Enrique Rodriguez Chernilo

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“Impact-driven person in the constant pursuit of improving myself and helping those around me.”

Hometown: Santiago, Chile

Fun Fact About Yourself: I embody a particular blend of cultures that have fueled my passion for traveling, leading me to visit more than 25 countries and over 80 cities. I plan to keep that number growing!

Undergraduate School and Major: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Industrial Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: RedSalud CChC, Assistant Director of Medical Projects

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?  What truly stood out to me was Booth’s flexible yet robust curriculum. The ability to craft my own Booth experience aligns perfectly with my goal to maximize my two-year journey. This tailor-made approach, customized to target my weaknesses while amplifying my strengths, is very enticing.

My aspiration is to enrich my problem-solving toolkit and deepen my business acumen. Booth’s unparalleled access to a wide range of industry experts as well as business leaders from around the globe assures me that I’ll not only grow academically but also holistically, ensuring I emerge as a versatile and impactful business leader.

Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How have you been able to leverage this approach in your career so far?  As an engineer, I recognize the pivotal role of data-driven decisions in achieving success. Complex, dynamic environments demand a multidimensional approach, yet anchoring decisions in reliable data maximizes predictability. Furthermore, data-backed decisions offer a solid rationale, even if outcomes diverge from expectations.

I also hold that a rigorous, unbiased approach to real-life problem-solving enhances the likelihood of successful solutions. My mindset of ‘challenging everything’ aligns seamlessly with the Chicago Approach, and Booth’s robust theoretical frameworks offer the ideal environment to foster this mentality.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth?  What truly captivates me at Chicago Booth is the palpable commitment to hands-on and experiential learning opportunities such as the student-run LEAD, the ‘Giving Something Back’ Club, Polsky Center’s SNVC, and the interdisciplinary GPHAP. Yet, one experience that particularly excites me is the Random Walk. Connecting with future peers in an unfamiliar setting before starting my MBA promises unforgettable memories and lasting relationships.

What has been your first impression of the Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Booth story so far. My initial encounters with Booth MBA students and alumni have left a lasting impression. I’ve found them to be a blend of intellectual curiosity and genuine kindness, always ready to extend a helping hand. This embodiment of Booth’s pay-it-forward culture has materialized in the advice and support I’ve received—even as a prospective student before receiving an offer.

My best Booth story so far is the immediate and warm response I received from the nearly 20 Boothies I engaged with during my application process, most of whom I hadn’t met before. What struck me most was the accessibility and willingness to engage from all of them. I’m very excited to know that this is just a glimpse of the welcoming and supportive community at Booth. I’m looking forward to being part of such an amazing community.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Chicago is more than just a city—it’s a place where energy surges in every corner. From the electric atmosphere of a Bulls game and savoring deep-dish pepperoni pizza, to immersing in its blues roots at spots like Blue Chicago. You can have a memorable time exploring its iconic architecture through the Chicago Architecture River Cruise Tour or countless visits to the beautiful Art Institute of Chicago and make the most of your MBA experience.

Beyond the cultural allure, Chicago is a hub of innovation. The city’s dynamic business landscape means cutting-edge companies recruit on campus, enabling direct connections and firsthand cultural insights. Moreover, O’Hare International Airport’s strategic connectivity fosters an unparalleled networking and traveling advantage.

In short, if you’re seeking a dynamic city where global connections thrive, and your professional horizons expand, Chicago is the place to be.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most significant career accomplishment is becoming an educator in Project Management and Information Management for over fifty clinicians at a graduate level in my country. Following seven years of dedicated service in one of Chile’s largest healthcare providers, I learned first-hand the profound sacrifices clinicians made during the COVID outbreak. Motivated by the desire of giving something back to them, I embraced the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. Serving as a teacher not only allowed me to showcase my expertise, but also guide fellow professionals, help them learn new skills, and ultimately enhance patient care.

This experience has ingrained in me the importance of community contribution and helped me multiply my impact through collective betterment, a philosophy I’m poised to carry forward with my Booth MBA degree.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?  Northwestern Kellogg, Berkeley Haas, UCLA Anderson, Duke Fuqua, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? Strategically evaluate your profile and deeply explore your strengths and areas for growth. Craft a narrative that highlights your core values while addressing weaknesses and how you’ve proactively managed them. Elite institutions seek exceptional talent, valuing both career and personal progression.

Once your profile and story are solidified, clearly articulate your short-term and long-term objectives. Detail how Booth’s unique resources will tangibly contribute to achieving these goals. To truly understand if Booth is the ideal fit for you, actively engage with the community: connect with alumni, engage with current students, and participate in admission events. This comprehensive approach will empower you to make an informed decision aligning with your aspirations.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2025