All information below applies for entry in 2013. General Questions ProgramsMinimum Application Requirements Application-Related QuestionsInternational Applicants Student LifeWhere can I find a copy of Northwestern's Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics?
General Questions
How can I learn more about the Kellogg School's full-time MBA programs?
In addition to reviewing our FAQ site, we invite you to do the following:
Review our class profile. For more information on class characteristics, GMAT scores, undergraduate profiles and geographic representation of our current students, click here.
Meet alumni in your local area. We invite you to meet our alumni by attending our off-campus events hosted in cities worldwide. Most events allow candidates to meet with both an admissions representative and Kellogg alumni. Reservations may be required for some events.
Visit our campus. We welcome and encourage prospective candidates to visit Kellogg. Visitors can observe classes, attend an information session conducted by an admissions officer, have lunch with a student, participate in a student-led tour, and meet current students. No appointments are necessary.
Get to know our students. Our student blog will give you an insider's perspective on the Kellogg School, and many of our students are happy to answer your questions about life at Kellogg.
What is the cost of the full-time MBA program? Is financial aid available?
The estimated total costs for the 2012-2013 academic year, including tuition, books and materials, computer equipment and living expenses, will be $84,454 for Two-Year and MMM students; tuition is $56,550. For students in the One-Year program, total costs are estimated to be $111,713; tuition is $75,400. Kellogg is committed to enrolling the best qualified students, regardless of ability to pay. The school awards institutional grants and corporate-sponsored scholarship assistance in addition to long-term, low-interest loans. Kellogg students may finance 100 percent of their calculated financial need. More information on tuition, financial aid and scholarships is available here.
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Programs
What full-time options are available at Kellogg?
Kellogg offers several options for pursuing a full-time MBA, including the One-Year (1Y) Program, the traditional Two-Year (2Y) Program, the MMM Program which is a fully integrated two-year program providing the MBA and Masters of Engineering Management, and a 3-year joint-degree JD-MBA program.
What is the One-Year (1Y) Program?
The Full-Time One-Year MBA Program allows students to maximize their four quarters at Kellogg by focusing almost entirely on electives and minimizing the amount of repetitive coursework. This program allows students to return to the work force quickly and accelerate their career path. The program does not provide a summer internship and therefore is best suited for those with clear and consistent career goals. The program begins in June where students take mostly elective coursework and then join the second-year class in September for three quarters of electives. Like Two-Year students, One-Year students may complete multiple majors, join clubs, lead conferences, and have full access to the Career Management Center and recruiting opportunities.
What are the requirements for the One-Year Program?
While most One-Year students have undergraduate business degrees, the One-Year Program is open to both undergraduate business majors and non-business majors. All candidates must have completed required coursework within the last seven years, including accounting, finance, marketing, operations, statistics and economics. We do not accept courses completed online to meet these requirements.
Upon application, candidates must have completed six of the seven required courses or indicate to the Admissions Committee when and where they will enroll in order to complete these courses prior to the program start date in June. The seventh, or final missing, course may be completed over the summer quarter at Kellogg. The Student Affairs Office will determine the schedule for these courses depending on timing and availability. You will receive credit for the completion of this final course. Please note that some courses are offered through the Part-Time MBA Program and would preclude KWEST participation.
Eligibility should be determined by the applicant. To review course descriptions to see if completed courses meet our requirements, click here. If you remain unsure about whether you meet the course requirements, please review the information in the "Determining Course Eligibility" section of the website where you will find a course template to complete. E-mail this course template to mbaadmissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu. Please include the phrase "1Y Eligibility" in the subject line.
What is the MMM Program?
The MMM Program is the dual-degree program offered by the Kellogg School and Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. MMM teaches interdisciplinary innovation through a curriculum based on Process + Possibility Based thinking. Process-Based thinking is rigorous, logical and factual; Possibility-Based thinking is human-centered, re-framed and exploratory. Understanding both enables students to create new and truly meaningful knowledge that leads to actionable innovation in the market place, improving organizations and communities around the world.
