How to apply for an Executive MBA

When we evaluate our applicants, we are looking for rich work experience and demonstrated career growth. The Executive MBA Program is for professionals with at least eight years of work experience. Students who come to us have an average of 15 years of work experience, including military service, which means they have had time to develop a deep expertise in their industry or function, along with managerial experience across people and/or programs.

The admissions committee assesses your:

• Application responses
• Essays
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Time sponsorship letter
• Resume
• Interview report

An admissions officer can help you navigate the application process — sign up to connect with our team.

Admission to the Executive MBA Program is contingent upon completing and submitting all application materials. That means in addition to completing your application online, you will also need to submit two letters of recommendation, interview with our admissions team and supply a letter of sponsorship from your employer. Most applicants do not need to submit GMAT scores.

The sponsorship letter from your organization must state that they support and approves the time required for you to attend the Executive MBA Program. If your organization is providing financial sponsorship, please state that in the letter as well. However, you are not required to have financial sponsorship.

The letter of support must:

• Appear on company letterhead
• Be signed by someone in the organization who has authority to grant the time off
• Acknowledge your interest in the program
• Approve any time off needed to attend classes
• Confirm that you will not be penalized for any time used to attend the program
• If applicable, explain the level of financial support the organization is willing to provide

Learn more about sponsorship

There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your resume or CV. Unlike the resume you’d present for a job, you’ll want to update this version to be less industry-specific so the members of our admissions committee can easily understand your full professional history and background. It’s important to note that we do not require a specific format or length. For guidance structuring your resume, schedule a resume review with our team.

In addition to submitting your resume or CV, you will need to fill out the employment section of the application. This is your chance to delve deeper into your career accomplishments and enlighten us on any major shifts that appear in your resume, including key transitions between jobs and big promotions. Make sure to double-check the accuracy of information in this section and fully answer all components of the form.

You are required to submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended in the United States and abroad, whether you graduated from the institution or took just one class. To qualify as an official transcript, it must be sent directly to us from your institution, and contain the signature or seal of the university registrar.

Please note: There is an additional verification step for transcripts from institutions outside of the United States

Official electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed directly to our team from the issuing university or evaluating agency. If unable to provide an electronic transcript or evaluation, please have your institution send a hard copy version, in a sealed envelope, to:

Kellogg School of Management Executive MBA Admissions
95 Merrick Way
Suite 100
Coral Gables, FL 33134

The Executive MBA Program does not require GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment scores for most applicants. A GMAT or GRE score is required if you do not have a bachelor’s degree. In some cases, the admissions committee may ask you to take a standardized test after reviewing your transcripts. We will only make this request, however, in very specific circumstances.

If you wish to send a test score, please use the following codes:

• GMAT or EA: 6WZ-3J-89
• GRE: 7921

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you may be required to submit a test of English proficiency. Please review our guidelines.

There are two essay questions on the application. They provide an opportunity for you to share more about your background and values so the admissions committee can get to know you on a more personal level. In your own words, we want to hear your story and what you want to achieve in your post-Kellogg life. Professional or personal examples for your essays are welcome.

Question 1 (450 words)

Intentionality is a key aspect of what makes our graduates successful Kellogg leaders. Help us understand your journey by articulating your motivations for pursuing an MBA, the specific goals you aim to achieve, and why you believe now is the right moment. Moreover, share why you feel Kellogg is best suited to serve as a catalyst for your career aspirations and what you will contribute to our community of lifelong learners during your time here. 

Question 2 (450 words)

Kellogg leaders are primed to tackle challenges everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Describe a specific professional experience where you had to make a difficult decision. Reflecting on this experience, identify the values that guided your decision-making process and how it impacted your leadership style. 

If needed, you can submit a third essay to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.).

Kellogg asks for two letters of recommendation. We’ve found that this gives us more insight into who you are as an employee and a leader. One letter should come from your current supervisor or manager. The second letter should come from someone who can evaluate your professional performance and your managerial/leadership potential (e.g., former supervisor, previous employer, client). Additional letters of support are neither required nor encouraged.

All letters should be submitted via the online application. They must address the following questions:

• Kellogg has a diverse student body and values students who are inclusive and encouraging of others with differing perspectives and backgrounds. Please tell us about a time when you witnessed the candidate living these values. (300 words)
• How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
• Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)
• Is there anything else you would like us to know?

*Please note: as long as your online application is submitted by the posted deadline, recommenders may submit their letters up to two weeks after the application deadline. However, formal application review cannot begin until all required materials have been received so your decision may be delayed.

The application fee is $150, which can be paid via credit card upon submission of your application. Please do not send payments directly to Kellogg. All application fees are non-refundable.

Fee waivers are granted to:

• Active duty U.S. military applicants or U.S. military veterans who have been on active duty within three years of applying
• Candidates employed by Teach For America, AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps within the past three years
• Forte MBA Launch, JumpStart Network, Posse Scholar, Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) and Riordan Program members, fellows and alumni

If you qualify for a fee waiver, please upload supporting documentation at the time of submitting your application for review.

You’ve invested time, energy, and resources into completing your Kellogg application, so no doubt you’ll want confirmation that your application was received. And we want you to have that peace of mind, too! So, once you submit your application, you can log back in at any time to view the status and double-check that all sections were successfully completed.

The interview provides an opportunity for you to learn more about our community. It also allows the admissions committee to further evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills, work experience, career focus and motivations for the Kellogg MBA.

All interviews are conducted virtually. Shortly after submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions for how to schedule your interview in our portal.

To schedule your interview, please visit the link provided upon submission. Email us if you don’t receive the link or need help rescheduling an interview.

The admissions committee will review your application after we receive all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, sponsorship letter and transcripts, and your interview has taken place.

Decisions are made on a rolling basis, typically within 4 to 6 weeks after the completion of the application and interview.

Note: If you’ve been admitted to another program and require an expedited response from Kellogg, please complete the Expedited Request Form on your application portal. We will ask you to upload a copy of your admissions letter from the program you have been admitted to and we will respond with an estimated timeline of your application review.

While you wait for your decision, we recommend researching financial aid options so you are prepared to make the most of this opportunity if admitted.