Kellogg Full-Time MBA Program

Hello everyone. I am an Admissions Officer that has been at Kellogg for five years. Over the years I have heard many rumors about our process so I thought I would take this opportunity to dispel some of the myths I’ve been hearing over the last few months.

MYTH: There is a correlation between my interview date and decision date.

TRUTH: I know, many of you dislike the fact that decisions are released throughout a deadline period rather than all on one date. However, Kellogg feels like if there is news that would be helpful to in you planning, why hold it until the end. I do recommend that you set expectations that your decision will be rendered at the decision deadline date (March 30^th for Round 2 and May 18^th for Round 3) and if you’re notified sooner it’s a surprise.

There are many factors that play into when a decision is released; few that an applicant can control. The things you can do to ensure a timely decision are to call our office early to schedule your on-campus interview (to be completed on-campus by March 9^th) or follow-up on your alumni interview assignment as soon as it is received. However, just because your interview is scheduled or conducted early in the round this in no way dictates when your decision will be released. Our process is a very manual one and if any of you have attended an information session I’ve hosted you may have heard me give this example before. Your application file flows through various hands before a final decision is made. The stack of application files I have to review each week can be quite tall and if yours is at the bottom and I continue to read from the top, the applicant at the bottom may hear later in the cycle. Yes, it’s that random. So those of you that are trying to draw conclusions on how or when we release decisions, I might suggest you take up another hobby! J

MYTH: When my interview is waived I am at a disadvantage.

TRUTH: Couldn’t be farther from the truth. Kellogg would not have the waiver process if it put you at a disadvantage. Remember, we are rooting for you in the process and are looking for reasons to admit applicants not reasons to deny applicants. An interview waiver occurs simply because there is more demand in an area than members of our Alumni Admissions Organization can manage. No evaluation of an applicant is made prior to the interview waiver notice. Each year, many interview waivers are given and many of these applicants are ultimately admitted to Kellogg. When an interview waiver occurs, our process is set up to move forward with the review of an application in order to be able to meet the decision deadline for that round. If in the review process we feel an interview would be helpful in further assessing your candidacy or would aid in rendering a decision, our office will reach out to you to schedule a phone interview. Unfortunately you cannot request a phone interview nor can you change your interview to on-campus. Our office also does not reverse waiver decisions. If you receive an interview waiver notice, please don’t worry that it will put you at a disadvantage in the process. We know much effort was taken to prepare your application and effort will also be taken in the review.