2009 UNC Kenan Flagler MBA Admissions Chat with Sherry Wallace

Please feel free to let us know if you would like to be informed of future chats by sending e-mail to chat@accepted.com. We would also be interested in knowing if you would prefer a different format or different topics.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:00:55 PM)
Hello. My name is Linda Abraham. I am the founder of Accepted.com and the moderator of today’s chat. First I want to welcome all applicants to the chat today, and I want to congratulate you for taking the time to learn more about UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School. It is critical to your decision process and your admission chances that you know as much as you can about the schools you are applying to. Being here today allows you to ask experts about this top business school.

I also want to welcome Sherry Wallace- Director of MBA Admissions, Sharon Moore- Records Manager & Lisa Beisser- Senior Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Kenan Flagler.

Also joining us today are two UNC MBA students, Michael Ferraro and Carolyn Wine.

• Mike Ferraro is a first year student at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Mike serves as the First Year Admitted Student Liaison for the MBA Ambassadors, is a member of the inaugural leadership team of the Summer Public Interest Fund, and is a member of the Casino Night Planning Committee. This summer, Mike plans to work in a general management/business development role for a large energy company.
• Carolyn Wine is a second-year student at UNC's Kenan-Flagler. She is concentrating in Global Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Enterprise. Her background is in software engineering for a military contracting and she spent the summer interning at Humana in Kentucky.

Thanks to everyone for joining.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:01:53 PM)
Sherry, Lisa and Sharon, when you are evaluating applications and the numbers are in the ballpark, what puts one applicant in the admit pile, and others in the rejected or waitlisted piles?

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:03:09 PM)
Mike and Carolyn, why did you choose Kenan Flagler?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:04:23 PM)
Oh, if it were only that easy. There are many criteria that we evaluate for admission in addition to the numbers: recommendations, career goals and prior career results, reasons for pursuing MBA and this school, and fit with our program. We always ask "why would his/her classmates want this person in the class?" Often, people with high numbers might not also be rated highly in executive presence, maturity or career focus.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:05:11 PM)
Linda, I was looking for a school that had both an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork, and most importantly an area where I felt comfortable living. Kenan-Flagler offered both an incredible group of people to work with, and the Chapel Hill area, with its wonderful weather and access to big city benefits with a small town feel.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:05:32 PM)
When I was considering business schools, I focused on schools that had a great reputation and a collaborative environment. Beyond that, it came down to fit. When I visited UNC Kenan-Flagler, everything just clicked. The people were great, the professors were engaging and impressive and I just felt like it was the right place for me.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:05:53 PM)
Sherry... a highly subjective process?

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:06:04 PM)
Sherry: Hello from Turkey again. As we've already met in Istanbul, I have a special question for you. Does UNC Kenan Flagler Business School plan to modify its curriculum by adding some "Crisis Management" courses? Did the global crisis affect the volume of the applications?

Joshua Barnhardt (Feb 19, 2009 12:06:41 PM)
Lisa: Are you seeing a difference in the applications this year, such as an increase in people from a financial background, and possibly a decrease in people from other industries?

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:07:03 PM)
Mike and Carolyn, what do you like best at Kenan Flagler? What would you like to see improved?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:08:09 PM)
Hi, EA. Nice to talk with you again. We modify the curriculum offerings all the time. Every year, new courses are offered, some are retired, others are refreshed based on the current environment.

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:08:17 PM)
Joshua - we are definitely seeing in increase in applications from the New York area, obviously many people from the financial sector. In terms of decrease, we've seen a slight decrease in international applications.

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:08:25 PM)
Sharon: May we submit our unofficial GMAT scores by the March 13 deadline?

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:09:02 PM)
Sherry, Lisa, and Sharon, what 3 qualities do you want to see in applicants before you will admit them?

SharonMooreUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:09:11 PM)
Maris - yes you may submit unofficial GMAT scores and we can use that to evaluate your file. If you are admitted then you will be required to provide the official test score to us.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:09:24 PM)
Linda, I love the fact that we are able to guide our own experience so early on. Whether it is taking leadership roles in clubs and organizations early on in our experience, to being able to choose our classes for the second semester, we have a ton of input into our experience.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:09:25 PM)
EA, application volume this year is up from some parts of the world and down from other parts. We have received more applications from U.S. candidates and also from China and Japan, for example. India, on the other hand, has fewer applications to UNC this year.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:09:57 PM)
Sherry, overall is it up, down, or pretty flat when compared to last year?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:10:52 PM)
Overall, it looks like we are about 5% down, but it's too early to know for sure since we are still processing our Round 3 applications, and we still have a fourth round to come. So we cannot tell final volume until we review all submitted applications to make sure they are complete.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:11:29 PM)
Mike and Carolyn: What would you do to affect the Admission Department in the admission process if you were an applicant?

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:11:31 PM)
Linda, I most appreciate the collaborative environment and the access to faculty. My main opportunities for improvement are things that are typical for all universities, a wish for better food options, for example. However, the faculty and staff are always looking for improvements, and we are now getting more local restaurant food options in the cafe.

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:11:38 PM)
Linda, we obviously will only admit people who we know will be successful academically in the program. So they need to prove to us that they can handle the coursework here. GMAT, GPA, and work accomplishments all help make the case in this area. Also, we want to see real leadership experience or potential. And finally, we're looking for folks with strong interpersonal and communications skills. So we interview each applicant to gauge their interpersonal skills.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:12:17 PM)
As for negatives, carpooling can be a challenge at times, but I have really been able to develop strong relationships with people I may have not otherwise gotten to know.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:12:45 PM)
Sharon, how do you use recommendations in evaluating applicants? If an applicant wants to submit a 3rd recommendation, will you accept it? Do you discourage them from doing so?

Junaid S (Feb 19, 2009 12:13:03 PM)
Sherry: how have the placements been out so far? Is there a decrease compared to last year?

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:13:08 PM)
Thank you.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:13:36 PM)
EA, I would want to make sure to portray myself as a well-rounded applicant, showing more in my application than just what test scores can demonstrate.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:14:02 PM)
Michael, is carpooling a challenge because you don't live near campus?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:14:10 PM)
We have noticed that the quality of this year's pool is quite high. We have seen a higher volume of people with the winning combination of high GMAT scores, strong undergraduate records, great personal qualities and very accomplished career results. It is going to be very hard for us to accommodate all the super-qualified applicants.

SharonMooreUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:14:53 PM)
Linda, we do accept additional recommendations but they have to be mailed in. If someone is placed on the waiting list, then additional recommendations are often submitted.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:14:59 PM)
Sherry, we are seeing more applicants interested in UNC because of its strength in real estate. Can you comment on that?

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:15:23 PM)
EA, 1- Make sure that your personality come through in your essays, 2- Make sure that your story is strong - how your experiences have thus far shaped who you are, what you can bring to the school and why an MBA make sense for your future aspirations. Don't have holes in your story.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:15:24 PM)
Sharon, Are there any special considerations for re-applicants? Do you also look at last year's application when reviewing the application of a re-applicant? Do you just look at the reviewers' notes? Or do you ignore last year's application?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:16:15 PM)
Hi, Junaid. Yes, the job market is tighter this year, but many of our students are navigating it quite well. Those who are most focused and most able to articulate their strengths and fit with the opportunity are doing better, for sure. It's coming more slowly this year. The school has added many workshops and career development activities to groom and guide the students.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:16:21 PM)
Mike and Carolyn, What are your favorite classes? Professors?

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:16:29 PM)
Linda, I would say that a large majority of the students live "far from campus". That means about 2-3 miles. Carpooling is a challenge only in the sense that it requires coordination.

Junaid S (Feb 19, 2009 12:16:47 PM)
Thanks Sherry.

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:17:11 PM)
So it is necessary to have a car in Chapel Hill?

