We are excited you’ve decided to apply to the Kellogg School of Management and look forward to learning more about you. Our application process is designed to give us a sense of who you are, what drives you and why you think the Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program is a good fit for you.
The most important thing you can do throughout this process is to be your authentic self. We can’t stress enough that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Rather, we encourage you to tell your story as genuinely and honestly as possible, because we truly want to get to know you and the experiences that shaped you into the person you are today.
Take a look at the sections below so you can become familiar with what is required for the part-time MBA application. We’ve included helpful articles, videos and blog posts to reference as you prepare for and complete each part.
If you have any questions during the application process, we’ve got you covered. Our admissions team is on hand and eager to help.
Application Tips: Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program
Alyssa Jackson, director of admissions for Kellogg’s Evening & Weekend MBA Program, takes you through the Kellogg application process and provides tips and insights on how to make your application shine.
The number one thing we ask of all our applicants is to be as authentic as possible when you approach this application. There is no right or wrong way to answer the questions. Just be true to yourself, your history and what you hope to achieve with an Executive MBA. Our goal in reviewing your application is to get to know you and to understand the experiences that have helped shape you into the person you are today.
Admission to the Executive MBA Program is contingent upon completing and submitting all application materials. That means in addition to completing your application online, you will also need to submit two letters of recommendation, interview with our admissions team and supply a letter of sponsorship from your employer. Most applicants do not need to submit GMAT scores. Kellogg does not require financial sponsorship from its Executive MBA applicants, but we do require time sponsorship. For more on this, please visit our sponsorship guide.
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Application Tips: Kellogg Executive MBA Program
Emily Haydon and Dustin Saunders, two of our team’s admissions leaders, explain how we select candidates for the Executive MBA Program and what you can do to set your application apart from the rest.
When we evaluate our applicants, we are looking for rich work experience and demonstrated career growth. The Executive MBA Program is for working professionals with at least eight years of work experience. Students who come to us have an average of 15 years of work experience, including military service, which means they have had time to develop a deep expertise in their industry or function, along with managerial experience across people and/or programs.
The admissions committee assesses your:
When you start your application, you have the opportunity to choose between our two campuses and formats: Evanston (meets twice a month) or Miami (meets once a month). With either selection, you’ll receive the same world-class education, learn from Kellogg’s leading faculty, join the same prestigious network and earn your MBA in two years flat.
Day in the Life of the Executive MBA Program
Three Executive MBA students give an inside look at their experience taking classes on the Miami campus.
The Executive MBA Program does not require GMAT or Executive Assessment scores for most applicants. A GMAT score is required if you do not have a bachelor’s degree. In some cases, the admissions committee may ask you to take the GMAT after reviewing your transcripts. We will only make this request, however, in very specific circumstances.
Testing for English language proficiency
All candidates who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must show their English language proficiency by sending valid TOEFL or IELTS scores. Students taking the TOEFL must take the Internet Based Test (IBT). The average TOEFL score for a Kellogg Executive MBA student is 104, and applicants must score a minimum of 100 to be eligible. Applicants who take the IELTS should take the Academic IELTS, and score a minimum of 7.0. Please note that we have the right to request the Test of English to be completed.
To prevent processing delays, we strongly recommend that you upload your official TOEFL or IELTS score report (if available) with the application.
Exemptions may be granted if one of the following criteria is met:
The program reserves the right to require assessment of English language proficiency even if these exemption criteria are met.
These components of the application are core to evaluating your experience and aptitude, giving us a better idea of your ability to tackle our rigorous MBA curriculum.
There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your resume or CV. Unlike the resume you’d present for a job, you’ll want to update this version to be less industry-specific so the members of our admissions committee can easily understand your full professional history and background. It’s important to note that we do not require a specific format or length.
In addition to submitting your resume or CV, you will need to fill out the employment section of the application. This is your chance to delve deeper into your career accomplishments and enlighten us on any major shifts that appear in your resume, including key transitions between jobs and big promotions. Make sure to double check the accuracy of information in this section and fully answer all components of the form.
