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July 7, 2022

Indiana Kelley MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

These questions are a straightforward mix of professional and personal. The adcom wants assurance that you have a clear professional focus and a solid plan for making productive use of the Kelley MBA resources. Beyond that, they’re looking for engaging applicants who are willing to share their life experiences and understand what they can contribute. Strive for balance and coherence among the essays overall: use them to present different facets of your character while avoiding contradictory qualities (i.e., you can be a bold risk-taker in one and a tender-hearted soul in another, but not a bold risk-taker in one and overly cautious in another).

Indiana Kelley 2022-2023 MBA application essays

Kelley mba essay question #1.

Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words)

This question encourages you to present your goals in the context of your experience and to integrate your MBA plans with both. With only 500 words, be selective and strategic about what points from your career to discuss. Also, the question specifies short-term goals. While it would be fine to add a sentence or so about longer-term goals or overall career vision, keep your goals discussion focused on the same time frame the question focuses on: immediately post-MBA. This question is asking for linkages among your experience, your short-term goals, and your anticipated MBA experience, so make an essay plan or outline that forms an integrated message out of these elements.

In answering the last point, continue the linkage approach: the alternatives you identify should build on your experience in some way and be consistent with your expressed career interests. Show that you are adaptable and strategic, informed about the options, and resourceful in your thinking.

Kelley MBA essay question #2

Please respond to  one  of the following short essay prompts.  (300 words max) a. My greatest memory is… b. I’m most afraid of… c. My greatest challenge has been… d. I’m most proud of…

Consider which question will give you the best avenue to both (a) round out your profile and (b) showcase an interesting and relevant aspect of your life and/or experience.

Once you decide on a topic and question , write this short essay in mini-story format. Sometimes the story itself will convey the message and/or insight, sometimes you may want to add a concluding sentence with this information. And be sensitive to the tone and presentation of the question – it really is asking for something engaging, meaningful, and lively.

Kelley MBA essay question #3

Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words max)

Your topic selection here should balance the topic in essay 2 and reflect another aspect of you. Also, if you choose an older story above, make this one more recent. (It’s fine to have them both be recent, but not great to have them both from far in the past.)

Kelley MBA essay question #4 (Optional)

Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your essays and credentials represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words max)

This question first and foremost invites you to explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of recommender if not a direct supervisor, etc.). As far as unnecessary points, that last phrase is a polite warning that anything extra must be pretty darn important.

For expert guidance with your Indiana Kelley MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages , which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

Indiana Kelley at a glance

Kelley MBA average GMAT score: 679

Kelley MBA average GPA: 3.33

Kelley MBA acceptance rate: 31.5%

U.S. News  ranked Indiana Kelley #22 in 2023

Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats.

Indiana Kelley 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines

Source: Indiana Kelley website

Related Resources:

• Why MBA? , a guide to writing the goals essay
• 9 Secrets to Telling an Attention-Grabbing Story
• Applying for Your MBA Through The Consortium: Best Deal in Town

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Indiana Kelley MBA Sample Essays

Kelley MBA Essay 1: Please discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternative career paths might you consider? (500 words max)

Kelley MBA Essay 2: Please respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words max)

•  My greatest memory is…
•  I’m most afraid of…
•  My greatest challenge has been…
•  I’m most proud of…

Indiana Kelley MBA Sample Essays – 1

I have been working in technology consulting for more than 5 years. While working with PwC US for 3 years in multiple global engagements, I have developed excellent client-handling skills, technical proficiency, and above all leadership capability to lead culturally diverse teams. Most of my experience is in technology implementation consulting for US clients. However, working alongside management consultants, I have become really fascinated with business strategy development. These experiences have motivated me to step up from implementation to strategy aspect of technology consulting.

Therefore, post-MBA my immediate goal is to transition to management consultant role at tech strategy function and work with a global consulting firm such as Mckinsey, Bain, PwC or Deloitte. There I will get the opportunities to work on client’s open-ended business problems. Needless to say, to switch to management consulting I need to gain fundamental knowledge of management and business strategy.

