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Based on our analysis of successful Kellogg admits versus rejected candidates with similar profiles, the video essay carries as much weight as the formal admissions interview. It's not a formality but, instead, is a make-or-break moment where the admissions committee determines whether your communication style and values align with Kellogg's collaborative, team-oriented culture.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know to approach Kellogg's video essay strategically, including the complete question bank and a preparation framework that works.
Why Kellogg Uses Video Essays (And What They're Really Evaluating)
Since introducing the video essay, Kellogg has used this component to assess dimensions that don't come through in written applications. According to the admissions committee, the video essays are designed to "bring to life the person we have learned about on paper."
But what does that actually mean? They're evaluating:
- Communication effectiveness: Can you articulate thoughts clearly under time pressure?
- Authenticity: Does your personality match what you've presented in your essays?
- Cultural fit: Do you demonstrate the collaborative, growth-minded leadership Kellogg values?
- Red flags: Are there concerning patterns in how you discuss teamwork, failure, or conflict?
The format is intentionally designed to minimize preparation advantages. You can't script your responses, you can't edit, and you can't retry. This creates conditions where your authentic communication style emerges, which is exactly what Kellogg wants to see.
Understanding the Three-Question Format
Kellogg has streamlined their video essay to three specific questions. Here's the strategic breakdown:
Question 1: The Strategic Self-Introduction
"Please introduce yourself and tell us something that is not on your CV that you want us to know about you. Consider this your opportunity to share what you would want your future Kellogg classmates and our admissions committee to know about you. What makes you, you?"
This isn't an invitation to ramble about your hobbies. It's a strategic opportunity to:
- Reinforce your personal brand and fit with Kellogg's values
- Highlight community involvement or leadership outside work
- Demonstrate dimension beyond your professional achievements
- Show (not tell) your collaborative, team-oriented nature
Avoid the trap of explaining your career goals or why you want to attend Kellogg – that's not what this question asks.
Instead, think about what you'd want future classmates to know about you on day one at Kellogg. That volunteer project where you mobilized 50 people? Your role in mentoring first-generation college students? These reveal character in ways your resume can't.
Questions 2-3: Behavioral Assessment Questions
These are randomized behavioral-style questions that either ask about your characteristics or require you to share specific professional examples. The key insight: every question is actually testing the same core attributes Kellogg values: collaboration, learning from failure, impact on teams, and growth mindset.
Whether you're asked about a time you took a risk or a book that influenced you, the underlying question is: Does this person demonstrate the values we want in our community?
Historical Question Bank
While you can't predict which specific questions you'll receive, preparing frameworks for these real, past questions ensures you can respond effectively to any variation:
- Tell us about a time you took a risk. What did you learn?
- Tell us about a time you experienced a professional failure. What did you learn from it?
- Tell us about a conflict you have had with your boss/with a team at work. How did you manage to resolve it?
- What accomplishment are you proudest of?
- Tell us about an organization or activity to which you have devoted a significant amount of time. Why was it meaningful to you?
- What will your classmates be most surprised to learn about you?
- What's the best piece of advice you have ever received that you also shared with other people?
- Tell us about a time you worked with diversity in the workplace
- Tell us about a time you contributed to improving a process in your organization
- Tell us about a time you solved a problem in a creative way
- Tell us about a time when you faced a conflict on a team that affected its productivity. How did you face it?
- Tell us about a positive impact that you made. Why was it important to you?
- Whose leadership style do you admire and why?
- Tell us about a time you contributed to your company or community
- Tell us about a time you created a good environment in your personal or professional life
- What's the biggest misperception co-workers might have about you?
- Tell us about a time when you had to reshape a strategy due to a sudden change in the scenario
- Tell us about a relationship you leveraged to reach your goals and how you did it
- Tell us about a time when you had to deliver a tough task at the last minute
- Tell us about a piece of feedback you received that you didn't agree with
- What are your core values, and how do you plan to bring them to Kellogg?
