Kellogg 2018-2019 MBA Deadlines

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management today (June 4) moved up its MBA application deadlines for each of its three rounds by a day this year.

The round one deadline for MBA applicants is set for Sept. 19th, with decisions released on Dec. 12th. The cutoff for round two applicants Jan. 9th, with decisions due March 27th. The round three and final deadline is April 10th, with decisions released by May 15th. When decisions are made, Kellogg will email applicants a link to their application status pages. The online application went live on June13th.

At Kellogg, every applicant is invited to interview. The school asks that candidates schedule an on-campus interview no later than two days after sending in their completed application. So round one applicants should schedule an interview by Sept. 21st. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. CT on the application deadline date.

Kellogg advises international applicants to apply in Round 1 or 2 to allow time for admits to apply for a student visa. The school also says that applying early puts candidates in an advantageous position for grants, scholarships or on-campus housing preferences. Candidates who apply in Round 1 or 2 can also take advantage of our admitted-student weekends.The school also tends to admit One-Year MBA and MMM students in Round 1 or 2 to accommodate the programs’ early start date.

Kellogg’s 2018-2019 MBA Application Deadlines

Kellogg Rounds	Application Deadline	Interviews	Decisions
Round One	September 19, 2018	September 21, 2018	December 12, 2018
Round Two	January 9, 2019	January 11, 2019	April 12, 2019
Round Three	April 10, 2019	April 12, 2019	May 15, 2019

Kellogg’s written essay questions will remain the same this year. They are:

“Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn?” (450 words)

“Pursuing an MBA is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. How have you grown in the past? How do you intend to grow at Kellogg?” (450 words)

For the past four years every candidate who applies to Kellogg is required to complete a video essay. “It has taken the two-dimensional application process and made it three-dimensional for every candidate,” explains Melissa Rapp, director of admissions for the full-time MBA programs. “It gives us the opportunity to hear applicants tell their stories in their own voices. Our Career Management Center and alums tell us that more and more companies are using similar technology for initial interviews so it’s good practice for future career moves too.”

THREE VIDEO QUESTIONS INCLUDING A ‘VERY EASY COCKTAIL QUESTION’

The video essay portion of the application poses three questions. “There are practice questions to get you comfortable and the first question is a very easy ‘cocktail’ question,” adds Rapp. “Here’s an example, ‘If you had an extra hour in every day, how would you spend it?’ or ‘What’s the first website you look at in the morning? Why?’ Next, we will ask you these questions: ‘What path are you interested in pursuing? How will you get there? Why is this program right for you?’ Resist the temptation to reuse the wording you used in our similar written essay question. Speak from your heart. The final question is randomly generated and will be about overcoming some kind of obstacle. It’s more like answering a question during an interview but you have all been successful at that so there is still nothing to worry about.”

The latest incoming class, the Class of 2019, produced an all-time high average GMAT of 732 – a four point improvement over the previous class. To put this average in context, it is two points higher than both Wharton and Chicago Booth, not to mention a full 10 points better than MIT Sloan. In fact, Kellogg’s incoming class ranks 2nd to just Stanford GSB (737) in the GMAT arms race. Even more, this average GMAT marks a huge leap for Kellogg historically. Just five years ago, the 2014 Class started up with a 708 average – nearly 25 points lower! The range of those scores goes from a low of 600 to a high of 780.

At the same time, the 478-member class mustered a 3.6 GPA, an average equal to Wharton and Chicago Booth. 42 is a common number in the 2019 Class. For one, the program received 42 more applications during the 2016-2017 cycle, going from 4,553 to 4,595. The school admitted 926 candidates, for an acceptance rate of 20.2%. At the same time, the class maintained a 42% representation of women. This marks the 3rd straight year where over 40% of its class is comprised of women. For the 2nd straight year, 35% of the class hailed from overseas, with U.S. minority students composing another 25% of the first-year class.

ADVICE FROM RECENT GRADUATES & CURRENT STUDENTS:

“Know what excites you prior to beginning the application process. I knew I was driven to change the broken food system and this passion guided how I thought about programs and communities I wanted to pursue. I didn’t know exactly what role I wanted after my MBA, and I think that’s fine, but having a filter around my industry domain has allowed me to best use my time while in school.” — Kathryn Bernell, Class of 2018 2018 Kellogg graduate who is pursuing her own startup

“While it is a stressful process, focus on being yourself and telling “your” story. Highlight the things that make you uniquely you. Show Kellogg what you can bring to the table that no one else can. Kellogg looks beyond your academic profile and work experience in search of the characteristics that make a great leader. Show us that you have what it takes.” — Meg Kelleher, Class of 2018 Kellogg graduate who will be working for McKinsey & Co.

“I highly advise applicants to tone down the technical language and jargon in the resume and essays. If possible, do a mock interview with a friend who knows nothing about your industry. Most of my interviewers were not familiar with product development process, and the interviews would be ineffective if I’d spent most of the time explaining the jargon. I also found it is very important to connect with students and alumni so you can have a feel about the culture. Ultimately, you will spend two years in the community and it really makes a big difference whether the school’s culture fits your personality.” — Yu-chu (Valerie) Chen, Class of 2019 MBA student at Kellogg

DON’T MISS: 2018-2019 MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR LEADING BUSINESS SCHOOLS or FREE 89-PAGE MBA INSIDER’S GUIDE TO NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG