Deadlines:
Round 1: September 1, 2025
Round 2: January 7, 2026
Round 3: April 1, 2026
Mandatory Essays:
The following two essays are required of all applicants:
Question 1 (450 words):
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.
Question 2 (450 words):
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.
Optional essay:
All applicants have the opportunity to provide explanations or clarification in Additional Information. Use this section if you think the person reviewing your application might have a few questions about one or more of your responses. This could include:
Unexplained gaps in work experience
Academic, GMAT or GRE performance
Extenuating circumstances that we should be aware of when reviewing your application
1Y applicants will respond to additional questions:
Please discuss your post-MBA career goal, the current experience you will leverage to support the transition, and the Kellogg 1Y opportunities that will help you reach this goal. (250 words)
Reapplicant Question
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? (250 words)
Video Essay:
Applicants have to answer the video essays after they submit their applications.These are due 96 hours after the application deadline.
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 should take about 20-25 minutes to complete, which includes time for setup.
You will have a brief moment to think about the question and up to one minute to give your response. Once recorded, answers cannot be changed.
Letter Of Recommendation:
Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation. One letter should come from a current supervisor or manager. The second should come from someone who can evaluate your professional performance and your managerial/leadership potential (e.g., former supervisor, previous employer, client).
Please choose your recommenders carefully as additional letters of support are neither required nor encouraged.
Recommender prompts:
1. Share an example of how the candidate has engaged with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders who held perspectives different from their own. How did they navigate the situation, and what does this demonstrate about their ability to lead or collaborate in complex environments? (300 words)
2. How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)