What Kellogg’s Adcom Told Us About the Kellogg Video Essays

Kellogg’s Round 1 deadline is today! As you are likely aware if you are applying, the application includes three video essays that are due within 96 hours of submission. As such, today we’re sharing how best to prepare for and tackle the Kellogg video essays.

Although Kellogg is not sharing their questions in advance this year, we recently connected with their admissions team who said applicants should expect the questions to be fairly similar to what they were in previous years.  

More specifically, they recommended ‘using the following questions as a guide of what to expect:

1. Introduce yourself to the admissions committee.
2. What path are you interested in pursuing, how will you get there, and why is this program right for you?
3. This question will be based on a challenge you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from it.’

This part of the application is not meant to stump you or intimidate you (promise!), but we know it can be nerve-racking for many. To help, here is how we recommend you prepare for the Kellogg video essays.

Timing is Key

Once the clock starts ticking, you will have 60 seconds to answer each question. Our first word of advice is to focus the bulk of your practice on getting the timing right – a minute is shorter than you think! We’ve practiced live with countless clients over the years and most of them initially get cutoff mid-thought.

Once you’ve bulleted out your responses, practice saying them (out loud!) with a timer running. Then do it again. Kellogg’s portal also offers practice questions to help you get the timing right – use this resource! In one client’s words “As awful as I think I did [on the practice questions], they got me comfortable with the idea of the videos, which was good.”

Content Should be Complementary, not Repetitive

Our next word of advice is on content. The admissions committee will have just read your written essays, so don’t overtly repeat them. The Kellogg video essays are an opportunity to build on what you’ve included in the rest of your application.

It is also an opportunity to showcase your personality – as such, have a little fun with these, especially the first question. Perhaps throw in a hobby you love or mention your family, pets, spouse, etc. The second question is fairly cut and dry; this is content you should have down pat at this point.  

Since you don’t know the exact prompt for the last question, prepare a few (2-3) brief stories that might fit. The key with your answer here is authenticity – truly reflect on what each challenge has taught you and how you have put these learnings into practice since.

Delivery is the Icing on the Cake (the Best Part, Right?)

Lastly, put thought and practice behind your delivery. This is what separates good video essays from great ones. Look directly at your webcam, speak slowly and clearly (a computer mic can sound muffled!), and – most importantly – smile!

In our experience, mindset is everything here. Put on the shirt or dress that makes you feel like a million bucks, imagine there is a warm, receptive face on the computer screen and talk directly to it. As we said earlier, this is likely the admissions committee’s only chance to see you ‘live’, so make the most of it.

With a little practice, you’ll do great. Video essays tend to stress applicants out more than they need to. This might be easy for us to say from our seat at the table but view them as an opportunity more than a hurdle!

As always, we’re here to help, including with hourly advice on things such as interview skills and waitlist strategy. We are also accepting clients for Round 2! Click here to schedule an initial consultation.