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Kellogg INSIGHT

Kellogg INSIGHT

Stacking the Deck Against Racism: A psychological explanation for impartiality

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I have a Kellogg MBA
Alumni Blythe McGarvie Blythe McGarvie '78
President and Founder
Leader for International Finance

Kellogg Full-Time MBA Program

Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions 
  • How can I learn more about the Kellogg School's full-time MBA programs?
  • What is the cost of the full-time MBA program? Is financial aid available?
  • What are the minimum requirements for the GMAT, GPA and number of years of work experience?
  • 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?
Application Questions:
  • What materials are required to submit an application to the Kellogg School of Management?
  • Are all applicants interviewed?
  • I received an email informing me that my interview was waived. What does this mean, and am I at a disadvantage?
  • Who should write my letters of recommendation?
  • What are the Kellogg School's application and interview deadlines for Fall 2008?
  • Does Kellogg accept paper applications?
  • Is there any advantage to applying in Round 1, 2 or 3?
  • What is the difference between Part I and Part II of the application?
  • How and when are decisions released?
  • Where and how do I check the status of my application?
  • Does Kellogg accept corrections or supplemental materials to an application that already has been submitted?
  • How do I notify Kellogg of changes to my contact or employment information?
  • Does Kellogg grant deferrals?
  • Is my application reviewed any differently if I am applying with my spouse or significant other?
  • Can I meet with an Admissions Officer to discuss the MBA Program at Kellogg?
  • Will visiting Kellogg’s campus increase my changes of admission if I am on the wait list?
  • Can I re-apply to Kellogg?
For International Applicants:
  • If I have a 3-year bachelor’s degree, am I eligible to apply?
  • What is the minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score required for an international applicant?
  • Who is required to take the TOEFL?
  • What is the TOEFL code for the Kellogg School’s Full-Time program?
Programs:
  • What is the One-Year (1Y) Program?
  • What are the requirements for the One-Year Program?
  • What is the MMM Program?
  • What is the JD-MBA Program?
Student Life:
  • What do students do outside the classroom at the Kellogg School?
  • Does Kellogg have clubs or groups for students' significant others/spouses and children?
  • What type of housing is available for Kellogg students?

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, undergraduate profile 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, participate in a student-led tour and meet current students. No appointments are necessary.

Get to know our students. Our student diaries pages 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.

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What is the cost of the full-time MBA program? Is financial aid available?
The estimated total costs for the 2008-2009 academic year, including tuition, books and materials, computer equipment and living expenses, will be $72,539 for Two-Year and MMM students; tuition is $46,791. For students in the One-Year program, total costs are estimated to be $95,480; tuition is $62,388. 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. 67% of the Kellogg School's student body receives financial aid.

What are the minimum requirements for the GMAT, GPA and number of years of work experience?
Kellogg has no minimum requirements for the GMAT or GPA. The average GMAT for enrolled students is 711, with approximately 75 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 application deadline to which you are applying.

Although we have no minimum requirements for work experience, the middle 80% of our incoming class has 3-7 years experience. Because the Admissions Committee believes previous work experience greatly enriches one's experience in the classroom, we recommend that candidates have at least two years of full-time work experience to be able 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.

Application Questions

What materials are required to submit an application to the Kellogg School of Management?
The following materials are required:
Data Form and essays
Transcript(s)
Two Career Progress Surveys (letters of recommendation)
Request for either an on-campus or off-campus interview
GMAT score
TOEFL score, if applicable
Résumé
Kellogg Honor Code
$230 (USD) application fee

Are all applicants interviewed?
Yes. All applicants are required to request an on-campus or off-campus interview, each of which carries equal weight. The interview allows applicants to present their candidacy in a more personal manner and to learn more about the Kellogg School. We view the interview as an independent assessment; therefore, the only piece of your application reviewed by the interviewer will be your résumé. Although Kellogg makes every attempt to interview all applicants, heavy demand in certain locations may require that we waive the interview so as not to delay the review of the application. Candidates whose interviews are waived are not at a disadvantage. The Office of Admissions will follow up with candidates whose interviews were waived should the committee feel an interview would make an impact on the final decision.

I received an email informing me that my interview was waived. What does this mean, and am I at a disadvantage?
Interview waivers, which are sometimes granted when regional demand is heavy, have no bearing on admission decisions. If we feel an interview would be helpful in further assessing a candidate or would aid in rendering a decision, we will contact the applicant to schedule a telephone interview. Applicants may not request a telephone interview; we will invite waived candidates for telephone interviews throughout each application round. Many of our admitted students initially received an interview waiver and were subsequently contacted for a telephone interview.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Ideally, one of your letters of recommendation, or Career Progress Surveys, 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. If you are unable to ask a current supervisor or manager for a letter of recommendation, please include a brief statement regarding your choice in the Additional Information section of Part 2 of the application.

What are The Kellogg School's application and interview deadlines for Fall 2008?
Deadlines for Fall 2009 can be found here.
Online applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. Supplemental materials for the online applications must be received before the close of business at 5 p.m. (Central Time) on the application deadline date. All applications must be submitted online through the Kellogg service provider. If any of the deadlines are not met for the application, campus interview or alumni interview request, the application will be placed in the next round.

Does Kellogg accept paper applications?
No. All applications must be submitted electronically through Kellogg’s online application service, Embark.

