UPDATE: This article was originally posted on September 16, 2019. It has been updated with new information and tips below.

With its Global Hub, Kellogg of Management at Northwestern University has reinforced itself as a haven for collaboratively-minded leaders. 

However, getting a spot at Kellogg also requires a mix of serious smarts and a focus on community. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Kellogg interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Kellogg application your best shot. 

 

How the Kellogg MBA interview works 

Alumni interviewers tend to create a friendly and conversational atmosphere, but they are still tasked with gauging your motivation for pursuing an MBA, interest in Kellogg, and how well you demonstrate a growth mindset.

Since Kellogg interviews all applicants, you should be prepared for a wide variety of questions, ranging from standard MBA interview questions to more nuanced follow-ups that dig deeper into your experiences and collaborative skills. 

Who will interview you?

Kellogg interviews are known for their focus on alumni as interviewers, though you may be interviewed by the admissions committee. Your interview may take place virtually. However, you will not be penalized in any way for completing an interview online as compared to in person. 

Will the interviewer have read my application?

The Kellogg interview is blind, meaning the interviewer will only have access to your CV. This means the focus will be on your professional experience, leadership qualities, and how well you communicate your fit with the school.

How long is the Kellogg MBA interview?

45-60 minutes. 

 

Who is Kellogg 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.  

 

How can you prepare for your Kellogg interview?

Though no interview is 100% predictable, Kellogg interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Kellogg interviews. 

Trends in Behavioral Questions in Kellogg MBA Interviews

Recent interview experiences shared by candidates highlight some evolving trends in the behavioral questions asked during Kellogg interviews. While traditional questions about leadership, teamwork, and challenges remain consistent, a growing emphasis on adaptability, values-driven leadership, and creativity is apparent.

Adaptability in Leadership

Kellogg is increasingly interested in how candidates handle ambiguity and change, especially in leadership roles.

Values-Based Decision Making

With leadership being a central theme, there is more focus on how your core values guide your decisions, especially in difficult circumstances.

Collaboration and Inclusion

Kellogg’s commitment to community and diversity is reflected in more nuanced questions about your ability to collaborate with diverse teams. Candidates are often asked about how they contribute to inclusive environments.

Creativity and Problem-Solving

Many recent candidates report being asked about their ability to think creatively, especially in challenging situations. This reflects Kellogg’s focus on innovation and creative problem-solving. 

By preparing strong examples that align with these trends, you can ensure that your answers reflect the qualities Kellogg values most in its candidates: adaptability, inclusivity, creativity, and values-driven leadership.

Need more help preparing for your Kellogg MBA interview? Check out our detailed behavioral interview prep here.

 

What questions are asked in the Kellogg MBA interview? 

The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Kellogg interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview. 

RESUME – CAREER

1. 1. Tell me about yourself. / Walk me through your resume.

• (Expect follow-ups about specific roles, transitions, or achievements.)

1. Tell me about something that is missing from your resume that you’d like to share.
2. Why did you switch to your current field?
3. What challenges do you face in your current role?
4. What are your current responsibilities?
5. What do you do outside of work?

WHY MBA / WHY KELLOGG

1. Why do you want an MBA?
2. Why now?
3. Why Kellogg?
4. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
5. How will Kellogg help you achieve those goals?
6. How do you envision yourself contributing to the Kellogg community?
7. What clubs or activities are you interested in?
8. What unique perspective or contribution will you bring to Kellogg?
9. What other schools did you apply to?
10. If you got into all of them, which would you attend?

TEAMWORK

1. Describe a difficult team situation and how you handled it.
2. Tell me about a time when a team member wasn’t pulling their weight. How did you respond?
3. How would teammates describe you?
4. How do you foster inclusivity and collaboration within your teams?
5. Describe a time you helped bring together a diverse group to solve a problem.
6. Discuss a time when your team experienced failure. How did you respond, and what did you learn? / Tell me about a situation in which you were part of a dysfunctional team, and what steps did you take to improve the situation.
7. How do you encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking within your team?

LEADERSHIP

1. 1. Who do you admire as a leader and why?
   2. How would you describe your leadership style?

• Be prepared to give an example that illustrates your leadership style. 

1. Tell me about a time you made a difficult decision as a leader.
2. Have you worked under a challenging leader? How did you handle that situation?
3. What do you believe is the most important aspect of leadership?
4. What values guide your leadership decisions?
5. Tell me about a time you had to lead through uncertainty or ambiguity.
6. Describe a situation where you had to quickly adapt to a new environment or challenge.
7. What are the key values that drive your leadership approach?

GENERAL BEHAVIORAL

1. Tell me about a time you faced an ethical dilemma. How did you navigate it?
2. What is your biggest strength? What is your biggest weakness?
3. How have you grown over the past few years, personally and professionally?
4. What feedback have you received, and how did you act upon it?
5. Tell me about a time you had to come up with a creative solution.
6. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
7. What do people misperceive about you when they first meet you?
8. Tell me about a time you had to make a tough decision. What values informed your choice?
9. Describe a time you had to come up with a creative solution under pressure.

CLOSING

1. Is there anything you wished I had asked you or anything you’d like me to pass along to the admissions committee?
2. Do you have any questions for me?

 

We have found that, for most candidates, answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading a list of potential interview questions. As such, we highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview. 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Kellogg, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”

The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop for interview success.

Click to join!

If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the Kellogg interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile. 

 

What to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for

Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared. 

First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!

Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation. 

If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation. 

Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you.

 

Effectively Tell Your Story During Your Interview

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA interviews is that candidates fail to tell compelling, well-constructed stories about their profiles while also nailing the basics. 

Striking this balance between sharing STAR-format examples that show off your background while also presenting strong answers to questions like “Why do you want an MBA?” is a challenging task that requires significant thought and preparation. 

Because of this, it’s no surprise that, on average, 50% of interviewed applicants walk away without an offer.  

This is why our interview preparation process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is known as the best in the industry. We offer customized 1:1 support that ensures you’re able to turn your application’s strengths into compelling answers that show fit and sell your profile in any type of interview. That’s why 98.9% of our complete consulting clients get into at least one of their target schools. 

This approach was critical to helping our client Daniel secure a spot at his dream school. 

Forget simulation platforms or long lists of tips – our 1:1 preparation focuses on playing to your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses to turn you into an interview expert. Hire our interview services here. Our packages sell out quickly, so make sure you sign up today!