Overview:
UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business provides a hands-on approach towards business education. Citing leadership training as a key strength, Kenan-Flagler provides numerous programs to improve students’ application of key business knowledge. The institution is also known to be a leader in green business: the Center for Sustainable Enterprise was among the first programs to promote environmentally friendly commerce, and it continues to pilot this field nationwide.
Admissions and Tuition:
Kenan-Flagler accepts a larger proportion of applications than many top 20 MBA programs, but still maintains a fairly small program. The fact that the year of 2009, 1873 pool of applicants of which 35% of them were accepted by the college testifies the fact. The following key requirements for the year of 2011 also prove that the college has maintained its checks on the quality of students. The statistics are as under:
“ 298 students entered the class, with a median GPA of 3.30 and an average GMAT score of 677. The class also had an average of 63 months, or just over five years, of professional experience.”
Equal emphasis was placed on work experience, essays, and interviews equally; it is therefore to each applicant’s benefit to maintain a strong record across the board.”
The college offers an added benefit of cheaper tuition program to resident students than non-resident citizen. The figures for 2009-2010 speak this loud:
“The total program tuition and fees are $45,778 for residents and $85,827 for nonresidents, while the recommended annual budget is $45,928 for residents and $66,452 for nonresidents.”
However, financial aid is considered on merit basis including Kenan-Flagler Fellowships and Premier Fellowships.. The merit based scholarships figures for the same years were as follows:
“A total of 77% of current MBA’s received financial aid; the average package was $44,904. The average scholarship for 2009-2010 was $28,675; for the entering class of 2012, the school expects to award 52 full-tuition scholarships.” This apart, the school offers up to six outstanding students the Falls Prize, awarding a stipend of $25,000 over two years.
Kenan-Flagler also participates in an additional selection of national and international fellowship programs.
Academics and Curriculum:
Kenan-Flagler breaks up each semester into two modules. These 7-week instruction sessions let students take a wide variety of shorter, 1.5 credit hour classes. This apart, students can select full-semester requirements, including Teamwork Assessment, Leadership Initiative Credit, and the Integrative Exercise.
Kenan-Flagler commitment to addressing cutting-edge business topics is seen from the fact that 20% of electives are newly developed each year.
Eight concentrations are: Corporate Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Global Supply Chain Management, Investment Management, Management Consulting, Real Estate, and Sustainable Enterprise. Students may choose to combine two concentrations to best meet their interests, or design their own general management curriculum through a combination of electives. Four in-house dual degree programs are available: Law, Public Health, City and Regional Planning, and Information and Library Science. Two additional programs are offered through joint curricula with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and Nicholas School of the Environment.
Kenan-Flagler places great emphasis on case study and small group learning, highlighting both hands-on experience and a spirit of cooperation and communication. The case study method is used for 35% of the curriculum, lectures and team projects both in 20%, experiential learning in 14%, and simulations in 10%. Students often participate in team-based independent study projects, applying theoretical skills learned in the classroom to real-world business problems.
Leadership training is a key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA experience. Through a cycle of practice, feedback, and reflection known as the Leadership Initiative, students develop abilities and prepare to apply them on graduation. They begin by learning essential skills, including management, strategy, ethics, and communications. Second year groups also attend Lessons of Experience, a speaker series in which successful executives share their expertise. Students then apply skills in hands-on activities designed to perfect their business techniques. Leadership Days, for instance, provides yearly workshops for all MBA candidates. Managerial and new leader simulations let students tackle real-world business situations, while the Game of Leadership tests their influence on others. The STAR Leadership in Action program gives student teams the opportunity to serve as consultants for an outside business or non-profit, further gathering real-world experience. Finally, the Leadership Immersion course lets students synthesize their skills, solidifying their leadership experience to prepare them for their career. Throughout these activities, each student learns from extensive personalized feedback from their peers, their professors, and their professional contacts, allowing them to consider their performance shape their career path ahead.
