Chicago Booth MBA Recommendation Questions

The Chicago Booth MBA application is now live, meaning that the Booth MBA recommendation questions for the 2024-2025 admissions season are now available for applicants and recommenders. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation, one from a current supervisor, and one from someone who has worked with you in a professional capacity, organization or club, or volunteer project. If a current supervisor is not feasible, explain the circumstances in your optional essay. If you work for a family business or own your own company, you can submit a letter from a client or outside party who does business with you and can provide an objective assessment.

2024-2025 Chicago Booth MBA Recommendation Questions

Recommender information

• Contact information
• Relationship to applicant
• How long have you known the applicant?
• Do you have an MBA degree?
• Are you in any way affiliated with The University of Chicago or Chicago Booth?

Skills Assessment

Recommenders are asked to rate the candidate on a handful of leadership traits and skills on the following scale: Unable to Assess, Area of Concern, Opportunity for Development, Solid/Meets Expectations, Strength/Exceeds Expectations.

Please assess the candidate’s skills in the following areas. Your honest and candid assessment greatly helps the Admissions Committee in evaluating the candidate. Most candidates will have a range of marks; it is extremely rare for a candidate to exceed expectations in all areas.

• Ability to adapt to change
• Self-awareness/Maturity
• Openness to feedback and constructive criticism
• Interpersonal skills with colleagues/subordinates
• Interpersonal skills with superiors/executives
• Confidence
• Initiative/Self-Motivation
• Collaboration/Teamwork
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Respect for diverse perspectives
• Capacity to lead

Peer Comparison

Based on your professional experience, how does the applicant rate within his or her peer group?

• Best in Career
• Truly Exceptional (top 5%)
• Outstanding (top 10%)
• Very Good (top 25%)
• Average (top 50%)
• Below Average
• Unable to Assess

Please indicate the reference group for this comparison.

Overall I:

• Enthusiastically recommend this candidate
• Recommend this candidate
• Recommend this candidate with reservations
• Do not recommend this candidate

Letter of Recommendation

Please provide a written letter of recommendation in support of the applicant addressing the following questions:

• How do the applicant’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified candidates in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
• Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.