In this Admissions Director Q&A, we meet Katy Radoll, the new Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
With roots in the Pacific Northwest, Katy is thrilled to have joined the UNC Kenan-Flagler team as the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program in the summer of 2024. Prior to UNC Kenan-Flagler, she led Associate Recruiting at McKinsey in Atlanta and, before that, held several different roles at MIT Sloan.
At MIT Sloan, Katy was part of the team that established The Asia School of Business in Collaboration with MIT Sloan (ASB) and their flagship MBA program while residing in Boston and Kuala Lumpur. Prior to that, Katy supported the launch of the MIT Executive MBA (EMBA), where she managed the EMBA Student Life and Learning team and later served as Senior Associate Director of Admissions.
With a BS in Recreation Management: Tourism from Arizona State University and a MA in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University, Katy’s passion for travel remains unabated. When not shaping future leaders, she enjoys globe-trotting in search of the tastiest local cuisine and cheering on the Boston Red Sox.
Read our interview with Katy below for her insight into the MBA program at UNC Kenan-Flagler and what to expect from the admissions process this year.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Katy Radoll: UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s location in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offers really distinct benefits to students.
1. Connections to business and industry: Chapel Hill is part of the Research Triangle, which includes the cities of Raleigh and Durham. Each has a major research university, which contributes to a highly educated population and workforce. At the center is the Research Triangle Park, renowned for its concentration of multinational science and technology firms, government agencies, and many startups and nonprofits. With over 7,000 companies in the Research Triangle across industries that include agtech, cleantech, finance, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and technology, students have a multitude of opportunities to connect into businesses for internships, recruiting, networking and exposure to cutting-edge knowledge and innovations. In 2024, North Carolina was recognized by CNBC as the #1 state for business for the second year in a row.
2. An optimal learning environment: Chapel Hill’s location ensures that students can focus on their studies and personal growth without the distractions and high cost of living that can come from living in a major city. Our setting provides a favorable learning environment and fosters a strong sense of community among our students, while also offering access to a vibrant cultural scene with award-winning restaurants, diverse entertainment options, miles of greenways and parks, numerous college and professional sports teams, and much more!
3. Expanding horizons and impact: Guided by our core values of integrity, inclusion, innovation and impact, we aim to ensure students have ample opportunity to connect into our local community and into our global network to become well-rounded professionals. Through volunteer projects, co-curricular research and consulting, and connections to alumni, our students are encouraged to expand their horizons and develop new perspectives. Being situated in close proximity to Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Charlotte on the East Coast, and less than 30 minutes from RDU International Airport, makes all major cities in the U.S. and around the world easily accessible when traveling for case competitions, career treks, Global Immersion Electives and recruiting.
Overall, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s focus on hands-on learning with real-world context, a positive and supportive environment and strategic location in the Research Triangle contribute to the success of our students and their appeal to employers seeking top talent.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
KR: UNC Kenan-Flagler takes a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to evaluating applicants, aiming to build a diverse and talented student community while considering both academic qualifications and personal attributes.
The multi-step application review process involves at least three or four committee members for each candidate to provide a thorough evaluation and fair decision-making process. By initially focusing on a candidate’s essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation and resume without considering test scores, we aim to understand the applicant’s overall profile and potential fit for our Full-Time MBA Program before incorporating standardized test results.
Interviews then allow the admissions team to engage with applicants personally. This step provides further insights into the candidate’s personality, communication skills, career goals and potential contributions to the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.
During the second review, all relevant information, including test scores and interview notes, is taken into account again. During this phase, the admissions committee, which includes experienced members from admissions as well as different units within the program, ensures we get a well-rounded perspective on each candidate’s strengths and fit with the School’s core values.
By emphasizing the evaluation of both intellectual intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ), UNC Kenan-Flagler ensures that admitted candidates have the academic capabilities and interpersonal skills necessary for success in our program and beyond.
Overall, the level of dedication in the admissions process reflects our commitment to selecting candidates who will thrive in the academic environment and make a positive impact as part of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
KR: Essays play a crucial role in the application process. They offer applicants an opportunity to showcase their personality, aspirations and motivations for pursuing their MBA – in addition to their academic and professional achievements. They round out the other aspects of the application by giving applicants a forum to tell their unique stories and articulate their passions and long-term goals.
