Chicago Booth MBA Recommendation Questions
The Chicago Booth MBA application is now live, meaning that the Booth MBA recommendation questions for the 2026-2027 admissions season are now available for applicants and recommenders. Applicants must provide one letter of recommendation from a current supervisor, while a second is optional. If a current supervisor is not feasible, there is a space in the application where you can explain. 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.
2026-2027 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.
MBA Applywire
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Leadership from University of Minnesota Twin Cities (2022)
GPA: 3.3/4.0
Professional Experience:
I began my career at Cummins Inc., a global leader in commercial vehicle propulsion systems, as a Test Engineer focused on powertrain validation. I was responsible for validating the functionality of engines and then later progressed into a Senior Field Test Engineer role where I was testing the engines in trucks, leading technical and strategic team meetings and was also mentoring junior engineers.
In mid-2026, I relocated to Pakistan to join Lucky Motor Corporation as a Manufacturing Engineer in the Reliability & Compliance function. Here, I transitioned from validation to production, where I lead daily quality and reliability investigations, drive line balancing optimization using Yamazumi charting, and own production launch readiness initiatives.
Entrepreneurial Background:
During my undergraduate years, I co-founded an online export-quality apparel resale business. Within a year, we scaled to over Rs 1.5 million in revenue and managed a remote team of 10–15 people. While the business didn't sustain into its second year as competition intensified, the experience taught me the critical importance of strategic planning, market positioning, and team leadership.
Community Involvement:
I remain active in my community through leadership roles—I managed Cummins's World Cup team in 2023 (strategy, team organization, execution) and held officer positions in my university's Pakistani Society. More recently, I've mentored junior engineers transitioning from validation into manufacturing roles, helping them navigate the technical and interpersonal dimensions of production environments.
Post-MBA Goals:
My immediate goal is to move into a Product or Program Management role at an automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier, where I can own a product line's roadmap and drive cross-functional alignment on cost, schedule, and delivery. Over the longer term (5–10 years), I want to become a senior strategy leader in the automotive industry, shaping which products and technologies to bring to market, which markets to enter, and where to invest.
Questions for reviewer:
How competitive is my profile to not only get admission but also get a decent scholarship at these programs.
What do schools like to hear from candidates coming from an engineering background?
Are there any other schools I could add/replace with one on my list - my priority is scholarships.
Background: Pakistani male currently based in Tokyo, Japan
Academics:
Undergraduate degree from a leading university in Pakistan
GPA: 3.44
GRE: 334
Professional experience:
I began my career at a global research and expert network firm in Pakistan, where I supported quantitative research for major strategy consulting firms. My work included designing and delivering surveys for projects involving market entry, commercial due diligence, and growth strategy. I progressed into a team leadership role, managing research delivery and junior colleagues.
I later joined the Japan business of a large multinational consumer goods company and relocated from Pakistan to Tokyo following my professional progression. I currently work in category and consumer insights, supporting portfolio and investment decisions for a smoke free product business. My responsibilities include translating consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor activity into recommendations for senior management. I also manage our qualitative research budget, oversee external research agencies, and lead three analysts.
International exposure:
I have worked with consulting clients across international markets and have experience working for the Japanese market both remotely from Pakistan and in person after relocating to Tokyo. My professional experience has required me to adapt to a new country, business environment, and language while influencing cross functional decisions.
Community involvement:
I volunteer with a rural development organization in Pakistan, contributing to grant proposals and conducting workshops for small agribusiness owners on business planning, cost management, pricing, and digitization. This work is personally meaningful because of my family’s roots in the region.
Post MBA goal:
My immediate goal is to join the consumer products practice of a leading strategy consulting firm in the United States. Over the longer term, I want to build a consulting firm that gives small and medium sized consumer goods businesses across South Asia the evidence and strategic support needed to compete with larger companies and scale sustainably.
Target programs:
Tuck, Ross, Cornell, Yale, Kellogg, CBS
Questions for reviewers:
How competitive is my profile for these programs?
Is my school list appropriately balanced?
Which aspects of my profile should I emphasize most strongly?
Undergrad in managerial economics GPA 3.6, and masters in applied economics GPA 3.7. Over 5 years in economic consulting for mid-tier firms. Recent involuntary departure from last firm. Somewhat worried about letters of rec given that circumstance. Want to pivot into corporate side like strategic finance, probably in tech or maybe energy.