Chicago Booth Admission Strategy 2025: Record High Applications, the Toughest GMAT in History, and Why Candidates from Japan Should Bet on the GRE

Hello everyone, this is TJ, CEO of Alpha Advisors.
Today I will break down the latest Chicago Booth MBA data and explain how applicants from Japan can position themselves to win in an increasingly competitive environment.

Booth is now in one of the most intense application cycles ever, driven by all time high application volumes and unprecedented GMAT inflation.
Yet ironically, this moment offers a growing advantage for applicants from Japan.

(1) Chicago Booth Applications Hit a Record High for the Second Year in a Row

Global demand for MBAs is heating up again

Booth’s recent application numbers:

• 2026 intake: 5,125 applications (+21 percent)
• 2027 intake: 5,876 applications (+15 percent)

This mirrors a clear trend across the top business schools. As global markets prepare for the next economic upswing, more professionals are returning to business school as a strategic investment.

Booth currently shows the strongest application growth among the M7. Candidates worldwide aiming for careers in finance, consulting, and analytics driven roles are fueling this surge.

GMAT Hits Its Hardest Level Ever, While GRE Submissions Surge

For the Class of 2027:

• Average GMAT: 736 (highest range among the M7)
• GRE submission rate: 42 percent (significant jump)
• Average GRE: 324 (stable)

Two signals stand out:

1. The GMAT pool is extraordinarily strong
2. Applicants using the GRE are increasing quickly

Bottom line: Booth is now one of the most GRE friendly schools in the M7.
GMAT scores continue to inflate because the strongest candidates globally disproportionately choose the GMAT.
The GRE remains more variable on the upside and comparatively less congested.

Shifts in Class Diversity: Rising International Presence

For the Class of 2027:

• Underrepresented US minority share: 18 percent to 12 percent
• International share: 35 percent to 37 percent
• Women: slight decrease at 41 percent

Social and political dynamics in the United States are producing fluctuations in diversity statistics across the M7.
However, the international portion of the class continues to rise, which is advantageous for applicants from Japan.

A quick comparison:

Wharton’s drop suggests more globally competitive applicants may shift toward Booth in future cycles.

Career Trends: Consulting Down, Finance Up

Booth’s latest career data shows:

• Consulting: 27 percent to 23 percent
• Finance: 18 percent to 22 percent

This reflects a broader M7 trend:
finance hiring is rebounding, especially in private equity, investment banking, and asset management.

If you want a finance career, now is an excellent time to choose Booth.
Consulting recruiting, on the other hand, is tightening worldwide.

(2) Strategy for Applicants from Japan (Alpha Method)

1. Choosing the GRE Offers a Major Advantage

Reasons:

• GRE submission rate has risen to 42 percent, indicating higher institutional emphasis
• Average GRE remains stable at 324
• GMAT 736 is an exceptionally inflated benchmark

In other words:

• Competing in the GMAT pool means facing the strongest candidates from large talent markets such as India and China
• The GRE fits applicants with balanced quantitative and verbal strengths, which often aligns well with Japanese applicants’ profiles

Across Alpha’s recent admits, 60 to 70 percent of Booth admits submitted GRE scores.

2. The International Share Is Growing, Favoring Applicants from Japan

Booth is actively strengthening the global diversity of its class. The school is in a phase of elevating the caliber of international students.
Profiles that resonate strongly at the moment include individuals with:

• Professional experience in large corporations
• Backgrounds in finance, consulting, or trading firms
• Overseas assignments or global project exposure
• Clear ambitions for careers across the United States, Europe, or Asia

3. Competitive Benchmarks for Admission

Alpha’s data driven estimates:

• GRE: 322 to 327 (324 to 325 frequently crosses the threshold)
• GMAT: 720 to 760
• GPA: 3.3 to 3.8
• Work experience: 3 to 6 years is a particularly successful band

4. Consulting Applicants Face Headwinds, Finance Applicants Benefit

Why:

• Consulting demand is cooling globally
• Finance hiring in IB, PE, and AM is recovering
• Booth’s career support for finance roles is exceptionally strong

For candidates targeting finance, Booth currently offers one of the highest returns on investment.

5. “Why Booth” Determines the Outcome for Applicants from Japan

Booth’s strengths lie in:

• Analytics
• Finance
• Managerial science
• Entrepreneurship and venture ecosystems

Applicants who fail to articulate a precise “Why Booth” are often rejected quickly.

In Alpha’s coaching, we emphasize:

• Linking your concrete professional achievements to Booth’s curriculum
• Connecting your post MBA goals directly to Booth’s network and career pipelines
• Building a story grounded in data driven reasoning and finance competencies

This clarity dramatically strengthens your candidacy.

