Frequently Asked Questions
About
1 / What is a Random Walk?
Founded in 2001, Random Walk was created to foster meaningful, lasting relationships among incoming Chicago Booth students through carefully crafted domestic and international travel experiences prior to the start of the MBA program. Through close collaboration with Booth’s Graduate Business Council, Booth administration, and trusted travel partners, Random Walk has become a cornerstone of the Booth experience and grown into the most successful pre-MBA travel program in the United States.
2 / When are the trip dates?
Trip dates are staggered, with departures as early as Thursday, August 26, 2026 and all trips concluding no later than Sunday, September 6, 2026. Check the Trip List pages to see each trip’s specific departure and return date.
3 / Who can participate in a Random Walk?
The program is designed exclusively for incoming Chicago Booth students enrolled in the Full-Time MBA program. The program offers 35 total trips: 30 singles trips (including 2 domestic destinations) and 5 partner-inclusive trips (including 1 domestic destination) Most trips consist of 12–16 first-year students and 4 second-year trip leaders.
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Students enrolled in other Booth programs, including but not limited to Evening MBA, Weekend MBA, and Executive MBA are not permitted to participate in a Random Walk – even in cases where they may be enrolled in classes offered through the Full-Time MBA program. Students who enroll in the Full-Time MBA program but then cancel or defer their matriculation are also ineligible to participate. Financial penalties for cancellation from a Random Walk will be imposed in accordance with terms in effect at the time of cancellation. Students cannot bring children of any age on a Random Walk.​
4 / Can Random Walk accommodate specific accessibility needs? Which trips best suit my needs?
Random Walk aims to be inclusive of all in our community, so we will partner with you, our vendors, and Booth Student Life to do everything possible to make your Random Walk experience accessible. Please reach out to us directly for any concerns related to accessibility.
5 / How flexible is a trip’s itinerary?
Trip itineraries are established in advance by the Random Walk Committee and our vendor partners with input from trip leaders. While there is no flexibility with respect to t trip dates or hotel accommodations, most trips include designated free time for exploration. How that free time is spent can be discussed with your trip leaders.
As Random Walk is designed to foster connection and community among classmates, we discourage individuals or small sub-groups splitting off separate from the larger group for scheduled meals, activities, and excursions.
6 / I have a "can't miss" wedding on the departure or return weekend. Can I join the group late or leave early?
Trips are offered across a range of dates, including several shorter-duration options this year to help accommodate scheduling conflicts. Applicants are expected to rank trips whose dates align with their complete availability.
Arriving late or departing early is generally discouraged and will not typically reduce the trip cost, as participants are still responsible for their share of accommodations and activities for the full itinerary. In some cases, costs may be slightly higher than the standard package price.
If you have a “can’t-miss” event and are unable to rank five trips that are compatible with your schedule, please contact randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu with details of your date conflict. All exception requests will be reviewed by university administration, and approved exceptions will be communicated after trip assignments are finalized.
7 / Can I stay longer in my trip destination?
All international Random Walk trips will have flights booked by our vendor partners , and admits are unable to extend their travel. Booth requires all incoming students to fly with the group. If you would like the flexibility to book your own flight and extend travels, please rank domestic destinations in your top choices as all travelers will have the flexibility to book their own flights for these trips.
8 / Do I have to fly out with the group from Chicago or can I meet up at the trip destination?
All international Random Walk trips will have flights booked by our vendor partners, and admits are unable to extend their travel. Booth requires all incoming students to fly with the group. If you would like the flexibility to book your own flight and extend travels, please rank domestic destinations in your top choices as all travelers will have the flexibility to book their own flights for these trips.
9 / Will I miss any Chicago Booth activities if I go on a Random Walk?
As set forth by the university, all trips will return before orientation and classes.
10 / I can't make these trip dates work. Do I have any other options?