My #1 Tip for Completing the Kellogg MBA Application
Current students share their advice for completing the Kellogg application, from pacing yourself to leveraging your mentors for critical feedback.
The Executive MBA Program does not require GMAT or Executive Assessment scores for most applicants. A GMAT score is required if you do not have a bachelor’s degree. In some cases, the admissions committee may ask you to take the GMAT after reviewing your transcripts. We will only make this request, however, in very specific circumstances.
Testing for English language proficiency
All candidates who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must show their English language proficiency by sending valid TOEFL or IELTS scores. Students taking the TOEFL must take the Internet Based Test (IBT). The average TOEFL score for a Kellogg Executive MBA student is 104, and applicants must score a minimum of 100 to be eligible. Applicants who take the IELTS must score a minimum of 7.0. Please note that we have the right to request the Test of English to be completed.
To prevent processing delays, we strongly recommend that you upload your official TOEFL or IELTS score report (if available) with the application.
Exemptions may be granted if one of the following criteria is met:
The program reserves the right to require assessment of English language proficiency even if these exemption criteria are met.
Your organization is required to supply a letter stating that it supports and approves the time required for you to attend the Executive MBA Program. If your organization is providing financial sponsorship, please state that in the letter as well. (However, you are not required to have financial sponsorship.)
The letter of support must:
You are required to submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended in the United States and abroad, whether you graduated from the institution or took just one class. To qualify as an official transcript, it must be sent directly to us from your institution, and contain the signature or seal of the university registrar.
Official electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed directly from the issuing university or evaluating agency to: emba-admissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu. If unable to provide an electronic transcript or evaluation, please have your institution send a hard copy version, in a sealed envelope, to:
Kellogg School of Management Executive MBA Admissions
95 Merrick Way
Suite 100
Coral Gables, FL 33134
If you have transcripts from an institution outside the United States or Canada, you must have them evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Visit naces.org/members.html for a list of all university-approved agencies. This course-by-course evaluation report, once received from the NACES-approved agency, will count as your official transcript for application purposes.
If one of your degrees was conferred from a United States institution, we may not require a course-by-course evaluation for your international degree(s). Please email us at emba-admissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu for more information.
There will be two essay questions included on the application and provide an opportunity for you to share more about your background and values so the admissions committee can get to know you on a more personal level. In your own words, you’ll be able to tell us your story and what you want to achieve in your post-Kellogg life. Professional or personal examples for your essays are welcome.
Possible essay questions include:
Kellogg asks for two letters of recommendation. We’ve found that this gives us greater insight into who you are as an employee and a leader. One letter should come from your current supervisor or manager. The second letter should come from someone who can evaluate your professional performance and your managerial/leadership potential (e.g., former supervisor, previous employer, client). Additional letters of support are neither required nor encouraged.
All letters should be submitted via the online application. They must address the following questions:
*Please note: as long as your online application is submitted by the posted deadline, recommenders may submit their letters up to two weeks after the application deadline. Keep in mind that formal application review cannot begin until all required materials have been received.
Fee waivers are granted to:
If you qualify for a fee waiver, please upload supporting documentation on the last page of your application. Once you submit your application, the fee will automatically be waived.
LOCATION | START DATE | ROUND 1 | ROUND 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Evanston, IL and Miami, FL
|
Sept. 2023
|
April 19, 2023
|
June 7, 2023
|
Evanston, IL and Miami, FL
|
Jan. 2024
|
August 16, 2023
|
October 4, 2023
|
Application review and decision process
The admissions committee will review your application after we receive all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, sponsorship letter and transcripts, and your interview has taken place. Candidacy decisions are made on rolling basis, typically within 4-6 weeks after the completion of application and interview.
Note: If you’ve been admitted to another program and require an expedited response from Kellogg, please contact the Executive MBA Admissions team at emba-admissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu. We will ask you to scan and email a copy of your admissions letter from the program you have been admitted to and we will reply with an estimated timeline of your application review.
Sept. 2023 (R1): April 19, 2023
Sept. 2023 (R2): June 7, 2023
Jan. 2024 (R1): Aug. 16, 2023
Jan. 2024 (R2): Oct. 4, 2023