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:17:15 PM)
For some of the career-related questions, you may want to read the transcript from our career chat this past Wednesday. It'll give you a sense of the most current situation.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:18:34 PM)
Linda, our real estate program and the Center for Real Estate have attracted many people to our program. The strength of the offerings, the faculty, and the alumni network are all reasons people seek it out -- even in this softer market. We do try to manage our enrollment to ensure that we have the right balance of students.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:18:56 PM)
My favorite classes have been the core Operations course with Wendell Gilland and Management Communications with Tim Flood. I ended up changing my intended concentration after Operations, and have been satisfied with the change ever since. Tim Flood brings an energy to his class that made even my timid presentation skills much improved before leaving the course.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:19:06 PM)
It honestly is very difficult for me to pick out a favorite professor because they all have been really great. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say Mark Lang, the core accounting professor. He is extremely entertaining and sits on industry advisory boards, so his class is extremely timely and relevant. Leading and Managing, and interestingly enough, Taxes in Finance this mod, have also been favorites.

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:19:12 PM)
In terms of re-applicants, we very often do read the entire application from the prior year (in addition, of course, to the reviewers' comments). The most critical thing for re-applicants to do is to include an additional essays that outlines for us exactly what's changed (ideally, improved) since the prior year. And if the applicants asked us for feedback on their deny decision, it's important to show us that they listened to that feedback and took actions toward improving their candidacy.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:19:17 PM)
Sherry, how are your graduates who have focused on real estate doing in the job market?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:20:15 PM)
While real estate is quite popular among those seeking this field, only about 10% of the students enrolled have indicated an interest in Real Estate on their application. Some others become real estate converts after they get here.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:22:15 PM)
Maris, I would say that it is not 100% necessary to have a car, but it helps. The public bus system is really good and free, so depending on where you live, you might be able to get away with it. We also have access to Zipcar in Chapel Hill, so if you absolutely need a car, you can get access to one.

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:22:45 PM)
Thank you Michael.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:22:47 PM)
Linda, that question about this year's real estate students is hard to answer. Typically, the real estate jobs (particularly those involving development) come very late in the spring. Because developers tend to hire as needed, I would venture to say that there will be fewer opportunities this year, but we won't know the comparisons until April or May. Keep in mind, though, that our Real Estate program is part of our Finance Dept, so our real estate concentrating students still have a lot of finance skill that they can rely on if their dream job isn't available in the short term.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:23:18 PM)
I have been to both Net Impact national conferences while here, and we have been in the highest per capita representation there both years. We are one of the few schools I know of that have a Sustainable Enterprise concentration, and it is truly a focus brought throughout the curriculum, as opposed to just in specifically SE classes. The Net Impact chapter is constantly working on initiatives to improve the footprint of our students and our school, as well as educating our classmates. Recently, the career office has become much more well-versed in opportunities for Sustainable Enterprise jobs, and many job postings have come up in that realm this year.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:23:32 PM)
And that leads to my next questions: Sherry, Lisa, Sharon: if you receive an application from an applicant whose primary goal is in financial services, do you also want to know that this applicant has a Plan B in case that industry is still suffering when he or she graduates?

rcaster (Feb 19, 2009 12:23:51 PM)
Lisa or anyone in admissions: If I am applying in the third round, do you want me address why I chose the third round and not earlier in my application?

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:25:06 PM)
I also want to take this opportunity to introduce and welcome Paul Bodine, an Accepted editor since 1997 and author of two fine MBA admissions books. Welcome Paul.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:26:04 PM)
All: I have already applied to 6 schools including UNC. I can say that UNC is the best school, especially in the application process. They evaluate you as a whole and they give you a chance to show yourself in an interview. And the interview is done by an external person. In front you all, I would like to thank Sherry Wallace for making us feel special and relaxed in the application process.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:26:09 PM)
Welcome Paul.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:26:39 PM)
Mike and Carolyn, what do your recommend students do before starting their MBA that would have made the beginning/transition easier? Is there anything especially helpful in preparing for the adjustment of returning to academia?

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:26:48 PM)
Rcaster, I assume you are talking about our round 4 (which is March 13th)? In that case, you do not have to apologize for being in our last round! We expect to make admission offers in all 4 rounds. While historically, admission has been more competitive in the last round, there are many cases where people happen to have what we're looking for at that particular time in the admissions cycle, and they do just fine.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:27:11 PM)
Linda, it's wise for any student to explore more than one job situation. Especially in this market. But it's important for the student to be clear on what they have to offer, how that can be leveraged to benefit the employer/situation. If the student appears to lack focus, that won't help them impress the recruiter/hiring manager. Still, if you do your homework, you can find several situations to target.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:27:56 PM)
One other thing I'd like to bring up about the Sustainable Enterprise focus here is that we have a lot of opportunities to discuss how Corporate Social Responsibility and SE can be integrated into a more traditional career role.

