Requirements and Deadlines

You’ll start by providing some basic personal information, including your contact information, citizenship, areas of interest and affiliations.

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All candidates are asked to submit short essay responses. These should be concise, clear and introspective as we’ll use them to learn more about you, your motivations and your aspirations.

>> Tips from Admissions: 5 tips for writing a standout MBA application essay

Essay 1 is required (250 words maximum).
We value the different paths and aspirations that each student brings to the UNC Kenan-Flagler community. Please share your goals for pursuing an MBA, or the path you’re considering, and how they reflect your unique background or perspective.  

Essay 2 is required (250 words maximum).

UNC Kenan-Flagler is guided by four core values that shape who we are: impact, innovation, inclusion, and integrity. Which one of these Core Values resonates most deeply with your professional journey? Please share an example that demonstrates how this value has influenced your actions or decisions.

Essay 3 is optional (250 words maximum).
We encourage you to tell us more about who you are so we can get to know you as a person and potential member of the Carolina community. Use this essay to convey information that you may not have otherwise been able to in the application.

Optional topics:

• Personal or professional accomplishments
• Interests and passions
• Gaps in work experience or inconsistent academic performance
• Context for recommender selection
• A fun fact about yourself

Essay 4 is required only for previous applicants to any UNC MBA program format (100 words maximum).
If you are re-applying to the program, we appreciate your continued interest in UNC Kenan-Flagler. We require a complete application in addition to a brief essay that describes how your application differs from your previous submission and that alerts us to new test scores, a recent promotion, or other areas that demonstrate how you have strengthened your candidacy.

You will be asked to respond to two questions within a total time limit of two minutes.

Both prompts will appear on screen at the same time, and you may divide your time between the two questions however you see fit after an initial 20-second preparation period.

While it’s not necessary to use the full two minutes, we recommend taking the time needed to thoughtfully and thoroughly answer both questions. Applicants are allowed two attempts – only one will be submitted with your application.

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The Admissions Committee requires one professional letter of recommendation, preferably from a supervisor (current or former) or someone who can speak to your strengths, accomplishments and leadership potential in a professional setting.

If you do not have full-time, post-graduate work experience, we will accept a recommendation from a part-time job or summer internship but do not recommend submitting an academic letter of recommendation.

>>Tips from Admissions: How to choose the right recommender

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Full-Time MBA Program utilizes the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) Common Letter of Recommendation. In your application, you will designate your recommender(s). An e-mail will be sent automatically to the recommender(s) with specific instructions and a link to the recommendation form.

We permit a 10-business day grace period past the deadline for recommendations to be received, but please note that this will delay the processing of your application.

A brief professional overview of your educational, employment, and achievement history, most often condensed to a single page (and two pages at the most). Please include titles and dates, and provide the information in reverse chronological order.

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Note: You don’t have to be currently employed to apply to UNC Kenan-Flagler. We seek candidates with a variety of experiences, backgrounds and career goals. The most important thing is to show us how you’ll contribute meaningfully to our collaborative and talented community – and help us understand your career vision.

You will need to supply transcripts of all academic work you’ve completed at the baccalaureate/undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes:

• The institution(s) at which you were conferred a degree
• Institutions that are noted as transfer credit on any transcript
• Summer sessions or extension programs
• Any other institutions at which you took one or more courses

If you studied outside of the U.S., you must have a college-level education equivalent to an American undergraduate or baccalaureate degree – the same as a first-university degree and, typically, is a four-year degree. If the original language of the academic record and diploma is not English, please submit a certified literal (not interpretive) English translation with the original document.

If you received a bachelor’s degree upon completion of a three-year undergraduate program, you are eligible to apply to our Full-Time MBA Program. You will need to supply copies of your academic record and the diploma, degree certificate or other documentation indicating the conferral date of your degree.

Our school codes are:
GMAT: D40-HL-72
GRE: 5046
TOEFL or PTE Academic: 5816
IELTS: Search for University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – Kenan-Flagler Business School – MBA
Duolingo English Test: Search for University of North Carolia – Chapel Hill – Kenan-Flagler Business School – MBA programs

You can self-report unofficial GMAT and GRE test scores on your application and your official scores are not required until after you’re admitted to the program. As you complete your application, you can disregard the “awaiting score report” warnings that appear on your application Checklist. If admitted and enrolled, you must submit official GMAT or GRE test results before the first day study at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

We accept test scores from either in-person or online formats and do not have a preference for which exam you take (GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo or PTE Academic), but we consider each exam score as a whole and do not super score the highest section result of one exam with another taken on a different date. GMAT/GRE waivers are available for new applicants, and the waiver request form can be found in your application.

