Applying to Kellogg means applying to a business school built on the foundation of empathy, leadership, and collaboration. As part of the M7, Kellogg has long distinguished itself for producing leaders who don't just analyze data or manage operations—they galvanize people, build inclusive organizations, and scale sustainable success. But make no mistake: Kellogg doesn't just attract collaborative leaders—it cultivates them. Your application must reflect strategic clarity, community orientation, and a deep understanding of your leadership values. This comprehensive guide will help you build every component of your Kellogg MBA application with the nuance and intention the admissions committee expects.
This guide reflects the most current 2025–2026 application data.
About Kellogg
The Kellogg MBA is a 20-month program rooted in collaborative leadership and human-centered management. Kellogg is a general management powerhouse best known for its collaborative culture, global exposure, and experiential learning. The Two-Year MBA is its flagship program, structured around a flexible curriculum and student-led ecosystem that emphasizes both analytical rigor and interpersonal effectiveness. Whether your aspirations are in consulting, technology, entrepreneurship, or finance, Kellogg expects you to arrive ready to collaborate and leave prepared to inspire.
What distinguishes Kellogg from its M7 peers is its unwavering commitment to developing leaders who understand that business success flows from human connection. The Growth Core curriculum provides analytical foundation while the experiential learning components—including labs, simulations, and the signature KWEST global experience—ensure you develop the cultural competency and emotional intelligence that modern leadership demands. With 85% of students engaging in at least one global experience and 8 majors complemented by 11 curated pathways ranging from AI to healthcare, Kellogg empowers you to build both technical expertise and cross-cultural fluency.
The school's 60,000-strong alumni network isn't just impressive in size—it's renowned for responsiveness and genuine support of fellow Kellogg graduates. This reflects the collaborative culture that begins on day one and extends throughout your career. With 120+ student clubs and conferences, the extracurricular ecosystem at Kellogg isn't just robust—it's student-led, which means you'll have opportunities to shape the community while being shaped by it.
Kellogg MBA Deadlines (2025–2026)
| Application Round | Application Deadline | Interview Invitations | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 9/10/2025 | Rolling | 12/10/2025 |
| Round 2 | 1/7/2026 | Rolling | 3/25/2026 |
| Round 3 | 4/1/2026 | Rolling | 5/13/2026 |
| Deferred MBA | TBD |
Applications are due by 5:00 PM CT on the deadline.
Understanding Kellogg's application timeline requires recognizing that the school's collaborative culture influences not just what they evaluate, but when and how they make decisions. Round 1 offers the strongest strategic position for most candidates, providing access to the largest pool of merit scholarships and the highest acceptance rates while allowing the admissions committee to evaluate applications with a fresh perspective and maximum class spots available. This round is particularly advantageous for candidates with strong profiles who can demonstrate collaborative leadership impact and clear post-MBA goals.
Round 2 represents Kellogg's largest applicant pool and maintains competitive admission standards while offering candidates additional time to strengthen their narratives around teamwork and cultural fit. The extended timeline allows working professionals to leverage their fall experiences and holiday break for thoughtful application development, though the increased competition requires exceptional differentiation in demonstrating Kellogg's collaborative values.
Round 3 should be considered only by candidates who have compelling reasons for the delayed application, such as significant profile improvements, unique backgrounds that add diversity, or circumstances that prevented earlier submission. With the majority of the class already filled, Round 3 applicants face the highest selectivity rates and minimal scholarship opportunities, requiring an exceptional demonstration of fit with Kellogg's culture and a clear articulation of why they need additional time.
The rolling interview invitation process reflects Kellogg's emphasis on personal interaction and cultural assessment. Strong candidates often receive interview invitations within weeks of submission, allowing for extended evaluation periods that prioritize the interpersonal skills and collaborative potential that define the Kellogg experience. This timeline structure enables the admissions committee to thoroughly assess not just professional achievements, but the authenticity and team-oriented mindset that successful Kellogg students consistently demonstrate.
What Kellogg Looks For
Kellogg evaluates applicants through a multidimensional lens that prioritizes both intellectual capability and human leadership. The admissions committee doesn't just seek high performers—they seek transformational leaders who understand that sustainable success requires both analytical rigor and emotional intelligence. This philosophy shapes every aspect of their evaluation process.