MMM provides a unique opportunity to earn two degrees in two years with one set of curricular requirements. Students earn the Master of Business Administration from Kellogg and the Master of Engineering Management from the McCormick School. Within Kellogg, students can choose any of the 18 majors offered by Kellogg. The McCormick curriculum offers the major of Operations and Design. MMM students enjoy all the advantages of being enrolled in two prestigious schools at Northwestern University. For more information on the MMM Program, click here.
What is the JD-MBA Program?
The JD-MBA Program, a joint degree between Kellogg and Northwestern University's School of Law, gives students the opportunity to earn a JD and MBA in just three years (it would take five to earn them separately).The core curriculum is complemented with elective course work in such areas as finance, entrepreneurship, international business law, real estate law and tax law. Both degrees are awarded upon completion of 16 managerial courses and 72 hours of law course work and students may choose to pursue careers in either field.
Students spend their first year of study (including the summer) at the School of Law on the Chicago campus. Between the summer of the first and second year students begin taking classes at the Kellogg School and continue there throughout the academic year. During the third year of the program, students take courses at the law school but may take additional electives at Kellogg. For more information on this program, click here.
JD-MBA applicants must take the GMAT, not the GRE.
Minimum Application Requirements
Does Kellogg require a minimum GMAT score?
No. Kellogg has no minimum requirements for the GMAT. The average GMAT for the class entering in 2012 is 708, with approximately 76 percent of our enrolled students scoring between 650 and 740. The GMAT is just one criterion our admissions team considers and is not the only indicator for success in business school. GMAT scores are valid for five years from the testing date to the date the completed application (Part I and Part II) is submitted. We accept the highest total score.
The revised GMAT has recently been implemented. Is there a date or time frame when you will stop accepting the marks from the current GMAT and only be accepting marks from the revised GMAT?
We do not have a cut-off date by which scores from the previous test format will no longer be accepted. All GMAT scores are valid for five years from the testing date to the date the completed application (Part I and Part II) is submitted.
How will your school use the Integrated Reasoning section of the test, particularly since some candidates will have an Integrated Reasoning score while others will not? Should I take the exam now or in June?
Take the exam when you are ready. Similar to the AWA section, the new Integrated Reasoning section will have a score which will not figure into the Total score. The total GMAT score is based on your performance on the Quantitative and Verbal sections only. While the Integrated Reasoning section will provide an additional data point, the consistent data points which we can evaluate are the quantitative and verbal sections, which will remain unchanged with the revised GMAT test.
Does Kellogg accept the GRE?
Yes. Kellogg accepts the GRE for the One-Year, Two-Year and MMM Programs. JD-MBA applicants must take the GMAT, not the GRE.
Does Kellogg require full-time work experience?
Yes. Kellogg strongly recommends applicants to have at least two years of work experience upon matriculation. The Admissions Committee believes work experience will enrich one's experience in the classroom and allow our students to participate fully in classroom discussions and group projects.
Based on my work experience, academic performance and test scores, am I a competitive candidate? Can you describe what you're looking for in a candidate?
Because our process is holistic and takes into consideration many factors beyond data points, we can't predict your standing based on test scores and work experience alone. Each application receives a thoughtful and thorough review by a committee of staff and trained students. Although we do consider test scores, scholastic ability and work experience, we are also interested in learning more about each candidate's values and motivations. We also assess characteristics such as maturity, leadership and potential to contribute to the Kellogg community. The Admissions Office can assist with questions regarding the Full-Time Programs and admissions, but we are unable to offer specific advice regarding one's candidacy. For more information on the characteristics for our entering class, please review the class profile here.
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Application Questions
What materials are required to submit an application to the Kellogg School of Management?
The following materials are required for the 2013 application:
Data Form and essays
Transcript(s)
Two letters of recommendation
Request for either an on-campus or off-campus interview
GMAT or GRE score
TOEFL score, if applicable
Résumé
Kellogg Honor Code
$250 (USD) non-refundable application fee
What are The Kellogg School's application and interview deadlines for the 2013 application?
Deadlines for 2013 application can be found here.
Online applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Does Kellogg accept paper applications?
No. All applications must be submitted electronically.
What is the GMAT code for the Kellogg School's Full-Time program?
