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Finding the right coach can be the difference between a solid Kellogg application and an unforgettable one. We’ve curated this list of elite Kellogg-savvy coaches – alums, current students, and former interviewers – who’ve guided applicants to admits across M7 programs and beyond. From narrative craft to interview prep, from international candidates to low-test-score profiles, you’ll find a coaching style that fits how you work and where you’re headed. See all MBA admissions coaches here.
Abby T.
Experience: Kellogg MBA and Yale BA; former Senior Product Manager at American Express. Supported admits to Kellogg, GSB, Wharton, Columbia, Yale SOM, and MIT, with 13 M7 admits across recent R1 and R2 cycles.
Specialties:
- Application narrative and positioning
- Essay writing and editing
- Interview preparation
- Application strategy and planning
- Fintech and CPG career insight
Abby blends a liberal-arts-to-quant pivot with big-company product experience, giving her keen instincts for how to frame career transitions for Kellogg. If you want structured, supportive guidance and a coach who’s recently helped applicants crack Kellogg and other M7s, Abby’s approach to narrative development and interview readiness is a strong match.
"Working with Abby on my R3 mba applications was a great experience. Abby was always available to answer my questions and helped me to craft compelling stories for the programs I was applying to - even tailoring parts of it to make sense per each of the school's individual culture. Abby's knowledge of the entire process was very impressive and I was also able to confidently execute during my interviews as a result of mocks and feedback from Abby around this process. Overall, I am thankful to Abby for all her help in my business school journey - and recommend her services to anyone who is a non-traditional applicant or someone applying from outside the US."
Coached by Abby, accepted to Kellogg, Fuqua, Yale SOM, and Booth
Alex R.
Experience: Kellogg alum; former investment banker and current private equity investor with roles at Lazard, Fidus Capital, On Deck, and Owner Resource Group. Advises on essays, interviews, and admissions decision-making.
Specialties:
- Finance and private/alternative investing paths
- Essays and interview coaching
- Application timelines and accountability
- Strategy for top-tier targets
For Kellogg applicants pursuing investing or finance-focused roles, Alex brings practical, deal-tested perspective and candid guidance on what matters to decision-makers. Expect a coach who “goes to bat” for you – helping you stay on track and translate your finance story into a clear, compelling Kellogg pitch.
"Alex was very supportive and gave me very good feedback to perform well at my interview!"
Coached by Alex
Andrew D.
Experience: Kellogg MBA; former Kellogg Student Admissions Committee interviewer; admitted to MIT Sloan. Ex-LinkedIn strategy/analytics; has coached dozens of applicants to M7 outcomes.
Specialties:
- Application strategy for M7 targets
- Essay development and storytelling
- Interview prep from an insider lens
- Tech and entrepreneurship candidates
- First-generation and international applicants
Andrew marries insider knowledge from Kellogg’s interview room with a tech-operator’s clarity and structure. If you’re aiming high – Kellogg included – and want feedback that’s honest, strategic, and grounded in what top programs value now, Andrew will help you refine your edge across essays and interviews.
"Got into KFL and Andrew is the ONLY COACH I worked with!!! Andrew is super knowledgable and supportive for my deferred MBA application. He gave the best essay ideas and edits ever! I came out from our sessions clearly knowing how to make my essays better and more relevant for KFL. He also made himself super available given my tight timeline! Shoutout to Andrew!"
Coached by Andrew, accepted to Kellogg
Isabel B.
Experience: Deloitte consultant; admitted to Kellogg’s MMM program as a Consortium Fellow, Booth as a Kilts Fellow, and MIT Sloan. Coaches on recommendations, essays, and interviews.
Specialties:
- MMM program applicants
- Recommendation strategy
- Essays and interview prep
- Analytics/product and customer-centric profiles
Isabel knows what it takes to stand out at design- and product-oriented programs like Kellogg MMM. If your goals blend analytics, product management, and customer insight – or you want to fine-tune recommender strategy – her guidance will help you present a polished, purpose-driven application.
"I worked with Isabel during my MBA application process, and her essay feedback was especially helpful. She provided very specific recommendations on how I could strengthen my messaging, and she also asked me some key questions that made me reflect on the details I was highlighting within my essays. Isabel was also very prompt with her review and advice which helped me maintain a good pace in preparing my MBA application materials."
Coached by Isabel, accepted to Kellogg, CBS, and Fuqua
Kevin A.
Experience: Kellogg MBA and certified coach; 20+ years leading product, marketing, and strategy at Bill.com, LinkedIn, PayPal, Intuit, and Deloitte. Supports essays, interviews, resumes, and overall strategy.