The first lens through which Kellogg evaluates candidates is human-centered leadership. This goes beyond traditional notions of authority or hierarchy. Kellogg wants to see how you inspire, include, and influence others to achieve shared goals. They're looking for evidence that you understand leadership as a collaborative act—one that requires you to consider diverse perspectives, navigate cultural differences, and create environments where others can thrive. Your application should demonstrate moments where you've elevated team performance not through command and control, but through empathy, communication, and shared vision.
The second evaluation criterion centers on values-driven decision-making. Kellogg recognizes that the most impactful business leaders are those who can navigate complexity while maintaining ethical clarity. They want to understand how your core values shape your approach to difficult challenges and ethical dilemmas. This isn't about perfection—it's about reflection, growth, and the ability to articulate how your principles guide your actions, especially when facing competing priorities or ambiguous situations.
The third dimension is collaborative innovation. In an interconnected global economy, the ability to work effectively across differences—cultural, functional, generational—is essential. Kellogg seeks candidates who can bridge divides, synthesize diverse viewpoints, and create solutions that benefit the broader community. They want to see evidence of your ability to build consensus without compromising innovation, and to lead change initiatives that bring people along rather than leaving them behind.
These three qualities must be woven throughout every component of your application. Kellogg's holistic review process means that your essays, resume, recommendations, and interview responses should all reinforce a consistent narrative of values-driven, collaborative leadership that creates sustainable impact.
If you’re targeting Kellogg and want strategic advice on how to stand out, you can request a consultation or submit an application to work with us.
Kellogg MBA Class Profile (Class of 2026)
| Class Size | 524 |
| Acceptance Rate | 28.6% (2024 cohort) (Source: Poets & Quants) |
| Average GPA | 3.7 |
| Average GMAT (Classic) | 733 |
| GMAT Range | 640–780 |
| Average GRE | 162 Verbal / 163 Quant |
| International Students | 40% |
| Women | 50% |
Understanding Kellogg's incoming class profile provides crucial insight into the caliber and diversity of your future classmates. The Class of 2026 represents 524 students selected from a highly competitive applicant pool, with an acceptance rate of 28.6%. This selectivity reflects not just academic excellence, but the careful curation of a cohort that embodies Kellogg's collaborative values.
The international composition of 40% reflects Kellogg's commitment to global perspective and cross-cultural learning. Gender parity at 50% women demonstrates the school's success in building inclusive leadership cohorts. The average GPA of 3.7 and GMAT average of 733 (with a range from 640-780) show that academic excellence is expected, but not the sole determining factor. The GRE average of 162 Verbal and 163 Quantitative provides alternative pathways for demonstrating intellectual capability.
Perhaps most telling is the average work experience of 5 years, which suggests that Kellogg values candidates who have had sufficient time to develop leadership perspectives and demonstrate progressive responsibility. This experience range allows for meaningful peer learning and ensures that classroom discussions benefit from diverse professional backgrounds.
The post-graduation outcomes tell an important story about Kellogg's versatility. While consulting claims 35% of graduates and technology attracts 20%, the relatively balanced distribution across industries—including 19% in financial services—reflects the school's general management approach and the transferability of its collaborative leadership model across sectors.
Application Components
Essays
Kellogg's essay questions are designed to reveal the depth of your self-awareness, the clarity of your goals, and the authenticity of your values. Unlike schools that emphasize pure analytical capability, Kellogg's prompts probe your emotional intelligence and collaborative instincts.
Essay 1 asks what motivates you to pursue an MBA now, why Kellogg specifically, and what your goals are, all within 450 words. This isn't just a goals essay—it's a motivation and fit essay. The admissions committee wants to understand the internal drive that compels you toward business school at this particular moment in your career. They're looking for genuine self-reflection about what you hope to achieve and why an MBA is the right vehicle for your ambitions. The "why Kellogg" component requires you to demonstrate deep knowledge of the school's culture, opportunities, and approach to leadership development. Generic responses about rankings or general reputation will not suffice. You need to connect specific aspects of Kellogg's curriculum, culture, or community to your personal and professional development needs.
