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UNC Kenan Flagler 2010 MBA Essay Questions
My comments are in red. The essay questions are identical to last year's, as are my comments, with the exception of one new question for essay 4.
Some applicants seek the MBA as a career enhancing tool to accelerate advancement in their current field. Career switchers want the MBA to help launch new career paths. UNC Kenan-Flagler recognizes each of these motivations as legitimate reasons to pursue the MBA, and we encourage both types of candidates to apply.
UNC Kenan-Flagler encourages you to assess your known talents and potential skills, understand your personal style, and confirm your values and interests. If you do this prior to beginning your MBA studies, you will be better equipped to navigate the many options the MBA program will provide. There is not enough time to do all the activities and take all the courses that will be available to you. It is important, therefore, to make your choices based on your own development plan. Think of the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA application as a first step toward uncovering the unique attributes and goals that will inform your development plan. Please be thoughtful and reflective in your answers.
Essay One (Required)
What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Rather than list Strength 1, Strength 2, and Strength 3, I recommend you start with an anecdote that illustrates ideally 2-3 or your strengths and then analyze how they have contributed to your career success. Remember to describe your achievement in terms of impact and quantify as much as possible. Another approach: Describe the accomplishment anecdotally and then go into the characteristics that contributed to it.
In both cases, also include a paragraph about a trait that you would like to use in future projects and successes.
Essay Two (Required)
Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after b-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. (500 words maximum)
What do you see yourself doing immediately upon graduation and for the first five years after you graduate? Based on UNC's instructions, you need to have a clear direction and goal when you arrive or you will be lost. Describe why this path attracts you. What experiences have convinced you to pursue it? Why do you need an MBA, especially one with UNC's approach to business education, to proceed down your chosen path.
Essay Three (Required)
What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Everyone has a story. What's yours? What makes you unique? What hobbies and experiences will differentiate you from the IT guy, consultant, real estate developer, or banker that the adcom just read about? How will your perspective contribute to the classroom and community at Kenan-Flagler?
Essay Four (Required)
Kenan-Flagler has five core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. If you could add one value what would it be and why? Be sure to explain how you have lived this value.
(300 words maximum)
New Question. This excellent question gives you the chance to show what is important to you. The question is very clear. What do you value that is not listed as one of Kenan-Flager's core values? Why do you feel it is important. And finally, when have acted -- invested time and toil-- as a result of this value you hold dear. Feeling and opining strongly are not enough. Action counts.
Essay Five (Optional)
If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
This is pretty straightforward. Just answer it. You may also want to highlight professional preparation that you have already had in quantitative areas.
Essay Six (Optional)
Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy?
(300 words maximum)
My favorite: The optional question. A gift allowing you to give the adcom one more reason to admit you.
If you would like help with UNC's Kenan-Flagler essays, please consider Accepted.com's MBA admissions consulting and editing services or our UNC Kenan Flagler Comprehensive Packages.
UNC Kenan Flagler 2010 MBA Deadlines
| Application Due | Decisions Released | |
| Round 1 (EA) | Oct 23, 2009 | Dec 14, 2009 |
| Round 2 | Dec 4, 2009 | Feb 8, 2010 |
| Round 3 | Jan 8, 2009 | Mar 22, 2010 |
| Round 4 | Mar 19, 2010 | May 3, 2010 |
*Parts I and II must be received by midnight EST
You are urged to apply early and to submit the optional Part I of the application. UNC Kenan-Flagler's class size is small, and admission is very competitive.
The admissions office must also receive official GMAT and TOEFL scores by the application deadline in order to consider your application in that cycle.
Decisions are also posted online by 5 p.m. on the decision mailing dates.