After extensive research and conversation with Alumni’s, I believe Kelley’s MBA is in perfect sync with my targeted goals and desired learning from an MBA program. Three ways through which I see that Kelley MBA will help me bridge the skill gaps and achieve my short-term goals of getting into management consulting are:

Integrated Core Curriculum – The best part I liked about Kelley’s curriculum 3 semesters of elective which offer the freedom to chart our own career paths. Major in ‘Management’ along with experiential learning at ‘Consulting Academy’ can help me fullfil the knowledge gap.

Global Exposure –  I believe, global work experience is highly valued in consulting industry and Kelley’s GLOBASE and Kelley International Perspectives (KIP) program can provide me the opportunity to gain hands-on international experience while studying. I am really looking forward to participating in GLOBASE consulting project to strengthen my candidature in post-MBA consulting jobs.

Unique approach to Leadership Development – At PwC, I am a core member of PwC WIT (Women In Technology) club and at Kelley too, I am looking forward to being an active member of Kelley Association of Women MBAs, Consulting and Net Impact clubs which will provide me opportunities to hone my leadership skills in action.

I strongly believe, I can also leverage my connections within PwC to network my way into the desired management consulting role. In case I am not able to crack into the elite consulting world of MBB’s, I would be willing to switch into a product management roles within the technology sector focused on mobile applications. Co-founding a tech start-up has provided me opportunities to gain experience and learn to thrive in a product manager’s role. Therefore, I think, product management experience in a start-up has induced in me the flexibility to get into product management roles.

Overall I am confident that Kelley’s unique approach to leadership and focus on career transformation will help me achieve my professional objectives. And with my academic potential, team-working abilities, and leadership skills I will add significant value to Kelley community and sustain the Kelley brand.

Kelley MBA Essay 2: Please respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words max)  My greatest memory is…  I’m most afraid of…  My greatest challenge has been…  I’m most proud of…

I am most proud of my accomplishment of making Pixtory, to which I had given my heart and soul over the last 6 months, a successful startup backed by seed funding of $50K from Venture Capitalists.

In January 2016, following my passion for entrepreneurship, I joined 3 member founding team of an app-based photo blogging start-up named “Pixtory”, alongside my full-time job at PwC. I met karum (company’s founder) at an entrepreneur’s networking event where he was pitching the idea and looking for a team.

I was the first engineer in the team, responsible for product development and building of engineering team for the company. Additionally, I was leading the digital marketing strategy of the product.

I crafted my hiring strategy to look beyond just technical skills and recruit people who shared the same passion for making our business a success and can thrive in demanding work environment. On Marketing front, we kicked-off with the market fit analysis of the product. We spent months in shaping our product’s strategy that is differentiated and delivers the unique value proposition.

Within 4 months the team grew from 3 to 13 members and my responsibilities increased from coding to leading the entire development team. The work stretched from 2-3 hours to full 7-8 hours of part-time work. And 7 months all this effort paid off, it was a truly ecstatic moment when we successfully secured initial seed funding of $50k from a venture capitalist firm. That day was the proudest day in my life which gave me the sense of achievement and confidence in my own hard work.

Through this enriching journey, I got the opportunity to work on various aspects of product management and organization building. In fact, it is this experience makes me confident that that post-MBA even if I couldn’t get into consulting, I can successfully pursue a career in product management

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Indiana Kelley MBA Sample Essays – 2

I have more than 5 years of professional experience with Unilever where I have worked across multiple supply chain functions. In the short term, I want to leverage my experience of working in supply chain functions including strategy at Unilever to transition into a proper strategic consulting role with the likes of McKinsey, Bain, or BCG.