Unfortunately, due to internship schedules of second year students on the front end, and pre-MBA classes and orientation on the back end, there are no other date options for Random Walk-style trips. We do try to offer many different date options in order to give admits options to choose from. If you cannot make these dates, you will certainly have many opportunities to interact with your new classmates during orientation.
11 / Will I have a roommate during Random Walk?
All travelers will be assigned a roommate for the duration of their Random Walk. Trip Leaders will room together, and incoming students will be randomly assigned to room with another incoming student of the same gender. To maximize the amount of bonding and interaction, your roommate may change whenever you change hotels. Booth Couples are the exception as they will be able to room with their partner for the duration of their trip. If you are traveling with your partner and it is not a designated Couples trip, please email us at randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu.
Registration
12 / How does the trip registration process work?
Online registration opens on February 13th and closes on February 17th for Round 1 admitted students. Registration opens on May 1st and closes on May 5th for Round 2 admitted students.. During these times, a link will be activated on the Random Walk website that will allow you to register and list your top-five trip preferences. If you are registering in these time windows, there is no need to rush as registrations are not first come, first served. All registrations received during these periods will be randomized before trip assignments are made following the Round 2 registration window.
When you register, a nonrefundable deposit of $300 will be required. This deposit must be made via e-check (if you have a U.S. bank account) or by credit card. Credit card payments carry a 2% handling fee. All registrations must be made via the website. If you have only international forms of payment, please email randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu for wire instructions.
Registration for the waitlist will open for ALL incoming students at 9 a.m. CDT on Monday, May 11th. Please note that waitlist registration is first come, first served.
13 / What does it mean to be put on the Random Walk waitlist?
Once registration closes, the Random Walk website will be updated to include instructions on being added to the waitlist. To ask questions about the process, students can e-mail the Random Walk Team at randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu. Once the waitlist is open, students will be able to register without paying a deposit. During registration, students will still list their top 5 choices. When waitlist assignments begin, we will email students based on the order in which they were added. We will include all trips that are available at that time, and students will rank their choices based on their priority order. Example: student #4 will list their top 4 choices from the available trips.
The waitlist is managed by our vendor partners during the summer and students on the waitlist are periodically notified of status. Please note in recent years, all individuals on the waitlist have been offered a chance to participate in a Random Walk. While we cannot always guarantee this will be the case, we encourage those interested to add themselves to the waitlist. We plan to begin waitlist placements on June 8th.
14 / Waitlist Common Questions
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Q14a: “What should I do if I am the 8th on the list, but I am only interested in 6 of the trips?”
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A: Only list trips you would be willing to commit to. If we do not have a spot for you on any of the 6 trips you listed, you will remain on the waitlist in your original spot and will have an opportunity to re-rank when we send openings to the next wave of the waitlist. Please note it is likely that the number of trips we will have to offer you will be much smaller. Early commitment is the best way to guarantee a spot on a Random Walk, so we encourage you to be as flexible as possible.
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Q14b: “What if I respond to the e-mail and say I’d rather wait until the next wave?”
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A: We will hold your place on the waitlist, and we will offer you an additional opportunity in the next wave for whatever destinations remain open at that time.
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Q14c: “What if I respond to the e-mail and am offered a trip I listed, but decide not to take it?
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A: We will keep you on the waitlist, but we will drop you to the bottom of the list. Accordingly, please only list trips you will accept.
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Q14d: “What if I don’t respond to the e-mail?”
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A: Unless you have already told us (or tell us now) you will be out of the country and offline, we will keep you on the waitlist, but may drop you to the bottom of the list.
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Q14e: “What if I accept an assignment and a trip I prefer opens later?”
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A: Just as we did not reshuffle assignments for admits who registered during normal registration– so that you would have a robust list of trips to select from – we also are not reshuffling assignments for Waitlist participants once you sign up to leave options for those incoming students further down the waitlist from you.
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A: To ensure a fair and orderly process, trip assignments are not reshuffled once they are accepted. Just as we did not reshuffle assignments during the initial registration period—so that all admits had a full and stable set of options—we also do not reshuffle assignments for waitlisted participants after they accept a trip.
