F. Scott Fitzgerald said that the test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time. At Chicago Booth, we embrace a wide range of ideas, theories and perspectives. More specifically, Booth does not adhere to just one way of looking at economic theory. While we are well known for Eugene Fama’s efficient market theory, we are also proud to have Richard Thaler as part of our world-class faculty. Professor Thaler offers a different point of view on economic theory and practice. Check out this article from the Chicago Tribune about Professor Thaler, who is well known for his research in behavioral economics and is co-author of the New York Times Best Seller Nudge.

George Andrews
Associate Dean

Earlier this month, I had the honor to attend our quarterly Graduate Dinner for Booth’s Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Winter 2012 graduates. This was a distinct pleasure, as my team and I helped many of these individuals through the application process years ago. The Graduate Dinner included 65 graduates, and many brought along family, friends and significant others to share in the celebration. My team and I have watched these students change and grow in a variety of ways. They have lead student groups, volunteered their time on the Admissions Committee, and worked hard to complete 20-23 Booth MBA classes. Of course, we have also often seen them unwinding in the Midway Club after exams. On the personal side, we have seen our students get married, start families and develop lifelong friendships all while completing their MBA.

It is no surprise that a common goal of the MBA is to advance or change careers. As I spoke with graduates, I heard many stories of promotions, new positions and relocations to new cities. Some attained new jobs through On Campus Recruiting and others by using the incomparable Booth network and Career Services’ individualized support. Deputy Dean Rob Gertner made a point during his talk to share that Booth does not us the word commencement, as this implies the beginning of something; instead Booth uses the word convocation, as this word describes this group of people formally gathering for a special purpose and celebrating the great path they are already on. Since our students were already accomplished at the beginning of the program, getting the Booth MBA is not the beginning. It is another step in what will surely be creating an impressive and impactful career.  A common comment I heard at the Graduate Dinner is that “I can’t believe it went so fast.” Fortunately for them and us, Booth will forever be an important part of their personal and professional lives.

Kara Northcutt
Associate Director of Admissions

As the newest member of the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Admissions Team, I had the opportunity to attend my first LAUNCH, better known as the three day orientation for incoming Evening MBA and Weekend MBA students.  Many people hear the word “orientation” and picture ice-breakers and day-long information sessions where students are bombarded with facts about classes, technology, and logistical items.  At Booth, LAUNCH turns the word “orientation” on its head. 

During the three day LAUNCH experience, students not only learn about the Chicago Booth community, Evening MBA and Weekend MBA student resources, and Career Services, but extensively about how they lead, function, and communicate in teams.   As I observed - and often times had to hold myself back from participating in – LAUNCH events, I realized the interactive activities conducted by Chicago’s Improv-Olympic group, challenging problem solving simulations, and collaboration in designing a community-building event for the following quarter, students immediately began to expand their networks and were exposed to diverse ways of thinking and communicating.

Ron Burt, expert on social networks and a Hobart W. Williams Professor of Psychology and Strategy at Chicago Booth, spoke to incoming students about the importance of these diverse networks in expanding one’s skill set and upholding the Booth approach of “challenging everything,” “thinking critically,” and “leading effectively.”   Burt emphasized that beginning with LAUNCH and throughout new students’ experiences at Chicago Booth, access to open and diverse networks “continually expose individuals to the risk of a productive accident.”  Burt went on to share his original research, which illustrates that individuals with more diverse networks gain competitive advantage in the workplace in the form of higher performance ratings, credibility, and bonuses, and told students, “Innovation lies not in the person, but in the network…the more you engage those who are different from you, the higher the risk of a good idea.”  
In Burt’s words, the opportunity to “confront and contradict” new information and ideas through diverse networks with others is often limited or protected in most environments;  at Booth,  it is highly encouraged.  As I looked around the room, I saw many students nodding their heads in agreement with Professor Burt as they realized at LAUNCH, they had already begun to embrace the diversity of thought and network-building that is incredibly unique and highly valued at Chicago Booth.  LAUNCH not only orients new students with each other, but the richness of diverse ideas and ways of thinking they will experience as a Booth student.

Begin building your network by attending an upcoming Booth event!  You can view and register for upcoming events at the Gleacher Center here.

Susan Thoma
Admissions Manager

After only a few months of 2012, I can already see increased interest in taking the GMAT before GMAC adds the new Integrated Reasoning section in June.  A good percentage of my students (I’ll not try to estimate how many) have said the impending change is the #1 reason they decided to start studying now.  Wise move.

