Kellogg Admissions FAQ Highlights

If you haven’t visited the FAQ pages of your target schools, I highly recommend it. Among a lot of standard information similar across schools, there are often school-specific policies and procedures that may impact your application strategy. These include whether or not applying in earlier rounds is advantageous (UCLA - yes, Kellogg - no difference between round 1 and 2); whether you can submit additional materials/test scores after you’ve submitted your application (HBS, Stanford - no, Wharton - yes, but no guarantee it will be considered, Kellogg - only changes in data, but that includes test scores); and do campus visits strengthen an application (Wharton, Kellogg - no). I’ll be sifting through them over the next few weeks and posting what I think are the most interesting bits. From Kellogg Admissions FAQ:

Does Kellogg accept corrections or supplemental materials to an application that already has been submitted? No. We will make exceptions only for corrections to factual data (not essays), changes in employment or employment status, grades for classes recently taken, or new GMAT or TOEFL scores. There is no guarantee that new grades or test scores will be considered prior to rendering a decision. New test scores or grades should be scanned and emailed to MBAadmissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu. Submitting multiple versions of any part of the application will delay our review of the application.

My Note: So far, Kellogg is the only program to state clearly that they will accept new (i.e., improved) test scores. If you are considering first round but worried about a test score(s), this may give you another reason to apply earlier rather than later. However, you never know when your application will be reviewed so you need to improve your score(s) as quickly as possible.

Is there any advantage to applying in Round 1, 2 or 3? International and 1Y applicants applying in Round 3 are at a disadvantage because we typically admit all international and 1Y students during Rounds 1 and 2. For other candidates, there is no evaluative advantage in applying during Round 1 versus Round 2, but we do recommend that candidates apply in one of the first two rounds. Admitted students from Round 1 and 2 can take advantage of our admitted-student weekend, Day at Kellogg. Also, they may receive preference for certain grants and scholarships, as well as registration preference for the Kellogg School's on-campus housing at the McManus Living-Learning Center.

Which application round is the most competitive? Is there any advantage to applying in Round 1, 2 or 3? We strongly encourage applicants to apply in the earliest round possible. Historically, there typically was no evaluative advantage in applying during Round 1 versus Round 2. However, round 2 has typically been our heaviest deadline and should the number of applications continue to increase, round 2 may become more competitive. Going forward, we suggest considering Round 1 if you have the time to submit a thoughtful and strong application. Applying earlier also may be advantageous for certain grants and scholarships as well as registration preference for the Kellogg School’s on-campus housing at the McManus Living-Learning Center. Applicants applying in either Round 1 and 2 can take advantage of our admitted-student weekend, Day at Kellogg.

We strongly recommend that international and 1Y applicants apply in either round 1 or round 2. We typically admit all international and 1Y students in these rounds, in order to allow time for Visa Processing for International Students and to accommodate the earlier enrollment date of the 1Y program. As a result, international and 1Y students applying in Round 3 will be at a disadvantage.

My Note: Including both of these notes is somewhat confusing, but to be on the safe side, applying earlier is better, all other factors being equal.

Will visiting the Kellogg School’s campus increase my changes of admission if I am on the wait list? No. While we do encourage prospective students to visit our campus, a visit does not increase your chance of admission.

Can I re-apply to Kellogg? Yes. Kellogg looks favorably upon candidates that continue to feel that the MBA is the right degree and that Kellogg is the right school. Any candidate who has previously applied to the Kellogg School must submit a new application. If GMAT or TOEFL scores remain unchanged, there is no need to resubmit this information. In addition, only one letter of recommendation (a.k.a. Career Progress Survey) is needed for a re-applicant. This CPS must be from a different recommender than in previous applications. Lastly, the evaluative interview is not required if one has been completed within the past 18 months, though candidates may re-interview if they wish. If you would like to use your interview from your previous application, please e-mail mbaapplicant@kellogg.northwestern.edu. Only re-applicants will be granted a second interview within any 18-month period. Re-applicants should follow all other instructions as if applying for the first time