UNC-Kenan Flagler Business School - Current Student taking questions

MBA
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Hello Everyone, I was searching in the forums to find out if there is any dedicated thread for the aspirants to KFBS - Class of 2013, but could find none. Therefore, I am starting this thread to take questions and help aspirants through the a…

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Hello Everyone,

I was searching in the forums to find out if there is any dedicated thread for the aspirants to KFBS - Class of 2013, but could find none. Therefore, I am starting this thread to take questions and help aspirants through the admission process.

Upfront I would like to suggest the following:
1) Please visit the KFBS MBA website and go through it carefully. Most of the questions one would have about the school, the application process would be answered there.
2) Please do a thorough research before posting your questions. No open-ended questions like evaluate my chances or what do you think ... ? Truth is no one can evaluate your chances because there are too many factors in the admission process.
3) The trick is to apply as early as possible without compromising the quality of your applications.
4) Be as truthful as possible else it shows through. The admissions team is quite experienced and has dealt with thousands of students in the past. Dont think you can outsmart them.
5) Think from the shoes of the admissions team. They evaluate mediocre/average/common profiles by the hundreds. Focus, Focus, Focus on your differentiation points/your strengths/you unique abilities.

Feel free to throw as many questions you want to. I shall get some more current students on board to bring their perspective as well. Best of Luck!

Thanks,
Nitin

Shaping Leaders| Driving Results -www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu
YouTube - UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Campus Tour - Part 1
YouTube - UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Campus Tour - Part 2

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Please tell me how is UNC doing right now? How was the placements of students last year? It will help a lot to get some insider information.

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Hi TarHeels,

Appreciate your initiative. I am planning to apply for the EA round.(giving the final finishing touches to the essays now). I have uploaded all other info in the portal, as it might result in an earlier call for interview?

I have a few questions on the KF MBA program.

1. I was really impressed by the extent and magnitude of the leadership development program there. I was wondering who drives these initiatives there? (faculty or student run bodies?)

2. Will an already tight MBA schedule hamper your chances of fully utilizing all these leadership development programs? (I know its kind of a rhetorical question, but can you shed some light on how all the extra activities gel in with the academic curriculum)

I have a question regarding the application essays as well. Would be great if you can help me out there.
Q. The 1st optional essay asks how I will be prepared for handling the coursework in quant subjects. I am really confused as to whether to attempt this question or not? Is this meant for ppl with a poor quant score in GMAT or people coming from non-science backgrounds?

Here's a brief intro abt my profile.
GMAT 690 (Q-49, V-35, AWA -5)
5.2 yrs work ex with IT product development (MNC)
Comp Science grad from NIT
Decent acads, excellent extra curriculars.

Thanks in advance,
Rakesh

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Hi

I am applying to UNC in early round. Can you please shed light on the followings

1) Number of indian students in UNC class (Class of 2011 and class of 2012)?

2) How many person from your batch got the scholarship and how much?

3) How do the people arrange for the finance for fees & other expenses?

4) How is the placement scenerio for international students particularly in Consulting?? I have heard great views about UNC as one of the best school for consulting.

5) Can you please share your profile?

Regards

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Hi Rakesh,

Thanks for your interest in UNC.
Pls refer to my answers to your ques below:
1. I was really impressed by the extent and magnitude of the leadership development program there. I was wondering who drives these initiatives there? (faculty or student run bodies?)
The Leadership activities are a core part of KFBS curriculum. We need to accumulate some leadership points through various activities every year. All programs are run by faculty in close coordination with students.

2. Will an already tight MBA schedule hamper your chances of fully utilizing all these leadership development programs? (I know its kind of a rhetorical question, but can you shed some light on how all the extra activities gel in with the academic curriculum)
There are so many activites that you may not end up doing all, but some people have managed to do so. Some of these activities are a part of the curriculum and most of them are organized such that they do not hamper your schedule.

3) The 1st optional essay asks how I will be prepared for handling the coursework in quant subjects. I am really confused as to whether to attempt this question or not? Is this meant for ppl with a poor quant score in GMAT or people coming from non-science backgrounds?
You are just fine and you dont need to attempt that essay question.

