How to Apply

Application Process

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 authentically and honestly as possible, because we truly want to get to know you and the experiences that helped shape you into the person you are today.

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Evaluation and Assessment

When we evaluate our applicants, a few qualities really stand out to us, including the ability to push past comfort zones and question the norm. These qualities help us understand if an applicant is ready to seize all of the opportunities that come with joining Kellogg.

The committee assesses your:

• Application responses
• Essays
• Transcripts
• GMAT or GRE score
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Interview report

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Professional Experience

The committee also values professional experience, including military service, that has provided a breadth and depth of skills and experiences to serve as a foundation for the MBA classroom. We look for people who can motivate a team to drive impact and are eager to dive in and collaborate with an engaged, ambitious community of peers.

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Program of Interest

There is no "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to business, so why should your MBA be any different? When you start your application, choose between the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA schedule, and decide if you want to follow a Traditional or Accelerated pace to earn your degree.

Curious to see if you qualify for the Accelerated Option ahead of time? Complete this form and we will let you know if you are eligible for it within a few days.

The Evening & Weekend MBA program also offers an Emerging Leaders opportunity for high-achieving young professionals with less than three years of work experience. This fully integrated MBA experience lets motivated, rising stars earn an MBA earlier in their careers while they continue to build upon their work experience.

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Choose a Schedule that Works for You

These components of the application are core to evaluating your experience and aptitude, giving us a better idea of your ability to tackle the challenging MBA curriculum.

Tips for Employment and Resume/CV

The resume or CV you submit as part of your application should be slightly different than the one you would typically use for a job interview. You’ll want it to translate your professional background and accomplishments to a broader audience, since it will be reviewed by an admissions committee of people with different backgrounds. There is no specific format or length required.

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Along with your resume or CV, we ask that you fill out the employment section of the application. Although it may seem repetitive, this gives you the opportunity to go into greater detail about your career achievements and history, including key transitions between jobs and any promotions you’ve been awarded. Make sure to double check the accuracy of information in this section.

We also ask you to include your short-term and long-term career goals in your application. It’s possible for your goals to change as your career journey unfolds, but we want to see that your goals have been thought through and make sense for an MBA.

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Insights from Students and Admissions

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Transcripts

Part of your history includes your educational background. You must have completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent in another country, before you can apply to Kellogg.

On your application, you will list all colleges, universities and programs you have attended or are currently attending. You do not need to list study abroad programs or transfer institutions as long as all transfer courses and grades are reflected on your transcript.

For the initial application process, our admissions committee can review the uploaded copy of transcripts from institutions in the United States. Once admitted, we require that official transcripts from each institution attended be sent directly to our office from the institution.

International Transcripts: If you have transcripts from an institution outside the United States, you must have it evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) in order to submit your application. The course-by-course evaluation will serve as the official transcripts for studies completed outside the United States. Visit naces.org/members for a list of all university approved agencies.

Official electronic transcripts can be requested from the Institution and emailed to: eveningweekendmba@kellogg.northwestern.edu

Mail official sealed transcripts to:
Kellogg School of Management
Evening & Weekend MBA Program
340 E. Superior St., 2M
Chicago, IL 60611

All records must show your name, the name of the institution, enrollment dates, courses taken, units of credit, marks or ratings in each subject and rank in the total class or group (if available).

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Test Scores

Kellogg requires a GMAT or GRE test score for applicants. No preference is given to either test and Kellogg does not require a minimum score.

Use the following codes to submit your scores prior to your application deadline:

• GMAT code: 6WZ-3J-66
• GRE code: 7921

GMAT and GRE scores expire after five years, so it’s important to submit your completed application before the expiration date.

If you’ve taken either test more than once, we strongly encourage you to submit all scores. (We will only record the highest score, however.) Retesting demonstrates your commitment, work ethic and ability to advance. Please send subsequent test score reports to eveningweekendmba@kellogg.northwestern.edu.

You will be asked to complete two essays. The essays are your opportunity to talk directly to the admissions committee and tell your story. There is no right or wrong here, and we are not looking for any specific type of answer. However, we encourage you to think about the information you are sharing in your two essays and to make sure they share a balanced view of you as an applicant. Professional or personal examples are welcomed inclusions.

Essay 1: Kellogg's purpose is to educate, equip and inspire leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (approximately 450 words)

Essay 2: Values are what guide you in life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (approximately 450 words)

Additional information: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances in your application (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:

1. 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.
2. How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
4. Is there anything else you would like us to know? (optional)

*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 application fee is $185. Submit your payment via credit card with your application. Do not send payments directly to Kellogg.

Fee waivers are granted to:

• Active duty U.S. military applicants or U.S. military veterans who have been on active duty within three years of applying
• 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

Active duty U.S. military or U.S. military veterans, Teach For America, Peace Corps applicants:
If you qualify for a fee waiver, send a formal request to eveningweekendmba@kellogg.northwestern.edu before you submit your application. Provide supporting evidence of your current employment or military status. Military applicants should submit either a pay stub or letter from a commanding officer to verify active duty status. For military veterans who have completed service within the last three years, please submit a copy of Form DD-214.

Applicants participating in MLT, Forte Launch, Posse Foundation, JumpStart and Riordan Program Alumni:
Candidates should inform their partner organization that they are applying to Kellogg’s Evening & Weekend MBA degree program. The partner organizations will provide Kellogg a list, and Kellogg will waive the application fee within our application system.

Candidates may not be considered for more than one program at a time. Please note that all application fees are non-refundable.

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, career focus and motivations for the Kellogg MBA. We strive to interview as many candidates as possible.

Virtual interviews

All interviews are currently virtual; in the application, you will provide your location so we are aware of your time zone. You will receive an email regarding the status of your interview and scheduling instructions within six weeks of the application deadline.

Interview waiver

Due to the high demand for interviews and limited availability of interviewers, you may receive an interview waiver. If your interview is waived, the admissions committee may contact you if further information is needed to make a decision on your candidacy.

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How to Prepare

We encourage you to reapply if you have made significant changes to your previous application.

If you reapply to Kellogg, you must:

• Complete a new online application
• Complete the optional application essay (300 words or fewer) outlining significant changes to your application
• Submit the $185 reapplication fee
• The admissions team will contact you if you are selected for an interview

To ease into the reapplication process, your test scores and transcripts will automatically be transferred into your new application. All other materials will need to be resubmitted. New materials (e.g., resume, essays, test scores, letters of recommendation) that strengthen your application may be submitted at your discretion. If you previously applied with a GMAT/GRE waiver, we encourage you to consider taking the GMAT/GRE to demonstrate academic readiness.

If your application materials are more than a year old, you must submit a new application in its entirety.

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.

Most applicants can expect to receive a decision within six to eight weeks of submitting their application.