As the year trods on, I hope to see more and more people with this brand of forethought.  Since GMAT scores are good for five years after Test Day, I implore you: please do not wait to take the test until the year or semester before you plan to start grad school.  Even if you are on the fence about whether you’ll even end up going, that is a good enough reason to get the GMAT out of the way now.  Load your bases, set your table, tee up your shot... Use whatever metaphor resonates with you, just understand that strategy is about planning for the future and a very smart tactical move is to take the GMAT before June 1, 2012.

How do you factor this into your plan?  You need to schedule your GMAT for no later than the end of April.  That way, if something does go wrong—for whatever reason—on Test Day, you can set another one before June 1st. One more piece of information for your consideration: in the event you have to take the test again, your official GMAT test days must happen 30 days apart. Study hard and get your top score the first time.  However, stress is going to impact your performance.  One of your goals during test prep is to identify ways to mitigate that stress so the kind you feel on Test Day is the type that keeps you focused, motivated, and competitive.  A good mitigator is knowing you can do it again if you had to.

Lucas Weingarten*
Guest Blogger

* Lucas Weingarten has been teaching the GMAT for Kaplan Test Prep since January 2010.  He is also a Kaplan certified instructor for both the GRE as well as the LSAT.

Please note that Chicago Booth does not endorse one specific test preparation company. Please contact our Admissions Team to learn more about the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Programs and the application process.

Q: Why do you have two deadlines for the Weekend MBA Program?
A: The Weekend MBA Program is on rolling admissions, which means you can submit the application any day between now and the final deadline of May 4th and the Deans will begin reviewing the application once it is submitted.  There is an Early Decision deadline of Friday, February 10th for those applicants who would like an earlier target deadline for themselves. For those applicants who like to plan ahead, the sooner you submit the application, the sooner we will be able to evaluate the application, and the sooner you will know where you are attending business school in the 2012 Fall!

Q: When will I hear about the decision?
A: Regardless of when you apply you will hear a decision within 4-6 weeks.

Q:  What if I submit my application after February 10th for the Weekend MBA Program?
A: Again, this is just fine….. Just be sure to submit the application by May 4th. 

Q:  Will the 2012 Weekend MBA Program fill up after the February 10th deadline?
A: No. Historically the majority of the applications are submitted closer to the May 4th deadline.

Q: What is the interview process?
A: A big advantage of the Chicago Booth admission process is that every candidate will be interviewed at the Gleacher Center, the downtown campus for Chicago Booth, by a member of our Admissions Committee, who is a current student or alum. Once your application is submitted via the on-line system you will be contacted to schedule your interview. Given that the application is complete, you are very well prepared for your interview and you are able to experience Booth first hand.

Q: When do interviews take place?
A: Interviews are conducted during the week at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00pm. If you are interested in interviewing on a Saturday, we will be hosting interviews on Saturday, March 3rd, Saturday, April 21st and Saturday, May 5th and Saturday, May 26th from 9:00am-1:00pm.

Q: What else can I do with the Booth community when I am at the Gleacher Center to interview?
A: If you have not already, you can sign up for a Class Visit after your interview, either after your weekday interview (the Class Visit would be held from 6-9pm) or after your Saturday interview (the Class Visit would be held from 1:30-4:30pm).

Q: Will Chicago Booth be hosting an event in my city this winter or spring?
A: Yes! We will be in Indianapolis, Washington DC, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, in addition to our local receptions in the North Shore area, Naperville and Schaumburg. View the dates and sign up today. As business school is a big decision, please bring your significant other or a colleague so he/she knows about the exciting next step you will be taking to drive your career in the direction you want it to go.

Q: What tips do you have for me in the application process?
A: For tips on the application process, please read our May 16 blog entry.

Q: What is a valuable website that I can be reviewing at this time to learn more about the MBA Program?
A: Experience Booth and Meet our Weekend MBA Students 

Gretchen Cooper
Director of Admissions

The Admissions Team loves to hear how our alumni are using the knowledge and experience they gain at Booth to shape their careers (and their lives).  Our latest success story is about Michael Holmes, Weekend MBA '08, and his decision to go into business with his father-in-law, Myron Boncarosky.  Boncarosky founded Virginia Tire & Auto which consists of 11 locations in the Virginia area.  Holmes leveraged his real estate expertise and career in private equity to take Virginia Tire & Auto to the next level, and is having a lot of fun in the process.  Holmes' success is captured in a recent Washington Post article.  Read it here.

Speaking of the D.C area...we will be in town for our Washington D.C. Reception on February 21st at 6:30pm and would love to see you there! Come hear from Admissions Directors and meet current Weekend MBA students and alumni.

Katie Coogan
Admissions Manager