Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, renowned for its collaborative culture and leadership focus, has released its MBA application essays for the upcoming admissions cycle. These prompts offer a unique opportunity to showcase your intentionality, leadership prowess, and how you align with Kellogg’s “high-impact, high-humanity” ethos. For those aiming to join the ranks of Kellogg leaders, a thoughtful and strategic approach to these essays is paramount.
Kellogg MBA Application Deadlines 2025-2026
Mark your calendars! Here are the key deadlines for the Kellogg Full-Time MBA program:
Round 1: September 10, 2025 (Decision Release: December 10, 2025)
Round 2: January 7, 2026 (Decision Release: March 25, 2026)
Round 3: April 1, 2026 (Decision Release: May 13, 2026)
Remember, video essays are due 96 hours after the application deadline.
Kellogg MBA Application Essays and Tips 2025-2026
Kellogg emphasizes getting to know the person behind the resume. The written and video essays are your stage to tell your unique story.
Question 1 (450 words): Intentionality, Goals, and Kellogg Fit
“Intentionality is a key aspect of what makes our graduates successful Kellogg leaders. Help us understand your journey by articulating your motivations for pursuing an MBA, the specific goals you aim to achieve, and why you believe now is the right moment. Moreover, share why you feel Kellogg is best suited to serve as a catalyst for your career aspirations and what you will contribute to our community of lifelong learners during your time here.”
- Be Strategic and Specific: This is your traditional “goals” essay with a Kellogg twist. Clearly define your short-term (post-MBA) and long-term career goals. Don’t just list a role; explain why you want it and the impact you envision.
- Articulate Your Motivations: What led you to this point? What gaps in your skills or experience necessitate an MBA now? Connect your past experiences to your future aspirations.
- Deep Dive into Kellogg: This is where research pays off. Go beyond generic statements. Name specific courses, professors, research centers, student clubs, or experiential learning opportunities (like the Global Initiatives in Management program or particular “pathways”) that directly align with your goals. Show how Kellogg’s unique offerings will accelerate your career.
- Highlight Your Contribution: Kellogg prides itself on its collaborative community. What unique perspectives, experiences, or skills will you bring to the classroom, clubs, and beyond? How will you enrich the Kellogg experience for your peers? Think about specific ways you’ll engage.
Question 2 (450 words): Difficult Decisions and Leadership Values
“Kellogg leaders are primed to tackle challenges everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Describe a specific professional experience where you had to make a difficult decision. Reflecting on this experience, identify the values that guided your decision-making process and how it impacted your leadership style.”
- Choose Wisely: Select a single, specific professional experience that genuinely involved a difficult decision. The difficulty should stem from conflicting priorities, ethical dilemmas, or significant stakes, not just a complex problem.
- Focus on Your Role and Agency: While teamwork is valued, this essay is about your decision-making. Clearly articulate the challenge, the options you considered, and the specific actions you took.
- Unpack Your Values: This is crucial. Don’t just state your values; demonstrate how they directly informed your decision. Provide concrete examples of how your values (e.g., integrity, empathy, innovation, collaboration) guided your choices in that specific scenario.
- Reflect on Impact and Growth: How did this experience shape you as a leader? What lessons did you learn? How has this influenced your leadership style moving forward? Show self-awareness and growth. The “neighborhoods” aspect suggests thinking about a broader impact, even if the decision was professional.
Re-applicant Essay (250 words): Growth and Improvement
“How have you grown or changed personally and professionally since you previously applied and what steps have you taken to become the strongest candidate you can be?”
- Be Direct and Specific: Don’t rehash your previous application. Focus solely on what has changed and improved.
- Quantify Where Possible: If you’ve taken on new responsibilities, achieved specific results, or pursued additional education, provide concrete examples.
- Demonstrate Intentionality: Show that you’ve actively worked on strengthening your profile, addressing any weaknesses from your previous application. This could include a higher GMAT/GRE score, new leadership roles, additional certifications, or increased community involvement.
Video Essays: The video will be comprised of three questions, each designed to help you showcase your personality and share some of the experiences that brought you here today.
The video essays are your chance to bring your personality to life. Kellogg wants to see the authentic you, beyond the written word.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Utilize the practice questions provided by Kellogg. Get comfortable with the format, timing (20 seconds to think, 60 seconds to respond), and technology.
- Be Yourself: Don’t be overly rehearsed or robotic. Let your genuine enthusiasm and personality shine through. Kellogg explicitly states they don’t want scripted answers.
- Think About Your “Why”: While specific questions vary, one question is always an “introduce yourself” prompt, often asking for something not on your resume. Be ready to share a unique anecdote or passion. The other questions are typically behavioral, so have a few key stories about leadership, teamwork, challenges, and successes in mind.
- Technical Preparedness: Ensure you have a stable internet connection, a working webcam, and a clear microphone. Find a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background.
- Be Concise and Clear: You have limited time, so get straight to the point. Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
Being one of the M7, the Kellogg MBA application is highly competitive. At ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting, we specialize in helping applicants craft compelling narratives that resonate with top business schools. Our experienced consultants can provide:
- Personalized Strategy: We work with you to understand your unique story, goals, and values, developing a customized strategy for your application.
- Essay Brainstorming & Development: We help you identify your strongest stories and structure your essays to answer the prompts effectively while showcasing your unique strengths.
- Kellogg-Specific Insights: Our deep knowledge of Kellogg’s culture, curriculum, and leadership philosophy ensures your essays perfectly align with what the admissions committee is seeking.
- Video Essay Coaching: We offer comprehensive coaching to help you prepare for and excel in the video essay portion, ensuring you present yourself confidently and authentically.
- Holistic Application Review: From resume review to recommendation strategy, we ensure every aspect of your application presents a cohesive and compelling picture.
Don’t leave your Kellogg dream to chance. Partner with ARINGO to transform your experiences into an application that truly stands out. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you craft your path to Kellogg!
