How To Get Into Kellogg

Update: This article was originally posted on August 2, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

As a haven for globally and collaboratively minded leaders, Kellogg is one of the best places to prepare for a successful career solving some of the biggest problems in business. Considering that Kellogg offers one of the best-ranked MBAs out there, earning a spot at this school requires you to really stand out among the competition. 

In this guide, we will go through how to get into Kellogg. While many applicants think that simply marketing themselves well is enough to gain admission, successful applicants are the ones who understand a) who Kellogg is looking for, b) how Kellogg’s MBA program, community, and opportunities fit their profile and goals, and c) how to prepare a Kellogg-specific essay and interview. Read on for our expert advice on how to master these three things.

 

1. Understand who Kellogg is looking for

(Photo courtesy of @kelloggschool on Instagram)

Growth is a key principle at Kellogg. 

According to Kellogg’s Admissions Team, “Growth is a challenge every leader and organization confronts – across sectors, markets, countries and economies. At Kellogg, we develop brave leaders who inspire growth in people, organizations and markets.”

Each year, Kellogg selects around 530 students to take part in its two-year program. Though there is no one “perfect” type of Kellogg student, the university does favor high test scores (the mean GMAT for the Class of 2025 was 731 and the average GRE score was 163 Quant, 163 Verbal). 

Additionally, Kellogg is committed to admitting a diverse class, as the composition of the Class of 2025 reflects. 48% of the incoming class are female, 39% are international, 42% are U.S. students of color, and 9% identified as LGBTQ+. 

However, at Kellogg, showing fit with the school goes far beyond having the right GMAT or GRE score. That’s why Kellogg also looks for a set of “soft” skills in its applicants.

In our experience, Kellogg also responds well to applicants with a demonstrated history of giving back. 

So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of Kellogg’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with changing the status quo, collaborative leadership, and giving back to society. 

 

2. Know Kellogg’s program and how you can use it

The second thing you must do to get into Kellogg is to know the MBA program and how it applies to your career goals. If you want to get into Kellogg, you really need to show the admissions committee why it’s a good fit for you (and why you’re a good fit for the community too)!

While you will have to do your own research to find the specifics of what aligns specifically with your goals and profile, below we are highlighting some of the main aspects of Kellogg’s MBA program so you can be informed about what makes it unique in comparison to other business schools.

 

Kellogg’s collaborative culture 

Kellogg is known for its integration of collaboration into its community, coursework, and activities. Most academic deliverables must be done in groups, and students must rate one another on their contributions. And with a strong emphasis on networking through opportunities like KWEST and a ton of extracurricular activities, students form tight bonds that go well beyond the MBA.

 

Student leadership opportunities

Kellogg has a number of opportunities to practice leadership on campus, whether it’s in the wide range of experiential learning courses and labs, global treks, or student-led clubs. For example, students must complete a Leadership and Crisis Management course during the pre-term orientation of year two, and the Asset Management Lab places students in a quarter-long internship with a local or national asset management firm, developing their capacities in deal selection, due diligence, and/or investment efforts.

 

Multiple degree options

Kellogg offers a wide range of degree options to fit students’ schedules and interests. Whether you need to continue working and thus pursue a part-time degree, or are interested in pursuing a major, joint degree, or pathway to specialize your degree, Kellogg has many options that can adapt to you.

Students who decide to specialize in a major can choose among the following areas: Economics, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, Managing Organizations, and Management Science. (Note: If you choose not to elect a major, “General Management” will be noted on your transcript.)

In addition to majors, Kellogg provides “pathways,” which are sequences of courses designed to address particularly relevant and high-demand skill sets or industries. Some of the current pathways offered include Data Analytics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Growth and Scaling, Healthcare at Kellogg, Real Estate, Social Impact, and Venture Capital & Private Equity. Students have the flexibility to pursue any number of pathways.

There are also four joint programs available: the MBAi program, in partnership with McCormick School of Engineering; the MMM program, which provides an MBA from Kellogg and an M.S. in Design Innovation from the Segal Design Institute; the JD/MBA program in conjunction with the Northwestern School of Law; and the MD/MBA program with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Looking for more than just a summary of the Kellogg MBA? Luckily, we’ve created a complete guide on Kellogg, including program specifics, MBA class profile, and Kellogg post-MBA salary and employment information. Additionally, we have dozens of sample Kellogg MBA essays (including MMM essays and sample video essay answers!) that got our past clients into Kellogg, plus essays for numerous other top schools, all in one place. Click to join!

 

3. Prepare a winning application

Last, but certainly not least, is knowing how to write an outstanding essay and prepare for a successful interview. Below are our top tips on succeeding at both of these key aspects of your Kellogg application!

