The U. Chicago Booth MBA application is now live (following the announcement of the program’s deadlines and essay topic last month), meaning that the Booth MBA recommendation questions are now available for applicants targeting Chicago for the 2016-2017 admissions season.

Recommenders are asked to provide a bit of context on their backgrounds and relationship with the applicant, to rate the applicant’s skills and qualities via a grid, and to provide a letter that addresses two required questions.

For how long have you known the applicant?

Do you have an MBA degree?

Are you affiliated with Chicago Booth or the University of Chicago in any way?

Skills Assessment

Recommenders are asked to rate the candidate’s skills and leadership abilities 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.

• Ability to adapt to change
• Awareness of self and others
• 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 Skills
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Problem Solving Skills

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

• Unable to Assess
• Below Average
• Average (top 50%)
• Very Good (top 25%)
• Outstanding (top 10%)
• Truly Exceptional (top 5%)
• The best I’ve encountered in my career

Please indicate the reference group for this comparison.

The recommender is asked to provide their overall recommendation:

Overall, I: Do not recommend this candidate to Chicago Booth, Recommend with reservations this candidate to Chicago Booth, Recommend this candidate to Chicago Booth, Recommend enthusiastically this candidate to Chicago Booth

Finally, in addition to the above questions, recommenders are asked to provide a written letter 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 individuals 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.