Making the Cut at Kellogg: A Talk with the Admissions Director
An excerpt from the Q&A:

Q: Are interviews set up after applications are received?
Flye: A candidate is welcome to come and interview in Evanston [Ill.] anytime. We always want people to experience a day in the life of Kellogg. If you have an alumni interview instead, we'll match you with a Kellogg alumnus in your home area. That matching [process happens] a few weeks after you've submitted [your application].

Q: When is the best time to interview?
Smith: After you've submitted the application. I assume you'd be more prepared to respond to interview questions after you've had the opportunity to think through and respond to the written application.

Q: How can applicants prepare for an on-campus interview?
Smith: Without revealing our "secret sauce" in terms of how candidates are evaluated, I would encourage applicants to look over their résumés and imagine they were in the position of the interviewer. What would they have questions about? Where are their strengths and weaknesses? Above all else, prepare for the interview by remaining calm and preparing the points you'd like Kellogg to know about you in advance.

For the full version of this Q&A

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Comments from Student 1:
Scheduling the Interview: I called to arrange a time with the Admissions office.

Location of interview: On campus in the Admissions Office.

Preparedness of Interviewer: The interview was based on my resume, not on the entire application package. Kellogg interviews can be conducted before applications are submitted.

Interviewer University affiliation: Admissions Officer

Atmosphere: The atmosphere was very relaxing and a warm conversation. The admissions officer was very friendly and easy to talk to. She was focused on the interview and wasn't distracted by emails, phone calls, etc.

Questions asked: The questions were typical MBA admissions questions. Talk about your previous work experience. Why is now the right time to go to b-school. What do you want to do after b-school? How will Kellogg help you achieve those goals? Describe a difficult situation and how you solved it.

Length of interview: 30-40 minutes

Any additional comments: Of my three schools at which I interviewed on campus, Kellogg was the only school where I interviewed with an admissions officer (the other two schools used student interviewers).

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Comments from Student 2:
Scheduling the Interview: I was sent via postal mail the name and address of a person in my area with whom I could meet, so I emailed him and we set up a convenient time and place.

Location of Interview: Doubletree Hotel, Waltham, Massachusetts

Preparedness of Interviewer: I had emailed him my resume prior to our meeting so he had some background but had not seen my essays or application submissions.

Interviewer University affiliation: Alumni

Atmosphere: hotel lobby, very frank, honest conversation, relaxed, he was closer to my age so it was a bit easier to converse, he seemed genuinely interested in my past experience and how that could be enriched by attending Kellogg so there was always a push to "prove" the fit.

Questions asked: His questions were not pre-formed, but built on my past experiences. He always wanted to know 'how did that get you to where you are' and 'would other schools be a better fit or how would Kellogg be the "best" fit?' He played devil's advocate for most of the conversation, but it was not in a threatening manner, rather inquisitive.

Length of interview – approximately 45 minutes

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Comments from Student 3:
Scheduling the Interview: I scheduled the interview online. I had the option of scheduling either an on-campus or an off-campus interview.

Location of Interview: I chose to interview off-campus because I had already visited the school.

Preparedness of Interviewer: The interviewer had not read my application.

Interviewer University affiliation: I interviewed with an Alumnus. I don't remember his name.

Atmosphere: The interview was fairly casual and relaxed.

Questions asked: We covered the basics such as what my goals are, why business school, why Kellogg, why now. He also asked me about my leadership and team playing experiences. A big part of the interview was about Kellogg culture, how I felt I ft into it.

Length of Interview: The interview was 30 minutes long.

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