The Lowdown On Top-Ranked Chicago

Subscribe to BusinessWeek

Last month, BusinessWeek ranked the MBA program at theUniversity of Chicago Graduate School of Business [GSB] No. 1 in the U.S. for, among other qualities, its academic rigor and responsiveness to students. Gaining admission to the country's top B-school can't be easy, but it is possible, says Rosemaria Martinelli, associate dean of admissions at the GSB.



Recently, Martinelli [RosemariaM] and Chicago students Penny Petropoulos [PennyP], who is a facilitator in the Leadership Effectiveness & Development [LEAD] program at Chicago, and Jorge Gallardo [JorgeG], an international student who co-chairs the Latin American Business Group at the school, fielded questions from an audience of prospective students and BusinessWeek.com community manager and reporter Francesca Di Meglio in a live online chat event. Here is an edited transcript of the conversation:



sleeperaxe: If an applicant is not involved in traditional community service or charities due to a very time-consuming extracurricular activity, is that taken into consideration? If this extracurricular activity is a group that the applicant formed and leads and the group frequently gives back to the community, is this considered community service?



RosemariaM: We recognize that most applicants have very busy lives. What we're looking to evaluate is your engagement in community and your commitment to make an impact. Whether you are involved through a structured organization or are doing it on your own does not make a difference.



ekuresman: What are some of the most frequent mistakes that applicants make in their interview?



RosemariaM: The biggest mistake is not answering the questions. Many people try to overcraft an essay to impress but actually miss the opportunity to answer the question.



IMEMO: I'm doing my PhD thesis in Russia Academy of Science. In 2009 I'll get this degree. Can I apply for MBA before getting the degree?



RosemariaM: Yes. You might want to write a brief optional essay describing why now is the right time to apply and describe your current program. We'll want to see those transcripts as well.



Khauxhik: If someone is working in the U.S. with a valid visa, would you still consider him an international student?



RosemariaM: If a student is not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident, than he/she is categorized as an international student at the Graduate School of Business.



Anzhansen: How do schools look upon post-undergrad work in sales?



PennyP: It doesn't matter what you did specifically before applying. The GSB values diversity in all ways -- work experience included. As such, there is no one profession that is valued over another when it comes to applying to B-school. The application process is more about getting to know who you are, why you are applying to B-school now, and why that school is a good fit for you.



SwatiAhuja: Is the 16th year of education waived for Indian students?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB accepts all three-year degrees as meeting the minimum requirements for the undergraduate degree. No need for an additional year of experience.



Anzhansen: Has the high BusinessWeek ranking changed the amount of applications that you are receiving?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB had an increase in applications last year of 36%. We have no idea what to expect this year in terms of number, but we're hoping to see more people select the GSB as their school of choice.



kwhiting: For recommendation letters, do you have a preference on gender? One male, one female? Do you suggest both letters come from direct supervisors? Or will superiors in another department or clients be seen as acceptable?

JorgeG: The most valuable recommendation letters are from people, regardless of their gender, who can provide a good assessment of the qualities of the applicant. Usually direct supervisors can give more information in their letters but if you consider that a person from another department or a client might have a better understanding of your particular situation, then these letters of recommendation are more useful.



Kthomas: Many MBA programs say they don't require an undergraduate business degree. But are there some lines of study/past work that really prohibit a person from being accepted? For example, my undergrad degree is in cinema, and I've since been employed as a Web designer. Are my chances at a top-tier school pretty much shot?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB welcomes students from all types of backgrounds. Having some analytical and quant experience is very helpful, but our program allows students with very different backgrounds to get up to speed quickly because of our flexible curriculum.



KateBC17: What is the best way to prepare for the interview?