 

Write an outstanding essay

Writing any admissions essay is a tough task, however, impressing Kellogg’s highly selective adcom is especially challenging. Below, we discuss how to successfully respond to Kellogg’s main essay questions.*

*Though these questions are accurate at the time of publication, check out our Kellogg Essay Analysis post for the most up-to-date questions and analysis. 

Essay 1 tips

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

Though you may be tempted to cram in as many examples of leadership as you can in this question, Kellogg clearly asks you for a single experience, though they do not dictate that you must draw this example from your professional experience. 

As such, considering Kellogg’s focus on growth-minded leaders and on teamwork, brainstorm a list of examples in which you demonstrated collaborative leadership that created impact. Be sure to stick to the STAR framework to ensure you deliver a winning answer. 

End your essay by showing the result you were able to achieve (we suggest you focus on examples with positive outcomes) and what you learned about leadership in the process. If you have space, you may also include a conclusion sentence that shows how you will apply this lesson at Kellogg. 

 

Essay 2 tips

Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

Kellogg’s second essay gives candidates the chance to show how they align with Kellogg’s values and explore how they make decisions. More importantly, it gives you the chance to show you are a self-aware, values-motivated leader with a clear vision for your future. 

When considering how to approach this essay, first take a look back at your personal and professional experiences to identify the “tipping points” in your life. What has led you to the point you are at now? What has made you YOU? The question specifically asks for “life and work” examples, so we suggest you try to make sure you cover who you are outside of the office as well. 

Then, describe not only what these experiences were, but also how they impacted who you are and your life choices. 

Finally, we suggest that you include two or three values in your essay. The Kellogg Admissions Committee has emphasized in the past that they prefer to see an essay that discusses more than one value, so make sure to show off different aspects of what makes you you!

TOP TIP: If you’re struggling to define what your values are to start with (a very common challenge for this essay!), you might want to check out this post, designed to help you define your values. 

To learn more about Kellogg’s essays (including how to complete its joint program, one-year, and optional essays) and check out sample essays that got our clients into Kellogg, click here!

*Note: these are the latest essay questions as of the date this guide was published, but we suggest that you check for recent changes, as schools often update their essay questions closer to the round 1 deadline. You can access Columbia’s essay questions and more application info here.

 

Prepare a winning interview

Unlike other business schools, all Kellogg applicants must interview. This means that making sure you shine in your interview is an especially difficult task. 

Kellogg interviews are conducted either by admissions committee staff or by alumni and usually last 45 to 60 minutes. Interviews with alumni tend to be slightly friendlier than interviews conducted by admissions committees. Nonetheless, the interviewer is still trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the Kellogg program, and if you truly have a growth mindset. 

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test just how collaborative you really are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. Usually, the Kellogg interview is blind, meaning the alumni interviewer will only have access to your CV. However, if you interview with the admissions committee, it’s safe to say they will have carefully read your application before your interview. 

Our clients who have interviewed with Kellogg in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. Since Kellogg interviews all of its applicants, the pool of alumni interviewers is also larger and more diverse than most other schools. As such, though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything.

 

Create a successful video essay

Kellogg applicants must also submit a video essay. In addition to giving the admissions committee the chance to “put a face with a name,” the video essay is an essential part of the Kellogg application, as it allows committee members to determine if your communication style and values are a good fit with the Kellogg community. 

The questions asked by Kellogg are grouped into three different categories, each with a different focus: introducing yourself, explaining why you chose Kellogg, and talking about a challenge you faced. For more on how to respond to these questions, see our post on Kellogg’s video essays.

 

Make sure you prepare a successful Kellogg application

Getting into the Kellogg MBA is no easy feat. 

With multiple essays, numerous letters of recommendation, and admissions interviews, a successful application to Kellogg requires that you carefully think about all aspects of your profile and craft the most cohesive, compelling narrative possible. 

Starting from scratch, though, can leave many applicants like you feeling confused and uncertain they are developing an application that will impress the Kellogg admissions committee. 

That’s why we created our MBA Resource Center, which includes everything you need to get into the Kellogg MBA, all in one place. This includes dozens of sample essays, recommendation letter questions and guides, sample letters of recommendation, MBA CV templates, interview mock sequences, and even sample answers to the most common interview questions. 

In short, our Resource Center puts the Ellin Lolis Advantage into your hands, giving you exclusive access to the materials we used to help maintain our 98.9% success rate.

The Ellin Lolis MBA Resource Center has helped countless applicants around the world get into Kellogg. Sign up today to put this competitive advantage to work for you.