Calling all Kellogg Fall 2010 Applicants!

Wow, you guys are making me seriously consider taking the GMAT again. I got below 700, although not significantly. I only got a Q43 score, and unfortunately my Verbal wasnt enough to push me over the 700 barrier.

At the Kellogg info session I went to in Feb on campus, I asked whether K looks just at the overall GMAT score, or whether they also consider the split. I was told they place more emphasis on the Q score

What were your split percentages?

There's more to a successful application than a high GMAT. According to Kellogg's class profile for the class of 2010, 28% of the class had less than 700 on the GMAT. So while the majority do score above 700, there's a significant chunk that don't. Of course, if you feel you can do noticeably better than your current score you should take it again, but if I were choosing between an extra 20-30 pts on my GMAT (even if those 20-30 put me over the mythical 700 threshold), or spending extra time to put together really incredible essays, I'd focus on essays.

Here are the information I got so far.

Essay for Kellogg isn't going to change much this year. (this is from an unverifiable source)
Application has two parts (I did not know that)
1. Demographic data form, universities and professional schools attended ,your self-reporting score, recommender name, etc. After this part (due Oct 3 approx)you can request an interview
2. This part is where you have to submit your essays, transcript, resume etc. (due Oct 15 approx)

This is quite different from other schools.

Its actually a great system in my belief - it gives you tremendous flexibility on when to schedule the interview, what round you want to apply in, whether you want to do your interview or visit before or after you've written your essays for Kellogg.

Note that the application charge is due with Part 1.

Here's the link to the Kellogg page that explains the 2 parts of the application. Note this is for the fall 2009 applications, so there may be changes for this year (and obv. the deadlines will change), but it gives a sense of what's part 1 vs. part 2.

https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/Pro ... lines.aspx

Also, if you are planning on interviewing on campus, you can submit part 1 same time as part 2 (approx Oct 15th). The earlier deadline for part 1 is only if you plan to choose an off-campus interview.

Thanks for everybody's input. And the official link!

I am in for R1, like I said in the Booth thread of this variety, good luck to you all. So far, this forum has been great, such a nice change of pace from the BW forum.

Hmm, so do you think there is an advantage to interviewing before completing your application? Who conducts on campus interviews again?

I dont see an advantage with any interview for Kellogg. Oncampus vs off campus and prior to vs after application. You can't get a decision until you interview though so the earlier you do it the sooner you have the chance to get a decision. However, an early interview doesn't mean you will hear early...its still possible to you wont find out until decision day.

Kellogg admissions is going to be undergoing changes in response to their poor performance over the last few years with how they deal with people. I think the finally realized they are the face of the school to perspectives and if they aren't doing a great job people will think the rest of the school is like that...even though once you are here it has been 1000x better than all the stories about admissions. So for all we know interviewing may change, rolling out decisions may change...if we hear more in the fall you guys will definitely find out. They are going to really try to improve their events and visits.

I think an easy improvement on the visits program would be to have students sitting in the admissions office to talk to the visiting students. Of course this means more work for students, and may require the school to move to a system of having people schedule visits in advance so they know when to have students there, but I think especially since the culture is seen as a differentiator for the school, the more exposure prospectives have to the students, the more chance they have to get a sense of the culture. When I visited (in October), in between events prospectives were left to either talk amongst themselves (if there were other prospectives there as well) or sit quietly and read the paper. Some of the other schools I visited had first years stationed in the admissions office, and it was a great chance to ask general questions about the school, community, workload, etc. outside of a tour setting.

The only reason I would say that on-campus interviews are better than off-campus is because I think that (atleast for me) you can get more excited about a school and come off as more passionate when you are live and in person. Coming on-campus to interview brings everything about the school front and center in your mind and it becomes much easier to show your passion honestly.

I do agree with River though - from a pure admissions perspective - there is no difference between on-campus vs. off-campus interviewing. So if you think that you will interview the same in either scenario (or if you feel like you'd be more comfortable speaking with an alum rather than an admissions officer) then it really doesn't matter or could lean the other way.

Add me to the list please! Looking forward to sharing my experience.

Totally agree with that! I actually put that point in the survey we were e-mailed a couple of days back.

Updated front page with Essay links.