Sarah George

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“DI lacrosse defender, defender against global threats, pursues career in emerging space technologies, proud mom.”

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Fun Fact About Yourself: Before dating, my husband and I were partners in flight school together and completed tactical dog-fighting maneuvers (as seen in Top Gun) against each other in Navy trainer jets. I won.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Naval Academy, English

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Employed by the U.S. Navy while working for NATO as a U.S. Navy Information Warfare Officer

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 really stood out to me about Booth was the world-class faculty. With so many Nobel Prize–winning professors, there’s no better place to learn from the best. For someone whose career interests sit at the intersection of consulting and emerging space technologies, it’s especially meaningful to study under active industry experts who have thrived in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

The Booth MBA is also known for being highly data-driven. Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How have been able to leverage this approach in your career so far? In the Navy and at NATO, every mission I’ve experienced reinforced the importance of data-driven decision-making. When I deployed to the Middle East, our ship often had to respond to threats in the Strait of Hormuz with only moments to act. The process was always the same: gather the best data available, analyze it quickly, and make a decision that could protect lives. Experiencing that over-and-over taught me the value of a disciplined, data-based approach. That’s why Booth’s focus on quantitative analysis resonates with me—it’s the same mindset I’ve relied on in the most high-stakes situations.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago? Parents of Little Ones (POLO). Since applying, my husband (University of Chicago MPP/MBA ’27) and I have welcomed our first child and we will welcome our second little one, just in time for the start of Autumn Quarter! Having met several members of the POLO club, I know this group will offer tremendous support as we all navigate professional pursuits while balancing family life.

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. Everyone I’ve met has been truly authentic. During the application process, I connected with an AFG co-chair to ask about life at Booth and applying as a military servicemember. He not only shared honest, helpful advice, but also went above and beyond by offering career and personal insights later on. He embodied the kind of supportive classmate and colleague I hope to have at Booth and in business. Like many Boothies I’ve met, he showed a real interest in me as a person and in strengthening the broader Booth community.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? This city has it all. Chicago is an exceptional place to earn an MBA because it combines world-class business opportunities with a collaborative, Midwest culture. As a global hub for finance, consulting, and technology, Chicago provides incredible access to leading firms and alumni networks right outside Booth’s doors. At the same time, Chicago’s approachable Midwest culture makes it easy to build authentic relationships with peers, mentors, and industry leaders.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My proudest accomplishment has been mentoring junior sailors. Whether it involved assisting a junior sailor in her application (and acceptance) to college, guiding a distressed sailor to seek mental health treatment, or advocating for my all-star sailor to receive top Fleet Awards, I truly love investing in my team, learning what motivates an individual, and doing what I can to help them achieve their goals.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? My advice is to really understand Booth’s culture and how you fit within it. One of Booth’s defining traits is the ‘pay it forward’ mindset—people go out of their way to help without expecting anything in return. If that resonates with you, lean into it and showcase how you embody that same spirit!

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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