Hira Qureshi, Chicago Booth MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Tufts University, Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I have 8 years of experience in government and politics, including 3 years in federal consulting, 1.5 years as Director of Operations and Special Projects for the 2020 Biden for President campaign, and 3.5 years serving in the Biden-Harris Administration at the Treasury Department in two separate roles: Deputy White House Liaison and Senior Advisor for Management.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
During my time in government, I realized that to drive meaningful change in today’s fast-moving and complex world, I needed to sharpen my business skills and broaden my perspective beyond the public sector. Understanding how the government and private sector can work together to tackle big challenges is key. I also recognized that much of my training had been on-the-job, and I wanted to formalize that experience, particularly in areas like finance, which I hadn’t been able to fully address through my various roles. Pursuing an MBA felt like the best way to get focused, accelerated training to deepen my business knowledge and learn from leaders across industries.
The timing of this MBA aligns perfectly with both my professional goals and personal aspirations. I’ve reached a point in my career where I have a solid foundation of experience, but I recognize the value of stepping back to invest in sharpening my skills and gaining new perspectives. Business school will allow me to build on my background and transition into roles where I can lead strategic initiatives and cross-functional teams more effectively. In the long run, I believe this experience will prepare me to return to the public sector as a more knowledgeable and capable leader.
Why did you choose Chicago Booth? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Chicago Booth for several reasons. First, an MBA is a significant investment, and I wanted to make sure I’d get a solid framework to tackle business challenges throughout my career. Booth’s strengths in analytics and finance, along with its emphasis on data-driven decision-making, really stood out to me as key factors in helping me achieve that.
Second, Booth’s unparalleled curriculum flexibility was a major factor for me. I really appreciated that Booth recognizes there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to business education. Coming from an underrepresented industry, being able to tailor my MBA experience to incorporate my public sector background and fill in key knowledge gaps was especially important.
Finally, after speaking with students from several schools, Booth felt like the best cultural fit. I found that Booth students are not only highly accomplished but also humble and genuinely supportive, which made me confident that Booth would be the right environment for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I think my most valuable contribution is my unique perspective from my background in public service. I’ve navigated complex government and political environments, which gives me insights into how organizations can operate effectively and drive change. I’m eager to share those experiences and collaborate with my classmates on projects, bringing in real-world context. Plus, I love connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, so I’m looking forward to learning from everyone and contributing to a rich classroom dialogue.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a huge foodie. I love exploring new restaurants and discovering hidden gems in any city I visit. The food scene in Chicago was a major bonus in my decision to attend Booth.
Post-MBA career interests:
I plan to pursue a role at a strategy consulting firm or in corporate strategy and business operations.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to as many current and former MBA students as you can! I found that everyone was eager to answer my questions and share their perspectives. Each conversation gave me unique insights into different aspects of the program, which was incredibly helpful when it came time to write my essays. This made it easier to tailor my responses to questions like ‘Why Booth?’ in a way that felt authentic and avoided clichés.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started the application process earlier, especially with the essays. I spent a lot of time on self-reflection and clarifying my goals, which was really important for the rest of the application. The hardest part was just getting started with the essay drafts. I learned the hard way that it’s better to start writing rather than overthinking the perfect responses. Starting earlier would’ve given me more time to really refine my thoughts and responses.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I definitely would have skipped the standardized testing if I could have. It took up a lot of my time and energy that I would have preferred to spend on other aspects of the application. I started by preparing on my own but struggled to balance it with my full-time job, so I eventually enrolled in a prep course. That made the preparation more manageable and provided me with a supportive community during the demanding application process.
What is your initial impression of the Booth students/culture/community?
My initial impression of Booth has been extremely positive. Everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly friendly and approachable. It’s clear that Booth has a strong collaborative spirit, which has made it easy for me to connect with others and quickly feel like part of the Booth community. I’ve also been really impressed by how diverse the student body is, not just in terms of backgrounds, but in the wide range of experiences and perspectives everyone brings to the table.
What is one thing you have learned about Booth that has surprised you?
One thing that’s surprised me about Booth is how genuine the pay-it-forward culture is. Current students and alumni are eager to go out of their way to share their insights and offer mentorship without expecting anything in return. This creates an incredibly collaborative and supportive environment, which has already enriched my MBA experience, and I know it will continue to be one of my favorite things about Booth.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m most anxious about getting back into an academic setting while juggling recruitment, classes, and social activities. I really want to make the most of these two years to reach both my professional and personal goals. Balancing and prioritizing everything will definitely be a challenge, but I’m excited about the chance to learn and grow in new ways.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m really excited about getting to know my classmates. Booth does a fantastic job creating opportunities for students to connect even before the program starts—through programming like First Day, Random Walk, and orientation. I’ve already met so many amazing people from different backgrounds and made some great connections. Knowing I have a solid group of people to connect with from day one has really eased the transition into moving to Chicago and starting school. I’m looking forward to continuing to build new relationships throughout my time at Booth.
