The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business

How To Approach Booth’s New Video Statement

Chicago Booth MBA interview invitations are trickling out. This year, however, offers a new element to the interview: a 60-second video statement.

Bill Kooser, an MBA Admissions consultant and Director at Fortuna Admissions and former Booth Associate Dean, recently discussed the new Booth video component and how applicants should go about addressing it.

WHAT IS A VIDEO STATEMENT?

In recent years, many b-schools have begun to implement mandatory video statements as a way to learn more about their applicants.

At MIT Sloan, MBA applicants are required to upload a 60-second video as part of their application. Sloan asks applicants to introduce themselves to their future classmates, discuss their past experiences, and touch on why Sloan is the best fit for their goals.

Kooser says the video statement is a way for b-schools to get a more authentic portrait of an applicant.

“While programs have different time limits and questions, all are seeking an authentic and unscripted glimpse of your poise, character, motivations and ambitions,” he writes. “In addition to seeing you in action, your video presentation allows the MBA admissions committee to assess your confidence, presentation style, language skills, and ability to think on your feet.”

BOOTH VIDEO STATEMENT

Booth asks applicants to address the following in their video statement:

1. Tell us about something new you learned recently that shifted your worldview. How did it influence your behavior and/or actions?
2. What is something you wish people knew about you, but you’re not sure that they do?

Kooser says how you address these questions is more important than what you actually say.

“Booth is deploying this approach as a way to get to know you in a different way – to actually see you, get a sense of your communication style and ability, and to gauge personality,” he writes.

The first prompt, Kooser says, is an opportunity for applicants to discuss their values, passions, and how recent circumstances have pushed you to grow or drive change.

“There are many issues in the world today that could influence this response – BLM, the election in the US, China-US relations, climate issues, Covid – the list goes on,” Kooser writes. “This is a chance to highlight an issue important to you and show that you not only pay attention to what’s going on, but also have been motivated to take some action.”

The second prompt offers a more personal or playful approach.

“It is more about your personality and interests rather than your view of world events. I would use this question if there is something REALLY intriguing about you – not something that could be considered ‘run of the mill,’” Kooser writes. “I think the key here is focus even more on personality. If you go with this question, you’ll want the issue to be captivating and there is even more opportunity to deploy humor, unusual location, props, etc., to get the message across.”

Sources: Fortuna Admissions, MIT Sloan

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