PennyP: The interview at Chicago is a blind interview [meaning your interviewer will not have read your application), so don't feel that you have to prepare to talk about your application or your essays at all. The purpose is to get another perspective on fit and match. I would suggest taking time to really get to know your resume and be prepared to tell your story, including why you made the decisions you made to date about school, career, etc. It might also be helpful to do a mock interview with a friend or colleague.



djz: What is the process that happens for each applicant's file? How many reads does a file get? How do the adcom [admission committee) members avoid letting their own career interests come in the way of seeing an applicant's file?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB uses second-year MBA students [graduate assistants) to help us evaluate applications. Each GA reports to one of my associate directors. The first read is done by a student, followed by a second full read by one of my associate directors. At that point, the applicant is either invited to an interview or sent to me for a review [deny without interview]. The minimum number of reads for a student not invited to interview is three; for candidates invited to interview, five to six, or committee, is more likely.



ekuresman: Regarding internship and full-time interviews with employers, does the GSB have closed lists or can students sign up or bid points for the interview?



JorgeG: We have a combination of both. Recruiters send closed lists of applicants whom they would like to interview, but they also need to provide some open slots for other students who are interested in the company. We use the bidding system to allocate these open slots.



Romashki: What would you consider the main difference between Chicago GSB and the Wharton School [at the University of Pennsylvania)?



RosemariaM: The programs are very similar in terms of reputation, areas of excellence, faculty, etc. What differentiates the [Chicago) program is the size, philosophy of the core curriculum [flexibility], and the extended opportunities to interact with a broader set of classmates than just one team and one cohort.



tsar79: How important is the GPA compared to years of experience, GMAT score, and overall application [letters of recommendation, essays, etc.)?



PennyP: We take a very holistic approach to the application. There is no one area or component that is weighed more heavily than the others.

justinpwood: Most MBA programs seem to value a diverse student body. Does the admissions committee at Chicago GSB have target quotas for potential students with certain professional backgrounds in an effort to diversify the incoming class? If so, do you find that applicants with backgrounds in fields like private equity or investment banking face tougher competition for admission than applicants with other backgrounds like customer service or real estate?



RosemariaM: Yes, Chicago GSB crafts a class rather than just admits a class. Diversity in the broadest terms is therefore important. But we focus on the individual. No two people at Chicago GSB have the exact same background despite industry similarities. How you got to this point and where you are going in the future is very individual. Bottom line: You are not competing with others in your industry, but yourself, in terms of helping us to know how you have leveraged all your opportunities and why you think Chicago is right for you.



jzhang: What is the international MBA program?



JorgeG: The IMBA program is similar to the traditional MBA program but you need to take an additional course on international business. You need to be proficient in a second language, and you need to go abroad for one quarter to one of the schools that participate in our exchange program.



mcardle3: I am interested in GSB's weekend MBA but was concerned that employers may consider part-time students as being subpar. Do your part-time students have a placement rate comparable to full-time students?



RosemariaM: Program type is truly a personal question. At Chicago GSB, the academic program is exactly the same but the experience is different. As an evening/weekend student, you will not have access to internship recruiting, but you will have the opportunity to participate in full-time recruiting. You should think through your goals for the MBA and what type of program will help you best achieve your goals.



helg: I was very happy to get the interview invitation this week. How optimistic should I be about my admittance chances at this stage?



RosemariaM: Getting an interview invitation is a positive step toward admission to the GSB. We plan to invite between 50% to 60% in Round 1. Prepare, be yourself, and relax. You'll do well!



Ramji: I have three years of IT leadership experience in a Fortune 100 company, along with international experience. I am looking for a career change and want to apply this year. Would three years be considered a liability on the work experience front since I have the right quality but not the optimum quantity?



RosemariaM: The GSB is focused much more on the quality of experience and your reasons for pursuing the MBA now rather than the length of experience. We're actively seeking students at the two- to three-year mark of experience.



midwest123: What are the key things you think set your school apart from other MBA programs?



PennyP: I chose the GSB largely because I felt the program matched best with what I was hoping to gain from going back to school. I wanted to go to a school that had a solid reputation academically but also valued heavily the opportunities to develop my softer side: all of the leadership and teamwork skills that are so critical to being successful in business. The GSB's LEAD program was one thing that really set the GSB apart for me.



