Kellogg Global Hub

6 REASONS TO CONSIDER THE KELLOGG SCHOOL

1) 1-Year Program: “Kellogg’s 1Y program was a huge factor in my decision. I knew I wanted to go back to private equity after my MBA, so I did not feel that I needed to be in school for two years. The 1Y program allows me to bypass some core classes and dive right into the engaging electives that Kellogg has to offer. Another unique part of Kellogg is the Advanced Private Equity Experience (APEX) program, which is a program designed for students who have a background in private equity and want to return to it after Kellogg. It’s a great way to connect with alumni and classmates in the industry.”
Martha Wong (’24)

2) MMM Program: “I chose Kellogg for its MMM dual-degree program, the first and only of its kind. As someone who studied business in undergrad, I was eager to augment my MBA with an MS in Design Innovation. I felt the MMM program would help equip me to innovate in today’s ever-changing world and differentiate me over the course of my career. I also appreciated the smaller cohort experience (~60 students), which allows for greater connection and support.

I’m most excited for my MMM coursework in the Segal Design Institute because it will help me marry my quant background with a strong foundation in design thinking. I look forward to learning about human-centric design, whole-brain communication, and best-in-class methodologies to drive the innovation life cycle of a product or service across industries. I’m confident that the MMM curriculum will help me expand my professional repertoire with the addition of a customer-centric, innovation skillset.”
Alejandro Mestre (’25)

3) MBAi: “I applied specifically to the MBAi program at Kellogg because it perfectly marries my interests in business and technology. The MBAi program is a joint degree between Kellogg and the McCormick School of Engineering, offering AI-specific coursework integrated into both the core business classes and specialized engineering courses. Given my undergraduate business degree from Michigan Ross, I didn’t want to duplicate coursework during my MBA. The AI spin on marketing, accounting, and business analytics adds an exciting, novel layer to familiar material. Now more than ever, it’s critical for business leaders to have a deep understanding of modern technology and its potential applications.”
Brandon Fazal (’25)

4) Leadership Philosophy: “What attracted me most to Kellogg was its focus on personal development and growth. From very early on in the application process, Kellogg heavily emphasized their philosophy on leadership and becoming the best version of oneself beyond academic excellence. For me, it was critical to be part of a community that stressed the development of leaders with high emotional intelligence, compassion, and creativity – Kellogg checked all these boxes for me. Additionally, it’s tough to beat a classroom with a lakeside view!”
Alejandra Jaime Rodriguez (’25)

5) CIM (Culture Is Made): “My favorite Kellogg tradition is an exercise we did during the first week of school, at our orientation event called CIM (Culture is Made). At one point of the event, all of the new admits were invited to form a circle in an open field – hundreds of us holding each other’s hand, awaiting instructions from Professor Bernie Banks. He asked us to close our eyes and step forward If what he shared applied to us. Little did I know that this activity was designed to show us the diversity of the classroom. As the first person from my working-class family to attend beyond high school, I was convinced that I was the only one who was different, who didn’t belong. But as Professor Banks kept sharing different statements and people kept stepping forward, I knew that I wasn’t alone. There are many who felt the same way. Somehow, that made me feel at home and truly changed my perspective toward business school and my classmates. Words don’t do justice in describing the experience, you have to be there to feel it.”
Raisul Chowdhury (’23)

6) Special K: “Kellogg has a show called Special K! and last year I was fortunate enough to participate as a cellist in the band. The show is written, produced, directed, and executed completely by students who make up the live cast, band, and tech crew. It’s as much a hilarious take on the Kellogg experience as it is heartwarming. I loved it so much last year I decided to come back this year as band co-director (with classmate Rae Hung) and cellist. In an MBA experience that can flooded with business cases and financial statements, Special K! has provided me the space to express myself creatively through music. Plus, I know I’ll walk away with friends for life through this unique experience.”
Michael Manzano (’23)

Global Hub Interior

ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS

“I put a lot of time and thought into the essays. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the GMAT or GRE and set the essays aside as a last-minute task. As important as the standardized tests are, the output is just a number. It doesn’t tell your story or articulate how you can best contribute to the Kellogg community. The essays gave me a chance to communicate both, and I think those are areas Kellogg truly values. Still study for the GMAT or GRE though!”
Michael Manzano (’23)

“When you’re starting your MBA application journey, take the time to really reflect on your educational, professional, and personal experiences. Understand how each part of your life and ambitions connect and how they have led you to the decision to get an MBA. Make sure to keep in mind that Kellogg lives by the motto: high impact low ego. Kellogg leaders take initiative and enact change in their community and worlds around them, but they are also humble about it. And that’s evidently seen here throughout the Kellogg community.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to showcase your uniqueness. During the application process, for the longest time I felt worried that as an engineer, I wouldn’t fit with the typical applicant that schools were looking for. I soon realized that from chatting with current students and alumni it was actually the complete opposite. Diversity in interests, background, and experiences are not only celebrated but desired in applicants.”
Phillip Cox (’25)

Click on the links below to access in-depth profiles of Kellogg first-year MBAs.