Here is the transcript from the CHAT with one of the current student we had today(July 8th 2017). We are posting some really good questions and answers to it. Hope it helps you guys!!
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Q- Is there a common characteristic that defines everyone at Kellogg? like, I’ve heard it’s a place for extroverts and some one who’s had stellar co-curricular activities in Undergrad.. Is that true? How can someone with limited undergrad extra-curriculars strengthen their profile to the ad-com?
A- Interesting question! I would say very open mindedness would be the top of the list. Its not true that everyone at Kellogg is an extrovert, I am friends with quite a few introverts as well. The best thing about Kellogg is that you get to meet all sorts of people and get to stay in your own zone while meeting new people from different backgrounds.
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Q- Have heard a lot about the emphasis on team assignments at Kellogg. Are all of them chosen by students themselves or are some assigned randomly?
A- good question. I would say 50-50. Some courses professors would assign them so that there is diversity in the groups while for some courses you would want to pick your people so that you enjoy the courses. Profs. will let you know before either way. Either of these 2 strategies only add to your classroom experience.
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Q- Do you see major differences between the two year program that you are into and the one year program esp wrt degree valuation and placements? Will help few of us who are in dilemma of picking the right program with decent work experience.
A- a question everyone should think about. Apart from 1Y vs 2Y, there also is MMM//Part time // Exec MBA options available at Kellogg. You definitely get a lot more opportunities to network as a 2Y student but 1Y placements have been decent as well the past year. But frankly as 1Y, you just need to get started right from the very day and be clear with what you want. 2Y program does give you this flexibility of switching roles/industries if needed.
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Q- Have heard compliments about the curricular flexibility at Kellogg. Does that include eligibility to taking classes at other schools at NU? I am particularly keen on law classes (applied to Pritzker Law and WLed this year). If allowed, then is it uncomfortable given the Evanston-Chicago commute?
A- yes, you can start taking electives starting with the winter quarter of the first year. I will be taking a business law course this fall. So, yes, there is definitely flexibility in that regard.
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Q- Maybe this is a more generic question about putting in our best application, but in your experience, what makes for a better impression on the ad-com- personal stories or professional ones, to show leadership and/or achievements? Can this balance out a lower GMAT score for an international applicant?
A- there is no one size fits all formula here. Make sure the stories/examples you quote clearly follow the STAR technique and you should be good. If you have multiple examples for the same trait, pick one and move. As for lower GMAT, yes, deifnitely. I’ve seen people with low GMAT get admitted with great essays as they were able to connect with the adcoms at Kellogg. Also, make sure to answer the implied question of your low GMAT in the optional essays. Bottom line is that be proactive about filling in the blanks in your application and don’t let adcoms speculate as to why didn’t you answer this particular aspect. Mantra: try to minimize work for the adcoms to form a picture of your holistic personality.
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Q- One thing that really stands out in Kellogg vis-a-vis other M7 schools is the number of companies which recruit a big chunk of the batch. It’s somewhere close to 200 as opposed to double-digit numbers in others. I know you can’t compare Kellogg’s career office with the others. But how helpful has the office been in your experience for someone interested in 1. the school’s core strengths (marketing/consult etc) and 2. the ones that are not traditionally chosen by the students - entrepreneurship/finance
A- Career management centre (or CMC) at Kellogg has been really helpful. You get assigned to a career counsellor by mid October and do make sure to use this massive resource to your advantage. Right from resume review to career path options, you can discuss anything you want to. Career coaches themselves are spread across the spectrum and you can definitely sit down with another one if your career path is non traditional.
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Q- Kellogg is one of the stingiest of the M7 schools. To defray costs, are there any external scholarships available (am sure there are options but does a reasonable percentage of Kellogg class actually end up getting them) or other TA/RA positions available (not sure if we would have time for it)
A- Don’t know of these stats. But I know of sizeable scholarships awarded. It becomes difficult to get one if you are an international student, but domestic students have a ton of options. Also, NU provides loans at much lower than other providers to defray some of the costs.
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Q- How one can answer ad-com questions on how we see ourselves contributing to Kellogg? How is such a question best answered? I know most activities at Kellogg are purely student-led.. so should we be largely demonstrating that quality?
A- Contributing to Kellogg is definitely on the personal level. Show how you have researched different ways of contributing to Kellogg’s culture either via engaging yourself in different clubs or leading initiatives or something else but something that shows your genuine thought process and not regurgitation of something you saw online.
Updated on: 12 Mar 2018, 00:11
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