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15 / I am only interested in going on a specific trip – can I sign up and be guaranteed of getting that one?
No, your spot will not be guaranteed. The registration system will require you to choose five distinct destinations.They are all great!
16 / Can I be on the same Random Walk as another incoming student?
Friendship pairings can't be guaranteed. To maximize your chances of this, we would ask that both friends register online simultaneously, listing choices in the exact same order. Then, send an e-mail to randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu letting us know of your preference. While we can try to get you on the same trip, please note this could diminish your chances of getting your preferred choices.
17 / Can my significant other register for a Random Walk?
Please refer to the Partner Trips tab to see which trips are available for partner participation.
Couples where both partners are matriculating at Booth have the option of choosing a Couples trip, but also can choose any other of the Random Walk destinations if they prefer. In this case, if both partners want to attend the same singles trip together, they should email randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu to notify us of their preference to travel together or separately.
If you would like to attend a Couples trip, you must register both yourself and your significant other at the same time you submit your trip preferences. Please note that a $300 per person non-refundable deposit will be required at registration for both the student and the partner, and that you will be unable to register your significant other at a later date.
We cannot guarantee placement on any specific trip out of the five exclusively. Couples trips. If we cannot find space for you on one of the Couples trips, our vendor partners will refund your significant other’s deposit and contact you regarding your interest in a non-couples trip. If you choose not to attend a non-couples trip, your $300 deposit will also be refunded.
Financials
18 / How much do trips cost?
The range for trips this year is between $2,300 and $4,550 per person, based on double occupancy rooms. Please note that a 2% convenience fee applies to credit card payments.
19 / What is typically included in the price?
The program price includes transportation within the country, lodging, breakfast daily, and selected activities/cultural events. On a typical trip, most lunches and dinners are not included. All international trips include long haul air. Visas, where required, are not included in the program price.
20 / How much should I expect to spend out of pocket during the trip?
This will depend on the additional activities you choose to participate in, the amount of shopping you do, and what you decide to spend on food and beverages. We find that generally people spend around US$500 during their trip, but it really varies by individual and by the cost of living in each country. Some will spend more than that, some less.
21 / Can I use frequent flyer miles to purchase my flight?
As flights are booked in advance at group rates, frequent flyer miles can't be used as a method of payment. However, you may be eligible to earn frequent flier miles for many of the Random Walk flights. Note that some airline group contracts do not allow frequent flier mileage accumulation or allow a partial accumulation. If you would like the flexibility to book your own flight using miles, please consider ranking domestic destinations in your top choices.
22 / How can I make payment?
Deposits can be paid online via e-check (if you have a U.S. bank account) or credit card. If you have extenuating circumstances and cannot pay by these methods, please contact the Random Walk Team at randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu.
23 / When is final payment for my Random Walk trip due?
A non-refundable $300 deposit is payable at registration and will be applied to your final payment. Final payments for all Random Walk Trips are due on Tuesday June 2, 2026. Failure to make payment in full by this date will result in cancellation of your registration.
24 / I bet I could arrange this trip for less money. How are the trip costs determined?
Booth has partnered with professional travel vendors to coordinate the registration process and all logistical arrangements. The vendors in turn work with professional ground teams in each country to manage and implement your Random Walk. In addition, securing group seats and group hotel blocks and locking in prices several months in advance may end up costing more than an internet special or deal that you may find. The dynamics of planning and transporting and accommodating up to 20 people is very different from a personal vacation for 2 or 3 friends. So yes, you could arrange most of these trips cheaper on your own. But they wouldn't be the same experience as a Random Walk!
Passports & Visas
25 / Are passports required for travel to non-U.S. destinations?
Passports are required for all international trips. Students should make sure their passports are current and will not expire until March 7, 2027 since a 6-month validity is now required by most countries.
26 / Are visas required for travel to non-U.S. destinations?