English language exam

You’ll need to provide an English-language test score from TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE Academic if English is not your native language, unless: (1) you’ve earned an undergraduate or graduate degree at a U.S. college or university or (2) your education was completed exclusively in English in an English-speaking country.

In some cases, we may request scores. If an English-language test score is required, you must self-report the scores in your application and request an official score report be sent to our office by the application deadline. 

Minimum academic score requirements

Note: Round 4 for the fall 2026 start is test optional. While not required, a test score can be helpful when it strengthens your overall application. If you’re unsure whether that applies to you, feel free to reach out at mba_info@unc.edu.

GMAT/GRE waivers are available for new applicants to the UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Program. You can access the GMAT/GRE waiver request form from within your application, and we encourage you to submit your waiver request early to allow for processing time. Creating an account takes only a few minutes, and you can continue to work on your application as we process your request.

The Admissions Committee requires all applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver to submit requests by the test waiver deadline for each round. Late submissions may be denied or moved to the next round.

Our holistic application process is built to ensure that you’re prepared for our rigorous Full-Time MBA program. While scores from standardized tests such as the GMAT or GRE are a beneficial way for our Admissions Committee to evaluate the likelihood of academic success in our Full-Time MBA program, we recognize that some candidates can build a strong case for admission based on but not limited to the following criteria:

• Applicants who graduated with a 3.2 GPA or above and coursework in STEM, business, economics or analytical fields from a U.S. institution
• Earned an advanced or terminal degree in JD, MD or a PhD or MS degree within a STEM, business or economics academic field
• 5+ years of professional experience in a quantitative or analytical field
• Hold a CFA or U.S. CPA professional certificate
• Strong test results from the Executive Assessment, PCAT or MCAT

Consortium applicants are eligible to apply directly through the Consortium if you received a test waiver from UNC Kenan-Flagler. Please see the information on the Consortium website as a guide to navigating the test score waiver process.

Important points to consider before requesting a GMAT/GRE waiver:

• Be objective about your strengths and weaknesses in order to put together the strongest application! Consider whether a test score may help supplement your academic achievements.
• Some employers use (or require) test scores during initial screenings, particularly in finance and consulting.
• Receiving a GMAT/GRE waiver does not guarantee admission to the program, and for some applicants, formal offers of admission may be based on the successful completion of Business Foundations prior to the start of the program.

Visit our FAQ page or email us at mba_info@unc.edu for more information about the GMAT/GRE waiver process.

Select candidates will be invited to interview by the admissions committee after submitting a complete Full-Time MBA application.

Applicants who are invited to interview will be able to do so in-person or virtually. The admissions committee does not have an interview format preference.

>>Tips from Admissions: 7 tips to prepare for your MBA interview

If you qualify for in-state residency for tuition purposes, you’ll answer some preliminary questions within your application. If residency classification cannot be confirmed based on the information you provide within your application, you’ll be prompted to submit an additional residency form. The application process for in-state residency is separate from the application for admission and all residency decisions, and appeals, are determined by the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS), a government agency. Learn more about the residency application process.

The $150 nonrefundable application fee can be paid by credit card. You may qualify for an application fee waiver if you are:

• Currently serving in the U.S. military or are a U.S. military veteran
• An active participant in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Teach for America
• Participating in Forté MBA Launch or Forté MBA Launch for Undergraduate Programs
• A Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Fellow
• An Access member or Access Fellow

Indicating your military experience or your participation in one of the qualifying programs within your application will activate the fee waiver, which will be applied after you submit your application. In some cases, supporting documentation may be requested. Refunds cannot be issued for application fees already paid.

Each year, a small cohort of incoming MBA students are selected for the prestigious Vetter Dean’s Fellows Program. Vetter Fellows participate in special events and tailored programming, including an incoming student retreat, a fully-funded global learning experience, small group discussions with leaders and special guests of the business school, and intimate events with recruiters. All students selected as Vetter Fellows receive partial to full fellowship support.

If you are interested in applying to the Vetter Dean’s Fellows program, you must select the checkbox within the Full-Time MBA application.

In addition, you are required to complete a set of three short essay prompts specific to the Vetter Fellows program:

Essay 1 is required (150 words maximum).
How will participating in the Vetter Dean’s Fellows Program enhance your personal and professional growth within a community of driven peers? What unique perspectives, values, or experiences will you bring that can deepen the shared learning and elevate the experience of your peer Vetter Fellows?

Essay 2 is required (150 words maximum).
Describe a time when you faced an ambiguous or high-stakes challenge in a professional setting. How did you navigate the situation, and what did you learn about yourself in the process? How has the experience shaped your personal or professional growth? 

Essay 3 is required (150 words maximum).
Share an example of when you went beyond the scope of your role to support, mentor, or contribute to others in a professional context. What motivated you to step up, and what did you learn about yourself through the experience?