Is there any advantage to applying in Round 1, 2 or 3?
International and 1Y applicants applying in Round 3 are at a disadvantage because we typically admit all international and 1Y students during Rounds 1 and 2. For other candidates, there is no evaluative advantage in applying during Round 1 versus Round 2, but we do recommend that candidates apply in one of the first two rounds. Admitted students from Round 1 and 2 can take advantage of our admitted-student weekend, Day at Kellogg. Also, they may receive preference for certain grants and scholarships, as well as registration preference for the Kellogg School's on-campus housing at the McManus Living-Learning Center.

What is the difference between Part I and Part II of the application?
Part I of the application consists of the Data Form and $230 application fee. Interview requests can be made by checking the appropriate box on the Data Form and submitting Part I.

Part II of the application includes the essays, transcripts, résumé, letters of recommendation (a.k.a. Career Progress Surveys) and Kellogg Honor Code.

Candidates should submit Part I of the application by the dates designated in the admissions timetable to allow sufficient time to arrange and conduct their interviews.

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How and when are decisions released?
Upon posting your decision online, we will send an e-mail 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?
You can check the status of your application here. An individual identification number will be e-mailed to you within four business days upon receipt of Part I of your online application. If you do not receive your identification number after this time, please contact our office as we may have an incorrect e-mail address. (The Admissions Office frequently uses e-mail to communicate with candidates; therefore, we recommend that you check your filter settings to ensure that bulk messages are not routed to your trash bin.) All applicants will receive confirmation via status check when the application is complete. All admissions decisions will be posted through the status check feature.

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 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 faxed to 847-491-4960. 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 MBAadmissions@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?
Once admitted, applicants may send a deferral request in writing to the Director of Admissions. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and very few are granted. Candidates should apply for the year in which they plan to enroll. A detailed explanation of the request and appropriate documentation are required. Candidates requesting deferrals will be notified after all decisions from the three application rounds have been rendered.

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.

Can I meet with an admissions officer to discuss the MBA Program at Kellogg?
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 increase your chance of admission.

Can I re-apply to Kellogg?
Yes. Kellogg looks favorably upon candidates that continue to feel that the MBA is the right degree and that Kellogg is the right school. Any candidate who has previously applied to the Kellogg School must submit a new application. If GMAT or TOEFL scores remain unchanged, there is no need to resubmit this information. In addition, only one letter of recommendation (a.k.a. Career Progress Survey) is needed for a re-applicant. This CPS 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 re-interview if they wish. If you would like to use your interview from your previous application, please e-mail ksm-aao@kellogg.northwestern.edu. Only re-applicants will be granted a second interview within any 18-month period. Re-applicants should follow all other instructions as if applying for the first time.

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International Applicants

If I have a 3-year bachelor’s degree, am I eligible to apply?
We're 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 280 for the computer 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?
All non-U.S. Citizens or non-U.S. Permanent Residents who received their undergraduate degree from an institution where English was not the only language of instruction must submit a TOEFL score. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request a TOEFL score from applicants if deemed necessary.

What is the TOEFL code for the Kellogg School’s Full-Time program?
The Kellogg School’s TOEFL code is 1546

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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 joint-degree JD-MBA program.

What is the One-Year (1Y) Program?
The One-Year Program is an accelerated MBA program for candidates who have completed the requisite coursework either through undergraduate or graduate coursework. This program allows students to return to the work force quickly while minimizing the amount of repetitive coursework. The 1Y Program does not provide a summer internship opportunity and is best suited for those with clear and consistent career goals. The program begins in June and students take mostly elective courses during their first quarter and join the second-year class in September for three quarters of electives. Like Two-Year students, One-Year students may complete multiple majors; the majority of One-Years choose two or three concentrations.

What are the requirements for the One-Year Program?
While most 1Y students have undergraduate business degrees, the 1Y Program is open to both undergraduate business majors and non-business majors. All candidates must have completed required coursework within the last seven years and must have completed accounting and at least five of the following six courses: finance, marketing, operations, statistics, economics, and organizational behavior.

While five courses must be completed upon application, the sixth course can be completed before enrollment in June. The seventh can be completed as a non-credit class over the summer quarter at Kellogg.

Eligibility should be determined by the applicant. To review course descriptions to see if completed courses meet our requirements, please visit, click here. If you remain unsure about whether you meet the course requirements, please e-mail the Office of Admissions and 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 integrates management, operations and design. It 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. For more information on the MMM Program, click here.

What is the JD-MBA Program?
The JD-MBA Program, a joint effort of Kellogg and Northwestern University’s School of Law, gives students the opportunity to earn a juris doctor and master of business administration 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.

Students spend their first year of study (including the summer) at the School of Law on the Chicago campus. During the second year, students attend the Kellogg school. During the final 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.

What is the cost of the full-time MBA Program? Is financial aid available?
The estimated costs for the 2008-2009 academic year are available here. Most of our students receive financial aid.

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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 80 student clubs that foster a sense of community and allow students to develop their leadership skills.

Each year, students work closely with faculty to organize and host more than a dozen professional conferences, typically held in the winter and spring quarters. Kellogg conferences 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 founded to recognize the specific needs of married/partnered students and students with children and to provide an informal support network.

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 three 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.