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:28:02 PM)
Admissions - Approximately what percent of the full time MBA class is admitted in the first and second round?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:28:17 PM)
I'm happy to know you have had a good experience with us, EA.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:28:48 PM)
Sherry, what does UNC offer those interested in entrepreneurship?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:29:43 PM)
Maris- that varies each year, depending on how the application volume is distributed and on how the admitted applicants yield. In general, we would expect to admit 70-80% of the class in the first three rounds.

SM (Feb 19, 2009 12:30:03 PM)
Carolyn, could you list a few "traditional career roles" for CSR and SE? I want to apply for 2010 admission, but I am having trouble solidifying a post-MBA career plan.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:30:21 PM)
Sherry: An increasing number of schools have decided to reach out to early career applicants. Has Kenan Flagler begun to do this as well?

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:30:27 PM)
Linda, as far as the adjustment, one major thing I've noticed is getting to the area in time to be well settled in your living situation before the start of classes. This will give students time to focus on getting acclimated at school, rather than worrying about unpacking and finding furniture at night while trying to also do homework. We have a Google group devoted to connecting admitted students with both their future classmates and current students to share experiences and knowledge about KFBS and the Chapel Hill area.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:31:19 PM)
I would say that attending any pre-MBA classes that the school you choose offers is a great strategy. UNC Kenan-Flagler offers the Analytical Skills Workshop (ASW) before school starts. It includes 2 sessions, one in June and the other in July. During ASW, students can brush up on some of the classes that will be offered during the core, such as Accounting, Finance, Stats and Economics. I attended the July session and it was hands down a great experience. It is a great way to ease your transition into the classroom (because it is not really graded) and an even better way to get to know your classmates. During ASW, the MBA program office does a great job of organizing socials and mixers, as well as providing opportunities for career exploration.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:32:12 PM)
Linda, thanks for asking about entrepreneurship. We offer a concentration in Entrepreneurship. Some of the highlights of our program include our new Family Business specialty, our Venture Capital Investment Competition -- where students interact with VC firms and learn how they pick business plans to back and incubator for students with immediate plans to start businesses. We find that many of our students are interested in entrepreneurship, even if it's something they plan to do down the road.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:32:15 PM)
Thanks Sherry! And you don't have to get hired if you start your own business. ;-)

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:33:06 PM)
Lisa, are there any areas where recruiting is going well for graduating MBAs?

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:33:12 PM)
SM, what I meant in my previous comment was how to apply what you know about creating a sustainable business environment to any position you may get, without having that be your specific role. But in response to your question, many students find themselves in development roles with organizations such as the Broad Residency, in sustainable consulting jobs looking at opportunities for companies to green their offices, or in roles trying to help decide where companies should spend their limited philanthropy budgets.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:33:30 PM)
The UNC campus as a whole has been recognized by The Kauffman Foundation for how much entrepreneurship is encouraged here. Check out our Carolina Venture Fellows program online.

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:33:49 PM)
Linda - While we are not proactively reaching out to early career applicants, I would say that we are somewhat more open to considering applicants with fewer than the typical 4-5 years work experience. Still, we rarely have admitted applicants directly from undergrad, but we are open to considering applicants with 2-3 years work experience. Our school still believes that students benefit from and contribute to the program when they have some solid work experience prior to the MBA.

David (Feb 19, 2009 12:34:00 PM)
Admissions - If I am unsure between two post-MBA career paths, is it better to pick one during the application process and switch later, or to express interest in both right away? Does the latter hurt your application because it doesn't appear confident?

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:34:04 PM)
Thank you Sherry!

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:34:32 PM)
Thanks, Lisa and Sherry.

Junaid S (Feb 19, 2009 12:34:46 PM)
Mike & Carolyn, what are some of the things candidates can do before coming to school to make the most of their MBA?

