University of Chicago Booth School of Business MBA Admissions: Requirements, Deadlines, and Tips
Chicago Booth Full-Time MBA application rounds, requirements, interview, and costs for the 2026-2027 cycle (entering autumn 2027).
Application Overview
Chicago Booth has three Full-Time MBA rounds for the 2026-2027 cycle plus a Chicago Booth Scholars round for applicants in their final year of undergraduate study. The Class of 2027 enrolled 635 students from 5,876 applications. Booth does not publish an acceptance rate. The application has four required short-answer prompts of 300 characters each and one optional 300-word response, a resume, one letter of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, a GMAT or GRE score, and a $250 fee. Booth does not set a minimum GMAT or GRE score and does not accept superscores.
Application Rounds
| Round | Deadline | Decision Date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT | December 3, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 7, 2027, 11:59 p.m. CT | March 25, 2027 |
| Round 3 | April 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. CT | May 20, 2027 |
| Chicago Booth Scholars | April 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. CT | June 24, 2027 |
Application Components
- GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE score (self-reported; no superscores)
- Unofficial transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended
- One letter of recommendation, preferably from a current supervisor
- Four short-answer responses (300 characters each) and one optional response (300 words)
- Professional resume
- English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo) unless exempt
- $250 application fee
- Interview and video simulation exercise (by invitation)
Interview Process
By invitation only, after review of the submitted application. Interviews are held virtually and conducted by a current student or other member of the Booth community; all interviews receive equal weight. Invited candidates also complete a brief recorded video simulation exercise. An interview is required for admission.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $250 |
| Tuition | $89,976 (2026-27, nine months) |
| Cost of attendance | $132,449 (2026-27 estimate, nine months) |
| TOEFL iBT minimum | 104 (Tests before January 21, 2026; 5.0 on the new scale) |
| IELTS minimum | 7 |
| Test validity | 5 years (Must be valid at submission) |
Policies
Rounds: Booth states that candidates in all three rounds are viable and evaluated equally, and recommends earlier rounds to international applicants for visa processing. Deferral: Deferrals are handled case by case at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, with no guarantee. Chicago Booth Scholars applicants defer enrollment for two to five years by design. Reapplicants: Applicants who applied to the Full-Time MBA within the past two academic years submit a new application, a new letter of recommendation, and a 300-word reapplicant response. Test exemption: The GMAT or GRE is optional only for current University of Chicago undergraduates and UChicago graduates.
Sources
- 1. Chicago Booth, Full-Time MBA How to Apply (2026-2027 deadlines and checklist)
- 2. Chicago Booth, Full-Time MBA Class of 2027 Profile
- 3. Chicago Booth, Full-Time MBA Cost (2026-27)
- 4. Chicago Booth, Full-Time MBA International Applicants
- 5. Chicago Booth, Full-Time MBA FAQ