CLASS OF 2000 GRADUATE COMMENTS
Editor's Note: BusinessWeek collected graduate comments in 2000 during its ranking of full-time MBA programs. The next ranking is scheduled for fall, 2002.
I feel that the MBA experience has prepared me with the skills to pursue a variety of business possibilities. Very few people with a background in the sciences pursue an MBA. KFBS provided me with the proper learning environment and networking opportunities. I learned a lot from my classmates from working in groups and benefited from a superior teaching focus. I would like to see more e-business topics integrated into all of the courses. The school is very responsive to the students, so I expect that this will be done soon. -- Consulting
I wish I had more time (and battery power) to sing the praises of UNC. In summary, faculty that want to teach, students are multidimensional, and no destructive competition. UNC may not be the automatic entry into any position, but it puts you in front of the door and you are responsible for making things happen. In other words, it isn't for the lazy who just want a job after graduation. You have to know what you want. Your survey failed, in my opinion, to capture job offer info that I didn't accept. I had an offer for $175,000, but didn't take it. I knew what I wanted in the end, and it wasn't a top tiered consulting firm. -- No Response
Kenan-Flagler is, by far, the best-kept secret in graduate business schools today. The students are unbelievably intelligent and hardworking, but unlike other places I visited, they are also friendly and NICE to each other. That atmosphere is developed through an intense focus on teamwork, with very little in the way of grade competition between students. Also, since the student body is relatively small, and so many companies visit with offers, job competition doesn't exist here. Where else could a student go to school for less than $20K a year, have an unbelievable 2 years, and get out to go work for McKinsey? (They are our top employer this year.) And if there is a more beautiful college town in America than Chapel Hill, I'd like to hear about it. The faculty, the facilities, the town, the nightlife, the sports, the business climate, etc. are all A+. I just wish that this were a three year program! -- Consulting
My MBA experience has been fantastic. The faculty and administration at UNC-Chapel Hill (Kenan Flagler) work extremely hard to provide a wonderful learning environment, cutting-edge material, and a well rounded education. In addition, the physical facilities are state of the art and first class -- technology is everywhere. It is awesome. The new McColl Building is an MBA's dream -- except for the food in the cafeteria. Also, Kenan Flagler's emphasis on leadership and teamwork is, in my opinion, what business in the 21st century is all about. My classmates were all generally very bright and highly motivated. I was continually amazed at how dynamic, insightful, and friendly my classmates were. The Kenan Flagler class of 2000 is a great group of people who will undoubtedly do many great things. In summary, education, teaching, technology, teamwork, and friendliness continue to be the hallmark and cornerstone of the Kenan Flagler experience. In my opinion, it is a fantastic place to spend two years. Go Heels! -- Marketing
I think we have a hidden jewel here in UNC. While it is of course a top 20 school, I do not feel it gets the recognition that it deserves. Only 200 or so are admitted out of an applicant pool of over 2,500. What a wonderful University. I am amazed at what two years of business school has done for my career. -- Investment Banking
Beautiful facility. Sometimes, the ability to check your e-mail during class tugs at students attention and detracts from class discussion. But most professors address this directly when they see it happening and nip it in the bud. We have the usual small school advantages and disadvantages: I know EVERYBODY. But our alumni network is smaller. Being just down the road from Duke, we can see how our culture is different and, frankly, better. It helps us bring in recruiters because of the proximity of another good recruiting location, but the students get sensitive about our lower rank when we have a pretty good idea about their work load and course material... The school is working hard on its market recognition, but it is hard when everyone refers to us as UNC instead of Kenan-Flagler Business School. That is the price you pay for a great basketball team.... -- Anonymous
This has been a terrific experience. As a full time wife, mother, and student, I could not have imagined a better school to attend. I have no doubts that KFBS is a special place for women like myself, because of the respect we have, the focus on core intellectual development versus extraneousness, and the support mechanisms for spouses. For those reasons, the school attracts an abundance of really nice, ambitious, married students and parents. But most importantly, KFBS never compromised the challenges, opportunities, or quality of the education while creating this environment. -- Finance
Kenan-Flagler is a great school, and it is headed in the right direction. The class of 2000 was the first class to complete its two years completely in the new business school building (the McColl Building), and with the new Dean, Robert Sullivan. The administration of the school is now strong and stable and taking the school in the right direction in terms of curriculum development, career services, and admissions. E-business is growing, and will be a career concentration next year, and the school has already launched its own incubator. It is well connected to the entrepreneurial community in North Carolina's RTP, and beyond. It was a great experience, well worth the time and money. -- Venture Capital/Private Equity
I had the best two years of my life at Kenan-Flagler! The professors were the best. Mark Lang (Accounting) had barbecues at his house after exams to blow off steam. I played golf with Jay Klompmaker (Marketing) at his country club. Dave Hartzell (Real Estate) came to our 2nd year band practices. Steve Slezak (Economics) personally gave 2 review sessions every week for hours at the time. Valerie Zithamel (Marketing) and several other professors dressed as students and produced skits making fun of popular students in our annual follies event. Bruce Bohem (Venture Capital) made countless phone calls to help set up meetings for funding for our business plans. THESE PEOPLE CARED ABOUT OUR LEARNING AND US PERSONALLY! -- Information Technology
One of the best features of the MBA program at Kenan-Flagler is its relative size. Our class sizes are large enough to expose us to many different types of people, with many different life experiences. At the same time, our program is small enough that I know the name of almost every member of my graduating class. It is very gratifying to walk into a room of 60 people and know everyone's name. I believe this helps to stimulate discussion in class, as people feel more comfortable with one another. I also appreciate that the staff also knows almost everyone's name. -- Non-profit
I left the practice of law and came to business school in an effort to obtain the education, network, and acumen necessary to give myself the best possible opportunity to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment. My MBA experience at KFBS exceeded my expectations on all fronts -- the professors were outstanding, the administration was very supportive, the networking opportunities were significant (and led to my permanent job), and my classmates were extremely impressive. When I first arrived at KFBS to start my MBA coursework, I was uncertain about whether business school was the right path for me to pursue. I now have no doubts and know that my decision to come to business school at KFBS was the right one and will serve me better in my future endeavors than any other path that I could have taken. -- Entrepreneurship
Kenan-Flagler Business School and UNC-Chapel Hill provide an ideal learning environment to pursue a graduate business degree. KFBS provided the proper balance of academic, real-life, networking, and social elements to ensure a very rewarding experience. -- Finance
I would not have traded my MBA experience for anything. My husband and I both chose to go to the same MBA school and I was initially concerned about doing so, but after two years, it was the best decision we could have made. I had the choice to go to a more expensive, private, Top 10 school about 20 miles away, but my experience at UNC was complete and also very cost effective. For a pre-MBA, that was the wisest investment choice I could have made. Two years later, I still have a 6 figure salary with a very respectable global management consulting firm. It proves that sometimes, as long as the environment is just right, the results will come on their own. -- Consulting
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