All the best in the application process. Let me know of further questions.
Nitin

Hi TarHeels,

Appreciate your initiative. I am planning to apply for the EA round.(giving the final finishing touches to the essays now). I have uploaded all other info in the portal, as it might result in an earlier call for interview?

I have a few questions on the KF MBA program.

1. I was really impressed by the extent and magnitude of the leadership development program there. I was wondering who drives these initiatives there? (faculty or student run bodies?)

2. Will an already tight MBA schedule hamper your chances of fully utilizing all these leadership development programs? (I know its kind of a rhetorical question, but can you shed some light on how all the extra activities gel in with the academic curriculum)

I have a question regarding the application essays as well. Would be great if you can help me out there.
Q. The 1st optional essay asks how I will be prepared for handling the coursework in quant subjects. I am really confused as to whether to attempt this question or not? Is this meant for ppl with a poor quant score in GMAT or people coming from non-science backgrounds?

Here's a brief intro abt my profile.
GMAT 690 (Q-49, V-35, AWA -5)
5.2 yrs work ex with IT product development (MNC)
Comp Science grad from NIT
Decent acads, excellent extra curriculars.

Thanks in advance,
Rakesh
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Hi Shivraj,
Pls refer to my answers below.
I would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Nitin

Hi

I am applying to UNC in early round. Can you please shed light on the followings

1) Number of indian students in UNC class (Class of 2011 and class of 2012)? Class of 2011 - 13, Class of 2012 - 15


2) How many person from your batch got the scholarship and how much?
2 people got scholarships and everyone got a guaranteed non US cosignor loan.

3) How do the people arrange for the finance for fees & other expenses?
Very few top 20 programs give their international students a guaranteed non US cosignor loan and UNC leads the way. Coming to UNC, you don,t have to worry about paying your tuition..

4) How is the placement scenerio for international students particularly in Consulting?? I have heard great views about UNC as one of the best school for consulting.
Consulting is big at UNC and all top firms(McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, etc) come to campus to recruit. These firms have seen the biggest growth in their history this year and are raring to hire many people. Big consulting firms generally do not discriminate in any sense.

5) Can you please share your profile?
GMAT - 720, 4 yrs in Engineering Services
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Dear Chintamani,

UNC is doing great this year (as always) and we have had almost 100% summer internship last year. Also, the full time placement has also picked up. I am not aware of the official figure but it is in the high 80s.
The US economy has picked up and we are hoping for even better placements for the class of 2011.

Any other questions are welcome.
Nitin

chintamani.kurs Says
Please tell me how is UNC doing right now? How was the placements of students last year? It will help a lot to get some insider information.
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I encourage everyone to visit the UNC Kenan flagler channel on youtube : YouTube - unckenanflagler's Channel

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This is a great initiative. I am working on my essays for Kenan Flagler. One thing which i wanted to ask is about background check. I work in a small firm where no one speaks English. My recos too will be suitably translated. So can the background check be done in the local language (Hindi) or should i clear it out with the adcom first? This is ofcourse assuming I get an admit

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Neo1 Says
This is a great initiative. I am working on my essays for Kenan Flagler. One thing which i wanted to ask is about background check. I work in a small firm where no one speaks English. My recos too will be suitably translated. So can the background check be done in the local language (Hindi) or should i clear it out with the adcom first? This is ofcourse assuming I get an admit

Neo,

What kind of background check are you referring to? If there is one then I don't think that it could be done in Hindi. Pls contact admissions with your query as they can give you the best answer. Also, let me know if you are having any trouble contacting them.
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Hi Nitin,

Thanks for starting this thread.I had two queries.


  1. Does UNC give out scholarships and has any student in you batch from India got it ?
  2. Also , Can an decent but not extraordinary profile compensated by good academics and GMAT score during admissions.
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Hi Nitin,

Thanks for starting this thread.I had two queries.


  1. Does UNC give out scholarships and has any student in you batch from India got it ?
  2. Also , Can an decent but not extraordinary profile compensated by good academics and GMAT score during admissions.