Essay 2 requires you to describe a professional situation that required a tough decision and explain what values shaped your response. This 450-word response is perhaps the most revealing component of your application. Kellogg isn't looking for a situation where you had perfect information and clear options. They want to understand how you navigate ambiguity, competing priorities, and ethical complexity. The situation you choose should reveal something meaningful about your character and judgment. More importantly, your analysis of what values influenced your decision-making process should demonstrate self-awareness and moral clarity. This essay succeeds when it shows both the difficulty of the decision and the thoughtfulness of your approach.
The optional essay provides 280 words to clarify gaps, weaknesses, or context not captured elsewhere in your application. This isn't a space for additional accomplishments or supplementary goals. It's a strategic opportunity to address potential concerns or provide necessary context that helps the admissions committee understand your profile more completely. Use it judiciously and only when you have something genuinely important to clarify.
For reapplicants, the 250-word essay should focus on substantive changes or improvements since your previous application. This isn't about defending your previous candidacy—it's about demonstrating growth, new experiences, or enhanced clarity that strengthens your profile.
Video Essays
After submitting your written application, you'll complete three video questions through Kellogg's secure portal. This component serves a critical function in the admissions process, providing insight into your communication skills, presence, and personality that written materials cannot capture.
The format is deliberately challenging. You have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to deliver it, with no opportunity for retakes. This constraint is intentional—it reveals how you think on your feet, organize your thoughts under pressure, and communicate with clarity and confidence. The questions themselves are typically behavioral, asking you to reflect on experiences, values, or goals in ways that complement your written essays.
Success in the video component requires preparation without over-preparation. You should practice with the timing constraints to develop comfort with the format, but your responses should feel authentic and conversational, not scripted. The admissions committee is evaluating your natural communication style, your ability to be concise yet comprehensive, and your comfort with being vulnerable and genuine on camera.
The video essays also serve an equity function in the admissions process. They provide candidates whose first language isn't English, or who may not have had access to extensive essay coaching, an opportunity to demonstrate their communication skills and personality in a different medium. For all candidates, they humanize the application and help the admissions committee envision you as a classroom contributor and community member.
Resume
Your one-page resume must tell a story of progressive leadership and collaborative impact. Unlike traditional business resumes that focus primarily on individual achievements and quantifiable results, your Kellogg resume should emphasize how you've influenced teams, built relationships, and created inclusive environments.
The structure should highlight career progression while weaving in evidence of your values-driven approach to leadership. Each role should include not just what you accomplished, but how you accomplished it—particularly in terms of working with others, navigating challenges, and creating sustainable change. Quantifiable results remain important, but they should be contextualized within a broader narrative of collaborative success.
Beyond your professional experience, your resume should showcase community involvement, side ventures, and leadership roles that demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact beyond your day job. These experiences often provide the most compelling evidence of your values and collaborative instincts, as they represent choices you've made to contribute to causes or communities without direct professional obligation.
The activities section should reflect genuine engagement rather than resume padding. Kellogg's admissions committee is skilled at distinguishing between meaningful involvement and superficial participation. Focus on roles where you've made a substantive contribution or demonstrated leadership, even if the time commitment was limited.
Short Answer Questions
The short answer questions that appear throughout the application portal serve as supporting evidence for your main narrative. These brief responses covering career goals, accomplishments, activities, and international experience should reinforce the themes from your essays while providing additional texture to your profile.
Your career goals responses should be concise but specific, demonstrating clear thinking about your post-MBA trajectory while remaining flexible enough to show that you're open to the learning and growth that business school provides. The accomplishments section should highlight achievements that may not have fit naturally into your resume or essays but provide additional evidence of your leadership capability or collaborative approach.
The activities and community involvement responses offer another opportunity to demonstrate your values in action. Focus on experiences where you've made a meaningful contribution or taken on leadership responsibilities, particularly those that required you to work across differences or build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Your international experience responses should emphasize cultural learning and adaptability rather than just geographic diversity. Kellogg values global perspective, but they're more interested in how international experiences have shaped your worldview and enhanced your ability to work across cultural boundaries than in the number of countries you've visited.