The Kellogg School's GMAT code is 6WZ3J89
What is the GRE code for the Kellogg School's Full-Time program?
The Kellogg School's GRE code is 7921
Is there any advantage to applying in Round 1, 2 or 3?
We strongly encourage applicants to apply in the earliest round possible. We suggest applying in 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.
International and One-Year students applying in Round 3 will be at a disadvantage. We typically admit all international and One-Year students in Round 1 and Round 2 to allow time for visa processing for international students and to accommodate the earlier enrollment date of the One-Year program.
Why does Kellogg have a two-part application?
Kellogg is one of the few schools to require all applicants to request an interview. Part I of the application allows candidates to submit their interview preference (on-campus vs. off-campus) prior to completing their essays. Because it may take up to eight weeks to receive an off-campus assignment, particularly during the peak season, we strongly encourage candidates to submit Part I as soon as possible. Submitting an off-campus interview request does not guarantee an interview; the interview may be waived in areas of high demand or remote location.
Candidates should refer to the admissions application deadlines to review the dates by which Part I and Part II of the application are due.
What is the difference between Part I and Part II of the application?
Part I consists of the Data Form, interview preference selection, uploaded resume, and the $250 non-refundable application fee. Part II is the section to upload essays, scanned transcripts, scanned test scores and to register recommenders.
Is an interview required for the application process?
All applicants are required to request an on-campus or off-campus interview, each of which carries equal weight. In areas of heavy demand or remote location, candidates may receive an interview waiver so as not to delay the review of the application.
I received an email informing me that my interview was waived. Am I at a disadvantage?
No. Candidates whose interviews are waived are not at a disadvantage. Many of our current students initially received an interview waiver and were subsequently contacted for a telephone interview.
The Office of Admissions will contact candidates whose interviews were waived should the committee feel an interview would make an impact on the final decision.
If my interview was waived, by when will the admissions office contact me to schedule a phone interview?
If the admissions committee feels an interview would be material to making a final decision, invitations for a phone interview may be extended throughout the entire application round, including up to the notification deadline.
May I call the office to request a telephone interview?
No. Applicants may not request a telephone interview.
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Ideally, one of your letters of recommendation should be written by your current supervisor or manager. The second letter of recommendation also should be from someone who can objectively evaluate your professional performance as well as managerial and leadership potential, such as a former supervisor, previous employer, client, etc.
What if I am not comfortable asking my current supervisor or manager for a letter of recommendation?
If you are unable to ask a current supervisor or manager for a letter of recommendation, please include a brief statement explaining your situation and choice of recommender in the Additional Information section of Part 2 of the application.
How and when are decisions released?
Upon posting your decision online, we will send an email informing you that a decision has been rendered. Although the vast majority of decisions are released at or near the decision deadline date, we do review and release decisions on an ongoing basis. Please note that applications are not necessarily reviewed in the order received, and the timing of one's decision is not an indicator of a candidate's strengths or weaknesses relative to others who applied in the same round.
Where and how do I check the status of my application?
To confirm receipt of application materials and for notification of the final application decision, please go to Check Application Status on the Kellogg Full-Time Admissions website. If there are missing application requirements, the missing items will be listed on this page.
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, GRE 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 mbaapplicant@kellogg.northwestern.edu. Submitting multiple versions of any part of the application will delay our review of the application.
How do I notify Kellogg of changes to my contact or employment information?
Please send an e-mail to mbaapplicant@kellogg.northwestern.edu. Be sure to include your name — exactly as it appears on your application — and your date of birth, which will be used for identification purposes only.
Does Kellogg grant deferrals?
Deferral requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates should apply for the year in which they plan to enroll. Once admitted, applicants may send a deferral request to the Director of Admissions. A detailed explanation of the request and appropriate documentation are required. In certain situations, the Admissions Committee may offer deferred admissions to candidates who would benefit from an additional year of work experience.
Is my application reviewed any differently if I am applying with my spouse or significant other?
No. Each file is assessed independently, regardless of whether you are applying with someone else. We will, however, do our best to release admissions decisions at or near the same time. If you are applying with a significant other, you may note this in the additional information section in Part II of the application.
