The Kellogg Interview – What to Expect + Sample Questions

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 School 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 your 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)

Each year, Kellogg selects around 500 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. Find the full class profile, including GMAT and demographic stats, here. 

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 “soft” skills in its applicants. 

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

 

How can I prepare for my 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. 

 

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. Tell me about yourself. / Walk me through your resume. (Expect follow-ups about specific roles, transitions, or achievements.)
2. Tell me about something that is missing from your resume that you’d like to share.
3. Why did you switch to your current field?
4. What challenges do you face in your current role?
5. What are your current responsibilities?
6. 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?
   1. What is your Plan B in case you’re not able to achieve your Plan A short-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 the schools you applied to, 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. What steps did you take to improve the situation? 
7. How do you encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking within your team?
8. Tell me about a time that you worked with someone who was difficult to work with.

LEADERSHIP

1. Who do you admire as a leader and why?
2. How would you describe your leadership style? (Be prepared to give an example.)
3. Tell me about a time you made a difficult decision as a leader.
4. Have you worked under a challenging leader? How did you handle that situation?
5. What do you believe is the most important aspect of leadership?
6. What values guide your leadership decisions?
7. Tell me about a time you had to lead through uncertainty or ambiguity.
8. Describe a situation where you had to quickly adapt to a new environment or challenge.
9. 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. Tell me about a time a project or task did not go as planned.

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. 

Want Personalized Guidance?

With My Admit Coach, you can access real MBA interview questions, get instant AI-powered feedback, and practice until your answers feel natural and confident.

Your one-stop workspace to master every stage of the MBA interview, from “Why this program?” to “Tell me about yourself.”

Click to start your free trial today!

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

Interview questions are largely predictable. What sets you apart is how you answer them.

With My Admit Coach, you can practice using real questions from top schools, get instant feedback from Coach Ellin (Ellin Lolis’ AI clone), and refine your delivery until it feels natural and confident.

You’ll learn how to structure your answers, highlight your strengths, and connect your story across every question.

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

Start your free trial today and walk into your interview ready to impress.