Status: Current student, full-time
Dates of Enrollment: 9/2003-Submit Date
Survey Submitted: October 2004

Admissions process is straightforward; visiting the school is the key to building enough understanding about Chicago GSB to be able to state credibly why it interests you. While this might sound daunting, students are genuinely happy to spend time with visitors, and enjoy being asked about their experiences and personal reasons why they are here. The interview is mainly used as a separate axis to validate an application. Although it's optional, I strongly advise interviewing--interviewing with an alumnus/a or at the school is equally valid.

Essays questions are generally very open-ended with the goal of allowing you to express yourself in your own style. Be as serious or as creative as you naturally are. Individuality is key--writing cliched stories about aspirations is very risky. Selectivity is quite high. Students take part in the admissions process, are proud to be here and are careful about selecting incoming students because they will represent them.

Academics: Students Speak

Status: Current student, full-time
Dates of Enrollment: 9/2004-Submit Date
Survey Submitted: October 2005

Class quality is superb! I haven't taken any classes I have felt were wastes of time, which can be attributed to the flexible curriculum for which the school is known. Students design their own programs of study, subject to the extremely accommodating set of requirements that the school has in place. I took six classes in my concentration area in the first year, which I felt greatly helped me with my internship interviews and prepared me better than many other people going into summer internships. Grading, particularly with the forced 3.25 curve, can be very tough. It forces you to put more effort into schoolwork, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Academics: The School Says

At Chicago GSB, we honor the individuality of our students, which is why we offer the most flexible curriculum of any top business school in the world. Degree requirements cover very few required courses and a long list of electives. Free from the regimented set of core classes that other schools require, you are empowered to choose classes that suit your individual experiences, interests and career goals.

For more than a century, our faculty has been defining--and redefining--the way the world does business. Our professors revamped the science of the stock market; originated the study of modern finance; pioneered database marketing; and launched the Options Market as we know it. The Chicago GSB faculty has a reputation for developing economic, political, and theoretical frameworks upon which business is based. At Chicago GSB, faculty and students work together to create a supercharged intellectual community. Discussions are collegial, but intense. The result is a learning environment that stretches students' minds and broadens their perspectives.

Employment Prospects: Students Speak

Status: Alumnus/a, full-time
Dates of Enrollment: 9/2000-6/2002
Survey Submitted: September 2003

Most major firms recruit on campus. The largest placements are with Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, CSFB, McKinsey, BCG, Bain and AT Kearney. In addition, there is a very active energy group (one of the largest in the country); and Exxon, Shell, Chevron, BP and several utility firms take a number of students every year. Some 150 firms recruit on campus; and with the downturn in the economy, many people were placed via alumni in the last two years. I am contacted on a regular basis by the Career Services Office to ask for help with student interview training or placements. The school is ranked in the Top Five nationally.

Quality of Life: Students Speak

Status: Alumnus/a, full-time
Dates of Enrollment: 9/2000-6/2002
Survey Submitted: September 2003

Amazing, Chicago has to be the best city in the U.S. (if you can stand the weather).

Status: Current student, full-time
Dates of Enrollment: 9/2004-Submit Date
Survey Submitted: February 2006

Chicago is a great city to live in! It has all that you can expect in a major city--the restaurants, nightlife, theaters, shopping--and it is cheaper than the major coastal cities. There are plenty of housing options; most students live in Hyde Park, downtown or in Lincoln Park. Other attractive options include the South Loop (up-and-coming area), Bucktown and Wicker Park.

The campus is new (opened in September of 2004) and very well equipped. The whole building is Wi-Fi enabled; study rooms have plasma TVs into which students can plug their computers to discuss their assignments. There is also a cafeteria, study lounge and student lounge (with TVs, pool tables, a small pantry area and plenty of sofas, chairs and tables).

Social Life: Students Speak

Status: Alumnus/a, full-time
Dates of Enrollment: 9/1995-6/1997
Survey Submitted: June 2005

The GSB's social environment surpassed my wildest expectations and the friendships I developed in my two years there remain very strong. The school offers clubs for all types of interests, including an Investment Banking Group, a Latin American Business Group, and Gays and Lesbians in Business.