Kellogg Full-Time MBA Program

1Ys Answer Your Questions

Overall

What are the key differences between the One-Year and Two-Year program?

The starting date and duration of the programs are the main differences. The Two-Year (2Y) students start classes in the fall while the One-Year (1Y) students start in June. One-Year students complete a total of four quarters and must complete at least 15.5 credits in order to graduate. As far as summer on campus, the 1Ys own the school, which creates a unique bonding experience for 1Y cohort. We think Chicago is the best summer city in the world with plenty of opportunities to participate in cultural and outdoor activities.

During the rest of the year, the experience between the two programs is quite similar. 1Ys are able to take all the same classes as the 2Ys, they have the same full-time recruiting opportunities and they are able to take on leadership roles in the student association, clubs and groups. In addition, they are able to participate in practicum experiences, such as lab-based courses, GIM, KWEST and other activities.

With respect to recruiting, the recruiting cycle and intensity can vary among 1Ys and 2Ys. The 2Ys have an opportunity to secure an internship and then recruit for full-time roles the fall after their summer internship. On the other hand, due to the one-year structure of the 1Y Program, the 1Ys do not have an internship option and go into recruiting mode towards the end of the summer quarter or at the start of the fall quarter. Recruiting efforts vary depending on whether you are sponsored, are pursuing a role that matches well with your prior experiences, or are a career switcher looking to jump industry or function, with the last one typically taking the most effort.

What do I miss by being in the One-Year Program?

From a career standpoint, you miss out on the summer internship and from a social standpoint, you miss out on an additional two quarters. Nonetheless, the 1Y Program is structured so you are still able to maximize experiences within the one year that you are on campus. Most students are able build strong relationships with not just the fellow 1Ys, but also the 2Ys through participation in clubs and events, and through interactions in the classroom. This results in the 1Ys leaving Kellogg with just as robust a network as the 2Ys.

What is it like to be on campus over the summer?

Being at Kellogg during the summer is a special and unique experience. The 1Ys and a few JD-MBAs are the only ones taking classes at and roaming the halls of Jacobs Center and get plenty of attention from faculty, staff and administration. Since 2Y students are in summer internships, the 1Ys have unlimited opportunities to meet with career counselors in the Career Management Center over the summer and take advantage of all the resources to plan their strategy for the upcoming recruiting season. In general, summer in Evanston is relatively quiet as most Northwestern students are not on campus. Evanston is a fantastic place and 1Ys find themselves running into fellow 1Ys all over the city. Furthermore, 1Ys enjoy plenty of group outings and activities at the Jacobs Center and in Evanston and downtown Chicago.

Although 1Ys benefit from the tight-knit community of a smaller school over the summer, they are nonetheless able to take full advantage and fit in well with the larger Kellogg network in the fall.

Student Profile / Life

What is the typical profile of a One-Year Student?

The Admissions Committee admits a diverse mix of students that not only offset each other’s weaknesses in class, but also complement each other’s strengths in order to provide the 1Y class with the best learning experience in and outside of the classroom.

Each year’s 1Y class is comprised of bright and accomplished individuals from all different walks of life with varied geographical, religious, age, gender and marital status backgrounds. The 1Y class boasts a mix of students with business and non-business backgrounds, all who have met the program’s prerequisites. In this year’s 1Y class, there is a physician, a lawyer, a journalist, engineers, economists, marketers, advertisers, entrepreneurs, bankers, consultants, family business owners, financial analysts and supply chain experts. In addition, the class’s ages range from 23-35 years old, showing the strong diversity of the 1Y class.

Does the pace of the One-Year Program provide time for getting involved in activities outside of class?

1Ys can be and are involved in a variety of activities, clubs and leadership positions during their year at Kellogg. Note that the 1Y Program is an accelerated option only from a timeframe standpoint, but the intensity of the studies and curriculum is on par with the 2Y Program. As a 1Y, you will have equal opportunity to participate in clubs and student organizations, intramural sports teams, Special K!, bands, practicum experiences and KWEST. You will not be disadvantaged in your student experience in any way. In fact, there are plenty of clubs and student groups that reserve leadership positions specifically for 1Ys. For instance, Kellogg Cares, a community service day, is solely led by 1Y student leadership. There is no shortage of opportunities for 1Ys to get involved in and lead at Kellogg.

Eligibility / Sponsorship

What are the eligibility requirements and how do I determine eligibility?

The simplest way to determine eligibility is to review the program’s eligibility requirements, including core classes that prospective students must have completed prior to matriculation. If you still have questions about the course requirements, complete the course template Excel file and email the document to mbaadmissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu for review.

I have heard that the majority of the One-Year class is composed of sponsored candidates. If I am not sponsored by my company, will that affect the admissions committee’s decision regarding my application?

While it is true that the 1Y class include many sponsored students, a significant number of students in the program are not sponsored. Most of the students in the 1Y program tend to have a very clear focus of their future career plans, especially given that they are not able to complete an internship. This career focus is what typically differentiates 1Y applicants from 2Y applicants and this is one of the primary reasons prospective candidates apply to the 1Y program. Those 1Y applicants who are sponsored by their companies typically know that they would be more than likely returning to their previous employer. However, we do have many sponsored candidates who apply to the 2Y program instead of the 1Y program because they are simply not concerned with completing their MBA in a shorter timeframe.

In the end, it is not sponsorship that will determine your candidacy for the 1Y program. We look at your entire application, the goals that you are aspiring to accomplish, and whether the 1Y program can serve as the ideal vehicle for you to reach your goals.

