Declan Wollard, Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA Class of 2027
Age: 28
Hometown: Maplewood, NJ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Fordham University, B.S. in Business Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Army Artillery Officer, 4 years (2019-2023). Change Manager at Asurion (technology insurance), 2 years (2023-2025).
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I chose to attend business school because I was looking for a way to leverage my previous professional experiences into a new career opportunity. I developed my leadership and management skills in the military and worked on change initiatives within the technology industry, but I really wanted to focus on work that has broader impact. Business school is the ideal environment to learn how to approach problems, understand how to create meaningful solutions and grow my professional network.
Why did you choose Northwestern Kellogg? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Kellogg primarily because of the culture that the school prides itself on. Kellogg culture emphasizes inclusivity, teamwork, and personal connection that I feel stands apart from other schools. It allows students to focus less on the quantitative factors that comprise a class and more on the qualitative aspects of the student body. I think this makes for a more wholistic, well-rounded experience and pays dividends after graduation. I was also drawn to Kellogg by the location—Chicago is an incredible place to live and Kellogg’s campus is a short train ride from the heart of the city. The strength of the Consulting and Marketing programs was another factor that I considered when making my decision. My experience with the Kellogg Veterans Association was a huge driving factor as well; the student Veterans I talked with made me feel at home in the community and went above and beyond in helping me craft my application.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
While in the Army, I spent 9 months in Eastern Europe working with a variety of international partners to accomplish a number of different technical and logistical missions. I had to quickly develop an intuition for how to adjust my work relationships based on cultural differences, sometimes within a single conversation. I think my ability to connect with people immediately and understand how to most effectively work with others from different backgrounds is an asset and is something I’ve already made use of at Kellogg.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love to golf and have made some great golfing friends at Kellogg so far. I got my first ever hole in one earlier this year!
Post-MBA career interests:
Management Consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Reach out to current students at the schools I am interested in applying to. They are the best asset you have as a prospective student, and 9 times out of 10 they are excited to talk to someone who wants to attend their program. Learn about the culture and community of the school, understand what students spend their time doing, and gather information on the program’s strengths. I would also take time to reflect on what story you are trying to tell in an application—what makes you excited, what gives you purpose, and what do you value? Schools will read into those components of an application carefully and want to see that you are presenting yourself honestly.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have set aside more time for campus visits and classroom sit-ins early in the application process. I attended some admitted student receptions after the application cycle (which were very helpful) but I think experiencing the environment of a business school before you commit to an application is worth doing. It allows an applicant to naturally interact with current students and really get a feel for what a day or week in the life of an MBA candidate is like.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have loved to skip the standardized testing requirement! I am a decent test taker but getting back into the rhythm of studying for an exam while working a full-time job was difficult. I will say that preparing for the GMAT or GRE as early as possible is a good idea—I gave myself 6 months to practice before sitting for an official test and I think it is definitely part of the reason I was successful in my applications.
What is your initial impression of the Kellogg students/culture/community?
The student body is such a great dichotomy—everyone has a unique, different background but we are all at school for a similar reason. I am constantly blown away by how insightful my classmates are, and I love hearing the variety of opinions or perspectives on cases in class. Many of us plan to recruit for the same industries and functions yet there is a clear team mentality—we all want to help each other succeed.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the Kellogg Veterans Association, the Kellogg Consulting Club and The Good Life so far. KVA is an incredible resource for Veterans (both applicants and current students) and they provide unique opportunities to members for networking, interview prep and career guidance. The KCC is second to none—it fully prepares students recruiting for consulting, especially career pivoters such as myself. The Good Life is a fantastic community of students who take the time to step back from professional and social drivers to focus on the self—how we can bring our authentic personalities to life and prioritize personal happiness. Business school can be jam-packed with networking events, academics and socializing so taking moments to seek clarity and peace is very important to me.
What is one thing you have learned about Kellogg that has surprised you?
How quickly things pick up once you arrive on campus! I was told by second year students that the first term would be a whirlwind, but it truly is nonstop. Class homework and group projects, recruiting preparation, information sessions and career planning appointments all fill up the calendar—and that is before any social events get layered on top. It is definitely manageable, but I would advise any future MBA candidate to mentally prepare for a full schedule.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am looking forward to getting to know more of my classmates. Kellogg has an amazing pre-term travel opportunity for first year students called KWEST, which bonds you with a small group of your peers. I am very close with this group of friends already and we’re only a few weeks into the fall term! I can’t wait to expand my network and continue to make friendships that will last far beyond graduation.
