Advanced Private Equity Experience (APEX)
At Kellogg, our finance MBA in private equity happens inside and outside of the classroom, allowing you to develop the multi-disciplinary toolkit of skills — interpersonal, collaborative, creative and analytical — needed to succeed in this industry. Whether you are interested in formally studying private equity through our Private Equity and Venture Capital (PE/VC) Specialization, which focuses on identifying potential sources of value in firms through mergers, acquisitions and corporate structuring, or joining a student organization like our Private Equity Club, APEX will help you get the experience you need to become the next generation of leaders to shape the private equity space.
Advanced Private Equity Experience (APEX)
The Advanced Private Equity Experience (APEX) is an innovative, highly competitive program for full-time students in our One-Year and Two-Year MBA Programs with relevant professional experience. Candidates are considered based on work experience in a related field, as well as a proven interest to work in private equity post-graduation.
The key components of APEX include:
- 1:1 industry mentorship from senior private equity alumni
- A tailored, accelerated private equity curriculum, including an advanced deep dive course
- Academic mentorship from Kellogg faculty
- Diverse cohort of exceptional and supportive peers in the same field
This interdisciplinary program enables advanced students to learn from the best in the industry with an emphasis on coursework designed to set them up for long-term success.
APEX experiential enhancements
APEX Workshops
- Deal Execution Workshop focused on managing third-party diligence across financial, legal, tax, IT, and market work streams
- Emphasis on scoping diligence, coordinating providers, synthesizing findings, and identifying risks
- Provides students with a VP-level understanding of deal execution
- Led by experienced private equity practitioners
- Focus on leadership, communication, and influence in private equity environments
- Training on managing internal teams and external stakeholders
- Emphasis on judgment, executive presence, and decision-making under uncertainty
- Complements technical investing skills with leadership capability
- Curated visits to private equity firms and portfolio companies
- Small group learning with direct access to investment professionals
- Exposure to different strategies including buyout, growth equity, and sector-focused funds
- Designed to deepen industry understanding and expand professional networks
Field-defining approach
In addition to majors, you can choose an academic specialization to build expertise in emerging areas and evolving industries. A specialization is an integrated, cross-functional sequence of courses designed to address a particular skill set or industry for which there is active student and recruiter demand.
As a top ranked institution in private equity and venture capital, we're dedicated to nurturing diverse global leaders who know how to create lasting value. Our Private Equity and Venture Capital Specialization equips you with the tools and skills you need to shape the future of private equity and adapt to emerging trends in the PE space. It offers value-focused tracks in venture capital, growth equity or buyouts with a strong international component for global insights.
Private Equity Advisory Council (PEAC)
PEAC is comprised of senior private equity industry alumni committed to advancing the strategic vision of private equity at Kellogg. The purpose of PEAC is to enhance Kellogg’s impact on private equity by supporting the recruitment, education and career opportunities of Kellogg students with a dedicated interest in the industry, while serving as mentors to students in APEX.
PEAC members are integrated into the classroom where they share their real-world experiences and industry insights with students and assist with internships and full-time jobs. By providing expertise, PEAC members help shape the next generation of leaders in private equity.
“Kellogg has a great culture: The school’s focus on teamwork, collaboration, general management and leadership is why Kellogg graduates do well in the private equity industry.”