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:36:17 PM)
Adding on to entrepreneurship topic, UNC Kenan-Flagler also offers a really great class for 2nd Year students called "Launching the Venture", where students earn credit hours for launching their own business under the guidance of faculty members. We also have the Carolina Entrepreneurial Fellows program that allows aspiring entrepreneurs to work with local entrepreneurs who are in the process of building their businesses.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:36:32 PM)
Sharon: How do you use the interview in the admissions process?

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:36:41 PM)
Junaid, check out our answers about making the transition to business school. I think this will answer your question, if not, please let us know specifically what more you want to know.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:37:13 PM)
Sherry, when does UNC offer pre-MBA courses to applicants? In the application process or after releasing the decision?

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:37:18 PM)
David - It's a good question! And a tough balance to achieve. We want people to do some real introspection during the admissions process. So ideally you will have focused fairly narrowly on a career path. But we know this is not always possible or accurate. And we do want folks to be sincere in their essays. So...you can still make a strong case by telling us about your probable career plan, and then mentioning that you are realistic enough to also have thought about a plan B.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:38:12 PM)
Beyond what I mentioned earlier about pre-MBA classes, I would recommend reading business periodicals such as Business Week or The Economist to get yourself locked in to what is going on in the economy and business world. Every class you take will be grounded in what is going on currently in the economy.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:38:32 PM)
Linda, students seeking positions in brand management, finance within a corporation, and supply chain management seem to be faring well -- as manufacturing firms are hiring. Students with certain specialty experience, such as corporate restructuring, credit backgrounds or security, seem to have good opportunities.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:38:46 PM)
Sherry, I guess that makes sense, but it is good to remember that there are some areas that are faring well.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:39:00 PM)
EA; ASW (our version of the pre-MBA courses) is offered to admitted students in the summer before they start the program.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:39:08 PM)
All: what do you think is an under-rated or generally under-appreciated aspect of the UNC MBA experience or program?

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:39:12 PM)
In terms of interviews, it is a key part of our process and the admissions decision. I suspect we value the interview more heavily than other schools. We aim to interview every person we are considering for admission. The interview is often times our only opportunity to gauge interpersonal skills, oral communication skills and "fit" with UNC.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:39:41 PM)
That is perfect - Thank you Michael!

Junaid S (Feb 19, 2009 12:39:47 PM)
Thanks, Mike and Carolyn.

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:40:38 PM)
Pre-MBA courses like our ASW program are highly recommended if an applicant has not had such coursework prior. However, the admissions committee must make its decisions based on the quantitative and analytic proficiencies you have demonstrated at the time of application.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:40:44 PM)
Lisa, roughly what percentage of applicants do you interview?

David (Feb 19, 2009 12:40:57 PM)
Thanks Lisa.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:41:06 PM)
Thank you Sherry.

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:42:25 PM)
Linda - The percentage of applicants we interview varies from year to year. The past couple of years we've probably interviewed about 90% of our applicants.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:42:42 PM)
That is a very high percentage. Thanks.

SM (Feb 19, 2009 12:42:45 PM)
Is it possible for a student to focus on social enterprise/CSR while still "majoring" in entrepreneurship?

Junaid S (Feb 19, 2009 12:43:38 PM)
Sherry, does that mean a student can be told that he or she is not required to take the ASW?

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:43:44 PM)
UNC did my interview before I sent my final application. That is a great chance to introduce yourself. I wish I had an opportunity to have my interview face to face...

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:44:45 PM)
Sherry, do you have any tips for waitlisted applicants at UNC?

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:45:05 PM)
Tips for waitlisted applicants? Number one thing is to let us know you want to be here. We do not assume that waitlisted applicants will wait for us. That's why we review the waitlisted applicants each round and try to give them an updated decision. Sometimes a waitlisted student is admitted in the subsequent round, sometimes they are denied, and often they are re-waitlisted. If they are re-waitlisted, they always have the option of telling us "no thank you." If a waitlisted applicant has a weak point that they can improve while they are on the waitlist, then it's good to try to do so. For example, if you can make a substantive improvement to your GMAT, go for it. If you discover that you failed to tell us about some significant skill or credential, go ahead and send that. For most waitlist candidates, however, it's just about being patient. We understand that the applicants are trying to make their life's plans, so we are very open to communicating with them during their waitlist status.

