UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is one of the most respected MBA programs in the world, known for its emphasis on leadership, innovation, and collaboration. With a strong reputation for preparing students to excel in a dynamic global economy, Kenan-Flagler provides a well-rounded education that combines rigorous academics with experiential learning opportunities. The school’s inclusive community and values-driven approach make it a top choice for professionals seeking to advance their careers while making a positive impact in the world.
This guide is designed to help you craft compelling essays that highlight your unique qualities and demonstrate your fit with Kenan-Flagler. By understanding what the admissions committee is looking for and tailoring your responses to align with the program’s values, you can position yourself as a standout candidate.
1. Who is UNC Kenan-Flagler looking for?
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UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is known for cultivating principled leaders who thrive in a collaborative environment. The school values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and it seeks candidates who are not only academically and professionally accomplished but also committed to fostering positive impact.
According to the class profile for the Class of 2026, students have an average of 5 years of work experience, an average GMAT score of 707, and represent over 40 countries. The program emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and integrity and looks for individuals who will contribute to its inclusive and collaborative community.
In addition to strong academics and professional achievements, UNC Kenan-Flagler prioritizes candidates who demonstrate self-awareness, a commitment to ethical decision-making, and a desire to make meaningful contributions to society. These qualities should shine through in your essays and overall application.
2. How should I answer the essay questions?
Writing any admissions essay is a tough task. However, with the right tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting essays that get you admitted to Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program.
2.1. Essay 1 Tips
Essay 1 is required. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following questions:
– What are your immediate career goals and how will you benefit from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School?
– As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
In this essay, you have a big task. In around 500 words, you need to discuss:
- Context for your goals
- Your specific post-MBA goals and why you are pursuing them at this moment
- Why you believe an MBA is necessary to reach these goals
- How a UNC MBA will help you reach these goals
Each of these elements must be included and must build off of each other.
First of all, many candidates think they do not need to specifically state their goals, or that it’s better to leave “their options open.” If you are applying to elite business schools, however, you must have and present absolute clarity about your goals.
TOP TIP: If you’re having trouble figuring out what your post-MBA goals are, we’ve prepared this post to help you decipher this essential part of the application process!
However, goals without context can be a little confusing to decipher or understand (or they can just seem a bit lackluster). For this reason, we suggest starting your essay with context.
For example, a client last year initially started his essay by saying:
“I want to become a Business Development Director at a Brazilian company.”
While interesting, it’s better to give a little bit of context to help these goals come to life. Check out the final version of the same essay’s introduction:
“In the 1970s, the phrase “think global, act local” came into use, suggesting that to have global impact, one must be active locally. With this mindset, I focused my career on Brazilian multinational companies to start creating global change at home. While at Company 1, I led a diverse global team, which showed me that clear communication is essential. I later accepted a finance position at a real estate company where I learned how new technologies can impact traditional local industries and that leaders must adapt to these trends to maintain competitiveness. Most recently, I joined Company 2 to participate in its daring globalization plan. At Company 2, I have learned how challenging it is to formulate effective global strategies to thrive in diverse markets. I have also developed management skills since becoming Financial Coordinator, learning how important establishing a culture of collaboration is to providing stability for organizations.
I now seek to take the next step to becoming a “global” leader by becoming Business Development Director at a Brazilian company pursuing globalization, giving me the experience to assume my long-term goal of CEO of one such company.”
Uniquely to UNC Kenan-Flagler, after stating your main goals, you should add your alternative goals as well. For your Plan B, make sure it relates in some way to your “official” goal so as not to undermine your goals statements.
For example, if your goal is to work in Private Equity, but your Plan B is to start an eco-travel company, the admissions committee is going to wonder just how committed you were to those original goals in the first place.
However, a job that allows you to achieve the same impact, just in a different format, would be ideal.
For example, if you want to work in a biotechnology startup to learn best practices and shape health care, a good backup might be working in a more established biotechnology firm and later making the jump to an earlier stage venture.
Third, you should clearly demonstrate why you need an MBA.
An MBA is not a catch-all degree that serves a purpose for all career paths. As such, you need to demonstrate that the goals you have set for yourself require the additional training an MBA can provide.
Be thoughtful about this particular section. If you don’t need to improve in any meaningful way, you might be presenting the argument the admissions committee needs for why you can’t actually benefit from an MBA.
Furthermore, if you show fluffy or unsupported reasons you need to hone your skills, you’ll also likely see your application tossed aside in favor of an applicant who was able to clearly demonstrate how they plan to leverage their time at business school.
Third, add how UNC Kenan-Flagler can specifically help you grow in the areas you’ve identified. Mentioning that you want to go to UNC Kenan-Flagler because of its ranking will not cut it here.
Instead, show that you understand the unique offerings UNC’s curriculum provides (I highly suggest you mention the pathway or major you’re interested in) and have done significant, thoughtful research into how the opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom can help you grow. If you have space, it’s also highly recommended that you mention how you can contribute to the community.
End with a winning conclusion statement that reinforces your personal brand and ties the whole essay together.
2.2. Essay 2 Tips
Essay 2 is required. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following question:
Reflect on a project or initiative you were involved in that had a significant positive impact on a community, organization, or individual. How did this experience shape your sense of responsibility as a future leader dedicated to making a difference in the world?
