Kara Northcutt, Director of Admissions and Marketing, Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Program, Chicago Booth School of Business

1) What’s the single most exciting development, change, or event happening at the EWMBA program this coming year?

Chicago Booth added a new academic concentration, Business, Society, and Sustainability, and launched The Family Office Initiative to add to our impressive list of centers and initiatives that support students’ career interests. And the Evening- and Weekend MBA (EW MBA) students recently started two new clubs: AI Club and Booth Corporate Sustainability Club.

2) What 2-3 qualities, skill sets, experiences do your program value most in applicants? 

Successful students tend to be collaborative, intellectually curious, open-minded, and supportive. Since they are working full-time and going to school concurrently, having exceptional time management and communication skills are very helpful, as we recognize that they are balancing many priorities.

3) How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically?

The short-answer questions and the essay within the application are meant to help admissions understand one’s career goals and how Chicago Booth, specifically the EW MBA program, will help students achieve such. A few tips:

a. Limit your response to what we ask in the prompt. If there are other stories and experiences you want to share with the Admissions team, the optional essay is a great place to do so.

b. Have someone else proofread your response. It is very easy to overlook spelling and grammar mistakes when reviewing responses that you’ve written, read, and rewritten.

4) Do you have any application tips (for essays & recommendations) for MBA applicants? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? 

In addition to the essay tips above, be sure to connect with your recommenders early in the process so that they have ample time to write and submit their letters. Connecting with them in advance to let them know why you are seeking an MBA at Booth, and reminding them of your career accomplishments and goals, will help them to draft a more detailed and meaningful letter of recommendation.

5) How important is standardized testing for an application to Booth EWMBA, and is there a preference for GMAT, GRE, EA for your full-time program? 

Standardized tests are one of many factors considered in our holistic evaluation process. We also look at undergraduate and graduate-level coursework (when relevant), certifications (CFA, CPA, etc.), and any continuing education courses or programs that students have completed. The EW MBA programs accept the GMAT, GRE, and the EA. We have no preference among these exams and suggest students take the exam they feel most confident about.

6) What does a typical Evening & Weekend calendar look like for the length of the program? 

Each class meets one time per week. Classes take place Monday-Friday from 6:00pm-9:00pm and from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm on Saturdays. EW MBA students typically take two courses per quarter and complete the program in two and a half to three years. However, students have eight years to complete the degree, so are welcome to take the program at a pace that they see fit. The majority of our events and activities outside of the classroom take place on the weekends and weeknights when our students are most likely to be available.

7) What career management services, if any, are available?

Chicago Booth’s Career Services team works with all of our MBA students and alumni. Their services and resources are wide-ranging and tailored to each group’s needs. EW MBA students primarily work with the Career Services team at the Gleacher Center, our Chicago downtown campus. Resources and programming for EW MBA students are designed for those working full time while getting their MBA. EW MBA students can participate in the same campus recruiting process for full-time employment as do the Full-Time MBA students. Internship recruiting, however, is reserved for Full-Time students. See here for recent EW MBA Employment Data.

8) What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about? 

The EW MBA campus in downtown Chicago, the Gleacher Center, has a great on-site restaurant and bar, the PIMCO Midway Club. The PIMCO Midway Club has fantastic views of the Chicago River and is a great place to unwind and connect with your classmates after class.   

9) Fun Fact about Booth EWMBA– such as where is a favorite hangout for your MBA students? 

Nearly 80 percent of Weekend MBA students commute from outside of Illinois for class, meaning students will get to know classmates from across geographies, industries, companies, and other areas that might not be as well represented in the Chicago-land area.