Scholarships / Financial Aid

Are scholarships and/or financial aid available for One-Year students?: Scholarships and/or financial aid are available to 1Y students. All applicants are considered for aid. The type and amount of aid awarded is dependent on the individual applicant.

Academics / Curriculum

What does the academic calendar look like for the One-Year Program?

The 1Y Program’s academic calendar runs from June to June, with students taking four consecutive quarters of courses beginning in the summer to the following spring. During the summer quarter, 1Y students take all classes with fellow 1Y classmates in the core courses that students were not able to waive and elective courses across all subjects. When the fall quarter begins, 1Y students officially become second-year students and begin taking classes with the rest of the student body.

How flexible is the One-Year curriculum? What electives are available to One-Year students?

Once all the core courses are waived or completed (prior to matriculation for most students), a student will essentially build his/her own curriculum by choosing from a wide range of elective courses that are catered towards his/her career goals and personal interests.

Will I have a relative disadvantage for not having taken the core courses at Kellogg?

For 1Y students, it is actually an advantage to have the ability to waive out of core courses because they can focus on advanced electives that are relevant to their career and personal interests, allowing them to maximize the value of their MBA education in the one-year period. 1Y students find that not only can they pick up where they left off from undergraduate studies quickly, but more importantly, they consider that their professional work experiences prior to Kellogg allow them to comprehend new concepts much more thoroughly and efficiently. In addition, the excellent quality of professors and collaborative nature at Kellogg offer valuable resources that every student has access to, eliminating any possibility of relative disadvantage.

I heard that the One-Year Program is an accelerated program, so does this mean that the program is much more intense or requires a heavier workload?

While the 1Y Program is considered as an accelerated option, its intensity and pace can vary depending on the individual student’s commitment and interest. 1Y students are required to complete 15.5 credits in four quarters in order to graduate, which is equivalent to the 2Y Program’s requirement of 24.5 credits in six quarters. However, since most 1Y students return to their previous employers or industries upon graduation, they are focused and committed to maximizing their learning experiences at Kellogg in a relatively shorter time period compared to the 2Y students. Therefore, students often choose to take more credits than the required amount to graduate so the workload may be heavier. Moreover, since 1Y students do not have a summer break and summer internship, some may find four consecutive quarters to be considered fast-paced and accelerated.

It is important to note that the 1Y Program is different from other accelerated MBA programs especially those in Europe and Asia, where a two-year curriculum is condensed into a one-year program. Kellogg’s 1Y Program, on the other hand, accepts students who have undergraduate business degrees and thus, do not need to repeat core courses that they have already completed during their undergraduate studies. This allows students to build their own curriculum with relevant and advanced elective courses in order to return to the workforce as soon as possible.

Can One-Year students participate in globally related programs/classes, such as Global Lab and Global Initiatives in Management (GIM), KWEST, etc.?

Yes, 1Y students become second-year students once the fall quarter begins and are entitled to participate in all globally-related programs including but not limited to Global Lab, Global Initiatives in Management (GIM) and KWEST. For study abroad and exchange programs, 1Y students typically choose not to participate since spending one year at Kellogg is already relatively short and students need to fully utilize all four quarters to take all desired classes and maximize their Kellogg experience.

Career

How easy is it to make a career change with the One-Year Program?

While most 1Y students continue on the same career path, there are also a large number of students who seek to make career changes. How easy the transition is depends on the individual as well as how dramatic the career change is. 1Y students who have been successful in making career changes have done so by taking full advantage of our Career Management Center’s services, the many industry clubs on campus, and the extensive Kellogg alumni network. Many 1Y students also benefit from their fellow students who can help make introductions and provide advice on their respective industries.

What career opportunities are available to One-Year students?

With the exception of the summer internship, 1Y students have the same access to all career opportunities as the 2Y students. Some 1Y students participate in internships that are available during the year through "lab-based" classes such as Venture Lab or Buyout Lab that partner with companies in the Chicago area and other major cities to provide students with hands-on experience in different industries.

To view job placement statistics, view our latest employment report.

Is recruiting more difficult for One-Year students compared to Two-Year students?

The same on-campus recruiting opportunities are available to both 1Ys and 2Ys. If a 1Y student is making a dramatic career change, the recruiting process may be a bit more challenging without the internship (however, that difficulty is no different than obtaining the internship itself). It is important to note that most on-campus opportunities are entry-level MBA positions. For 1Y students who are seeking more senior roles due to extensive prior experience in a field, on-campus options are available but may be limited in some fields. For more senior or non-traditional roles, many 1Y (and 2Y) students also seek positions via the off-campus process.

Do recruiters view the Kellogg MBA differently when you are a One-Year MBA graduate?

Although some recruiters that participate in Kellogg’s on-campus recruiting process are becoming more familiar with the 1Y Program, recruiters generally do not view 1Y students differently from 2Y students in an applicant pool. However, recruiting is a chance for you to tell your individual story, including why you chose the 1Y Program and the benefits it has provided for you and your potential career.

Alumni

As a graduate of the One-Year Program, how do I stay involved and engaged with the school?: There are many opportunities for staying involved with Kellogg. Alumni events and organizations exist throughout the world. These events allow our 54,000 alumni to connect with one another, to meet current students, and to participate in admissions recruiting. All Kellogg alumni are also part of the alumni database so that informal events can easily be organized as well. Learn more about the alumni experience through the Kellogg Alumni Network.