Anzhansen: Can an MBA help my career as a salesman?



RosemariaM: The MBA is much more than a program to help you advance in one industry. It's a program to broaden the way you think and approach problems or create new ideas. Expand your reach and dream big.

senthilv72: I am a re-applicant to the GSB, and I'm applying in the second round. Does the second round put me at a disadvantage when compared to the first?



JorgeG: All our applicants and re-applicants are given the same consideration in all of our three rounds. The most important thing is to send your application when you think you have covered all the information you want us to know about you. In the case of re-applications, it is important that you try to address the advancements and areas of improvement since your last application.



AnaSMRibeiro: Is there a required minimum GMAT score?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB does not have any minimum score thresholds to be successful in the application process. Our 80th percentile GMAT for the entering class is 650 to 760, though we admitted students with lesser scores. Bottom line: This is a holistic process, and no one item will prevent you from being seriously evaluated.



Konsultant: What percentage of applicants were admitted last year?



RosemariaM: Just the best ones!



Denver78: What types of students do not do well at Chicago GSB?



PennyP: From what I have seen, students who struggle here tend to be the ones who approach school from the sole perspective of "what am I going to get out of this?" The people who I have seen be really successful are people who get involved in and out of classes, spend time getting to know the faculty and their classmates, and are able to maintain a good balance of keeping up with school work and social life. They also are the people who give of themselves to help out their fellow classmates.



kwhiting: On the employment history section of the application, should we list all jobs held during college, even if they have no business relevance, such as food service?



PennyP: Yes, I would. It helps us understand the complete picture of what you were involved with during school and how you had to balance your time.



spark1000: Do you have any advice on how best to develop our story?



RosemariaM: The most important thing for you to do is to do your self-assessment. Look back over the past five to six years: What were the highlights/low lights, and what did you learn from these experiences? How have your current goals been shaped by these experiences,and how do you plan to leverage your current experience to achieve your goals? Writing a story is about writing your story, so knowing yourself well -- your passions, your dislikes, etc. -- will help us to know whether Chicago GSB can help you achieve your goals.



JMoore: My question is to the students: How has the career service center assisted you in your search for an internship and full-time position?



JorgeG: Career services has been very supportive since the beginning of the program. The [team) has coached us on how to improve our resumes, develop our interviewing and networking skills, learn how to handle recruiters during interviews and after you get an offer. The most important thing is that they are always available for us.



KateBC17: What changes do you foresee for the program in the next few years?



RosemariaM: Because ideas drive our culture, the GSB is always evaluating programs and developing new programs to enhance the student experience across all components [academics, career, community, alumni).



Helg: Is the number of dropouts due to poor academic results in the last [few) years?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB believes that if you are admitted, you will graduate [as long as you are engaged in the process). Our support programs are designed to meet each student's need throughout the program [mentoring, advising, tutoring, etc.].



bschool789: I am a liberal arts undergrad, and I am interested in getting into an MBA program. What types of characteristics are important to an admissions director?



RosemariaM: The good news is that you will join a third of the class who also have liberal arts degrees. Intellectual curiosity and engagement are key components we seek in all successful applicants.

sateeshs: Is there a grade-nondisclosure policy at the GSB? Is the policy going to get revised anytime soon?



PennyP: The GSB's grade nondisclosure is a student-administered policy that is run by the Graduate Business Council. Each year, the first-year class votes on whether they would like to send the policy up for debate or revision. Over the past several years, however, the decision was that it should stand as it is and has not gone to vote. Our policy is different from other schools in that it is a student agreement, not an administration policy. To date, we have had a very good relationship with the administration.



kwhiting: On the application, under employment, does number of employees refer to the company total or the number that reported to me?



RosemariaM: This refers to the number of people you have managed.



FalconMich: Do you have any advice related to application strategy for someone who is interested in entrepreneurship as a long-term career [either working with startups or starting a business)? I'm concerned about how entrepreneurship is viewed by the admissions committee.



