Clayton Cordsen, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 29
Hometown: Essex, Connecticut
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Cornell University, Hotel Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Retail Finance Analytics Senior Manager, CVS Health, 5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I felt ready for a new challenge after having been with my employer for around five years. I wanted a more formal educational backing to the excellent managerial experience that I had been receiving at CVS Health. I was also eager to get further exposure to the varied experiences of my peers and the network that they bring to a program like UNC Kenan-Flagler.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
UNC Kenan-Flagler was an easy choice for me due to it representing the optimal conflux of two separate attributes that I was looking for in a program: a top healthcare MBA and a supportive, tight-knit cohort. UNC Kenan-Flagler’s healthcare resources and outcomes are absolutely world-class. That fact, coupled with an environment that is far more collaborative than cutthroat, led to what I feel is truly the perfect MBA program fit for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I think that I bring a unique perspective of the consumer health landscape to the Class of 2026, given my experience working for CVS Health through the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been fascinating to hear about the pandemic experiences of my peers who also come from healthcare backgrounds as well. I feel that the batch of post-pandemic classes (my own included) will have unique perspectives owing to our own lived, professional experiences through the pandemic.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I was a contestant on a Nickelodeon game show as a child! Unfortunately, I did not get slimed.
Post-MBA career interests:
I would like to get more experience within the healthcare industry post-MBA. I intend to recruit for healthcare consulting as that would be a great way for me to get more diverse exposure within the industry.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would evaluate whether the GMAT or the GRE is better suited for your personal skillset and opt for the test that works best for you. They are very different beasts.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish that I had spoken with more students prior to starting. Most of my contacts were alumni and I felt like I would have benefitted from more student perspectives.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Being vulnerable in the essays is a challenge for many applicants, myself included. I found that talking through my materials with a close friend really helped me hone my thoughts.
What is your initial impression of the UNC Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
I found the UNC Kenan-Flagler culture to be incredibly welcoming and collaborative, which was an important factor in my decision to attend UNC.
What is one thing you have learned about UNC Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
I’m continuously impressed by the quality of the alumni network and how eager everyone is to help you. Alums truly want to see you succeed.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I do get anxious about balancing my schedule. Time management is one of the most important skills a first-year student can possess. You are truly drinking from the firehose at the start of your UNC MBA journey. My calendar has required careful planning and scrutiny in a way that I have not experienced in quite some time.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to travel more with my friends in the program. Since the start of the program is so packed from a calendar standpoint, it has meant that I have not been able to spend as much time exploring new places (whether in North Carolina or elsewhere) as I would like. I’m eager to get out more with them!
