The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is one of the couple business schools in that it requests all applicants to schedule an interview. On-campus interviews will be conducted by an admissions officer or a current student, while off-campus interviews are usually conducted by alumni. For all interviews, the interviewer will have only read the resume submitted upon registration. Expect the interview to last 30-45 minutes.

Both on- and off-campus interviewers at Kellogg are not given a predetermined script, so applicants should be ready for a variety of questions to be asked. The level of rigor and engagement can also vary widely depending on who ends up conducting the interview. However, applicants should expect the interview to have a conversational feel, with the goal of getting to know the applicant more intimately.

Analysis of the questions this year:

Our analysis of the questions our clients have been asked by Kellogg indicate that in addition to the typical career transitions, Kellogg is very interested in understanding the specific leadership style of each candidate and what experiences have informed the formation of that style. Additionally, Kellogg is placing a greater emphasis on diversity and experience in leadership of diverse teams and wants to see a certain baseline of that experience in its applicants.

The specific questions Kellogg has already asked this year:

• Walk me through your resume.

• Why did you choose your undergrad? Your major?

• Tell me about which experience in your career you had the most impact.

• Tell me about a time where you dealt with a team with a lot of diversity. What did you gain/learn? What challenges did you face.

• How did you manage your junior team members? What did you learn as a manager?

• What does leadership mean to you?

• What are the specific traits that define a leader?

• What are your strengths?

• What are your long and short term goals?

• Why MBA? Why Kellogg? Why now?

• Tell me about your biggest concern or challenge you expect to face at Kellogg.

• Kellogg is a diverse school. When have you interacted with people differently than you?

• What is your leadership style? Why is it the way it is?

• What role do you play within a team?

• What specially do you hope to gain with your time at Kellogg?

• Any questions for me?