Atsushi Yaguchi

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“Proactive, inquisitive, meticulous, and disciplined.”

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a spicy food lover and always order the spiciest food in any restaurant in any country.

Undergraduate School and Major: Keio University | Bachelor of Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Vice President at SMBC Nikko Securities

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Chicago Booth’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? A combination of the flexible curriculum and great faculty members is the most attractive aspect for me to chart the path to my future career from the first year.

I attended six different MBA Masterclasses before applying and am confident that the variety of courses as well as their analytical, data-driven and discipline-based approach will allow us to enjoy the uniqueness of this flexibility.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth, and why? PE/VC Lab – It is a signature, hands-on experience which gives us internship opportunities during the quarter while reflecting what we learn in the class.

What has been your first impression of the Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Factual – All the people I met were very helpful, open-minded, and humble, but what I found the most is their mindset to answer any questions based on facts and figures and that makes their opinions or advice more convincing.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Aside from the features and programs I mentioned, I believe Chicago is one of the best US cities hosting a top MBA program to live with families with access to nature and a lake. The Booth Partners Club also creates a supportive environment and great surroundings for my family.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Harvard, Columbia, MIT

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? Flexibility means you need to be responsible for your choice. As Booth provides a great number of courses and experiences, you need to know your interest and which opportunities in Booth will help you achieve your goals (and demonstrate it in your application). Talking with current students and alumni as well as joining MBA classes were very helpful as a primary source of information about Booth, and students/alumni are always your help if you take action.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2024