It Unilever, I started my career in the supply chain department and later moved to my current position of Supply Chain Manager – Innovation and Technology. I lead the innovation team including 7 diverse departments such as R&D, Marketing, procurement, etc. to lead the development effort for our next generation products. During this tenure, I have led a cross functional team which has helped me hone my leadership capability to lead a culturally and professionally diverse team. Additionally, leading Product Development for highly agile and fast-moving categories has helped me develop my problem-solving skills, stakeholder management skills and internal client handling ability.

My current role also allows me to interact with senior leaders and have a ring side view of how long-term strategies are formed and business decisions are taken. This exposure has motivated me to upskill my own business acumen and strategic knowledge via an MBA to grow in the CPG domain.

Through an MBA, I am primarily looking to build my foundation of business knowledge and leadership skills to take on the business problems of the consulting world. I believe Kelley’s integrated core curriculum and various experiential programs such as 1Kelly Consulting program can help me acquire practical consulting experience through the real business world problems. GLOBASE and Kelly International Perspectives (KIP) program can provide me with the much-needed global exposure, which can help me learn the best practices of diverse industries across the world.

I am also keenly looking forward to the Leadership development program integrated into Kelly’s MBA program. I hope to leverage my learnings through this program to assume leadership positions at Clubs such as Consulting Club, Marketing Club, and the association of Women MBAs. As I assume leadership positions in organizations, I want to work towards women empowerment and diversity and in the long run I would like to follow in the footsteps of Indra Nooyi (Ex-CEO Pepsi) to take up a senior leadership role in a CPG firm.

I am strongly convinced that with my experience and with Kelley’s MBA program placing more than 30% of it’s class in the consulting function, I can achieve my short-term goal through the Kelley MBA program. At the same time, I do understand that consulting roles are highly competitive in nature. Hence, I would be happy to switch back to CPG firms such as P&G, Pepsico, Unilever in case the consulting role does not materialize for me. I am confident that I can capitalize on my existing expertise in supply chain operations and my network in the CPG firms to comfortably achieve my alternate career path.

I am most proud of defying the stereotypes for an Indian girl and braving the adversities that came my way.

Born into an extremely conservative family as a girl, my aspirations to pursue undergraduate education antagonized many elders. My family was saving more money for my marriage than for my education. My father was my only supporter in my pursuit of higher education and due to his support, I was able to excel in academics and dream big for myself.

But as fate would have it, a few months before my undergraduate admissions I lost my father. His untimely demise created a huge void both psychologically and financially. Under an assistance program, the government offered me an entry level employment opportunity and everyone in my family pressured me to take up the job and get married to reduce the financial burden on my family. Even the funds my father saved up for my education had to be reprioritized to meet our daily essential needs. This was one of the most challenging times of my life as it seemed like my dreams were crashing down.

Our dire circumstances motivated me to make something of myself so that my family would never have to feel helpless. I secured an admission in one of the best engineering colleges in India with a scholarship, which helped me convince my family to pursue my dreams. Fast forward 4 years, I was amongst the top performing graduates in my class and amongst the first to receive a great job offer from Unilever. I blazed the trail for a new journey for my family, becoming the first woman in my family to have a professional career and an undergraduate degree. Having inspired my cousins, I support 2 of them financially to help them achieve their dreams. 

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Indiana University, Kelley School of Business – MBA Essay On Integrity

I have faced quite a few tests of Integrity in my eventful career. One of them was when I was working with ABC Inc.  As a practice in the Information Technology business, every computer application/software is tested before being deployed full-time. In one such test, I noticed an error in one of the key computer programs (software) that had the potential to bill the client excessively. Having joined the company a mere 2 months earlier at that point, I mentioned it to a colleague of mine who was in-charge of the computer software and its workings. I was told that this would be highlighted as one of the “Findings of the Test” and would be reported to clients “at a later stage”.

However, The Testing phase was thus “completed without any further issues”. He (colleagues referenced above) was also given the responsibility to handle the entire project as well…..

