adaptability and problem-solving skills. He might share a specific moment—perhaps his first public speaking competition or leading a community project—that challenged his confidence but ultimately strengthened his leadership skills.
Alternatively, he might focus on his passion for playing the saxophone and how it taught him discipline, creativity, and the ability to perform under pressure—skills that translate into his professional aspirations.
2. Show Personal Growth and Self-Reflection
• Explain how this experience changed or shaped your perspective.
• Highlight key lessons learned and how they influence your decisions today.
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence—Booth values students who are self-aware and growth-oriented.
A Harvard Business Review study (Goleman, 1998) highlights self-awareness as a critical component of emotional intelligence, which is closely linked to leadership success. By reflecting on personal growth, you show Booth that you possess the introspective qualities essential for a future leader.
Example Using Tosan Agbeyegbe: If Tosan discusses his experience as an immigrant, he could describe how he once struggled with imposter syndrome but gradually learned to embrace his unique background as a strength. Over time, he became more confident in diverse environments, a skill that will help him navigate global business challenges.
If he writes about music, he could discuss how mastering the saxophone requires discipline, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges, which are also crucial skills in the business world.
3. Connect to Booth’s Community and Your Future Self
• Show how this personal experience will help you contribute to Booth outside of the classroom.
• Connect the lessons learned to your long-term growth and leadership style.
A study by Dweck (2006) on growth mindset suggests that individuals who see challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement tend to be more successful in leadership roles. Booth seeks candidates who embrace challenges and strive for continuous personal development - not just in their careers but in life.
Case Study (Tosan): If Tosan discusses his immigrant experience, he might talk about how he hopes to be part of Booth’s Africa Business Club or Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, mentoring students who face similar challenges.
If he writes about music, he could mention that he looks forward to joining Booth’s Arts & Business Club, where he can combine his passion for creativity with his analytical skills to explore industries like entertainment or digital media.
References
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence
- Harvard Business Review, Leadership Authenticity Studies
- The Journal of Applied Psychology, Storytelling in Personal Narratives
- GMAC Research Report on MBA Graduate Career Satisfaction
- The Academy of Management Journal, Personal and Professional Growth Integration
- "Narrative Identity" by Dan P. McAdams and Kate C. McLean
- "What Makes a Leader?" by Daniel Goleman
- "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck
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.