The focus on career goals in the essays is essential. It helps the admissions committee understand the applicant’s vision for their future and ensures that the program can provide the necessary resources and support to help the candidate achieve those goals. This alignment between the candidate’s aspirations and the program’s offerings is crucial for a successful and fulfilling MBA experience.
Furthermore, the evaluation of the candidate’s writing style and attention to detail in their essays demonstrates their communication skills and attention to professionalism. Being clear and concise in expressing thoughts and ideas, and avoiding grammatical errors or inaccuracies, showcases the applicant’s ability to effectively convey information.
We encourage applicants to be genuine and true to themselves when writing their essays. A key piece of advice we share with applicants is to avoid writing what they think the admissions committee wants to hear. We can tell when a candidate isn’t being genuine – and we truly want you to tell us about you! Authenticity allows the admissions team to gain a deeper understanding of the applicant and assess how well they might fit within the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview (students, admissions officers, alumni) and what is the nature of the interview (resume-based, application-based, behavioral)? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2023-2024 admissions season?
KR: We conduct over 1,000 behavioral interviews per year, which are held with one of our admissions interviewers and/or an admissions committee member. The admissions interview helps us get to know applicants and is an important part of our application review process. Additionally, it’s a chance for applicants to get more insight into our program, culture and student experience.
Interviewers have access to applicants’ résumés, but not the full applications. Most interviews last about 30 minutes and we aim for them to be conversational – it’s another chance for us to get to know the real person behind the application. Applicants who are invited to interview will be able to do so in-person or virtually via video, which is especially helpful when an in-person interview isn’t feasible or convenient. The admissions committee doesn’t have a preference on which interview format applicants choose.
CA: What is your testing policy? Do you offer exam waivers? Why or why not?
KR: We do offer GMAT/GRE waivers for applicants to the UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Program. We recognize that standardized test scores are not the only indicators of an applicant’s potential for academic success and that other criteria can demonstrate a candidate’s readiness for our rigorous MBA program.
The following criteria are considered (but not limited to) when evaluating candidates for GMAT/GRE waivers:
1. Strong academic background: Applicants who graduated with a GPA of 3.2 or above in STEM, business, economics or other analytical fields from a U.S. institution are eligible for consideration. This indicates that candidates have a solid academic foundation and are likely to excel in our MBA program.
2. Advanced or terminal degrees: Candidates who have earned an advanced or terminal degree in fields such as JD, MD, PhD or MS within STEM, business or economics demonstrate a high level of expertise and achievement in their respective fields, which can be indicative of their readiness for an MBA program
3. Professional experience: Applicants with five-plus years of professional experience in quantitative or analytical fields showcase their practical expertise and skills, which can be highly valuable in our MBA program that emphasizes real-world applications.
4. Professional certifications: Holding professional certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or U.S. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) further validate a candidate’s expertise and dedication in specific areas relevant to our MBA Program.
5. Strong alternative test results: Exceptional test scores in other standardized assessments, such as the Executive Assessment, Law School Admission Test (LSAT), (Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) also can demonstrate a candidate’s analytical and problem-solving abilities.
By providing GMAT/GRE waivers to some applicants based on these criteria, UNC Kenan-Flagler aims to create a more inclusive and accessible application process, allowing candidates with exceptional qualifications and experiences to showcase their potential for academic and professional success without solely relying on standardized test scores. This approach supports our commitment to building a talented MBA student body and ensures candidates are evaluated on a comprehensive range of factors relevant to their potential for success in the program.
CA: In the application data form, many schools ask for information about work experience, activities, hobbies, and much more. What advice would you give to applicants as they approach this component of the application process?
KR: We encourage applicants to view each section of the application as an opportunity to paint a vivid picture of their professional journeys and personal interests to help us understand what inspires them. We use this information to gain deeper insights into the industries and functions that align with each applicant’s employment history and their long-term goals, allowing us to understand their career trajectory, and how the MBA fits in, more fully.
