Why is Kellogg Adding a Video to the MBA Application?
August 07, 2013 :: Admissionado Team
Yup, we know. You’re elbow deep in essay writing and now… this. And not only from Kellogg, but Yale too? And Rotman?
You probably want to scream, “Enough already!” There’s already so much to do for your B-school applications. Why is Kellogg adding a video to the MBA application? Face-palm.
But like it or not, it’s happening. And, really, given that they’re not telling you what the questions are until you’re actually recording, there’s not much you can do or stress about anyway.
Here’s the thing: Kellogg, Yale, Rotman… these schools are notorious for their sense of community. They want to know who you are, not in a contrived I’ve-written-and-rewritten-this-essay-47-times-to-make-sure-I-sound-as-amazing-and-interesting-as-possible way. But in a REAL way. Who are you REALLY? Who are you when you’re just hanging out, being YOU?
That’s why they’re adding this video. They don’t WANT you to overthink it. They don’t WANT you to over-prepare for it. They just want you to be…the awesome guy you are.
Just ask Tony Shan, one of our senior consultants and a Kellogg MBA:
“The strong sense of community is the pride and joy of Kellogg. It is one of those intangibles that is hard to explain but you know it and breathe it once you experience it.
The school is very team-oriented and is big on learning not just from professors or from cases but also from your classmates. Kellogg is not just looking for bright and capable applicants that are good on paper. They want those people with unique personalities who can contribute and add to the community. In the past, Kellogg’s application included questions that give candidates the opportunity to share personal stories. A couple of years ago, there was a question on what you are most passionate about, and last year there was a question that asked applicants to share interesting facts about themselves. This year, Kellogg is taking this one step further with the video question. The video question will give the Adcom a chance to see and hear your personality and communication style, and it will give life to your written application.
In addition to the in-person interview, where only one person gets the chance to meet the applicant, the video question will give all those evaluating the application the opportunity to “meet” you, wherever you are. This is the opportunity for your personality to shine through. So be real, be true and most importantly, be you.”
Just be yourself?
Hell, that’s pretty much the easiest component of an MBA application that we’ve ever seen.
Learn more about Kellogg here, and stay tuned for Admissionado Founder Raj Patil’s blog post with advice on how to kick this video’s butt.