Quality of Life:
In beautiful, wooded Chapel Hill, NC, students benefit from the mild temperate climate and laid-back atmosphere. Located just a few hours’ drive from both the Atlantic’s beaches and the Appalachian Mountains, life in this small college town is relaxed and quiet, with little traffic and Chapel Hill provides a vibrant live music scene, university arts performances, and popular Tar Heel sports; for a wider cultural experience, students can take advantage of nearby Raleigh’s museums, symphony, and ballet. Golfing is well-loved among students, with three nearby golf courses: Cedar Grove, Finley, and Occoneechee. It is also in close proximity to Research Triangle Park, a vivacious business development area hosting many startups and technology companies; this gives students a high level of access to top companies.
Students can expect to pay less for housing and amenities than their peers in larger cities. On average, renting an apartment costs $720 per month, and home price is $342,000. While the vast majority of students live off-campus, some campus housing is available in dormitories and student apartments. Public transit is available through the Chapel Hill Transit system; serving both Chapel Hill and nearby Carrboro, these buses have been free of charge since 2002. While parking is available, at $398.97 per year, Kenan-Flagler encourages students to use carpool, splitting permit costs, or to simply take advantage of public transportation.
MBA clubs run various programs for students from finance to healthcare; one notable club is Net Impact, which works with the Center for Sustainable Enterprise to encourage sustainable business practices. MBA Ambassadors provide information for prospective students, while students on advisory boards work to keep Kenan-Flagler the best it can be. Simultaneously, a variety of events keep students involved both socially and in the community. Some students volunteer for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or KIPP Teach for a Day, while others provide ESL tutoring for local refugees.
Besides, each semester students take advantage of Community Service Day, volunteering for non-profit organizations in the Chapel Hill area. Students also stay busy with case competitions, competing in a variety of events throughout the US and worldwide.
Employment Prospects:
Job opportunities for graduates are relatively high. Following statistics prove the point:
“By three months after graduation, 69% of the class of 2009 was employed. The most highly recruited specialization was Finance (34%) followed by marketing (19%), Consulting (15%), and General Management (13%). On the regional front, the Northeast and South tied in regional recruiting with 32% of graduates were recruited to each region, while 12% were recruited to the Mid-Atlantic, 7% to the Southwest, and 6% to the Midwest. 86% of job offers came as a result of school activities, while 14% came from the graduates’ own contacts and efforts. 45 companies recruited students on-campus in 2008; the top recruiters were Bank of America, Deloitte Consulting, and Johnson & Johnson. The mean base salary was $93,012 and the mean signing bonus $26,850.”
The Career Management Center (CMC) at Kenan-Flagler provides a variety of resources to kick-start your job search. Students can take advantage of CareerLeader to assess and analyze their future goals, or attend Q&A’s at over 100 career presentations per year. Counseling is available from CMC staff, peers, and alumni, giving students the chance to tailor their resumes and interview skills for particular fields. Group training lets students polish their job search skills while supporting each other in a closely-knit environment. Campus recruiting occurs throughout the year, although most second-year interviews are held in the fall. The MBA Career Fair, held annually in September, lets students make contact with a variety of companies to explore their career options. Further, several more specific career fairs are available, concentrating on sustainable business, west coast recruitment, and North Carolina opportunities. Finally, many student career clubs plan visits to cities at the center of their chosen industries.
In Sum:
Kenan-Flagler’s commitment to student leadership training gives its graduates a leg up in their fields of choice, while its concentration on green business shows its dedication to training socially and environmentally conscious business leaders. With strong academics, a relaxed setting, and quality student services, Kenan-Flagler is a great choice for those who want the benefits of an excellent business education in a quiet, hospitable location.
Contact Information:
Kenan-Flagler Business School
CB 3490, Kenan Drive
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3490 United States
Quick Reference:
2009 U.S. News Ranking: 20
Average GMAT score: 677
Average undergraduate GPA: (median 3.3)
Application fee: $140
Application deadline: 4 cycles, last deadline 3/19
Entering class size: 298
Yearly Tuition: $23,456 resident, $43,980 nonresident (2009-2010)
Percent of graduates employed 3 months after graduation: 69%
Average starting salary: $93,012
Average signing bonus: $26,850