Chicago GSB 2009 Essay Questions - ChaseDream

Essay questions for the Fall 2009 application are below. The Fall 2009 Chicago GSB application will be available in late-July 2008.

Essays

a) Please provide an example of a time when you had to make a choice between two equally important obligations. How did you decide which obligation deserved your attention? b) Did you try and predict other people's reactions to your decision? If so, how accurate were you? Why do you think you were or were not accurate in your prediction? c) Reflecting on this experience, how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB might have aided in your decision making process?

a) Have you ever made a decision that caused you to go against popular opinion? Please describe that situation and your rationale for you decision. b) Did you feel at any point that people misperceived your motives? Explain. c) In retrospect, how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB would have affected your decision?

Slide Presentation

We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application and now invite you tell us about yourself. Using four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are.

We have set forth the following guidelines for you to consider when creating your presentation.

Optional Essay

If there is any important information that is relevant for your candidacy that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here.

Hi, I'm a bit swinging now, wondering whether my plan is behind the schedule; As currently I have just quit my job to prepare for all tests and applications. I'm facing a choice wether I should be a full time applicant or find a job after test s and wait for enrollment in 2010.

Due to the congestion of TOEFL test in China, I can't take TOEFL test until Dec. 2008 although I'm trying my best to squeeze in all my materials before Oct. 2008.

I am 31, Female, have 7 years working experience, 3 years in fortune 500 as branch manager, and 1 year of my own business, 3 years of media marketing. I'm confident that I can achieve 720 in GMAT by the end of this month.

Would you suggest me to apply in the second round for 2009,or for the first round of 2010 enrollment, or still try to submit all other materails, however, left TOEFL test vacant, and explain to the School about my situation? I mean, if you know there has been any cases like this before that was accepted by Chicago effectively?

以下是引用lissaji在2008-7-28 22:18:00的发言：

Due to the congestion of TOEFL test in China, I can't take TOEFL test until Dec. 2008 although I'm trying my best to squeeze in all my materials before Oct. 2008.

I am sincerely open for suggestion and insider's information lissa.ji2007(在) gmail.com

Hi, Lissa. I'm by no means an expert in B-school application.

lease take my suggestions with a grain of salt. Considering the fact that you will not take TOEFL till Dec (hopefully it's early Dec), I think you can still make it to R2 without leaving your TOEFL score blank. 2 weeks should be enough for ETS to get you your TOEFL score. To be prudent, you should leave at least 3 weeks, hopefully 4+ weeks, for your GSB essays. I spent four days on my GSB essays but it's only because I've spent 1 month on my HBS essays. The career vision essay can be extremely time consuming. Never underestimate the difficulty of essay writing. Wish you good luck! Aaron.

Thanks, you are really quick! I wonder how much chance do I have for the second round application? As I was told that there's only hope for the first round applicants from mainland Chinese. However, the chances for the second round and third round were mainly for domestic applicants?

Indeed I agree with you that to get a presentable picture of myself in essay will not take less time than the test preparation, and I do not want rush it.

Also, I wonder how does Chicago evaluate an applicant who wants to change the direction of her career?

As my target field is slightly different from my current background, I was working in media marketing and recruitment service company, and after MBA, I am aiming at the management consultancy. Would Chicago take it as an unrealistic career plan and therefore put my application behind applications that appeal to be more realistic and potential worthy for the future employers? Such as those applicants came from the industries that they would go back to after MBA program? I assumed in this way, the successful recruitment rate will be higher for Chicago? Therefore, their application will appeal to be more attractive than mine?

以下是引用lissaji在2008-7-28 23:21:00的发言：

Indeed I agree with you that to get a presentable picture of myself in essay will not take less time than the test preparation, and I do not want rush it.

Would it be better if I apply for 2010 enrollment at first round?

Also, I wonder how does Chicago evaluate an applicant who wants to change the direction of her career?

Don't believe what you've been told. For the class 2010, around half mainland Chinese admits were admitted in R2. R1 and R2 will give you equal opportunities. Just FYI, I was admitted in R2.

The school will never discriminate career switchers. I myself is a career switcher from consulting to IB/PE/VC. And more than 70%, if not 80%, of the 13 mainland Chinese admits this year are thinking about changing careers, either to consulting or finance or corporate. The only thing that matters is how you can make your own career vision compelling so that you can convince GSB.