Chicago Booth MBA Recommendation Questions

The Chicago Booth MBA application is now live, meaning that the Booth MBA recommendation questions for the 2025-2026 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.

2025-2026 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 a scale of one to six, with one being “area of concern” and six being “exceeds expectations.” Unable to Assess is an option.

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.

• Self-awareness
• Initiative/Self-motivation
• Confidence and professional impression
• Openness to feedback and constructive criticism
• Ability to adapt to change and make the most of situations
• Collaboration with others
• Interpersonal skills with colleagues/subordinates
• Interpersonal skills with superiors/executives
• Respect for others’ perspectives
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Leadership and development of others

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 (fill-in).

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 individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
• What is the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant? Please describe the circumstances, your feedback, and the applicant’s response.