The said computer program (computer software product) was made live and for servicing the needs of a client (an entity of a leading financial conglomerate) The revenue billings generated by the software kept on increasing rapidly with time – to the point that our client started calling us for discussing billing details.  As I scrutinized the billing details, it became evident that the error that I had brought to notice had neither been rectified nor reported. I also realized that my colleague had, on purpose, avoided highlighting it to the client as this was adding on to the revenue generated by the project under his supervision.

In my next communication with him, I requested him to explain the situation to the senior management. Instead, he offered to recommend me, to the senior management, as the Lead for the next project that would be working on, along with a pay hike. I rejected the offer at the very moment. In the best interests of the company, I reported the issue to my supervisor and other key stakeholders in the project.  They realized that we could have lost the clients forever – had the software been further operational. My seniors also appreciated the fact that I could have benefited significantly by merely accepting the offer made to me. However but I chose against the same since that would tantamount to dishonesty.

My integrity was well rewarded – I was handed over the responsibilities of the project and at a very early age in terms of my industry experience. The trust also established the trend for increasing leadership responsibilities in the succeeding years. As I have grown seasoned in the business, I have faced similar tests of integrity on a number of occasions. However “sticking to doing what is right” has always enabled me to reach the right growth window.

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Kelley MBA Essays: Tips for 2023-2024

At Menlo Coaching, we noticed that most MBA essays will fall into one of a number of categories: personal essays, career goals essays, behavioral essays, etc.. Read ahead for our expert guide on approaching these essays for the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Career Goals Essay

• Discuss your  immediate  post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (upload file, 500 words)

Personal Essay

• Choose  one  of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)

a. My greatest memory is…

b. I’m most afraid of…

c. My greatest challenge has been…

d. I’m most proud of…

• Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)

Optional Essay

• Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words)

Applying to Indiana Kelley

KSB aims to create a collaborative environment that spurs partnerships among students, faculty, and other areas of academic life on campus.  Through the story you relate in your essay, the admissions council is looking to see if you reflect the same values that the school does. Kelley is looking for students who take responsibility for their individual actions and are straightforward in their communication. The best way to represent that you possess those qualities is through the type of essay you choose to write. 

It’s crucial to pick the right experience to discuss in your essay, and the different types of prompts help narrow that down for you. Keep reading for a closer look at the different types of essays, and how best to utilize them in order to write a stand-out essay for Indiana Kelley.

The Career Goals Essay

You’re not the only one hoping you’ll have a job after you’ve graduated with your MBA. Admissions committees are looking for students who are motivated and clear in their intentions so that when they get a job post-grad, they’ll be more willing to speak positively of their experience in the program. And, of course, in the hopes that their alumni will earn enough money to become a donor to the school one day. 

There are three aspects to the career goals essay: 

• What you want your future profession to look like.
• Why an MBA is necessary to advance your career.
• Particularly, why a degree from KSB will be most beneficial to you and your job plan. 

Your aspirations need to be convincing, ambitious, and realistic. Indiana Kelley is looking for applicants who have meaningful goals grounded in their past experiences, and it’s important that you relate that notion in your essay, however it applies to your experience in life.

The Personal Story

Like we touched on earlier, schools are looking for the right fit for their campus community, just as you are searching for the school that aligns best with your goals. In the personal essay, this is your chance to show IU Kelley the values that drive you both as a person and as a student. These values tell the admissions council what you prioritize, the moral code you live by, and, most importantly, who you are as a person. 

In these essays, you can talk about almost anything; typically, applicants will write about relationships in their lives, or times when there was a hardship they had to overcome. Be warned, though: there are some topics to avoid, and we have outlined a few things to watch out for  in this article . 

Once you’ve completed your application, the optional Ross essay gives you an additional opportunity to provide the AdCom with any additional information or clarity that you feel would enhance your application.

One trap that MBA applicants fall into is using the additional space provided by this essay to write on a whole new topic. However, this is not always the best idea.

