Calling all Kellogg Fall 2011 Applicants!

Folks, I graduated from Kellogg in 2008. Loved it, but in hindsight, would have also applied to HBS and Stanford. So, if you're still applying, I encourage you to do what I didn't. Don't let all the garbage around 700+GMATs influence how you pick schools. Again, I loved Kellogg - it's a great school, great people, etc, but having gone through the whole MBA process, my opinion is this: Go to the best school you possibly can. And when I say 'best school', I really mean 'best brand.'

From my experience post Kellogg, MBA brand is everything. The top 5 schools fall in one of three buckets. Bucket 1's name is "HBS." Bucket 2's name is "Stanford GBS", and Bucket 3's name is "the other top 5 schools" - i.e. Wharton/Kellogg/MIT. Let's call a spade a spade. HBS is in a league of its own. Stanford GSB is regarded as the second best business school - but it's not a close second, despite what most GSB-ers might say. Then after Stanford, you're splitting hairs with Wharton/Kellogg/MIT. I'm sure many of you disagree, but this is my unbiased, kellogg alumni perspective on sheer 'respect' the working world gives to these brands. Most MBA graduates from a top five school that work for a company with other top five MBAs will agree. Also, for all the folks that say, "yes, but if one wants to be an expert marketer, one should go to Kellogg," or "if one wants to work in private equity, one should go to Wharton."...you're all crazy. If you get in HBS, you go to HBS. If you don't and get in Stanford, you go there. If you don't get in either, but do get in Wharton/Kellogg/MIT, then you can play that "if" game.

So, apply to the best schools - even if your chances are slim. Like college - pick a 'safety,' then swing for the fences.
I applied to Kellogg, Haas, and Anderson, each R2. Picked these schools based on (1) how much I hated consulting and my ardent desire to get out, and (2) the best schools I felt confident I had a chance at. I was admitted to all three, scholarship offer to UCLA. My 'blockbuster' stats when I applied are below (kidding). I wanted to post this, since these threads influenced me when I applied, which I regret, and I never saw a post like this...which might have inspired me to apply to HBS/Stanford.

-Male, 26 years old
-3 years consulting experience (think Analysis Group, Navigant, LECG, NERA, Charles Rivers, etc). NOT the sheeshee McKinsey/Bain/BCG type.
-GMAT: 680 (Q49,V34) taken once
-GPA 3.7, BS #1 public university in US (#2 would disagree, ha)
-Decent EC, but nothing mind-blowing

Last comment: Essays are so important. Once you pass the bar with your stats (which isn't as high as these threads say - again, see mine above), then it comes down to weaving a compelling story of (a) where you've been, (b) where you wan to go, and (c) how that specific MBA program will get you there. Then you bake-in some stuff to illustrate what you'll bring to the table at the school (enriching the learning experience of others), and indirectly show that you're likely to be a big donor after (possibly by writing an essay that includes discussion of how committed you are to your undergrad school). This isn't rocket science, but people screw it up because they think stats are everything. I know a ton of people dinged at top 5 schools with 740+gmats, etc. You do too, just read these garbage threads.

It doesn't. Are you sure that was for Kellogg?

Damn. I havent gotten anything about an interview yet. I hope thats not a bad sign.

Points well taken futurestrategist. My perspective is but one data point, so take it for what you'd like. That said, when colleagues, C-level management, investors, customers, etc (I believe in Organization Behavior class at Kellogg, these were called 'stake-holders') ask where you got your MBA, and your answer is 'HBS,' you have instant credibility - more so than if you were to say Stanford/Wharton/Kellogg/MIT. I really appreciated this when I joined a leadership development program at a large healthcare company after Kellogg, and of the 4 individuals who made up the rest of the development class, 2 were from Harvard. Eyebrows of senior management raised a little bit more when they answered the question - "where'd you go to get your mba?" Now, does that mean if you went to other schools, you won't be successful? Of course not. But, that value that's established instantly when one says 'HBS' or 'Stanford' continues far beyond your first job post-MBA. Sure, one garners credibility when one says "Kellogg" or "MIT Sloan", "Wharton", etc, but not like if one said "HBS" or "Stanford." Is that fair or reasonable, given how hard it is to get in any of these schools? No, but fairness is reasonableness are irrelevant. The reality is, everyone in the business world knows the brand "HBS." They know it because it has been regarded as the best business school in the nation for most of their lives. Sure, they likely will recognize "Kellogg", only insomuch as it's a top 10 or so school, and not HBS.

Listen, I'm certainly not bashing the Kellogg brand. I wear it proudly. My fondest memories were forged at Kellogg, and some of my closest friendships were established there. All I wanted to do was try to inspire folks on this thread who otherwise may not have applied to HBS or Stanford because they had a sub 700 GMAT, to actually do so. If they do, don't get in, and end up matriculating at Kellogg or some other top 10 school - that's an incredible accomplishment, and something he/she should feel great about. I just remember sitting at my desk when I was 25 and applying, saying "I only have so much time and so many resources. I can't apply to more than 3 schools given my work demands, and expect to have persuasive, non-formulaic essays. Therefore, I've got to pick 3 schools, and so help me god, I have to get out of this garbage consulting. Therefore, which 3 do I think I have a shot at given my 680 gmat, 2.5 years of work experience, etc...? Well, according to research (including threads like this), I shouldn't waste my time and resources on applying to schools like Harvard and Stanford, where my probability of getting in doesn't warrant the opportunity cost of applying somewhere where that probability is higher." I just wish I had given it a shot - and I hope those in the same position do also. Nothing to lose, so long as you pick a safety you'd be happy with.

If you do go to Kellogg, the 'Keg' on Tuesday nights is ridiculous. I suggest warming the night up with a few $4 pitchers, then transition to in-bar beer pong, then close out the night with cheesy tots at burger king with about 90 of your closest friends.

Does anyone know if Kellogg is strict with the word limits? My essays are 10-15 words over the limit, and I was wondering if I should spent time getting them under the limit,

I have a quick question on the employment history section of Part 1.

I progressed through several positions at my company (the only company I worked at since college). Do I list each of these positions separately, listing the same employer name over and over again? Or since I've only had one employer, list my latest position, starting and current salary stats etc under "Employer 1"?

I'm sure it'll be all clear when they look at my resume, but just curious how others have filled out this section.

Depends...have you been in the same department/function with increasing levels of responsibility? Or have you worked in different functions in different departments? I had three positions in different departments, with different functions, for the same employer, and listed them separately. But you might not want to do that if your positions were promotions within the same department.

Depends...have you been in the same department/function with increasing levels of responsibility? Or have you worked in different functions in different departments? I had three positions in different departments, with different functions, for the same employer, and listed them separately. But you might not want to do that if your positions were promotions within the same department.