Tips for UNC Kenan-Flagler’s 2022-23 MBA Essays

At the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, empathy and leadership go hand-in-hand. The school seeks out students who can demonstrate their high potential and ability to lead with compassion.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently delve into Kenan-Flagler’s 2022-23 essay prompts and offered insight into how applicants can show they’re a perfect fit for the B-school’s tight-knit community.

ESSAY 1

The first required essay 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? (500 words)

There are two parts to this essay: your primary career goals and your “plan B.” Blackman suggests approaching the essay with a two-step process.

“Knowing yourself is the best first step in this essay,” she says. “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.”

The second step, Blackman says, is to describe your short-term career goals.

“As a program, UNC provides individual career guidance and has a recruiter focus,” she says. “Therefore, realistic career goals help the admissions committee imagine you at UNC. Finally, show a clear link between your career goals and your MBA. What skills will you gain from classes and clubs to bring to your post-MBA job?”

To address the “plan B” portion of the essay prompt, try explaining how your experience can be applied to different goals.

“For example, your Plan A is to work in consulting and then transition to a strategy role at a CPG firm,” Blackman says. “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 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 do you envision furthering your growth as an inclusive leader as an MBA student and as a business leader? (300 words)

This essay is all about highlighting your ability to lead with empathy. As Blackman says: thoughtful and nuanced leadership is vital to your UNC MBA application.

“That means showing that you are empathetic and understanding,” she explains. “Even if you are not a leader now, you can positively impact the environment. For this essay, consider how your background and communities have shaped your perspective. Reflect on when you have valued diverse perspectives and negotiated differences.”

In addition to highlighting your perspective, you’ll also want to explain how those values will come to life at Kenan-Flagler.

“This Kenan-Flagler application essay is future looking,” Blackman says. “Therefore, it will be useful to have a perspective on what you have learned in the past and how you plan to continue to learn in the future. If you can share an example of a time that you practiced empathetic and diplomatic leadership, or a time that you fell short of your own expectations, that can illuminate where you are now. Then, use your research into the Kenan-Flagler MBA program to inform what you will learn.”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, P&Q