Letters of Recommendation
Kellogg requires two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a current supervisor strongly preferred. The second can come from a former manager, client, or senior peer who knows your work well. The key is choosing recommenders who can speak to your collaborative leadership style and values-driven approach to decision-making.
The recommendation prompts are designed to elicit specific examples of your leadership effectiveness and growth potential. Recommenders will be asked about your most significant contribution to the team or organization, examples of inclusive leadership or working across differences, and how you've responded to constructive feedback. These questions align directly with Kellogg's evaluation criteria and require your recommenders to provide concrete, behavioral evidence of your capabilities.
Coaching your recommenders effectively is crucial, but it requires a delicate balance. You should provide them with context about Kellogg's values and culture, remind them of specific examples that might be relevant to the prompts, and share your application themes so they can write letters that complement rather than simply repeat your essays. However, you should never write the letters or provide language that feels scripted or inauthentic.
The most effective recommendation letters tell stories that your essays don't tell, providing third-party validation of your character and capabilities while offering new insights into your leadership style and impact. They should feel genuine and specific, avoiding generic praise in favor of detailed examples that illustrate your collaborative approach and values-driven decision-making.
Interview
Kellogg's interview process is by invitation only and is currently conducted virtually. The format is behavioral and resume-based, designed to assess cultural fit and leadership potential in addition to clarifying your goals and motivations.
The interview serves several functions in the admissions process. It allows the admissions committee to verify the authenticity of your application materials, probe deeper into experiences you've described, and assess qualities that are difficult to evaluate through written materials alone. Communication skills, presence, self-awareness, and cultural fit all come into focus during the interview conversation.
Preparation should focus on developing compelling narratives around your key experiences, particularly those that demonstrate collaborative leadership and values-driven decision-making. You should be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've worked with diverse teams, navigated difficult decisions, and created positive change in your organizations or communities. The behavioral nature of the questions means you should prepare using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), but your responses should feel conversational rather than formulaic.
Understanding Kellogg's culture and being able to articulate specific ways you'll contribute to the community is essential. This goes beyond knowing facts about the curriculum or extracurricular opportunities—you need to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the collaborative, values-driven environment that defines the Kellogg experience.
An important note about the interview process: due to high application volume, Kellogg grants interview waivers to some candidates. Receiving a waiver does not reflect negatively on your application or indicate a lack of interest from the admissions committee. It simply reflects the practical constraints of interviewing all qualified candidates within the available timeframe.
Need professional support with your applications and/or interview?
Kellogg Future Leaders (Deferred MBA)
The Kellogg Future Leaders program provides college seniors and master's students with the opportunity to secure admission to the MBA program while gaining 2-5 years of professional experience before matriculating. This deferred admission option reflects Kellogg's recognition that exceptional leadership potential can be identified before extensive work experience, while also acknowledging that some professional seasoning enhances the MBA experience.
The application requirements mirror the regular MBA program with some modifications. The essay prompts remain the same 450-word questions about motivation and values-driven decision-making, but candidates also complete a 200-word job plan describing how they intend to spend their deferred years. This component is crucial because it demonstrates strategic thinking about career development and shows that you view the deferral period as intentional preparation for business school rather than simply a waiting period.
The recommendation requirement is reduced to one letter, recognizing that college students and recent graduates may have limited professional relationships. However, this single recommendation becomes even more important and should ideally come from someone who can speak to your leadership potential and collaborative instincts, whether that's through internships, research projects, or extracurricular activities.
Kellogg encourages Future Leaders to pursue diverse early-career experiences during their deferral period. This might include rotational programs at large corporations, roles at startups or entrepreneurial ventures, positions in nonprofit organizations, international experiences, or specialized programs like Teach for America. The key is choosing experiences that will develop your leadership capabilities and provide meaningful stories to share when you arrive at Kellogg.
The program reflects Kellogg's confidence in its ability to identify collaborative leadership potential even in candidates with limited professional experience. It also demonstrates the school's commitment to supporting students throughout their career development journey, not just during the two years of business school.
