Applying to Selective Business Programs
Eligibility
The Trott Business Program and Financial Markets Program applications are available in the Spring quarter to all 1st year students. There is no academic major requirement; however, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply. Transfer students and students returning from a leave of absence may also be eligible to apply. For more information, please see the section on transfer students and leave of absence below.
Which One is Right for Me: the Trott Business Program or the Financial Markets Program?
The Trott Business Program focuses on business in general and will allow students to explore a range of opportunities including (but not limited to) consulting, investment banking, investment management, private equity, sales & trading, corporate and e-commerce, marketing, and advertising. The Financial Markets Program seeks to provide students interested in mathematical modeling, programming, and other quantitative topics with the tools and experience necessary to pursue a career in trading, financial modeling, or quantitative analysis.
Students may submit applications to both the Trott Business Program and the Financial Markets Program, but may only participate in one of the two.
Applying
Application materials for both the Trott Business Program and Financial Markets Program are submitted online via UChicago Handshake. Applications for current 1st years were due April 15th, 2024. Students will receive decisions by May 31, 2024.
The following materials will be required for a complete Trott Business Program application:
1. One-page resume
2. Application Questionnaire
3. Unofficial UChicago Transcript (A 3.0 GPA or higher is required to apply)
4. Written essay responses
5. Recorded video interview responses
The following materials will be required for a complete Financial Markets Program application:
1. One-page resume
2. Application Questionnaire
3. Unofficial UChicago Transcript (A 3.0 GPA or higher is required to apply)
4. Written essay responses
5. In-person interview
Transfer Students or Leave of Absence
If you completed your first year of college at a different institution or are returning from a leave of absence and will be a rising second year in the upcoming academic year, the application process and requirements are the same as those listed above. If you have any questions, or are not activated on UChicago Handshake, you may email Nancy Schaller at nschaller@uchicago.edu.
Evaluations and Decisions
Applications for current 1st years were due April 15th, 2024. Students will receive decisions by May 31, 2024.
FAQ Applying to Selective Business Program
Upperclass students can receive advising and participate in business career exploration, skill development and recruiting preparation activities through Careers in Business.
Yes. We have many students who take a quarter off to study abroad. Students who are interested in being a part of the Trott Business Program and studying abroad should talk with their business career adviser to create a plan that ensures they will maintain committed and active participation in the program, and complete course requirements.
If you feel like you will likely drop below the required GPA, you should meet with your academic adviser, and make your business career adviser aware as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Each situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you feel you are struggling to maintain grades or handle stress in general, or you need guidance on how to more effectively manage your time, you might consider reaching out to the Student Counseling Service (SCS) to learn about their Academic Study Skills Assessment Program (ASAP). ASAP assists students with improving academic performance through assessment, short-term coaching and referral. For more information, call (773) 702-9800 to make an appointment or visit the Student Health and Counseling Services website.
Yes, you have access to everything Career Advancement offers and you will have specialized advising from Trott and Financial Markets program advisers.
Yes, you can take up to six courses, which is the limit for undergraduate students. For more information about taking courses at Chicago Booth as an undergraduate, visit the College website.
No, you can, and should, major in whatever you like.
E-mail Nancy Schaller at nschaller@uchicago.edu.
"The Trott Business Program was extremely helpful in teaching me more about the careers and opportunities in business I found myself interested in early in my college career."