RosemariaM: Entrepreneurship is one of the concentrations of our program. We have great faculty and also the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship. From the application point of view, you would have to comment on what you have done that made you consider an entrepreneurial career, what kind of experience you expect to have here, and how this experience would help you get to where you want.



aglcorona: What would be the best way to get detailed information about the courses you offer to compare them to courses offered by other B-schools?



RosemariaM: All our course listings are available on our Web site and through the student portal. Here's the link: http://gsbportal.chicagogsb.edu/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=205&PageID=0&cached=true&mode=2



NK_Hopeful: For an applicant interested in the consulting field post-MBA, can you identify strengths of the GSB in this area?



PennyP: One of the GSB's strengths in this area is the strong focus on economics. The philosophy of the school to focus on disciplined-based education of how organizations function and markets work and on the importance of making decisions based on sound analysis fits very well with consulting. Having the fundamentals down will help to ensure that we are able to think broadly about whatever problem we are helping the client solve and that our recommendations are based on solid analysis.



Aglcorona: Would you recommend applicants visit the campus before submitting the application?



RosemariaM: Visiting campus prior to the application is a personal choice. It will not have any bearing on how you are evaluated. But ultimately, you will need to visit schools to which you have been admitted prior to making a decision. I would also encourage you to go when it's not a celebratory weekend, when you can see for yourself just what life is all about as a student. Fit is key, and a visit is the only way to determine what program best fits your needs and feels like a community where you will thrive.



KateBC17: Penny, as a LEAD facilitator, what have you found to be the most rewarding? The most challenging?



PennyP: I have gotten a lot out of being a facilitator. It takes a lot of time and dedication, but I have found it to be worth it. To summarize, I have gained an immense amount of self-awareness of how I work in groups and what I can do to make teams more effective. I have definitely grown in my abilities to analyze individual behavior, mentor/counsel others to think about how their behaviors may impact [colleagues), present material in a way that is relevant, and provide useful tips and tools.



Regardless of what school you go to, working in a flat team where there is no leader and no one person who is responsible for making the decisions is probably one of the hardest things to figure out. As a LEAD facilitator, you are placed in a small group of eight students to deliver all of the content to your cohorts. There are a lot of decisions that you need to make as a team and no escape if there are disagreements. It has been challenging, but as I said above, very enlightening.



Kthomas: What types of events are organized for MBAs to gather [apart from classes), and are they well-attended?



RosemariaM: Chicago GSB is a very social community. From LPF [liquidity preference function -- our weekly Friday night gathering over your choice of beverages) to TNDC [Thursday Night Drinking Club], to conferences and speaker series, this is a very active place for you to be involved. These events are always crowded and many students bring along their significant others and children.



Metaxa07: Outside of the classroom, what is student life like regarding school organizations and on a social level in general?



JorgeG: Student life is very active. Many students are involved in several groups. The groups themselves promote conferences, lunch and learns, and presentations and are great ways to network with your class. Additionally, we have LPFs on Fridays, and TNDC on Thursday nights. Some groups also have social gatherings on weekends or to celebrate a particular event such as Halloween, a Latin party, or wine tasting.



sleeperaxe: For the students: Do you guys live near the university? If so, how do you like living in Hyde Park and do a lot of the other students live around there? If not, do you feel that living elsewhere in the city puts a student at a disadvantage from a social/community standpoint?



PennyP: I actually live downtown. I was in Chicago before school and hence didn't move. A good portion of the first-year class does live in Hyde Park. I believe that they find it convenient as it takes away some of the stress of finding an apartment in the larger area of Chicago and also has some locations where a lot of students live so there is a larger social network. That being said, many of our events are downtown so you have the trade-off of living close to school and commuting for going out or the other way around.



kwhiting: About what percentage of your time do you spend going to classes and studying vs. participating in school activities and life in Chicago?



JorgeG: The flexibility and diversity of the student body makes it different for everyone. It would depend on the number of classes that you are taking, your particular involvement in student groups, if you are a first- or second-year student and also what kind of recruiting you are focusing on [if you are a career switcher, for example).