​International students may have visa requirements for travel to some non-U.S. destinations. You will be notified by your provider if visas are required. This is your responsibility to manage visas. There are some destinations where it may be difficult for some international students to secure visas.
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In addition to visas for travel to a Random Walk country, it is the responsibility of all international students to make sure they have the appropriate documentation to enter the United States before and after travel is complete. Please contact the Random Walks Team at randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu should you have any questions or concerns.
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Please note that visa fees are not included in the trip price.
Trip Notifications & Timing
27 / When will I find out which trip I will be going on?
You will be notified of your final trip assignment the week of May 18, 2026.
Other
28 / If I am going on a Random Walk when should I plan on moving into my apartment?
We would recommend that you come to Chicago a few days before the Random Walk trips depart. This will give you time to get acclimated to your new surroundings, unpack, and get settled before leaving. Most groups also have pre-departure gatherings before the trip.
29 / Do I need any vaccinations for my trip?
Please note that it is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that they have all necessary travel documents, such as medical certifications, entry visa(s), transit visa(s), and a valid passport. Vaccination requirements are dependent on government requirements and where you have recently traveled, including transit countries. Our vendors will notify incoming students of any required vaccinations based on departure from the U.S. directly to your Random Walk’s destination. We advise all travelers to determine if other vaccination requirements may apply.
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You may refer to the State Department site to determine if you need additional vaccines for your trip. You can also visit the Center for Disease Control’s website to see if there are specific vaccines they recommend before traveling. Please note that it is always best to speak with your doctor regarding medical conditions prior to travel. Many Random Walk destinations will have CDC recommended vaccines. Our vendors will not notify travelers of recommended vaccines.
Below is the link to the State Department site.
http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html
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Below is the link to the Centers for Disease Control site.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/
30 / I'm no longer able to go on a Random Walk – is the trip refundable?
No. The deposit is non-refundable immediately upon registration.
If you need to cancel, please email randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu as a courtesy toward other students.
If you decide to cancel prior to your final payment deadline, then only the deposit is non-refundable.
If you cancel between the final payment deadline and 45 days prior to departure, then the full cost is considered non-refundable. HOWEVER, our vendors will put forth efforts to fill your spot with a person from the waitlist. If they are able to fill your spot, then they will offer a refund less the deposit amount and less any fees to change your name to the new person’s name. If your spot is not filled, then you are not eligible for a refund, and cancellation, regardless of reasoning, will not be eligible for a refund without travel insurance.
If you decide to cancel within 45 days of departure, all fees are non-refundable. Cancellation, regardless of reasoning, will not be eligible for a refund without travel insurance.
Insurance is the best way to protect your investment in a Random Walk. We strongly recommend that you consider purchasing insurance with a ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ benefit.
31 / Can I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
Yes! This is the best way to protect your investment in Random Walk. Please email randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu if you have any questions about trip cancellation insurance options.
32 / Is medical insurance provided in case I get sick or injured during the trip?
Yes, please email randomwalks@lists.chicagobooth.edu if you have any questions on specific coverages. This insurance is primary and can be used regardless of whether or not you have other insurance. Usually, you will be required to pay for the medical services in advance, and then file a claim with receipts upon your return to Chicago.
33 / Is it possible that any of the Random Walks trips will be cancelled?
While unlikely, there are two primary situations where a trip might be cancelled. The first situation would be if there wasn’t sufficient student demand for a destination. Fortunately, demand for Random Walk has been so strong that it has been several years since any trips were cancelled due to under-enrollment.
The second situation would be if Booth and/or our vendors feel that travel to a destination is no longer safe. In those cases, if time allows, we will work to reroute the group to ensure all travelers have a travel opportunity. If travelers decide to cancel, they are not guaranteed their trip fees will be reimbursed.
34 / Are there special considerations for travelers who are pregnant or may be pregnant?
There are inherent risks in traveling while pregnant. All pregnant travelers, or those who may be pregnant, should consult their medical provider before traveling. Together, you can make a plan to help minimize risk.