APPLICATION & ELIGIBILITY
Students must confirm that they meet eligibility requirements and then apply to take part in the PE/VC Lab. Participants are selected through a competitive application and interview process.
You can watch a recording of the PE/VC Lab info session to familiarize yourself with the program as you begin the application process. Career switchers are also encouraged to watch the recording of professor Chris McGowan’s Private Equity Landscape and Skills for Career Changers presentation and PE Interview Prep for Career Changers presentation.
ELIGIBILITY
- The PE/VC Lab is open to Full-Time, Evening, and Weekend MBA Program students at Chicago Booth. XP students are not eligible to participate. The PE/VC Lab is not currently open to undergraduate or graduate students outside of Chicago Booth.
- International students (first year and second year) are eligible to participate in the PE/VC Lab through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training (AT) authorization. International students will be required to complete an attestation form to confirm they’ve met with OIA and will take the necessary steps to complete their CPT. International students may consult this document for further information regarding eligibility requirements.
- Prior professional experience in private equity or venture capital is not needed to be considered for the PE/VC Lab. Additionally, there is no specific background or resume that will guarantee entry to the Lab.
- The PE/VC Lab requires a significant time commitment. In addition to weekly three-hour class sessions, participants are expected to work 15-20 hours at their internship for at least 10 weeks and it is recommended that students only register for a total of three courses (including the Lab) during the quarter in which they are interning. Applicants must be willing and able to make this time commitment.
APPLICATION
To be considered for the PE/VC Lab, students must complete the PE/VC Lab Student Application by October 13, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT. *Please note there is only one application deadline for both the winter and spring terms of the PE/VC Lab. If you intend to participate in the PE/VC Lab during any portion of the 2023-24 academic year, you must apply in alignment with the October 13th deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
MATCHING AND SELECTION PROCESS
Following the application deadline, the Polsky Center team shares student resumes with participating firms based on the students’ firms of preference as indicated on the student application.
Which firms will receive my resume?
On the student application, students will be able to review a list of host firms participating in the program. Students will be able to select up to 25 firms to which they’d like their resume to be sent.
Can I bring a new firm into the program?
Students who line up an internship with a firm not associated with the Lab and wish to count that internship toward the Lab must: 1) complete a petition form to have the internship approved for the Lab; and 2) return a PE/VC Lab Host Firm Agreement form signed by your supervisor at the firm. Please complete the petition form prior to accepting your internship offer. All petition forms will be reviewed by the PE/VC Lab faculty and staff, and a decision will be communicated to you within two business days of submitting the petition. Please also review the terms of participation with your firm which can be found in the PE/VC Lab Host Firm Agreement.
How many firms will my resume go to, and how can I find out where it went?
Students can expect that their resume will be distributed to up to 25 firms based on the host firms selected by the student in their application submission.
What happens after my resume is sent to firms?
Once host firms receive resume sets, they will screen candidates, arrange interviews, and select an intern. The interview and selection process is conducted entirely by the firm—the firm determines how many students to interview and what the interview process looks like. As a result, students should recognize that the Polsky Center may not be in a position to know about their status. The firm also sets its own timeline for interviews and selection. Some firms interview and select interns as early as December, while others take until March to hire an intern. You could be invited to interview with a firm any point between early December and mid-March. Please note that not all applicants will receive an interview request. All selections must be completed by the startup of the spring term.
What is the acceptance rate to the PE/VC Lab?
In a typical year, 375 – 400 students apply to the PE/VC Lab. Approximately half of applicants (~200) will secure internships.
Do I need to have prior PE or VC experience to be accepted?
No, prior experience in PE/VC is not required. In a typical year, 50-60% of accepted students will not have prior industry experience.
What do PE/VC Lab firms look for in candidates?
There are a variety of firms that participate in the Lab, and each looks for a specific background based on their investment stage, industry focus and current projects. There is no one background that will guarantee entry into the Lab.
What are the next steps after accepting an internship offer?
In order to be enrolled in the Lab course, students must notify the Polsky Center of their selection by a firm. The Polsky Center will ask the student to complete an intake form to capture necessary information for course registration, and share their name with the Registrar’s Office, who will enroll the student in the winter or spring-term PE/VC Lab course.