Specialties:
- Experienced professionals and career switchers
- Product management and tech leadership stories
- Resume refinement and impact framing
- Interview coaching and executive presence
Kevin helps applicants translate deep operating experience into a sharp, Kellogg-ready narrative. If you’re a senior candidate or PM leader seeking to articulate scope, influence, and vision – without the jargon – Kevin’s seasoned perspective will elevate your story and your confidence.
"Kevin is what you want in a coach. His positive energy goes a long way. Has clear and actionable feedback and genuinely wants to see his students succeed. Would definitely recommend!"
Coached by Kevin
Kristen J.
Experience: Incoming Kellogg MBA with a full-ride Forté Fellowship; former Deloitte consultant; earned $300K+ in merit scholarships from top-5 schools. Coaches personal branding, essays, and resumes.
Specialties:
- Personal branding and storytelling
- Essay strategy and voice
- Resume polish and clarity
- Scholarship positioning through impact
- Veterans and early-career consultants
Kristen brings recent, hard-won application savvy and a knack for helping candidates find an authentic voice that wins admits – and scholarships. If you want a partner who can make the process less stressful and more strategic, she’ll help you present a confident, human Kellogg story.
"I highly recommend working with Kristen for any part of the application process! She helped me shape my story and ensure my resume had a clear, compelling narrative. Kristen’s thoughtful, detail-oriented approach made a big impact on both my resume and confidence during a stressful application time – I found her support incredibly helpful!"
Coached by Kristen
Chip L.
Experience: Kellogg MBA; former Bain & Company consultant; helped 15 clients gain M7 admits in 2023 alone. Background spans IB, PE, operating roles, and entrepreneurship (including a viral consumer startup).
Specialties:
- High-impact storytelling with personality
- Interview prep and case-style communication
- Consulting pathways and school selection
- Entrepreneurship pivots and post-MBA planning
Chip’s coaching infuses clarity, energy, and focus – ideal for Kellogg, where leadership and teamwork shine when your personality does too. Applicants targeting consulting or entrepreneurship will benefit from his tactical feedback and track record turning strong profiles into standout applications.
"Chip was an incredible support throughout my MBA application process. From start to finish, he was supportive, insightful, and always brought positive energy. His willingness to dive deep into my stories helped shape my essays in a way that truly reflected my journey. I always felt encouraged and motivated throughout the process—couldn’t have done it without him! Highly recommend!"
Coached by Chip, accepted to Kellogg
Matt B.
Experience: Kellogg one-year MBA; current FAANG product manager; coached clients into HBS and other M7 programs; experienced across big tech, healthcare, consulting, and PM.
Specialties:
- End-to-end application coaching
- Tech PM and big-tech candidates
- Essays and interview strategy
- International and veteran applicants
If you’re aiming for Kellogg with a tech or PM angle – or you want to benchmark against M7 standards – Matt brings focused, pragmatic guidance from both the classroom and big tech trenches. He’ll help you map your goals, sharpen your materials, and interview with clarity.
"Matt was my end-to-end MBA coach, enabling me to land acceptances at HBS along with multiple other M7 schools with scholarship. With my prior consulting experience, Matt tailored coaching and approaches to my exact experiences. Matt helped tactically with school selection, admissions, letters of recommendation selection and strategy, essay and story conception and tweaking, interview prep, and scholarship negotiation. It was apparent that Matt's experience in MBA and previous work experiences across consulting led to tailored and thoughtful coaching throughout my application."
Coached by Matt, accepted to Kellogg, Haas, and HBS
Michael D.
Experience: Current Kellogg MBA; prior roles in venture capital, management consulting, and high-growth startups (Gorillas, Zoomo). Secured admits to multiple M7 and Top 10 programs, including Kellogg, Yale, and Dartmouth Tuck.
Specialties:
- Low GMAT/GRE or over-represented profiles
- Cohesive storytelling from unconventional paths
- 6+ month application roadmaps
- Mock interviews and school/recommender selection
Michael has walked the road many applicants fear – less traditional pedigree, lower test score – and still earned top admits. He’s an empathetic, practical guide for Kellogg candidates who need to neutralize perceived weaknesses and showcase momentum, impact, and fit.
"Michael was absolutely instrumental in helping me secure an offer from Kellogg. From our very first conversation, he struck the perfect balance between optimism and honesty. He believed in my potential even when I had doubts about certain aspects of my profile. His feedback on my essays was insightful, pragmatic, and always delivered with genuine positivity and encouragement. That combination kept me motivated and focused throughout the process. Michael’s support made a significant difference, and I can’t recommend him highly enough. He was not only a fantastic coach but also a true cheerleader all the way!"
Coached by Michael, accepted to Kellogg
Nakul K.