You should only make use of this essay if you what you write will provide context to an element of your application to improve your candidacy—you don’t want to jeopardize your chances by adding unnecessary noise to your application.

Writing strong, coherent, genuine stories is an essential part of your MBA application. These essays are meant to help you stand out among many other applicants, so it is worth your time to do the work and write about situations unique to your life and that you truly learned from.

Unlock the secrets to crafting standout Kelley MBA essays with the support of our dedicated MBA admissions consultants .

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• Indiana Kelley MBA Program Overview
• MBA Essay Tips From 3 Top Admissions Consultants
• How to Get Into MBA Programs at Top Business Schools

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In MBA admissions, starting early can significantly boost your chances. 

But there are no shortcuts, and while R1 2024 deadlines might seem far off, building your profile takes time.

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Kelley School of Business MBA Essay Analysis

If you wish to apply to Kelley School of Business for 2021, and wondering how to attempt the application essay questions, we are here for you. All you have to do is read this blog where we will be discussing actionable tips, to help you tackle the Kelley School of Business MBA Essay .

Before we begin, let us look at the advantages of being a part of the Kelley School of Business.

You will get several advantages by being a part of Kelley school of Business, because:

1. Being a part of the University of Indiana, Kelley enjoys a good reputation 2. Their MBA program is ideal for ‘career changers’ 3. Kelley School of Business offers a STEM MBA, which provides a two-year extension to stay in the USA.

If you wish to learn more about Kelley School of Business and its courses, simply click here .

If you would like to watch what our GMAT and MBA Expert, Arun Jagannathan has to say about writing your Kelley School of  Business MBA application essays, you can watch the video here.

We now proceed to discuss the application essays for Kelley School of Business.

KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MBA ESSAY ANALYSIS OVERVIEW

Kelley School of Business requires candidates to write three application essays. We will be discussing each essay and explaining the best way to write them.

Essay Question 1:

Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley School of BusinessMBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? Word Limit: 500 words

Here is a formula for you to tackle this essay: You + MBA= Future Goals

Let us explain this formula below.

In this section, specify the transferable skills you bring to the table. In other words, what are the things that make you valuable? Now many people from a technical background tend to shy away from describing their skills. But it is vital to know that people in the management circle appreciate those who know the nuts and bolts of how things operate.

For example, if you have an engineering degree, you stand apart from the other MBA students because you offer a skill set that makes you unique. Treat this section as your elevator pitch and drive home the skills that set you apart.

Next, you need to mention your transition . There are certain things you think you need to equip yourself for your future journey. You will address this by talking about the upcoming journey. First, mention the skills that you have gotten so far, then talk about your journey.

If you notice in the essay question, Kelley School of Business wishes to know about your industry, function, desired role, desired company, preferred location, and expectations about a day in the company. In short, Kelley School of Business wants to know if you have clarity about your goals and future.

Here is how you should divide this essay,

– 150 words- Background – 150 words- Post-MBA goals – 150 words- Why Kelley MBA

The remaining 50 words can be used for a strong start or a fitting end.

Essay Question 2:

Respond to one of the following short essay prompts.

a. My greatest memory is… b. I’m most afraid of… c. My greatest challenge has been… d. I’m most proud of…

Word Limit: 300 words

For this essay, you cannot use it to showcase your achievement. What you need to do here is mention why the instances that you will mention in your essay are so vital to you.

We suggest that you apply the START framework, which is an acronym for:

S- Situation: Explain the gravity of the situation that has a personal connection with you. T- Task: Mention what you were expected to do and what did you do. A- Action: Mention the series of decisions you took in light of the task at hand. R- Result: Talk about whether your action led to your success or failure. T- Takeaway: This section is critical, and here, you will mention what you have personally learned.

Keeping the above framework in mind, let us now look at each of the essay questions below. Remember that you only have to attempt one of them.