It’s also a chance for applicants to share what drives them professionally and personally, from the hobbies that enrich their lives to activities that showcase leadership and teamwork skills. This approach helps us ensure that our Full-Time MBA Program aligns to those ambitions and strengths, which gives us and our admitted students confidence that they can thrive at UNC Kenan-Flagler and create a strong foundation for their future.
CA: Tell us briefly about two popular courses at your institution.
KR: Currently, two of our most popular courses in the Full-Time MBA Program are:
1. Thinking and Communicating with Data: This elective teaches students to be good stewards of data analysis, design visually accessible data displays to support decision-making, tell compelling data-driven stories, and avoid analytics traps. Students engage in lecture discussions, case analyses, software training, workshops, presentations and several hands-on assignments where they build their own data visualizations and critique the analyses of others. This is a really popular course that provides students with practical, highly applicable skills for the future of work.
2. STAR (Student Teams Achieving Results): STAR is a unique experiential consulting course that provides an opportunity for UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students to apply knowledge and concepts learned through coursework to real projects for real organizations. Through this experience, students learn best practices in consulting, gathering market intelligence and industry trend analysis. They then apply these skills to a real business scenario for global, U.S. and regional organizations – just like a real consulting environment. During the 15-week course, students practice leadership and teamwork skills, understand what makes an effective team, and learn how to analyze and present complex information to provide solutions to a business challenge.
Both courses exemplify our commitment to offering relevant and impactful learning experiences to our students. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications and leveraging the expertise of experienced faculty, we prepare students to succeed in their future careers and become effective leaders in their chosen fields.
The positive feedback from students who have taken these courses underscores their value and impact on personal and professional development. Such experiences help create a vibrant and enriching academic environment at UNC Kenan-Flagler, attracting students who seek to acquire practical skills, gain new perspectives and thrive in a collaborative, supportive community.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
KR: UNC Kenan-Flagler emphasizes a holistic experience in the Full-Time MBA Program, which goes beyond the classroom. We’re committed to comprehensively developing the talents of our students, academically, personally and professionally, to make sure they’re prepared to lead impactful lives and careers after graduation. In addition to the knowledge and skills gained from the curriculum, the experiences gained and personal growth achieved through extracurricular activities, career clubs, leadership opportunities and networking are integral components of our students’ overall MBA journeys.
1. Inclusive community: The “Carolina Way” highlights the inclusive and collaborative nature of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community. It fosters an environment where students, faculty and staff support and encourage each other to excel. This emphasis ensures that individuals from significantly different personal and professional backgrounds can all contribute their unique perspective to a rich and vibrant learning environment, shaping how our graduates think, act and lead.
2. Beyond the classroom: UNC Kenan-Flagler emphasizes that the MBA experience extends well beyond academic learning. Students are encouraged to actively engage in co-curricular and extracurricular activities like Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR), global experiences and student career and affinity clubs, which provide opportunities for personal growth, skill development and networking.
3. Leadership development: We emphasize the development of leadership skills through collaboration. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles in clubs, group projects and other classroom and community initiatives. We give students “safe” spaces to practice, and get feedback on, their leadership skills during the program. Our Career & Leadership team also provides access to numerous self-assessments for students to better understand their unique personal and leadership traits to enhance understanding of how to lead and contribute to teams, most effectively. Our emphasis on leadership ensures that our graduates are equipped with essential knowledge to contribute, create solutions and lead within the organizations they join.
4. Global network: The connections our students make during their time at UNC Kenan-Flagler become valuable professional contacts. Our students regularly share that the bonds they make with classmates, alumni and faculty extend into lifelong friendships. The Tar Heel connection runs deep, and alumni frequently and eagerly give back to the School – returning to support our students, offer advice and provide connections to career opportunities. With over 44,000 engaged alumni across every U.S. state and in 93 countries, students find there’s always a Tar Heel ready to help them with their next move.
Overall, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s approach to our MBA Program reflects our commitment to nurturing well-rounded and empowered individuals. By providing a comprehensive experience that goes beyond academics and emphasizes collaboration, inclusive leadership and personal growth, we prepare our students for lifelong success.