(3) Chicago Booth Application Strategy

1. Why Booth Is Experiencing Explosive Application Growth

Two consecutive years of record breaking demand reflect a global pattern:
Professionals are returning to business school ahead of anticipated economic expansion.

Booth remains especially attractive for candidates seeking strengths in:

• Finance
• Data analytics
• Consulting
• Entrepreneurship and venture capital

This has drawn strong applicants from across Asia and Europe.

2. GMAT Inflation Makes It Nearly Unusable, but the GRE Remains Viable

Key data:

• Average GMAT: 736
• Range: 690 to 770

The GMAT pool has become a battleground for the world’s most elite test takers, making it extremely difficult for many applicants to compete.

In contrast, the GRE:

• Has a rapidly rising submission rate
• Maintains a stable average of 324

Conclusion:
For many applicants from Japan, the GRE is the strategic choice.

GMAT inflation shows no signs of slowing, while the GRE still allows for upward variance.

3. Expanding International Representation Creates Tailwinds for Applicants from Japan

Booth increased its international share from 35 percent to 37 percent, representing 63 home countries.
At the same time, the decrease in US URM representation signals a shift toward strengthening the global academic profile of the cohort.

This directly benefits qualified applicants from Japan.

4. Consulting Is Tightening, Finance Is Strengthening

Pre MBA background distribution shows:

• Consulting: 27 percent to 23 percent
• Finance: 18 percent to 22 percent

With the global consulting market entering a slower hiring phase, Booth’s rising finance opportunities create a strong strategic fit for candidates with finance driven goals.

5. Admission Targets and Strategy for Applicants from Japan

Alpha’s recommended benchmarks:

• GRE: 322 to 327 (with 324 as a strong competitive anchor)
• GPA: 3.3 to 3.8
• Work experience: 3 to 6 years
• A highly specific and compelling “Why Booth”

Booth favors structured, evidence based narratives.
Abstract or generic essays are typically rejected.

Successful applicants build stories grounded in:

• Demonstrable quantitative achievements
• Clear leadership evidence
• A coherent finance or data driven career trajectory

This significantly elevates admission probability.

Summary

Booth is more competitive than ever, yet uniquely favorable for applicants from Japan.

If you are targeting Booth or any M7 program, reach out through Alpha’s free consultation link.
We will help you craft the fastest and most effective admission strategy tailored to your goals.

Free Consultation Here ＞ Free Consultation

Learn More About Our MBA Advisory Program Trusted by Successful Applicants to Top Global MBAs ＞【Alpha Advisors MBA Study Abroad Support】

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TJ Profile

TJ: Formerly with Sumitomo Corporation, where he worked in the Corporate Accounting Department overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and performance management for over 800 domestic and overseas group companies, as well as IR (Investor Relations) activities. Selected as the youngest trainee for Sumitomo Corporation of America (New York), where he contributed to the restructuring of a U.S. electric arc furnace steel business invested in by Sumitomo. Later joined the Project Finance Department, where he was engaged in arranging large-scale financings for infrastructure projects in developing countries and financing for Jupiter Telecommunications. Selected as a company-sponsored candidate for overseas MBA programs.

Earned his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Organizational Management. Founder of the University of Chicago Japanese Association. Initiated and executed the school’s first-ever “Japan Trip”, which has since become an annual tradition.

Subsequently joined Goldman Sachs Japan’s Investment Banking Division, where he advised on numerous M&A transactions in the media and consumer sectors, supported capital raising including IPOs, and worked on private equity investments and corporate restructuring assignments.

Selected as one of only six fellows (out of over 200 applicants) for the 4th Entrepreneurial Leadership Program of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai), where he received mentorship from leading entrepreneurs including Hideo Sawada, Chairman of H.I.S.

Served as President of the Chicago Booth Alumni Association in Japan (2006–2010). Has guided numerous candidates to admission at top MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, and other leading schools in the U.S., Europe, and Asia), graduate schools, universities, and boarding schools. Track record of placing students at leading global firms including Mitsubishi Corporation, McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Google, Big 4 consulting/FAS, Dentsu, Toyota, MUFG Bank, Nomura Securities, among others.

Renowned for his rigorous one-on-one coaching for TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, and GRE, with a reputation for pushing candidates to fully complete their preparation. Highly regarded for his ability to design and achieve career and academic goals with unmatched quality and precision. As a result, he is in high demand as an advisor, with numerous requests to work directly under his guidance.