- Tell us about a misconception your co-workers have about you and how you have tried to mitigate this
- What is the most significant impact you've had so far? How did it help the organization and people?
- Tell us about a time when something unexpected happened and you had to pivot
- Tell us about the type of work environment you thrive in
The Technical Setup: What You Need to Know
After submitting your application, you'll receive an email from Kira Talent with a link to the video essay platform. Here's what happens:
- You'll see three questions total, presented one at a time
- Each question includes a video of a Kellogg community member reading the question (plus written text)
- You get 10 seconds to think after the question appears
- You get 60 seconds to respond
- No retakes, no pauses, no do-overs
- Your response automatically uploads to the server before the next question appears
Critical Technical Requirements:
- Use a computer (not iPad or mobile – past technical issues make this risky)
- Test your camera and microphone in advance
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection
- Don't leave your computer during upload times between questions (you can't pause the system)
- Submit within 96 hours of your application round deadline, regardless of when you submitted your application
If you experience technical difficulties, access Kira Talent's support page immediately – don't wait until after your session.
The Most Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake 1: Treating the 10-Second Prep Time as Optional
Those 10 seconds are critical for structuring your response. Without structure, even strong candidates ramble and lose focus. Use this time to mentally outline: main point, supporting example, takeaway.
Mistake 2: Choosing Examples That Contradict Kellogg's Values
If asked about a book that influenced you and you choose something focused solely on individual achievement and competition, you're sending the wrong signal. Kellogg explicitly values collaboration and team success. Every example you choose should reinforce Kellogg’s values.
Mistake 3: Providing Generic Answers Without Specific Examples
"I'm a team player" means nothing without a concrete example. The behavioral questions are designed to elicit specific stories that demonstrate your characteristics in action. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) even in 60 seconds.
Mistake 4: Overcompensating with Artificial Enthusiasm
Authenticity matters more than energy. Admissions officers watch hundreds of these videos. They can spot when candidates are performing rather than being genuine. Be yourself, but be your most articulate, focused self.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the Upload Time Warnings
Several applicants each year miss questions because they leave their computer during the upload phase between questions. The system doesn't pause for you. Stay present through the entire session.
What Separates Good Responses from Great Ones
After reviewing hundreds of video essays from both successful and unsuccessful Kellogg applicants, several patterns emerge in the strongest responses:
- Specificity: Great responses include concrete details (names, numbers, specific challenges) rather than generic statements
- Structure: Even in 60 seconds, the best responses have a clear beginning, middle, and end
- Values alignment: Every answer reinforces teamwork, learning, and impact – the core of Kellogg's culture
- Genuine reflection: Strong candidates show they've actually learned from experiences, not just completed them
- Appropriate energy: Confidence without arrogance, enthusiasm without being performative
- Human connection: The best responses make the viewer want to meet this person, work with them, and learn from them
Remember, the video essay isn't about being perfect – it's about being authentic while demonstrating that you'd be a valuable addition to the Kellogg community. The admissions committee wants to admit people they'd want to work with, learn from, and stay connected to long after graduation.
Get Personalized Support for Your Entire Kellogg Application
The video essay is just one component of a complex, competitive application process. If you're serious about securing a spot at Kellogg, you need a comprehensive strategy that addresses every element, from essay development to interview preparation to video essay practice.
That's why we built My Admit Coach, an all-in-one platform that is completely changing the MBA admissions game. For just $299/year (versus traditional consulting packages that cost $10,000+), you get access to:
- AI Content Co-Creator: Get intelligent feedback on your essays and personal statements as you write
- Coach Ellin Practice Sessions: Practice your interview responses with Ellin Lolis’ AI clone, trained on 12+ years of admissions expertise and feedback from thousands of successful applications
- School-specific strategy guides for Kellogg and other top programs
My Admit Coach allows you to receive personalized feedback on your responses and refine your approach before the real thing, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional consulting.
Start your risk-free 7-day trial now and give yourself every advantage in the Kellogg application process.
Published in Ellin Lolis Consulting