Mr. Hope-I-Get-In

Hi Mr. Hope-I-Get-In! This is Talon Rindels, Sr. Admissions Consultant at The MBA Exchange, Kellogg alum, and CPG devotee. Firstly, I must say, I’d hire you into brand management in a second after your MBA! A food science/manufacturing background is unique for an MBA candidate and would be great experience to have in your brand management toolkit. So, I have no concerns about you getting the job you want after your MBA. Your bigger hurdle will come with getting into the MBA program you desire. While you have a decent shot, your GMAT score is still below Kellogg’s 730 average, so proving your analytical capability will be key here. You could consider retaking the GMAT or engaging in supplemental online courses to potentially improve your candidacy. But, it’s often all about how you craft your story… that’s how I got into Kellogg with a sub-700 GMAT myself! If you should find yourself seeking further support, we offer a wide range of services that can help at any point in your admissions campaign, all the way up to the wait list or reapplying. I see good things in your future – I’m rooting for you Mr. Hope-I-Get-In!

Hi there! Kate Richardson, Senior Admissions Consultant here. First off, I really like your manufacturing experience. It’s less common than some expect within the b-school applicant pool and I’ve worked with several applicants who have successfully used their manufacturing experience to stand out. You’ve clearly had some big professional wins and are passionate about food science which really intrigues me. I’d want to dig into that passion more and help you come up with a specific and ambitious post MBA career path that leverages that science background + your startup experience + an MBA. On the surface, brand management for a CPG makes sense but I also think schools are eager to know what kind of long-term impact do you want to have? What problems do you want to help solve ultimately? Your 720 GMAT gives me slight pause, only because it’s below Kellogg’s median, but your high GPA should counteract that. All in all, I like your odds at Kellogg! Make sure you show them your interest and take advantage of chances to network within their community.

This is Donna Bauman, Senior Admissions Counselor at Stratus Admissions, and I like several aspects of your profile! First your food science background is different and will be an asset in your post MBA career goal of CPG brand management. You have a classic pedigree to fit into the strength of Kellogg CPG as your work as a QA specialist with the 5th largest confectionary brand in the US is a big plus. Your GPA and GMAT are solid too. I also like that your community service work doing pro bono food consulting ties into your career goals. I like your patent and your startup experience too! I see a bright future for you at Kellogg and can see you being an asset to the Marketing club and potentially looking at the Data Analytics Pathway in conjunction with a Marketing Major. Your 720 GMAT is a little below the bar however the food science background is so unique so your GMAT may be enough even now. However, since there is still plenty of time, I’d give the GMAT another shot if you have not yet done so and I’d also use the time you have now to visit Kellogg and connect with students. As a Kellogg alum, I can see how someone with your background could be a great fit at Kellogg. Be sure you highlight how you’ve taken risks and how you have collaborated in your work experience when it is time to work on your application. As far as a few other programs to also consider for brand management look at McCombs for its brand and product management concentration within the Marketing major or look at Ross where you can join the FoodBev@Biz Club to target CPG opportunities as well as join the Michigan Marketing club.