Can I meet with an admissions officer to discuss the MBA Program at Kellogg?
No. The admissions officers are not able to meet individually with prospective students or candidates. We encourage you to take advantage of our on-campus information sessions in order to speak to an admissions officer and have your questions answered.
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 impact your chance of admission.
Can I re-apply to Kellogg?
Yes. Kellogg looks favorably upon candidates that continue to feel that Kellogg is the right school. Re-applicants must submit a new application. If GMAT, GRE or TOEFL scores remain unchanged, there is no need to resubmit official scores if previously submitted. In addition, only one letter of recommendation is needed for a re-applicant. This recommendation 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 elect to re-interview of they wish. Re-applicants should follow all other instructions as if applying for the first time and answer the essay question specifically for re-applicants.
Can I get feedback on my denied application?
No. Kellogg does not provide feedback to those candidates who were denied admission to any of our full-time programs.
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International Applicants
If I have a 3-year bachelor's degree, am I eligible to apply?
Yes. We are familiar with various international educational systems and recognize that 3-year undergraduate programs are the norm in much of the United Kingdom and in India. Many of our applicants from India have also completed a 16th year of education in a master's program, but this is not a requirement.
What is the minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score required for an international applicant?
We do not have a minimum score requirement, though the average is 109 for the internet-based test. We review various indicators of English ability, such as the GMAT scores, essays and interview performance.
Who is required to take the TOEFL?
International applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL exam. Exemptions will be granted for international applicants who received an undergraduate degree from an institution where English was the ONLY language of instruction and have provided documentation to support this claim. Degrees from on-line or distance learning programs do not qualify for an exemption.
What is the TOEFL code for the Kellogg School's Full-Time program?
The Kellogg School's TOEFL code is 1546
Does Kellogg accept the TSE or IELTS?
No. Kellogg does not accept the TSE or IELTS.
Student Life
What do students do outside the classroom at the Kellogg School?
Students at Kellogg are very active in a wide range of extracurricular activities. There are approximately 90 student clubs that foster a sense of community and allow students to develop their leadership skills. These clubs focus on a variety of student interests including professional development, philanthropic activities, sports, arts, regional affiliations, and affinity groups.
Additionally, students work closely with staff and faculty to organize and host more than a dozen professional conferences each year. Kellogg conferences are held on Wednesdays or Saturdays throughout the academic year and bring business leaders from all over the world to our campus.
Does Kellogg have clubs or groups for students' significant others/spouses and children?
Joint Ventures and Kellogg Kids were established to recognize the specific needs of married/partnered students and students with children and to provide an informal support network. These organizations, run by current Kellogg partners, offer a variety of social and philanthropic opportunities, support and opportunities to get involved in leadership roles. Additionally, Kellogg provides networking assistance, help connecting to community resources, and volunteer and job search guidance
to partners of students.
What type of housing is available for Kellogg students?
Approximately 25 percent of all Kellogg students live in the McManus Living-Learning Center, an apartment complex for Kellogg students and their families. Located approximately four blocks from the Kellogg School, McManus offers several sizes and styles of apartments and is equipped with study rooms, a computer lab, exercise facilities, an underground parking garage and other amenities. The remaining 75 percent of Kellogg students choose to live off-campus in Evanston or nearby Chicago. A wide variety of housing is available from vintage two flats and courtyard apartment buildings to high rise condo and apartment buildings. Most Kellogg students choose to live within walking or biking distance from the Jacobs Center.
Who lives in the McManus Living-Learning Center
Approximately 245 students plus 50 significant others live in McManus. Approximately 75% of McManus resident are international students; 28% are first-year students.
Where is McManus?
Click here for a map showing the distance from Kellogg to McManus.
Where can I find a copy of Northwestern's Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics?
As provided by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, you are entitled to request and receive a copy of Northwestern University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This Report includes statistics for the previous 3 years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Northwestern University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus. The Report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies on drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, fire safety and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Northwestern University Police Department Deputy Chief at (847) 491-3256. The report can also be accessed and printed from the University Police website at http://www.northwestern.edu/up/safety/annual-report/index.html
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