What do you expect from your MBA program? How and when will you measure the return on your investment in the MBA?

Sample One

Many independent organizations recruit former military officers into jobs around the world and some of these jobs pay extremely well. However, I have always considered my career a marathon and not a sprint. Obtaining an immediate and well-paid job after I separate from the Navy is possible, but in the process, I would likely sacrifice my ability to obtain the career path that I desire, or a foundation of the skills that I need for a more thorough understanding of business principles and future career progression. The return on my Kenan-Flagler Business School education investment cannot be quantified by a starting salary or qualified by subsequent promotions. Instead, it will be measured by my ability to enter the healthcare industry with a strong foundation of the business skills that I need to succeed in my career. Unlike many business school students, I anticipate being able to measure the return of my investment almost immediately upon transitioning from academia to the workforce; although the Navy provided me with great experiences and early leadership opportunities, I know that I lack many technical managerial skills needed in the civilian healthcare industry. I desire a career that incorporates a sense of community service, works to improve the lives of Americans, and offers versatility and multifunctional aspects. These are the characteristics that draw me to healthcare. My experiences in the military provided me with an understanding of the importance of timely and efficient healthcare. I expect Kenan-Flagler, with its strong reputation in accounting, marketing, operations, supply-chain management and general management, to provide me with a solid business foundation that complements the skills and experiences I acquired in the Navy.

Moreover, I expect Kenan-Flagler to provide me with connections to the healthcare industry through its current students, alumni network, career management services, and its location within the Research Triangle, which houses numerous competitive medical organizations. During September 2008, I was able to visit the Kenan-Flagler Business School, speak with current students, and attend a finance class taught by Professor Smith. The students I spoke with all applauded Kenan-Flagler on its quality of professors, how well its core classes are both structured and relevant to the world of business, and confirmed Kenan-Flagler’s commitment to incorporating global management into the program through its diverse student body and foreign education programs. I was impressed that I never spoke to two students with similar backgrounds. One student had a nonprofit background and lived in Africa for several years prior to enrollment and another was an entrepreneur from New York who is still adjusting to life in the south. I find diversity conducive to my cultural growth because it prepares me for the real-world of business, with its growing requirement for internationalization and composition of individuals from various ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds. I am certain that Kenan-Flagler will provide me with world-class instruction in all of the skills that I lack and enhance those that I possess.

Sample Two

I plan to measure the return on investment of my Kenan-Flagler MBA by the amount and quality of what I learn, the professional skills gained, and the network I build. Not only is completing a MBA a financial investment, but it is also a very personal and intellectual investment. Therefore, one only maximizes return by maximizing the effort that one puts in. Given that Kenan-Flagler has a strong and innovative academic reputation, as well as a high quality network of professionals, the platform is clearly established for me to gain as high of a return as I wish. I truly believe there is no limit.

As I achieve my goals, and thus maximize my ROI, I expect my Kenan-Flagler MBA will have positioned me to be successful and reach my fullest potential. Kenan-Flagler will provide me with a strong overall knowledge base of economics, finance, marketing, and operations, as well as provide exposure to a diverse group of professionals, from different industries and geographies. Given that the industry I plan to enter upon completion of the MBA program, the distressed investing industry, encompasses many industries around the world, I believe that learning all aspects of business and getting exposure from a diverse group of international professionals is essential to my education. Also, Kenan-Flagler will further develop my professional skills of leadership, teamwork, ethics, and communication which are needed to advance to the executive ranks of any industry. In addition, Kenan-Flagler's vast network of students, alumni, faculty, and business and community leaders will deeply enhance my current network that I have built throughout my professional life.

Through the great amount of time and effort I have put forth in preparing this application, such as school research and the GMAT, I have already begun to measure the return on investment of my MBA. I will continue to measure my return everyday throughout business school and as I achieve each milestone in my career. I know exactly what I seek in a business school, and I have no doubt that Kenan-Flagler is the best fit for me. Therefore, Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program provides with me with highest ROI, both professionally and personally. I intend to have Kenan-Flagler as a lifelong asset and a true partner in both my professional and personal life. I plan to maximize my return throughout my entire career and look forward to giving back to the Kenan-Flagler community in the years to come.