How to Apply

Application Process

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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Evaluation and Assessment

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:

• Application responses
• Essays
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Time sponsorship letter
• Resume
• Interview report

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Choose Your Campus Location

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.

Test Scores

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:

• You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university in the United States
• You have taken the equivalency of English 101 and 102 at an accredited college or university in the United States
• You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university where English was the only language of instruction
  • If you qualify for this exemption, you must provide the exact URL or documentation from your institution that states English was the only language of instruction
  • If you graduated from an institution that does not explicitly state this, please provide the URL for the homepage of the school’s website

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.

Tips for Employment and Resume/CV

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.

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Insights from Students and Admissions

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Test Scores

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:

• You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university in the United States
• You have taken the equivalency of English 101 and 102 at an accredited college or university in the United States
• You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university where English was the only language of instruction
  • If you qualify for this exemption, you must provide the exact URL or documentation from your institution that states English was the only language of instruction
  • If you graduated from an institution that does not explicitly state this, please provide the URL for the homepage of the school’s website

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:

• Appear on company letterhead
• Be signed by someone in the organization who has authority to grant the time off
• Acknowledge your interest in the program
• Approve any time off needed to attend classes
• Confirm that you will not be penalized for any time used to attend the program
• If applicable, explain the level of financial support the organization is willing to provide

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:

• Essay 1: How will Kellogg and an Executive MBA equip you to reach your short-term and long-term goals? What are you looking to gain or develop during your MBA experience? (450 word maximum)
• Essay 2: Community, belonging and inclusion are important values at Kellogg. Tell us about a community that’s important to you and how you contribute to or impact that community. (450 word maximum)
• If needed, you can submit a third essay to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.).

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:

• Kellogg has a diverse student body and values students who are inclusive and encouraging of others with differing perspectives and backgrounds. Please tell us about a time when you witnessed the candidate living these values. (300 words)
• How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
• Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)
• Is there anything else you would like us to know?

*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.

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The interview provides an opportunity for you to learn more about our community. It also allows the admissions committee to further evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills, work experience, career focus and motivations for the Kellogg MBA. We strive to interview as many candidates as possible.

Virtual interviews

All interviews are conducted virtually. Shortly after submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions for how to schedule your interview in our portal.

To schedule your interview, please visit the link provided upon submission. If you don’t receive the link or need help rescheduling an interview, email us at emba-admissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu.

The application fee is $150, which can be paid via credit card upon submission of your application. Please do not send payments directly to Kellogg. All applicant fees are non-refundable. 

Fee waivers are granted to:

• Active duty U.S. military applicants or U.S. military veterans
• Candidates employed by Teach For America or the Peace Corps within the past three years
• Participants in MLT, Forte Launch, Posse Foundation, JumpStart, and Riordan Program Alumni

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.

You’ve invested time, energy and resources into completing your Kellogg application, so no doubt you'll want confirmation that your application was received. And we want you to have that peace of mind, too! So, once you submit your application, you can log back in at any time to view the status and double check that all sections were successfully completed.