1. My greatest memory is: We all have a bunch of impactful memories that we often keep revisiting. Here you need to mention them. It does not matter if they are big or small. Remember, it is not the happiest, but the most significant incidents which profoundly impact you.

2. I’m most afraid of: For this essay, you need to mention something outside your comfort zone. In other words, when you are pushed outside your comfort zone, that is when you are afraid. Maybe you can talk about your fear of trusting people. Remember, you should be your genuine self.

3. My greatest challenge has been: For this essay, you must understand that the Kelley School of Business admission team is more interested to know why certain events or things were a challenge to you. Do not spend too many words describing the challenge.

4. I’m most proud of: If you are writing this essay, mention why you feel proud, focus on yourself rather than the situation.

To conclude, you can attempt any one of the following questions mentioned above using the START formula. The formula is for you to have a sequence in your essay to help keep the reader hooked.

Essay Question 3:

Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. Word Limit: 25 words

Before you write this essay, understand that the end goal should be to make the admissions team think- ‘Here is someone I would like to meet!’ Again, our advice would be that you remain authentic and share what sets you apart.

Optional Essay:

Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. Word Limit: 300 words

When it comes to optional essays, only attempt them if you have something additional to inform the admissions committee, which was not mentioned in the admission form. If you can pre-empt what questions the admissions team might have, use the optional essay to answer them.

DEADLINES FOR KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS APPLICATION

Application deadlines for Kelley School of Business class of 2021-22 are:

Want to know more about the MBA Application Deadlines for Top B-Schools? Here’s the entire list of top B-Schools along with their deadlines – MBA Application Deadlines 2020-2021

We are confident that you have much clarity to answer your Kelley application essays. Whenever you feel you are stuck, you can always refer to the points mentioned above.

If you require any clarity and expert opinion on drafting and reviewing your essays, you are just a click away from talking to our experts.

Is Your Profile Good Enough For An MBA

Kelley School of Business MBA Application Essay Questions and Tips

Jatin bhandari.

• October 6, 2021
• MBA Consulting

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business ranks amongst the top 50 schools in the world. With just over 200 students in their MBA class, Kelley boasts a tight-knit community and an accessible and rich faculty lineup.

Hitting the road running takes a new form at Kelley as the school provides MBA students with hands-on learning experiences in the first year of the MBA program. Kelley is also far from being a cutthroat MBA environment. Focusing on holistic growth, the admissions committee at Kelley have often spoken about humility being an important part of the fabric of the school.

One of the biggest things MBA applicants struggle with is understanding how much a “good fit” to the business school community matters. With schools like Kelley, the emphasis is even higher.

Fortunately, the Kelley MBA application process allows applicants to share how good of a fit they are for the school. The four MBA essay prompts that Kelley provides give each applicant ample space to share their story.

Kelley School of Business MBA Application Essays

1. discuss your immediate post-mba professional goals. how will your professional experience, when combined with a kelley mba degree, allow you to achieve these goals should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider (500 words).

The first part of this question is your standards career goals essay . Here you need to talk about what your post-MBA plan is. And you can’t be vague about it. Don’t talk about wanting to “hold a leadership position at a Venture Capital firm”. Instead, be specific in your approach to your post-MBA goals. Having a clear plan shows commitment and research done by an applicant. Along with the job role, and industry, mention the firm you would like to be working at.

Choose a firm that recruits at Kelley. Here is a list of Recruiting Companies at Kelley . If the firm you want to work at post-MBA doesn’t recruit at Kelley, it might discourage the admissions committee from moving you onto the interview stage. If the business school can’t place you after you graduate from their MBA class, they are more likely to not take a risk on you.

The second part of this question is trickier to navigate. Not many business schools ask MBA students for their Plan B. Those that pose this question generally ask students what they would do if they got rejected. However, Kelley simply asks the applicant what role they would choose if their initial plan doesn’t work out.

