Interview with Kellogg School of Managements Director of Admissions

document.createElement('audio'); https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/58291/IV_with_Melissa_Rapp_2017.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | EmbedSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | Spotify Today’s guest is Melissa Rapp, Director of Admissions Full Time MBA MSMS Programs at the Kellogg School of Management. Melissa has an extensive background in communications and admissions. She joined Kellogg in 2012 as Assistant Director of PT MBA admissions. She became the Director of Admissions for the PT MBA in 2015 and in January 2016 became the Director of Admissions for the FT MBA AND MSMS programs. Welcome! Kellogg has two required essays, an optional information section, and now also requires a video. What do you learn from the video that you don’t learn from the written essays?  [2:12] We introduced the video about three years ago for a couple of reasons. The first was to introduce the adcom to all of our applicants from all over the world – it provides the opportunity for facetime, and is more unfiltered. We also wanted to expose our future students to new technologies. We’ve heard from our career management team that more companies are using videos in their recruitment process (Goldman Sachs is an example), so we wanted to expose our future students to the technology they can expect in that screening/interview process. Increasingly, we’re also seeing videos used as a screening and application tool a lot in the tech industry – for example, LinkedIn, Amazon, Apple. Do you have advice for applicants sitting down to work on their Kellogg applications?  [3:55] The most important thing is for students to be reflective about why they want an MBA, why it’s important for their career. Be genuine. The first essay asks why they want an MBA, why now, and why Kellogg. The second surrounds leadership and teamwork – are they a good fit for the team-based environment at Kellogg? Think carefully about experiences that demonstrate those qualities. Given that focus on post-MBA goals, is employ-ability  part of the admissions assessment?  [5:13] It’s important that students can handle the rigor of Kellogg and are a fit for the culture here. Those things ladder up to people who have great outcomes when they leave. Kellogg accepts roughly one out of five applicants. How do you winnow it down?  [6:10] We strive to interview all our applicants – we’re committed to a holistic review. We want to come out with a diverse class: gender, ethnicity, industry, function. We’re looking for high achieving, high impact, low ego leaders who are eager to be a part of our student driven culture. What does â€Å"student driven† mean at Kellogg?  [7:25] There isn’t much that happens here that students aren’t involved in. One example is Day at Kellogg, a program for admitted students that provides an opportunity for our students to help impact the admissions process. Students also bring speakers to campus, organize events, etc. What is your advice for applicants planning ahead to apply next fall?  [8:30] I can’t speak to whether our essay questions will remain the same. But in general, it’s important to do research on schools and find the right fit – you’ll be most successful in the place you can thrive. Go to information sessions, talk to students and alumni. Think about why you need an MBA and what your goals are. Can you give an overview of Kellogg’s degree offerings?  [10:10] Our portfolio is a reflection of our commitment to diversity. Our FT MBA is a traditional two-year program – immersive, flexible, broad-based. Students do a summer internship and have extensive opportunities for experiential learning. We also offer a one-year program, which gives students who already have prior knowledge the chance to go straight into the upper level and finish in one year. Our joint degree programs include: a three-year JD/MBA, and a MMM degree (joint program with the school of engineering). And we also offer part time and executive tracks. Are you starting to see Masters in Management grads applying to the one-year MBA?  [12:30] Those programs do provide the base of business knowledge we’re looking for going into the program. What are Kellogg’s Pathways?  [13:20] Pathways are a way to organize academic offerings in a way that’s not an academic department. So if you’re interested in entrepreneurship or data analytics, you can take courses across departments related to that pathway. There’s no application to be on the pathway, and you can take as many (or as few) courses as you’re interested in. That flexibility is something we’re proud of. Can you provide some examples of experiential learning at Kellogg?  [15:30] Experiential learning gives students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real world environment, but with less risk. One example is NUvention, where our students work with other grad students from across Northwestern (law, medical school, engineering), on an entrepreneurial business concept. This leads to exciting things in social impact and medical innovation. We also have a variety of lab courses. Sponsors include the Chicago Bears, United Airlines, and other major companies. In all, we have 1000 different experiential learning opportunities. Kellogg is of course famous for its prowess in marketing and strategy. However, your recently released employment report shows that tech is increasingly popular, with 22% of recent grads going into tech careers. What opportunities at Kellogg prepare students for management and entrepreneurial careers in the technology industry?  [17:30] We’re always innovating our curriculum and providing cutting edge content to prepare them. One example is our Digital Marketing Commerce class, which provides the opportunity for students to work directly with industry experts (including from places like Google) and real online customers. What’s next at Kellogg?  [18:41] It’s an exciting time. We’re continuing to develop strong class profiles – over 40% women in the last two years, and 26% US minority diversity representation. I’m excited to think about these strong classes in our new Global Hub, which is a reflection of the values of Kellogg – a reflection of our collaborative, student-driven culture. We’ll have our first classes in the new Global Hub building this spring, and the class entering next fall will have their full MBA experience there. So the new building is the most exciting thing. What makes the new Global Hub special?  [20:25] It’s over 400,000 square feet of space, designed to encourage collaboration. There are varying room sizes, to encourage meetings and interaction. And there are some tech-free meeting zones, too. Related Links: †¢Ã‚  Kellogg MBA Admissions †¢ Kellogg MBA Application Essay Tips †¢ Northwestern  Kellogg Zone  Page †¢ Catching Up with Vandana About Kellogg, Apple International Applicant Tips †¢ Putting Learning Above All: A Talk with Rohan from Kellogg Related Shows: †¢ Get Into INSEAD, the International Business School †¢ Exploring the Haas MBA: An Interview with Peter Johnson †¢ Mission and Admissions at Yale School of Management †¢ The MBA Menu at Columbia Business School †¢ A 20-Year MBA Admissions Veteran Shares His Insights †¢ What You Need to Know About Finding a Job Post-MBA Subscribe: hbspt.cta.load(58291, 'd15285bb-a53f-4db3-9d8b-35dba9835659', {});

Extracurricular Activities Make a Difference in Your Application

Don’t underestimate the value of extracurricular activities in your b-school application! Use the following QA to help you prioritize and then write about your extracurricular activities. What are extracurricular activities? An extracurricular activity is a non-academic, non-professional activity that you participate in. These activities include hobbies, sports, the arts, and volunteering or community service. Why are extracurriculars important? Extracurricular activities play a critical role in your MBA application. Here are five reasons why: 1. Extracurricular activities add color and texture to an otherwise one-dimensional application. They help the adcom get to know YOU – not just the you that works nine to five (or six to ten) crunching numbers at the desk, but the YOU that also has ten state-wide blue ribbons in figure skating or that has quilted the largest quilt east of the Mississippi with the help of your town’s local special ed school. 2. Extracurricular activities prove your commitment. You’ve taught piano (pro bono) to the same kid for eight years straight? You must be a committed, reliable, and dependable person. Admissions committees like that. 3. Extracurriculars demonstrate creativity and passion. Extracurricular or volunteer commitments don’t need to be typical soup kitchen or Big Brother/Big Sister experiences, although those are valuable too. Think beyond run-of-the-mill examples to other things you’ve done – like all those winter breaks you spent running a camp for your autistic little brother and two other kids from the neighborhood, or that summer you traveled to India to help run a vaccination clinic. These examples don’t specifically relate to business, but creativity and passion can easily be seen in each experience. If you share your passions, you’ll inspire your readers! 4. Extracurricular activities allow you to demonstrate initiative, as well as leadership and organizational skills. Let’s look back at our examples from above and ask a few questions: What steps did you take to set up your backyard camp? Whose idea was it? What sorts of activities did you plan and execute with the kids? And about the clinic in India: What role did you play in running the vaccination clinic? Did you just sit around and do what you were told to do? Or did you take initiative to present your own organizational ideas? Did you fundraise? Get others to commit too? In both of these cases, it shouldn’t be hard to demonstrate that you are the type of thoughtful, inspirational leader who transforms an idea into reality. 