March 16, 2018

 Kellogg’s Military Preview Day 2018

Military Preview Day is an opportunity to visit Kellogg, meet current veteran students and learn how Kellogg can help veterans advance their next career. Programming will include a mock class with Kellogg faculty, current student and alumni panels, an Admissions and Financial Aid session, and dinner with the Kellogg Veterans Association.

The Admissions Process From A Veteran’s Perspective

by Joe Marshall. JD/MBA Candidate, Class of 2018

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Northwestern Kellogg School of Management

Transitioning out of the military can be .  You are not only concerned with losing the camaraderie and sense of mission that comes from service, but are also unaware of just what is out there in corporate America and where you best fit.  The “how” of applying for these positions is complicated by the concern that you are missing out on other opportunities that better fit your passions and abilities.  For many veterans it makes sense to go back to school for an MBA to assess the world of business and where your place in it lies.  Business school is also a fantastic opportunity to close skill gaps in functional business knowledge that enable you to better leverage leadership and other qualities honed in service.  Making the decision to apply for an MBA comes with its own set of unknowns.

What should I put in my resume?  What schools should I apply to?  How do I knock off the rust from five years spent doing ruck marches instead of math to study for the GMAT?  Luckily, just like in the military, there is a lineage of veterans who have made a similar transition happy to assist you not only in getting accepted to an MBA program, but also in finding the right fit for you and your goals.  Here are five lessons learned from my MBA applications.

  1. Start GMAT Prep Early: For some the GMAT is a one-and-done deal, for others it requires perseverance and multiple attempts to hit that target score. The test covers math and verbal concepts that most veteran applicants have not dealt with in years.  The earlier in the process that you start studying for this test, the greater the likelihood that this part of the application will be in the rearview mirror as you prepare your resume and essays for submission.  The test is valid for five years, so there is almost no applicant looking at business schools for whom it is “too early” to start studying for the GMAT.  If you are still studying for that last retake of the GMAT as application deadlines approach, your essays and other materials will likely suffer as a result.
  2. Reach out Veteran Communities at Target Schools: One of the best lessons a young service member can learn is to not unnecessarily recreate the wheel. The same lesson applies to business school applications.  There are veteran communities at every school who were in your shoes just a few years prior.  Find these veteran association websites and connect with their admissions reps.  They are not just willing but eager to assist you i
    1. Start GMAT Prep Early: For some the GMAT is a one-and-done deal, for others it requires perseverance and multiple attempts to hit that target score. The test covers math and verbal concepts that most veteran applicants have not dealt with in years.  The earlier in the process that you start studying for this test, the greater the likelihood that this part of the application will be in the rearview mirror as you prepare your resume and essays for submission.  The test is valid for five years, so there is almost no applicant looking at business schools for whom it is “too early” to start studying for the GMAT.  If you are still studying for that last retake of the GMAT as application deadlines approach, your essays and other materials will likely suffer as a result.
    2. Reach out Veteran Communities at Target Schools: One of the best lessons a young service member can learn is to not unnecessarily recreate the wheel. The same lesson applies to business school applications.  There are veteran communities at every school who were in your shoes just a few years prior.  Find these veteran association websites and connect with their admissions reps.  They are not just willing but eager to assist you in preparing your application and deciding just what it is you are looking to get out of the MBA.  These clubs like the Kellogg Veterans Association (https://kellogg.campusgroups.com/veterans/prospective-students/), which I serve as Admissions Lead for, are happy to put in this work because somebody did the exact same thing for them when they were applying.  Do not hesitate to reach out to these clubs, and more importantly be prepared to give back in the same way once you hit campus.
    3. Translate your Resume: An important role these veteran clubs will play is to help translate your resume to properly convey your accomplishments to a wider audience. A common misconception is that your military experience does not give you marketable skills to a civilian employer.  This is certainly not the case, but the problem often lies in how these skills are presented to civilian employers.  Message sent is not always message received.  Work with those who transitioned before you to remove jargon and convey your accomplishments and skills in a manner that will properly demonstrate the value you will bring to that organization.
    4. Tailor Essays to the School: Unfortunately, business school essays require more than a generic personal statement and a careful “CTRL-F” to insert the proper school name before submission. Each school will have a particular prompt that requires a unique answer that incorporates the school’s culture and distinctive traits.  Work with current students at that school to gain an understanding for what makes that school special and why you would be a great fit.  For many veterans it will make sense to work with an admissions consultant to package your story in the most effective way possible.  No matter the approach, starting early in your research pays dividends in the days before the deadline.  Admissions reps for clubs will be inundated with essays and calls in the days before the deadline, but have much more time to work on a personal basis in the weeks leading up to it.  Proactive applicants are able to refine and hone their message, leading to more effective essays.
    5. Visit Target Schools: I would strongly discourage anybody from attending a school they did not visit first. You want to get a feel for the community, surrounding area, and whether this is someplace that you would enjoy spending the next two years of your life.  Unfortunately, admitted student weekends often conflict, forcing you to make a choice between schools without a comprehensive first-hand view of your options.  Interview visits are rushed, and your mind is often more on the critical task at hand than getting to know the school.  However, if your travel schedule permits, preview days at schools provide a great opportunity to get a feel for that school long before you even click submit on the application.

Many schools host a military or veteran preview day to showcase the school and answer specific questions and concerns that veterans often have.  Kellogg is hosting an upcoming Military Preview Day on March 16th at its brand new building, the Global Hub.  This event will include a mock class taught by a renowned faculty member, an alumni panel, current-students panel, and presentations from our admissions, career management, and financial-aid departments.  The event will conclude with a dinner in downtown Evanston with current veteran students.  Those in need of lodging can stay with a current student as part of our Sofas for Soldiers program.  Sign up here .  Looking forward to seeing many of you in Evanston!


Event Start Date: 03/16/2018

Event End Date: 03/16/2018

Event Start Time: 11:00 am

Event End Time: 7:00 pm

Event Time Zone: CST (UTC -6)

Event Address: 2211 Campus Dr.
Evanston, IL
United States

Find out more or register here

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