Within your life, you’ve probably had a lot of times that you impacted others — both big and small ways.
Though you’re hopefully nodding your head in agreement, when was the last time you really reflected on this?
Go back and think of all the moments of your career and life that you are proudest of. Since this question does not state you have to use a professional example, you can surely include a personal example here. Filter this list for times you demonstrated some sort of leadership (since this will lead to a stronger essay overall), though you don’t have to have been the formal leader. Additionally, exclude examples where you didn’t make a clear impact (concrete examples are going to work best).
Then, consider what else the admissions committee will learn about you in the rest of your application and choose an example that adds a new angle or perspective that will enhance your appeal as an applicant.
After you choose your example, we recommend you use the STAR methodology to tell your reader what happened in the clearest and most high-impact way possible. Remember: the UNC admissions committee doesn’t want to read about what happened, they want to experience it. Additionally, as you craft your response, make sure to clearly articulate what the “positive impact” was and who benefitted from it.
Using the STAR methodology and good storytelling techniques are key to ensuring your example jumps off the page and makes you stand out. This approach will help the admissions committee understand your thought process, the steps you took, and how your efforts led to a tangible improvement for an individual, group, or organization.
Finally, end the essay by reflecting on how this experience influences the leader you aspire to become. In this section, make sure to address why creating a positive difference for others is meaningful to you. Sharing these insights not only highlights your values but also underscores your commitment to leveraging your skills and knowledge for the benefit of others. Kenan-Flagler values candidates who aim to make an impact beyond their own achievements—whether within their communities or on a larger scale.
2.3. Essay 3 Tips
Essay 3 is optional. We encourage you to tell us more about who you are so we can get to know you as a person and potential member of the Carolina community. Use this essay to convey information that you may not have otherwise been able to in the application. Your response should be no longer than 200 words.
Optional topics:
– Personal or professional accomplishments
– Interests and passions
– Gaps in work experience or inconsistent academic performance
– Context for recommender selection
– A fun fact about yourself
Unlike most MBAs, whose optional essays limit you to problems with your application, this essay allows you to explore an important element of your profile that was not otherwise expressed.
First, if you do have an issue with your application, make sure to address this first. Though it’s nice to explore a new facet of your profile, it’s critical to address a low GMAT score, for example. Don’t worry if addressing your gaps is all you have space for in your application.
Once you’ve addressed your weaknesses, if you still have space (or if you don’t need to address any weaknesses), it’s time to get creative!
The possibilities here are endless, but your choice should be aligned with your overall application strategy. One of our candidates last year spoke about why he left everything to take a job halfway across the world in Asia. Another candidate shared his passion for video games and his later launch of an eSports platform. In essence, choose a story that adds new, relevant information about your profile.
Finally, if you have any space left over, try to think of a way to meaningfully connect your essay to the UNC Kenan-Flagler experience, as this can be a great way to end your essay.
2.4. Reapplicant Essay
Re-Applicant Essay:
If you are re-applying to the program, we appreciate your continued interest in UNC Kenan-Flagler. We require a complete application, with new essay responses, recommenders and an updated resume. … In addition, we ask for a brief essay (100 words or less) that describes how your application differs from your previous submission and that alerts us to new test scores, a recent promotion, or other areas that demonstrate how you have strengthened your candidacy.
We have written extensively on the topic of reapplicant essays. You can find more information here.
3. Struggling to Make Your MBA Application Stand Out?
The MBA application process can be overwhelming. Between deciding your profile strategy, writing multiple essays, tailoring your resume, and preparing for interviews, it’s easy to feel like your application isn’t capturing the true strength of your profile. The reality is that many applications fail to stand out, and the competition is fiercer than ever. Without the right guidance, you could miss out on your dream school.
But you don’t have to do this alone. With a 98.9% success rate, our expert MBA consultants know exactly how to make your application shine. From crafting compelling stories that showcase your unique experiences to helping you fine-tune every detail, we provide personalized, 1:1 support at every step of the process that ensures you get into your top choice schools.
If you’re ready to turn your MBA dreams into reality, learn more about working with us here. Let’s work together to craft an application that gets you noticed and accepted into your dream schools!
4. UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Deadlines
Here are the deadlines for the 2024-2025 season. You can access the UNC Kenan-Flagler application by clicking here.
UNC Round 1 Deadlines
Application Deadline: October 8, 2024
GMAT/GRE Waiver Deadline**: September 25, 2024
Decisions Released: December 11, 2024
UNC Round 2 Deadlines
Application Deadline: January 7, 2025
GMAT/GRE Waiver Deadline**: December 18, 2024
Decisions Released: March 19, 2025
UNC Round 3 Deadlines*
Application Deadline: March 4, 2025
GMAT/GRE Waiver Deadline**: February 19, 2025
Decisions Released: April 23, 2025
UNC Round 4 Deadlines
Application Deadline: April 29, 2025
GMAT/GRE Waiver Deadline**: April 16, 2025
Decisions Released: May 28, 2025
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the application date.
*Round 3 is the final deadline for international applicants.
** The Admissions Committee requires all applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver to submit requests by the test waiver deadline for each round. Late submissions may be denied or moved to the next round.
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
