Chicago Booth FT MBA

Dean Edward A. Snyder,

It has come to our attention that the PT student body has initiated a petition to allow unrestricted access to all recruiting resources, internship opportunities and corporate events. This is a counter petition to avoid further modifications to what we believe is already a generous recruiting policy.

The arguments presented in the other petition are specious at best. For instance, while the PT student body claims they do not have "equitable" recruiting opportunities, in reality, Booth already extends virtually unrestricted access to many FT recruiting events. This is evidenced by the relatively insignificant hurdles we impose on PT students - a minimum number of completed courses and some rudimentary training. Moreover, these requirements pale in comparison to other peer programs. For instance, Kellogg requires students to receive permission from their current employers before participating in on-campus recruiting, a requirement that seems both reasonable and fair (and yet, one we have not implemented).

The PT student body further claims that they "pay more" than full-time students and should therefore receive identical access. We disagree. There are material differences between the two student bodies that require different treatment. For example, PT students are, by and large, already fully employed. To suggest that this puts them in the same position as someone who has left the work force for a full two-years and has incurred the associated opportunity costs and risks is frankly, patently absurd.

It seems clear to us that the real purpose of the PT student body's petition is to find a "back-door" into the more selective FT program. We firmly believe that the requests put forth in the PT student petition would materially dilute the value of the Chicago Booth brand and combined with what we view as an already liberal policy, respectfully request that you reject their request.