Mastering Kellogg’s New Video Questions

Increasingly, MBA programs are encouraging or requiring candidates to submit videos online shortly after submitting their application. Among other benefits, this helps schools see the real you and gauge how you present yourself without much preparation. 

For example, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management seems to be really looking to see how you think on your feet. When they debuted the optional video last year, they provided general versions of the questions in advance. This year, the school did not provide a hint about what the questions would be — and they are mixing them up. 

Question 1 is a common video prompt; Kellogg asks you to introduce yourself by telling admissions something they wouldn’t already know from your resume. Questions 2 and 3 seem to be randomly assigned. Be prepared to encounter a classic “Why Kellogg?” style question (“What draws you to Kellogg specifically? Why is Kellogg the right program for you?”) More frequently, the examples we have seen are behavioral interview questions aimed to elicit more about you and your skills and experiences.

Examples we have seen so far ask you to tell the committee about: 

• • A time when you experienced a team conflict 
  • An innovation you made in the past year 
  • A misconception people have about you
  • An important relationship in your life 
  • A time you created value
  • A problem you faced and the creative solution you came up with

There are practice questions you can answer as many times as you like. Kellogg recommends using the practice questions to get comfortable with the format and process. We strongly agree, because there is no option to edit or redo your videos once you start.

Showcase Yourself 

Kellogg says the video is optional in an email sent after applications are submitted, but we strongly encourage all candidates to submit them. Consider the video essays a huge opportunity to showcase your personality and character in ways that may not come across in the written word. 

Seize the advantages of the medium and get creative; one standout example we remember is a candidate who began their video introduction with a brief viola performance, then used an element of the instrument itself as a metaphor to convey their personality and interpersonal style.

Remember that Kellogg wants to learn something new about you. The video is the place to tell stories or share important information that did not fit anywhere in the more structured elements of the application. As you prepare, imagine how to convey what’s not obvious in your resume, credentials, or LinkedIn profile. What will help make your application sticky and memorable? Again, reflect on the story you want to tell and offer a dimension that might be missing.

In this year’s behavioral questions, Kellogg is inviting you to demonstrate qualities they value:  leadership, impact, empathy, collaboration, and so on. Consider how your responses can share short stories that reflect these qualities. 

For more advice, see my Fortuna blog on how to respond to Kellogg’s prompts or any admissions video essay questions. 

Fortuna’s expert coaches can help you prep for videos or any aspect of your application. To learn more about how we can make your MBA dreams a reality, book a free consultation.

Fortuna Senior Expert Coach Melissa Jones was formerly Assistant Director for the MBA Program at INSEAD, where she advised countless candidates on the MBA admissions process.

For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation.