The Kellogg MBA program is highly selective, accepting only around 12% of applicants each year. With such a low acceptance rate, it is crucial for applicants to craft compelling essays that allow their authentic personalities and motivations to shine through. The Kellogg essays provide applicants an opportunity to share their personal stories and explain how earning an MBA from Kellogg fits into their broader career goals and aspirations.
For the 2017-2018 application cycle, Kellogg used three main essay questions:
Please share with us your background, experience, interests, and what you have achieved thus far in your personal and professional life that has prepared you for Kellogg. (650 word limit)
This essay is aimed at giving admissions readers a holistic overview of who you are – both personally and professionally. It is an opportunity to paint a picture of your unique experiences, interests, character strengths and qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the Kellogg MBA program. Rather than simply reciting your resume, focus on 2-3 most meaningful and formative experiences that have shaped you into the leader you are today. Highlight specific situations that allowed you to grow or contribute in meaningful ways. Comment on how these experiences have prepared you for the rigors of Kellogg, and explain your motivation and plans for career impact post-MBA.
A well-crafted response should give readers valuable insights into your personality, character and drive while demonstrating self-awareness. Emphasize qualities and experiences that will add valuable perspective to the Kellogg community rather than attempting to present as the “perfect” candidate. Authenticity is key.
Please explain specifically why you are interested in Kellogg and how a Kellogg education uniquely prepares you for your short term and long term career goals. (650 word limit)
This essay is your chance to directly address why you feel Kellogg is the best business school for you at this stage in your career journey. Go beyond simply restating program strengths and focus on articulating how the Kellogg experience and curriculum uniquely positions you to achieve your 2-5 year and 5-10 year goals. Demonstrate that you have researched programs and have a clear rationale for why Kellogg stands out. Provide specific examples of Kellogg classes, centers, research areas, extracurricular activities or thought leaders that are especially relevant to your goals and growth areas. Explain how Kellogg fosters the development you seek to maximize your career impact. Show a strong fit between you, Kellogg and your future career aspirations.
Optional essay: Anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know. (350 words)
This optional essay gives applicants full freedom to share any other information or perspectives they feel would be valuable for the committee to consider. Common focuses include discussing outstanding circumstances in one’s background that haven’t already been addressed, overcoming adversity, demonstrated leadership relating to diversity or social impact themes of interest to Kellogg. The essay allows applicants to have the final persuasive word and leave the committee with a compelling impression of their uniqueness and potential contributions. As with the other essays, authenticity and alignment with the applicant’s articulated goals and experiences are most effective.
While a certain amount of general guidance exists for crafting successful MBA essays, perhaps the most salient advice is to be entirely authentic in sharing one’s personal experiences and perspectives as they relate to Kellogg. Rather than trying to predict specific angles or attributes programs seek, it is better to let your individuality shine through and focus on conveying genuine passion, fit and likelihood of thriving at and contributing to the Kellogg community. The committee ultimately wants to learn more about you as a whole person. With compelling storytelling that inspires and resonates on a human level, even applicants who may otherwise appear less than picture-perfect candidates on paper can successfully impress and separate themselves from the large applicant pool.
Some additional best practices based on essay analyses include:
Focusing narratives on 2-3 most impactful and revealing experiences or qualities rather than trying to cram in many quick examples.
Using engaging, vivid writing that puts the reader in your shoes through descriptive storytelling and thoughtful reflection rather than reciting events like a resume.
Highlighting specific lessons learned and how you have applied your strengths, both personally and professionally, rather than generically summarizing your background.
Clearly illustrating your sincere passion and fit for Kellogg through thorough research and insightful explanation of how its resources uniquely position you rather than vaguely indicating interest in a highly ranked program.
Maintaining a consistent voice and message aligned with your other application materials rather than trying to artificially present differently across sections. Authenticity is key.
Striving for eloquent concision and utilizing the entire word counts, if possible, to fully develop your perspectives rather than rushing or leaving points undeveloped.
Relying more so on substance than “fluff”—admissions readers have seen many applications and appreciate narratives that unpack your drive, growth and character beyond surface accomplishments or platitudes.
Double checking for all formatting, word count and grammatical requirements being thoroughly met to avoid risking disqualification for minor technical errors.
With thoughtful consideration given to crafting essays that offer genuinely revealing insights into your background, passions, and suitability for Kellogg through well-developed personal narratives, applicants can effectively differentiate themselves and impress the selective admissions committee with a candid, multi-dimensional, and authentic self-portrayal. While there are no magic “essay formulas,” focused attention to storytelling your unique experiences, motivations and fit for Kellogg in an eloquent and memorable manner provides applicants with a strong opportunity to advance to acceptance.
Andrew Stroud