Are you planning on applying to Kellogg? Firstly, are you portraying Kellogg is the right fit for you in your MBA application? Kellogg’s values lie in a diverse and philanthropic community. What’s the right combination of the “Kellogg DNA”? High-impact leadership and humility. Let’s have a look at the essay questions and help you breakdown some potential answers.
Kellogg Essay One
Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)
"Provide a recent example..." is a big hint for this essay, which should focus on leadership and follow the behavioral essay framework (the STAR method). What did you do, say, and take away from this experience? Another important aspect of this article is "creating lasting value" - what have you done that has had a lasting impact?
Here is a good reference of how to use the STAR method.
Set the scene for the story, then describe what you did, thought, felt, and how you acted. Make sure to demonstrate your leadership and provide a story about how you have left your imprint on the organization.
For example, you could explain a period when everything was going well and you learned how to work with a group and motivate them to do more. Alternatively, you may explain a difficult situation in which you learned what not to do. Don't be scared to share your flaws as long as you illustrate what you learned from them and how you eventually overcome them. Every leader must continue to learn and grow. As a result, a willingness to accept feedback and improve will be advantageous.
Also, remember that teamwork is a major aspect of Kellogg's culture. Your leadership experience is most likely from working on a team at work or from participating in an extracurricular activity. Collaboration also shows maturity and social skills.
Kellogg Essay Two
Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)
This essay topic combines the traditional career goals essay with a personal essay statement. Kellogg seeks candidates who can incorporate their values into their personal and professional goals. Consider how your values have influenced your actions at work and in life. Think about your values in relation to your desire to attend Kellogg. The story you give should shed light on why you decided to pursue an MBA. Because this isn't an essay question about your entire career and life, pick one or two major experiences to describe.
Provide particular examples of how your values have guided you. Include if your value of driving excellence has lead you to a consultancy position where you help organizations become more efficient and achieve their goals. Alternatively, your core value may be helping others, and you have selected a career that allows you to give back to your community or lead a group of people.
Kellogg Video Essays
The Kellogg admissions team advises the following in regards to the video essay: We’ve read your essays, we’ve read your resume — now we want you to bring all that to life in a video. Show us the person behind all those carefully crafted words. 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.
Video essay 1: Please introduce yourself to the admissions committee.
A video essay shows the admissions committee who you are as a person. Therefore, the Kellogg admissions committee advises: “Be yourself. We don’t want scripted answers — we want to get to know you and learn something new. Please do not try to reuse an example from an essay that might, in some roundabout way, answer the video essay question asked. We already read that essay, so why tell us that story again?”
First, get ready for the video essay the same way you would for an interview. Write down pointers you want to talk about and practice your answers. Then, before the interview, make a list of bullet points that will help you focus your answers.
The video essays you should show the admissions committee who you are. Being as prepared as possible will help you feel at ease and be yourself when you're making the video. You could even practice recording mock questions. It's important not to sound like you're acting or hosting a show; being yourself is the key.
Video essay 2: What path are you interested in pursuing, how will you get there, and why is this program right for you?
This second video essay is about how you got where you are in your career. You should be excited about the career path you choose. To do this, think about what interests you about your path and tell the admissions committee what those things are. The goal is to get people interested in you without just reading off your resume. If you can answer "why Kellogg" with a personal story about what you've learned about the school, you should be perfectly good.
Video essay question #3: This question will be based on a challenge you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from it.
This video essay question will ask you about difficulties you've had to deal with. Remember that everyone face challenges, and Kellogg wants to know what you have done to deal with them. This essay might make you feel emotional. But be honest in what you say and how you talk about the problem. No matter how hard things get, keep a positive attitude. You should be able to handle your emotions and turn them into actions. Kellogg wants to know how well you can take control of yourself and your emotions.
Further reading: A Checklist for Kellogg - Before You Hit Submit