5. Extracurricular activities can tip the scale in your favor when you’re up against an otherwise equally competitive candidate. Extracurricular activities and community service can make the difference between acceptance and rejection when adcoms are sizing up two applicants with similar competitiveness. A fundamental assumption of admission is that past behavior predicts future behavior. Admissions committees are proud of their schools and know that to thrive, these communities constantly need new, active, involved members. Furthermore, they want people who will also be involved as alumni and community leaders after business school. If two applicants have the same scores, equally persuasive essays, impressive letters of rec, and similar professional experience, AND if there’s only one more seat to be filled, then the adcom members will choose the applicant who has served her community or shown commitment, leadership, and all those other good things we’ve discussed above, through an extracurricular activity, over the guy who’s focused only on furthering his career. What should you do if you don’t have long-term extracurricular or volunteer commitments? This is a common question I’m asked, and a good one. If you don’t have much (or any) extracurriculars to write about, then is it better to start an activity, pick up a new hobby, or resume participation in a past activity or hobby just before applying to b-school so that you have something to write? Will the adcom view this as a shallow or phony move? Is it better to not mention any extracurriculars and hope that the adcoms just don’t notice, rather than highlight the fact that you have just a few, or none at all, worth mentioning? My answer: You should start now! Here are four reasons why: 1. A little volunteering or a new extracurricular activity is better than no volunteering/extracurriculars at all. The impact you can make in even a short period of time can be great. Involvement in an extracurricular activity or in community service can dramatically affect you as a person, and therefore can significantly affect your MBA candidacy as well. 2. A little commitment is better than no commitment at all. Obviously a commitment that’s lasted only a couple of months will not be as effective as one that’s lasted years, but it’s still better than no commitment at all. Think of it this way: If you don’t show that you’ve been committed to a non-academic, non-professional activity, then the adcom may think that you’re incapable of doing so. 3. Even a little extracurricular activity will liven up a flat application. See #1 in the first list. You don’t want to come off as a workaholic who has no time or interest in anything non-work related. Demonstrate your humanity and liven up your application – a little could go a long way. 4. What if you’re waitlisted or you need to reapply? Obviously we hope for the best, but it doesn’t hurt to think ahead and make room for Plan B, which is: You may be waitlisted or you may be rejected and need to reapply. If either of those are the case, then won’t you be glad that you started your extracurricular/volunteer experience as early as you did? What looked like a brief volunteer encounter during your first application effort now looks like an impressive long-term experience. By now your endeavor is more impressive and has had a greater impact – on you and on others. The same goes for people who plan on applying this year, start volunteering, and then change their minds to apply next year. To sum up: If you’re not already involved in an extracurricular activity, take the time NOW to find an activity that you feel passionate about. Then, follow your passions and DO something. What else can you do to boost your competitiveness and submit an application that will get you accepted? Work one-on-one with an expert advisor who will help you discover your competitive advantage and use it to create a successful, admit-worthy application. Explore our MBA Admissions Services here. For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more.  Want an MBA admissions expert  to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: †¢ 9 Secrets to Standing Out in Your MBA Application, a free guide †¢Ã‚  4 Tips for Writing About Last Minute Extracurricular Activities †¢ MBA Admissions: Does Extracurricular Equal Extra Credit? Extracurricular Activities Make a Difference in Your Application Don’t underestimate the value of extracurricular activities in your b-school application! Use the following QA to help you prioritize and then write about your extracurricular activities. What are extracurricular activities? An extracurricular activity is a non-academic, non-professional activity that you participate in. These activities include hobbies, sports, the arts, and volunteering or community service. Why are extracurriculars important? Extracurricular activities play a critical role in your MBA application. Here are five reasons why: 1. Extracurricular activities add color and texture to an otherwise one-dimensional application. They help the adcom get to know YOU – not just the you that works nine to five (or six to ten) crunching numbers at the desk, but the YOU that also has ten state-wide blue ribbons in figure skating or that has quilted the largest quilt east of the Mississippi with the help of your town’s local special ed school. 2. Extracurricular activities prove your commitment. You’ve taught piano (pro bono) to the same kid for eight years straight? You must be a committed, reliable, and dependable person. Admissions committees like that. 3. Extracurriculars demonstrate creativity and passion. Extracurricular or volunteer commitments don’t need to be typical soup kitchen or Big Brother/Big Sister experiences, although those are valuable too. Think beyond run-of-the-mill examples to other things you’ve done – like all those winter breaks you spent running a camp for your autistic little brother and two other kids from the neighborhood, or that summer you traveled to India to help run a vaccination clinic. These examples don’t specifically relate to business, but creativity and passion can easily be seen in each experience. If you share your passions, you’ll inspire your readers! 