Essay Question1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 words)

This question is asking the applicant to recount a story on a time during which they had a leadership experience in which they have contributed substantially and made an impact on someone or somewhere. This is about overcoming challenges and using those challenges to learn something new that will continue to help the applicant over the long term. Applicants must focus on the word brave, which means that the admission committee want applicants who are willing to take a chance and risk no matter what the outcome could be. So it is important to think of risk situations that can still be related to the over all goal of getting admitted to the MBA program. 

Applicants can also focus on teamwork here to demonstrate that they have the skills needed to use when they are working in a group setting and the team needs them to step up and cover for one or many of them. A willingness to take on leadership roles and risk is what really defines the Kellogg culture and purpose, and so the admission committee want to see that reflected in the applicant’s over all message and story. 

Applicants must begin by talking abut the situation, then they should introduce the different players that contributed to the story, the stakeholders and those that got influenced by the task, before they move on to speak about the task they needed to accomplish during their leadership role. Applicants must also not forget to mention all the challenges they have faced while doing the job and the different actions they have taken to overcome them. 

Finally, the applicant must comment on the result of the leadership task or project. Given the overall message of a lasting value or effect on one’s life, applicants must try to connect the project’s results to their overall goals in life. 

Essay Question2 : Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you, and how have they influenced you?

Kellogg’s second MBA essay question is an attempt by the admission committee to uncover what truly motivates and inspires the applicant. What is drives them towards success? How will that driving factor make them a useful member of the Kellogg community in general? This is important, because the admission committee wants to identify students who can contribute meaningfully to the school’s community. Candidate must deeply think about this topic before they answer it, and they should keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to offer insight into how they have enacted in the past, and how they will keep on enacting their values once they become members of the Kellogg community. 

Applicants should try to let their guards down a little bit and let the admission committee get to know the real person they are. Applicants could consider linking their values to some of what the Kellogg community offers. Maybe clubs, associations, or community activities that directly connect with your values! This is your chance to show that you will fit in perfectly within the space. 

Re-applicant Essay : Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 word limit)

This question clearly shows that the admission committee is very interested to see how the applicant has improved materials and how his current candidacy is superior to his previous one. This is not the time for reflecting on how you have become a better person within, instead, the applicant should focus on facts and numbers! Bring the receipts to the table! Applicants should discuss specific ways they have worked on to strengthen their profile over the past year, such as taking additional business classes, retaking the GMAT to get a higher grade or perhaps getting a leadership certificate from a top tier business school. 

Additional Information : If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.).

This part of the application is obviously the applicant’s chance to explain potential liabilities or inconsistencies in their applications. Applicants can write as much as they can in this part and are not limited to a word count. However, it is better to stick to a straightforward approach and use as few words as you could to explain yourself and show how you have improved and overcome those liabilities. It is important to have a humble tone.