To answer this question don’t have a drastically different Plan B. For example, if your Plan A was to join a Venture Capital firm, don’t select an HR role for your Plan B. Go for something similar to Venture Capital. In this particular scenario, you could choose a career in Private Equity or even Management Consulting as they provide a growth option into Venture Capital.

Do deep research into your post-MBA goals to answer this prompt. Talking to an MBA graduate that is currently in your Plan A job could also help you understand the job roles and industries that feed into your Plan A.

2. Respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)

a. My greatest memory is… b. I’m most afraid of… c. My greatest challenge has been… d. I’m most proud of…

Before you blindly decide which one of these prompts you will be answering, answer them all.

Rather than writing a 300-word answer to a single prompt and then realizing that another prompt would have been more impactful to answer, answer all these questions in a few words.

Once you have small versions of your answers to all these prompts, figure out which answer adds the most value to your MBA profile. Do any of your answers back up any claims your MBA profile makes? Does any answer show traits or values that the school resonates with?

Once you have your prompt selected, don’t just share the answer to “What?” for all these questions. Also, answer the “Why?”. Why are you fond of a certain memory? Why does something make you the most afraid?

Be real with the admissions committee. Sharing something personal in such detail can be a great show of strength and empowerment so use them to convey the same.

3. Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)

This is a small space with just 25 words to answer, so choose wisely. I would suggest picking a personality trait that isn’t something most people don’t pick up about you when they spend time with you initially.

It will keep the answer personal, and interesting.

Optional: Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words)

This essay is the perfect space for you to just talk to the admissions committee and share your story. Don’t write this essay to detail more accomplishments simply because you have this space available.

If there is a significant accomplishment that couldn’t be mentioned in any other space throughout your Kelley MBA application, use this space to mention it. Make sure you also explain why that accomplishment is significant enough for you to share it with the Kelley admissions committee.

The purpose of this space, however, is to allow students to explain the weak points of their MBA application essay.

Do you have a low GMAT score? Is your undergraduate GPA lower than the Kelley average? Did you have to approach a non-conventional recommender for your LoR?

Use this space to explain the circumstances behind these situations. Make sure you don’t simply paint yourself out to be a victim. Take responsibility for your weaknesses while explaining how a particular situation or decision might have affected you at that moment.

How to get into the Wharton School of Business MBA Program? Kshitij cracks Schulich Business School with a low GMAT score Sneha cracks a top US school, Purdue’s Krannert How to Get Top MBA Scholarships Despite a Low GMAT Score?

For over 15+ years as an Entrepreneur, and India’s Top Educationist, Jatin has led a range of initiatives in the Education Industry. In this role, he has created many successful educational services and products geared towards generating success for professionals aspiring to join IVY League and global Top Tier Universities for MBA Programs, Masters Programs, and undergraduate courses. He is the Founder and CEO of PythaGURUS Education, and has been recognized as a thought leader in the Higher education sector. Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India, India Today, Business Today, Tribune, and many other national newspapers have recognized his work, and have given him numerous opportunities to be a regular columnist. He has also served as a panelist for NDTV, and other national news channels.

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The Indiana Kelley Interview – What to Expect + Sample Questions

Nov 3, 2023

How the Kelley interview works 

Who is kelley looking for, how can you prepare for your interview, what to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for.

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UPDATE : This article was originally posted on March 6, 2020. It has been updated with 2023/24 information and tips below. 

With one of the world’s most personalized MBA programs (students receive individual career coaching and personalized leadership training ), Kelley is increasing at the top of the list for professionals who seek MBAs that truly meet their needs. 

However, with the 3rd best career services center (according to Financial Times), the competition to join the Kelley MBA is more difficult than ever. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Kelley admissions interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview mocks to ensure you give your Kelley interview your best shot. 

Making sure you shine during your Kelley interview is no easy task. 

Kelley interviews tend to be fairly straightforward. During the interview, the interviewer is trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are and how interested you seem in the Kelley program.

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test your problem-solving skills (this is especially common for those planning to enter the consulting field). You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. 

