The Lowdown on Top-Ranked Chicago

A dean and two students recently fielded online questions about admissions and life at the nation’s No.1-ranked B-school. Here's a transcript

Rosemaria Martinelli
University of Chicago

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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?