Hi Nayas,

UNC gives scholarships to about 23% of the batch. For international students, sometimes the ratio may go down but still there is a possibility of securing substantial scholarship. Amongst Indians, current batch has 2 people receiving scholarship and 1 person is a Fullbright scholar. Also, almost everybody is availing a non US cosignor loan covering 100% tuition + mandatory expense.

Your second question is interesting and the answer is yes. All parts of the application carry some weightage and a well rounded applicant is what the admission committee is looking for. Being avg for all criterion is same as being brilliant in one and weak in another. But, GMAT is something that may be used to break a tie, a high GMAT(>720) always helps!

Watch: YouTube - UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Admissions
YouTube - MBA Applicant Profile #2
YouTube - MBA Applicant Profile #3

These are a little old videos but still emphasize the holistic approach employed during candidate evaluation.

Hope this answers your queries. Feel free to ask more.
Nitin
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Hello Nitin,

Sorry I was not clear on it. From what I heard from other forums is that once a student is admitted to the program, they have to fill out a background check form- in which the school checks with the undergrad schools, past employers and maybe recommenders. For employers, the school contacts the HR dept. to find out exact dates of employment etc.This is just to verify the data that the applicant has entered. KF was mentioned in the list of the schools that do this. Are you aware of this and did you go through the process or was KF wrongly mentioned? I will try to find the link on the forum I read. I am concerned only with the English speaking part of it!

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Hi Nitin,

Thanks for helping on this thread!

Here is my share of questions. Would like to have your comments ..

  1. I went through last year's UNC thread and it seems there were some doubts on the placements at UNC. We all know that last year was tough for all B Schools, but given the present H1-B situation, how is the overall situation there?

  2. How is UNC with respect a switch from IT to Marketing? I have read that it's quite good for Consulting, but not sure about marketing. Hence the question.

  3. What is the average GMAT score for Indians in your batch (if you know for any previous batch, it'll be great).


Looking forward to the answers.

Cheers!
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Got interview call from UNC. Strange because I just submited my application on 22nd. Does UNC interviews everybody, who applies ?

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rajiv182 Says
Got interview call from UNC. Strange because I just submited my application on 22nd. Does UNC interviews everybody, who applies ?



I also got my interview call and i submitted my application on 21st only. Also one of my friend who submitted 8 hrs before, also got a call.

I feel they have set some minimum criterion and interview all of them who meet the criterion though not sure.
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Hi PearlCrystal,

1. Year 2009 was difficult for all colleges and I would consider the bad placement statistics as an industry wide phenomenon. Year 2010 has been much better and 2011 would probably see the best placement figures in some time, as hiring is in full swing. Infact a lot of internationals have PPOs from there summer internships.

2. Switching from one career to another is the primary reason why people enroll into MBA programs. So transitioning from IT to Marketing should not be a problem unless you have a good connecting story for your transition. Also, KFBS is excellent in marketing and all prominent consumer goods, retail chains and airlines recruit heavily from campus. For internationals, getting a job in marketing is difficult and but then this true for any MBA college in USA.

3. Avg GMAt for current batch is around 730 and should be pretty similar in prev batches as well.

More ques are welcome.
Nitin

Hi Nitin,

Thanks for helping on this thread!

Here is my share of questions. Would like to have your comments ..
.
.
.
Looking forward to the answers.

Cheers!
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Rajiv and Shivraj,

Congratulations on your intv call. This year has been more competitive so far than prev years as far as EA applications are concerned and am sure your good profiles have landed you guys an intv invite. Generally, UNC tries to intv max ppl applying in EA round who qualify and meet admission committee's standards.

ATB for your intv.

Nitin

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Rajiv and Shivraj,

Congratulations on your intv call. This year has been more competitive so far than prev years as far as EA applications are concerned and am sure your good profiles have landed you guys an intv invite. Generally, UNC tries to intv max ppl applying in EA round who qualify and meet admission committee's standards.

ATB for your intv.

Nitin


Hi Nitin

Can you tell me a brief about the interview process for UNC KF.

Also, if you can share your last year interview experience that will be great.

And how can we schedule an interview with an alumni in india?? Which one would you suggest for a phone interview or an interview with alumni??