The Deferred MBA 101 can be found here. If you are targeting M7 deferred programs, then read this, too.
If you’re targeting Kellogg and want strategic advice on how to stand out, you can request a consultation or submit an application to work with us.
Standardized Test Requirements
Kellogg accepts both GMAT and GRE scores with no stated preference between the two tests. This flexibility allows candidates to submit whichever score best represents their academic capability and testing strengths. The school considers your highest score if you've taken either test multiple times, and scores must be valid within five years of your application.
While Kellogg doesn't publish minimum score requirements, the class profile provides guidance on competitive ranges. The GMAT mean of 733 with a range from 640-780 shows that while high scores are common, they're not the sole determinant of admission. The GRE medians of 162 Verbal and 163 Quantitative offer similar insight for candidates choosing that test option.
The absence of minimum scores reflects Kellogg's holistic admissions approach. A candidate with a slightly lower test score but exceptional leadership experience and clear cultural fit may be preferred over someone with perfect scores but limited evidence of collaborative capability. However, competitive scores remain important as they demonstrate your ability to handle the analytical rigor of the MBA curriculum.
For candidates whose undergraduate education was not conducted in English, TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required to demonstrate English proficiency. These requirements ensure that all students can fully participate in the collaborative learning environment that defines the Kellogg experience.
Financing Your MBA
The total annual cost of attendance for the Kellogg MBA is approximately $125,191, including tuition of $83,610 and living expenses plus fees of around $41,500. While this represents a significant investment, Kellogg provides multiple pathways to make the program financially accessible.
Merit-based and need-based scholarships are awarded at admission, with all applicants automatically considered for available funding. The school offers numerous named fellowships that recognize specific achievements or career interests. Programs like the Austin Scholars Program, Healthcare at Kellogg Fellowship, and Finance Fellows Program provide both financial support and access to specialized programming and networking opportunities.
Additional fellowships honor the legacies of significant contributors to the Kellogg community, including the Brodsky Family Fellowship, PepsiCo Fellowship, Gottschal Fellowship, and Himmelblau Fellowship. These awards often come with mentorship opportunities and connections to alumni working in relevant industries or functional areas.
The loan options available to Kellogg students include federal loans for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as private loans available to all students regardless of citizenship status. International students must complete the Kellogg UAPP (Unfunded Applicant Process), which helps connect them with appropriate financing options. The school has also developed partnerships with international lenders to provide financing solutions for students from specific countries or regions.
Beyond the immediate financial considerations, the investment in a Kellogg MBA should be evaluated in terms of long-term career impact and earning potential. The school's strong alumni network, comprehensive career services, and reputation for developing collaborative leaders create significant value that extends far beyond the two years of the program itself.
How to Strengthen Your Kellogg MBA Application
Success in Kellogg admissions requires more than meeting the technical requirements or achieving competitive scores. The strongest applications demonstrate authentic alignment with Kellogg's values-driven, collaborative culture while presenting a compelling case for how the candidate will contribute to and benefit from the MBA experience.
Leading with empathy and intention means showing that your approach to leadership considers the human impact of business decisions and actively works to build inclusive environments. This is about demonstrating that you understand leadership as a responsibility to others and that you've developed the emotional intelligence to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics while driving results.
Your application should include specific examples of how you've worked across differences—whether cultural, functional, generational, or ideological—to build consensus and create solutions. Kellogg wants leaders who can bridge divides and find common ground without compromising innovation or accountability. These examples might come from your professional experience, but they could also emerge from community involvement, volunteer work, or personal relationships.
Values-driven decision-making should be evident throughout your application, not just in the essay that explicitly asks about it. Your career choices, leadership style, and community involvement should all reflect consistent principles that guide your actions. Kellogg admissions officers are skilled at identifying authentic values versus those that candidates think will be impressive, so focus on genuine reflection about what drives your decisions and behavior.
Deep engagement with the Kellogg ecosystem means going beyond surface-level research about rankings or general reputation. You should understand specific opportunities that align with your goals, whether that's particular clubs, global experiences, lab courses, or specialized pathways. More importantly, you should be able to articulate how you'll contribute to these opportunities, not just how you'll benefit from them.
