Grace Gach, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2027
Age: 27
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wake Forest University ’21, Double Major Marketing & Political Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: H&M Merchandising, 4 Years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My entire life, my goal was to work in fashion in New York City. Getting to work in merchandising at H&M was such a dream come true and an experience I am so grateful for. However, after four years I realized I wanted to move back home to North Carolina and a pivot outside the fashion industry was going to be necessary. I wanted to set myself up for success in whatever this new field would be and knew that going back to school could only help this transition.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I know so many people either from Charlotte or Wake Forest who went to Kenan-Flagler and loved it. Hearing so many positive stories of different people’s experiences made me narrow my sights on UNC early in my MBA program search. Additionally, it was important to me to choose a school with strong ties to so many North Carolina companies to ensure I’ll find a great job in this area after I graduate.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
So far, I’m the only person I’ve met with a fashion/retail background. It’s always nice to have different industries represented in our class discussions, so I love that I’m able to bring that to the table.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a big reader! I try and read a bit every day and am always carrying a book around. I have a high goal for how many books I want to read this year and am going to make sure that can be balanced alongside my coursework.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’d love to work in Brand Management – what industry that is, I’m not quite sure yet, staying in fashion would be a plus, but am open to exploring any and all CPGs.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
It’s so important to be able to write and rewrite your own work multiple times. After finalizing my application essays, I re-wrote all of them and then the following night re-wrote them all again. One of my undergrad professors gave the advice that your next attempt will always be stronger than what you currently have, and made us rewrite anything we turned in to him. With application essays, showing who you are in a limited word count can be tricky, so I’m happy with the result I got from rewriting finished products.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I didn’t take any standardized tests to support my application and utilized Kenan-Flagler’s GMAT Waiver. It worked out great for me, but I wonder if needing to study for and take a test would have helped better prepare me for getting back into the student mindset.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I’m still working on my interview skills; I feel much stronger getting to write down all my thoughts rather than speaking off the cuff. I was much more worried about the interview portion of my application than any of the written requirements; however, my interview experience with Kenan-Flagler was great. It was more of a casual conversation about where my career had been and where I wanted it to go, and not the nerve-wracking environment I’d been expecting.
What is your initial impression of the Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
Be it staff in the program, second years, or other new students I’ve met during orientation, everyone is eager to support one another and incredibly welcoming. So far, I’ve seen many second years offer to help us make connections at the first mention of interest in an industry. I feared business school would be a hyper-competitive environment, yet here everyone is eager to help one another.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m looking to join both the Marketing Club and Carolina Women in Business during Mod 1. I’ve heard great things about the Marketing Club connecting people with alumni and being an integral part of interview prep as internship recruiting begins. I’m not sure what all the opportunities are for this summer, so the ability to hear past students’ experiences will be great help highlighting what relationships Kenan-Flagler already has. Additionally, Carolina Women in Business will be a great way to network with current and past female Kenan-Flagler students; many MBA programs are predominantly male so it’s nice to have a female space.
What is one thing you have learned about Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
I was worried both Chapel Hill and the MBA program would feel small after coming from New York. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how big both feel, both in all Chapel Hill has to offer but also how I’m meeting new people at Kenan-Flagler every day.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
So many of us got close quickly during orientation, I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of my fellow first years/the second-year class and forging more of these connections.