Experience: Kellogg alum; former Kellogg admissions committee reader and alumni interviewer; fintech VC with prior roles at Meta, Uber, and Google. Mentored admits to Kellogg, Columbia, Yale, Ross, Duke, Darden, and LBS.
Specialties:
- Insider perspective on reading and interviewing
- International applicants
- Essays, strategy, and interview prep
- Tech and startup-oriented profiles
With hands-on experience evaluating Kellogg applications, Nakul knows how AdComs read your file – and what sparks an interview. International candidates and tech-minded applicants will appreciate his precise, standards-driven feedback and the confidence that comes from a seasoned insider.
"Working with Nakul through my MBA application journey was a deeply grounding experience. His promptness and clarity in communication ensured that I never felt lost at any stage of the process. What stood out to me was his candid feedback and ability to cut through the noise—he was consistently focused on getting the best out of me while keeping things real. Whether it was essay drafts, school lists, or just navigating through moments of doubt, he was always just a message away, helping me move forward. Over time, we built a strong rapport, and I now consider him a friend. I particularly appreciated how receptive he was to feedback and how he encouraged me to think more practically about my school choices, balancing ambition with realism. He took the time to visit me despite us being in different cities, and continued to support me post-application, reflecting his investment in my ambition. Nakul is someone you can definitely count on as you navigate your application journey."
Coached by Nakul, accepted to Kellogg
Get Into Kellogg With MBA Admissions Consultants
An experienced MBA admissions consultant can help you excel in the Kellogg application process – from perfecting your resume and essays to mastering interview preparation and mock interviews. They’ll provide expert insights, strategic guidance, and a clear plan to showcase your story, leadership, and fit with the Kellogg community.
Whether you’re focused on Kellogg or applying to other top tier MBA programs like Harvard, Wharton, or Stanford GSB, the right coach ensures your MBA application process is efficient, strategic, and competitive. Every Leland coach offers a free 15-minute intro call, and our admissions consulting team can match you with the best partner to help you stand out and join the next Kellogg class.
Read more:
- Kellogg Executive MBA Program: Overview, Acceptance Rate, Pros and Cons
- Northwestern Kellogg MBA: Acceptance Rate, Deadlines, Cost, Requirements, & Program Overview
- Northwestern Kellogg MBA Cost – Tuition & Fees Breakdown
- MBA Application Timeline: What to Do and When to Apply (Month-by-Month Guide)
- MBA Interviews: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and How to Stand Out
Kellogg Application – FAQs
How hard is it to get into Kellogg?
- The Kellogg School of Management is one of the most competitive top business schools, with an admit rate typically in the mid-to-high teens. The MBA admissions process evaluates MBA applicants holistically, weighing GPA, GMAT/GRE test scores, essays, resume, leadership experience, and performance in the interview process. A strong Kellogg application must demonstrate academic readiness, leadership potential, and cultural fit with Kellogg’s collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Is Kellogg better than Harvard?
- Both Kellogg and Harvard Business School are elite MBA programs within the top tier MBA programs globally. The choice depends on your career goals and preferred learning style. Harvard is known for its case method and general management focus, while Kellogg is renowned for marketing, teamwork, and leadership development. MBA applicants targeting consulting, marketing, or general management roles may find Kellogg’s strengths, network, and admissions process a better match, while others may prefer Harvard’s broader brand recognition.
What time is the Kellogg MBA application deadline?
- Kellogg application deadlines vary by round, typically in September, January, and April for the full-time MBA program. Application submission times are generally 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Exact dates and times are posted on Kellogg’s official site each year, and meeting these application deadlines is critical in the MBA admissions process – especially for scholarship consideration and securing interview invitations.
What GPA do you need to get into Kellogg?
- There’s no strict minimum GPA requirement for Kellogg, but admitted students often average around 3.6–3.7. The admissions committee reviews applications holistically, so a lower GPA can be offset with strong test scores, impactful professional achievements, and compelling essays. Academic performance is just one part of a strong MBA application process.
What makes a strong MBA application?
- A strong MBA application blends academic excellence, a compelling career story, and evidence of leadership. MBA applicants should research top business schools, align their essays and resume with the school culture, and prepare thoroughly for interview preparation and mock interviews. Leveraging MBA admissions consulting can provide valuable advice, expert insights, and ensure you put your best foot forward with the admissions committee.
Are MBA applications going down?
- In recent cycles, some top MBA programs have seen slight declines in application volume, influenced by a strong job market and shifting professional priorities. However, demand for elite programs like Kellogg, Harvard Business School, Wharton, and Stanford GSB remains high, and the admissions process is still highly competitive for MBA applicants aiming for these top-tier MBA programs.