The video component of the application deserves special attention in your preparation strategy. While you should practice with the timing constraints to develop comfort with the format, your responses should feel authentic and conversational. The admissions committee uses these videos to assess your natural communication style and cultural fit, so over-preparation that results in scripted responses will work against you.
Finally, building narrative cohesion across all application components requires starting early and thinking strategically about how each element reinforces your core story. Your essays, resume, recommendations, and interview responses should all support a consistent narrative of values-driven, collaborative leadership that creates sustainable impact. This doesn't mean repeating the same examples across different components, but rather ensuring that all elements of your application work together to present a clear and compelling picture of who you are and what you'll contribute to the Kellogg community.
If you’re targeting Kellogg and want strategic advice on how to stand out, you can request a consultation or submit an application to work with us.
Kellogg MBA Application FAQ
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Kellogg is highly competitive with a ~28% acceptance rate. The median GMAT is 730 (range: 700-760) and average GPA is 3.6, but stats alone won't get you in.
What really matters: Kellogg wants collaborative leaders who elevate others. Your application should demonstrate:
Leading cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious goals
Building consensus and driving results through influence
Emotional intelligence in diverse settings
Taking initiative to solve problems that benefit your organization
The Kellogg difference: They're looking for "multipliers"—people who make everyone around them better. Strong candidates tell stories of building bridges across functions and backgrounds, showing genuine curiosity about others' experiences.
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No—this is a dangerous misconception. While Kellogg interviews 65-75% of applicants, only about 40% of interviewees are admitted. The interview is a high-stakes filter, not a formality.
Why more interviews: Kellogg's collaborative culture makes "fit" paramount. They need to assess communication style and interpersonal skills.
Success factors: Demonstrate authentic enthusiasm for collaboration, ask thoughtful questions, show curiosity, and contribute meaningfully.
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Kellogg seeks "brave leaders" who drive impact through collaboration, curiosity, and authenticity.
Specifically:
Collaborative Impact: Leaders who achieve results by bringing out the best in others—building high-performing teams, navigating complex stakeholder relationships, and leading through influence rather than authority.
Intellectual Curiosity: Candidates who ask thoughtful questions, seek diverse perspectives, continuously learn, and show genuine interest in others' experiences.
Authenticity: Self-aware individuals who acknowledge mistakes, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and are genuine about their motivations.
Purpose-Driven Ambition: Clear, compelling career goals grounded in making positive impact, not just personal advancement.
In practice: Strong candidates often come from collaborative roles (consulting, brand management, business development) and have initiated cross-functional projects requiring coalition-building.
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Extremely important—it's your first real impression and allows Kellogg to assess what written essays can't capture.
What they evaluate:
Executive presence: Confidence, comfort on camera, professional demeanor
Communication skills: Clarity, structure, ability to think on your feet
Authenticity: Genuine personality, not rehearsed performance
Cultural fit: Whether you embody Kellogg's collaborative values
Success tips: Practice extensively but avoid over-rehearsing. Be conversational, maintain eye contact, and let your personality shine through. Technical quality matters—ensure good lighting, audio, and a professional background. If you need help with the interview, we can help you mock prepare. Book your call.
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No single industry dominates Kellogg's class composition. Recent classes include significant representation from consulting, tech, finance, consumer goods, healthcare, startups, and nonprofits.
What matters more than industry:
Trajectory of increasing responsibility and impact
Leadership potential demonstrated through results
Ability to work effectively in team environments
Clear articulation of how MBA fits your goals
Diversity advantage: Kellogg values diverse perspectives. Non-traditional backgrounds can be advantageous if you can demonstrate leadership potential and clear career vision.
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Campus visits help but aren't required for admission. What's essential is demonstrating deep understanding of Kellogg's culture and clear articulation of fit.
How to show fit without visiting:
Attend virtual events and information sessions
Connect with current students and alumni
Research specific programs, clubs, and opportunities
Engage meaningfully with admissions officers at recruiting events
Quality over quantity: One substantive conversation with a current student can be more valuable than a superficial campus tour. Focus on gathering insights that help you articulate why Kellogg specifically aligns with your goals and values.