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:45:10 PM)
Thanks for this great answer Sherry!

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:45:11 PM)
SM -Yes, it is entirely possible to have two concentrations. I am currently concentrating in both Supply Chain and Sustainable Enterprise. Many students complete at least two concentrations, and some create their own curriculum. I would say that Sustainable Enterprise and Entrepreneurship work very well together and would not be a problem to combine.

David (Feb 19, 2009 12:45:12 PM)
Lisa - Should an applicant list the years of experience at the time of the application or years of experience they would have when they begin the MBA program?

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:45:55 PM)
Mike and Carolyn, looking back at your Kenan Flagler experience to date, what do you see as the primary take-away from the experience as a future leader and manager?

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:46:08 PM)
Junaid - I'll answer for Sherry. Occasionally, we do require that an applicant takes ASW prior to enrolling in our program. But that is certainly the exception. Most people just decide they want to take ASW in order to brush up on their quant skills, meet their new classmates in a relatively relaxed environment, and get back into the swing of being in school again.

LisaBeisserUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:46:58 PM)
David - I believe our application asks for the number of months work experience at the time you will begin the MBA program.

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:47:26 PM)
Under-appreciated aspects - That is a tough one. I would say the thing many people don't realize is that our sections, called Legacies here, are small (~35 students). Each class during the core curriculum consists of 2 legacies (70 students). So, by the end of the core curriculum, you will have had class with the majority of your classmates. This is a really unique feature of UNC Kenan-Flagler.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:47:36 PM)
Mike and Carolyn: What did you learn from UNC so far? Also how did you contribute?

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:48:21 PM)
Michael, thanks for the thoughtful response.

Junaid S (Feb 19, 2009 12:48:53 PM)
Lisa, thanks. I wanted to be sure that even if a student is not mandated to take the ASW, he can still choose to take it.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:48:59 PM)
EA, I think the biggest thing I'll look back and appreciate is the ability to know when to ask for help. I've also gained a lot of perspective on job experiences in my past, and I hope I'll be able to apply that to future positions.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:49:00 PM)
I hope I will have an opportunity to sit on Carolyn's and Michael's chair and chat with the future applicants. :)

Linda Abraham (Feb 19, 2009 12:49:11 PM)
Thank you again all for participating today. Special thanks to Sherry, Sharon, Lisa, Mike and Carolyn for joining us today. We look forward to seeing you at future chats, and here is a list of the upcoming scheduled chats:

UVA Darden     February 26, 2009

Indiana Kelley   March 12, 2009

Waitlist Chat    March 19, 2009

LBS MBA/MiF  March 23, 2009

Cornell Waitlist March 25, 2009

If you would like to automatically receive notices about these MBA admissions chats and other MBA admissions events, please subscribe to our MBA event list.

Please check the website for additional details.

Have a great day! Good luck with your applications!

MichaelFerraroUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:51:24 PM)
EA, Primary take-way - there is no perfect way to lead or deal with issues in the workplace. Being exposed to as many potential business situations in a safe environment will prepare you to make the tough decisions when they count. Between the case studies we do in class, to the simulations that Kenan-Flagler offers, we have a ton of opportunities to practice these skills.

EA (Feb 19, 2009 12:51:46 PM)
Thank you all! Special Thanks for Sherry.

CarolynWineUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:51:49 PM)
EA: I've learned more things here than could fit in this chat, but as far as my contributions: I was 1st year community service liaison, I'm part of the MBA Ambassadors who greet visitors in the admissions office, and I've helped with organizing several events for Admissions and Habitat for Humanity.

Maris83 (Feb 19, 2009 12:51:49 PM)
Thank you Michael!

SherryWallaceUNC (Feb 19, 2009 12:52:17 PM)
We are enjoying our current review of the third round applicants (Jan deadline). And we look forward to starting on the fourth round batch (March 13 deadline) after that.

Information about Accepted.com's consulting and Editing Services

MBA Chat Transcript Index || Chat Room