The video essay is an important part of the Kellogg MBA application process. With it, candidates have an opportunity to introduce themselves to the admissions committee in their own voice and on their own terms. The video allows applicants to demonstrate communication skills, passion for their goals, and fit with the Kellogg culture in a personalized way that complements their written essays and resume.
While completing a video essay may feel daunting, Kellogg provides helpful guidelines to make the process straightforward. They seek to learn more about who applicants are as individuals beyond just their academic and professional accomplishments. The video is a medium for applicants to thoughtfully share their experiences, perspectives, and ambitions in their authentic voice. By following Kellogg’s recommendations and putting care into preparation, applicants can craft an engaging and impactful video that resonates with reviewers.
This article provides in-depth background on Kellogg’s video essay along with best practices, tips, and examples to help applicants produce a standout submission. It covers important aspects like content, style, structure, and technical requirements to create a compelling personal introduction through the video medium. With thorough planning and presentation of one’s sincere self, the video can be an applicant’s opportunity to make a lasting positive impression on admissions staff.
The Video Essay within Kellogg’s Application Process
The video essay holds equal evaluative weight as the written application components in Kellogg’s holistic review process. Along with grades, test scores, work experience, and recommendations, it allows admissions officers to gain a well-rounded understanding of each candidate as an individual outside of rigid metrics. While writing samples reveal certain qualities, seeing and hearing an applicant personally enhances comprehension of fit and potential contributions to the Kellogg community.
Unlike written responses constrained by word limits, videos enable more freedom of expression. Applicants can highlight unique experiences and perspectives that bring their candidacy to life in a way static pages cannot replicate. Reviewers are also able to observe an individual’s character, charisma and communication style firsthand which provides valuable insight beyond what standard applications convey. Well-executed videos elevate candidates by making strong personal impressions on those determining admissions decisions.
Beyond presenting credentials, Kellogg seeks insights into an applicant’s motivations, interests, leadership abilities, teamwork skills and future aspirations through the video. It serves as an extra tool for assessing qualities like adaptability, creativity, passion and vision necessary for success in their collaborative, globally-minded MBA program and career thereafter. Crafting a thoughtful video takes the application process beyond paperwork into humanizing interaction, which may give candidates an edge when competing for limited spots in the incoming class.
Structuring an Effective Video Essay
Kellogg recommends keeping videos between 2-4 minutes long, directed more towards quality over quantity. They also suggest formulating responses around three main question prompts to organize content and pacing:
Tell us about yourself – Discuss background, experiences and personal attributes in an engaging way. Highlight unique aspects that make you distinctly stand out from others.
Why Kellogg & Why Now – Explain specifically why this program is the ideal next step and what attracts interest at this particular point in one’s career path. Dig deeper than surface level reasons.
Your impact & future vision – Share ambitions, interests, skillsets, leadership styles and how enrolling can help realize long term goals and potential influence or innovations after graduating. Demonstrate passion, motivation and fit with Kellogg culture.
While flexibility exists, focusing a video response around these three focal points provides a clear structure for reviewers to efficiently learn who candidates are in their own distinct voices. Compelling introductions, smooth transitions and powerful conclusions further strengthen the presentation impact. Technical elements like lighting, sound quality, eye contact and body language coupled with a natural yet confident delivery aid flow and connection with audiences as well.
Video Content Best Practices
Given certain constraints like time limits, effective utilization of each moment on camera is vital. Some thoughtful strategies successful applicants employ when crafting their video narratives include:
Share a brief, relevant story from your background that exemplifies who you are and why Kellogg fits your goals and talents. Personal anecdotes bring essays to life.
Highlight unique skills, experiences or viewpoints you would contribute to classroom discussions and campus programs after admission. Show prospective fit and value.
Give specific reasons why Kellogg interests you beyond its ranking; cite faculty research areas aligning with your passions or unique resources that attract you.
Connect your background and experiences to future leadership roles or innovations you envision pursuing post-MBA. Emphasize how Kellogg can help realize ambitious yet plausible goals.
Smile genuinely, maintain eye contact with the camera and use a conversational tone as if casually introducing yourself to new colleagues and peers. Relax nerves with deep breaths.
Review and rehearse your response multiple times to feel comfortable yet natural expressing your authentic self succinctly within time constraints. Practice improves delivery.
Pay close attention to framing, lighting and sound quality during recording; redo takes if distracting background noises or shadows obscure facial features. Cellar-lit rooms work best.
Have others critique your video for engaging storytelling, clear structure and execution quality before submitting. Their fresh eyes catch missed opportunities for improvements.
Kellogg Video Submission Technical Requirements
Along with crafting a compelling personal narrative, applicants must adhere to a few simple technical parameters:
Video files must be submitted in .MOV, .MP4, .WMV or .AVI formats and meet 2-4 minute length guidelines.
Audio should be clear with no distortion, static or muffled voices. Speak at a moderate volume and articulate words well.
Visuals should be well-lit with the applicant occupying most of the frame. Avoid backlight silhouettes or shadows obscuring facial features.
Standard definition resolution at a minimum of 640×480 pixels is required. Use a recent smartphone or basic webcam if lacking professional equipment.
Applicants must appear alone on camera and keep other faces, objects or walls out of shots to solely focus on their introduction. Simple backdrops work best.
Files larger than 100MB may not upload, so optimize size through appropriate compression if necessary without sacrificing quality.
Taking the time for thoughtful preparation ahead of filming and adhering to Kellogg’s video requirements results in nuanced personal stories being conveyed to reviewers evaluating applications holistically. Well-structured, smoothly executed videos accentuate written components to help viable candidates clearly stand out from the pool of talented applicants competing for seats in each class.
Video Essay Examples and Results
Some examples of particularly successful Kellogg video essays that boosted candidacies in powerful yet simple ways include:
An applicant recounting how traveling abroad sparked their interest in NGO leadership, sharing how Kellogg could advance her goals of expanding youth access to education internationally.
Another candidate highlighting their engineering background and work on energy efficiency product designs, explaining how Kellogg’s sustainability focus inspired their specific interest in the program now to drive more impactful innovations.
A military veteran discussed their motivations for seeking an MBA to transition to private sector management after service, citing Kellogg’s extensive resources for veteran students as a major draw.
A consultant explained how Kellogg’s healthcare specialization and course offerings aligned perfectly with her long term aspirations to lead hospital systems as she advances her existing skillsets.
Successful applicants convey thoughtful preparation, personable introductions of their experiences, and clarity explaining how Kellogg’s curriculum along with campus culture fulfill individual goals – all within structural and technical parameters. Thoughtful execution incorporating reviewer feedback often boosts candidacies. Those admitted reap the rewards of strategically utilizing this valuable application component as a personal differentiator.
Andrew Stroud