What are the essay prompts for Kellogg MBA?

Question

Ranjan J · Accepted Answer

Kellogg&rsquo;s full-time MBA application includes two written essays and a short video essay. Here&rsquo;s what you&rsquo;ll need to answer:
Essay 1: Career Goals & Kellogg Fit (450 words)
Talk about your short- and long-term goals, why this is the right time for an MBA, and how Kellogg fits into that plan. Include what you&rsquo;ll bring to Kellogg&rsquo;s culture&mdash;like collaboration or leadership experience.
Essay 2: Leadership Challenge (450 words)
Pick a professional moment where you had to make a tough call or lead under pressure. Explain the situation, what principles guided you, and how it shaped your leadership going forward.
Video Essay: After submitting, you&rsquo;ll answer 3 short, timed questions on camera. This part lets Kellogg see your personality, communication style, and how you think on your feet.
Want detailed strategies for each section? Check out this "Kellogg MBA Essay Guide"

K S Saini · Answer

Kellogg&rsquo;s MBA essays are designed to uncover more than just goals&mdash;they want to understand your values and how you lead. For the first essay, you&rsquo;re asked to explain your career path, what&rsquo;s pushing you toward an MBA now, and why Kellogg is the right place for you. It helps to mention specific offerings&mdash;like their global electives, MMM program, or student-led initiatives&mdash;and how you plan to contribute back.
The second essay focuses on a leadership moment that tested your decision-making. The best responses go beyond what happened&mdash;they show the reasoning behind your actions and what you took away from it. Think about times where values like empathy or integrity came into play.
After submission, you&rsquo;ll face a short video component with three timed questions. It&rsquo;s not about perfect answers&mdash;it&rsquo;s about being authentic and showing how you engage when there&rsquo;s no script.
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