Our clients who have interviewed with Kelley in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers . Though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything. 

Who will interview you?

Kelley offers two types of admissions. Before you submit your application, you can schedule an applicant-initiated interview in Bloomingdale or at one of the school’s events around the US. 

Once your application has been submitted, interviews are by invitation only. They will be conducted by a member of the admissions committee or an alumnus and will take place either on campus or over the phone (the latter option is recommended only for international students). 

Will the interviewer have read my application?

The Kelley interview is blind, meaning the interviewer will only have access to your CV. This means that you can repeat examples from your essays if you choose to. 

How long will the Kelley interview last?

30-45 minutes. 

(Photo courtesy of @ iukelleymba on Instagram)

“Beyond [GMAT and GPA], we are looking at [applicants’] reasons for pursuing an MBA—the degree to which they have given their goals some thought and how Kelley can help them achieve them. We’re also interested in what their recommender has to say about them. And then, of course, we want to know about their work experience. We have a very collaborative environment here, so we want to see a track record that suggests they will be successful in a team environment and that they have something valuable to bring.” Kelley Admissions

Every year, Kelley spends a significant amount of time getting to know applicants in order to select members for its class of around 150 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Kelley student, yet the average admitted student for the Class of 2023 does tend to have a 685 average GMAT score and 6.4 years of work experience.

Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Kelley is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT and university grades), Kelley seeks candidates who also demonstrate a genuine excitement to participate in the university’s personalized development program. 

Though no interview is 100% predictable, Kelley interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Kelley interviews. 

SAMPLE KELLEY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com . Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Kelley interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview. 

STARTING UP QUESTIONS

• Tell me about yourself. (Expect follow-up questions)
• What do you do in your current job?
• Why did you choose your university?
• What was your undergraduate experience like?
• What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
• Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
• What is your backup plan in case you aren’t hired by your target companies?
• Why did you quit your previous job?
• Why do you want an MBA?
• Why Kelley?
• How will you contribute to your team at Kelley?
• What will you learn from your team?
• What excites you the most about Kelley?
• What other schools have you applied to? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
• Have you visited campus? Spoken with alumni?
• What are your hobbies?

LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK

• Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
• Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation
• How do you explain leadership?
• What is your leadership style?
• Tell me a leader you admire. 
• What motivates you to be a good leader?

MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL

• Tell me an example of when things didn’t work out as you planned. 
• Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
• How would your friends describe you?
• What is something your colleagues would say you do well? Something you need to work on?
• Can you please give me examples?
• What is one reason we should admit you? 
• What is one reason we should not admit you?
• What is your greatest achievement so far?
• Give me an example of a time when you disappointed a client. How did you fix it? What did you learn?
• How do you typically contribute to teams?
• Do you have any concerns about doing the MBA?
• Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
• Is there anything you wished I had asked you?
• Questions for me?

We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.

We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview . 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Kelley, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”

The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop to interview success. Click to join !

If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the Vanderbilt Owen interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile. 

Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared. 

First, stay calm and take a deep breath . You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!

Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation. 

If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer , however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation. 

Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently respond to show you can handle any question they throw at you. 

Secure your spot at Indiana Kelley

You have stressed about every aspect of your MBA application, and now you are ready for your interview! With the right preparation, this can be your chance to shine and get a highly-coveted spot at an elite business school. 

However, maybe you don’t know where to start in preparing, or maybe you tend to ramble on and lose focus during interviews. Maybe you’ve even downloaded sample questions and written out your answers. The problem is, when you try to apply these templates to your own story, it doesn’t quite work.

Our interview prep focuses on helping you determine how to present yourself during your MBA interview while using appropriate, impact-driven language without being artificial, or worse, robotic.

Our individual approach is why 98.9% of our clients secure admissions to at least one of their target schools . 

Want to put the Ellin Lolis advantage to work for you? Schedule your preparation session with our team of interview experts today! 

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