4. Extracurricular activities allow you to demonstrate initiative, as well as leadership and organizational skills. Let’s look back at our examples from above and ask a few questions: What steps did you take to set up your backyard camp? Whose idea was it? What sorts of activities did you plan and execute with the kids? And about the clinic in India: What role did you play in running the vaccination clinic? Did you just sit around and do what you were told to do? Or did you take initiative to present your own organizational ideas? Did you fundraise? Get others to commit too? In both of these cases, it shouldn’t be hard to demonstrate that you are the type of thoughtful, inspirational leader who transforms an idea into reality. 5. Extracurricular activities can tip the scale in your favor when you’re up against an otherwise equally competitive candidate. Extracurricular activities and community service can make the difference between acceptance and rejection when adcoms are sizing up two applicants with similar competitiveness. A fundamental assumption of admission is that past behavior predicts future behavior. Admissions committees are proud of their schools and know that to thrive, these communities constantly need new, active, involved members. Furthermore, they want people who will also be involved as alumni and community leaders after business school. If two applicants have the same scores, equally persuasive essays, impressive letters of rec, and similar professional experience, AND if there’s only one more seat to be filled, then the adcom members will choose the applicant who has served her community or shown commitment, leadership, and all those other good things we’ve discussed above, through an extracurricular activity, over the guy who’s focused only on furthering his career. What should you do if you don’t have long-term extracurricular or volunteer commitments? This is a common question I’m asked, and a good one. If you don’t have much (or any) extracurriculars to write about, then is it better to start an activity, pick up a new hobby, or resume participation in a past activity or hobby just before applying to b-school so that you have something to write? Will the adcom view this as a shallow or phony move? Is it better to not mention any extracurriculars and hope that the adcoms just don’t notice, rather than highlight the fact that you have just a few, or none at all, worth mentioning? My answer: You should start now! Here are four reasons why: 1. A little volunteering or a new extracurricular activity is better than no volunteering/extracurriculars at all. The impact you can make in even a short period of time can be great. Involvement in an extracurricular activity or in community service can dramatically affect you as a person, and therefore can significantly affect your MBA candidacy as well. 2. A little commitment is better than no commitment at all. Obviously a commitment that’s lasted only a couple of months will not be as effective as one that’s lasted years, but it’s still better than no commitment at all. Think of it this way: If you don’t show that you’ve been committed to a non-academic, non-professional activity, then the adcom may think that you’re incapable of doing so. 3. Even a little extracurricular activity will liven up a flat application. See #1 in the first list. You don’t want to come off as a workaholic who has no time or interest in anything non-work related. Demonstrate your humanity and liven up your application – a little could go a long way. 4. What if you’re waitlisted or you need to reapply? Obviously we hope for the best, but it doesn’t hurt to think ahead and make room for Plan B, which is: You may be waitlisted or you may be rejected and need to reapply. If either of those are the case, then won’t you be glad that you started your extracurricular/volunteer experience as early as you did? What looked like a brief volunteer encounter during your first application effort now looks like an impressive long-term experience. By now your endeavor is more impressive and has had a greater impact – on you and on others. The same goes for people who plan on applying this year, start volunteering, and then change their minds to apply next year. To sum up: If you’re not already involved in an extracurricular activity, take the time NOW to find an activity that you feel passionate about. Then, follow your passions and DO something. What else can you do to boost your competitiveness and submit an application that will get you accepted? Work one-on-one with an expert advisor who will help you discover your competitive advantage and use it to create a successful, admit-worthy application. Explore our MBA Admissions Services here. For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more.  Want an MBA admissions expert  to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: †¢ 9 Secrets to Standing Out in Your MBA Application, a free guide †¢Ã‚  4 Tips for Writing About Last Minute Extracurricular Activities †¢ MBA Admissions: Does Extracurricular Equal Extra Credit?