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UNC Kenan–Flagler Business School 2021-2022 Essay Tips

The UNC Kenan–Flagler Business School (19 in our Top Business Schools ranking) looks for students who want to make an impact in the business world.

The B-schools required admissions essays are the ideal area for applicants to discuss their leadership potential. Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently offered a few tips on how applicants should best approach Kenan–Flagler’s two required essays.

ESSAY 1

The first required essay prompt asks applicants the following:

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? (max: 500 words)

Blackman says the best way to approach this essay is to do some self-evaluation.

“Knowing yourself is the best first step in this essay,” Blackman writes. “What has your career taught you, both in hard skills and soft skills? How have leadership opportunities grown your perspective? Think about the experiences of your work life. And what you have learned about yourself.”

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll want to describe your short-term career goals and tie them to your Kenan–Flagler MBA.

“As a program, UNC provides individual career guidance and has a recruiter focus,” Blackman writes. “Therefore, realistic career goals help the admissions committee imagine you at UNC.”

An important component of this essay is your Plan B, or other opportunities that you would explore should your goals not transpire.

“To answer the question, consider how your experience and MBA can apply to different goals,” Blackman writes. “For example, your Plan A is to work in consulting and then transition to a strategy role at a CPG firm. If you cannot land that job, you could look for in-house strategy roles to gain experience. Or, you could work in a different kind of professional services firm such as marketing research. Finally, as long as you focus on the type of work that appeals to you and the roles that fit, you will find the right path.”

ESSAY 2

The second required essay prompt asks applicants the following:

We all belong to different communities representing various aspects of who we are, including groups we belong to, where we come from, how we think, what we believe, and how we see and experience the world. The process of discovery is strengthened when people with diverse perspectives and life experiences come together to share and learn from one another, negotiate differences, and engage in diplomacy. How have you dealt with differences in your personal or professional relationships? In what ways will you contribute to the community and learning environment by embracing your authentic self while respecting others? How do you envision furthering your growth in inclusive leadership as an MBA student and as a business leader? (max: 300 words)

When approaching essay two, Blackman recommends applicants to think about how their background has shaped their perspective and to provide specific examples that convey your perspective.

“Tell a story about a time you had a difference in your personal or professional relationships,” Blackman writes. “When you describe the situation, be specific about how you felt and acted. What did you do to resolve the problem and drive understanding? And, what did you learn about other people’s perspectives?”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, P&Q, P&Q, UNC

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