Sophia Lochner, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2027
Age: 25
Hometown: Wilsonville, Oregon
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Virginia; Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Research Assistant, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, 3 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to attend business school for a couple of reasons. First, in my previous role I discovered my passion for leading and mentoring the teams I worked with, and I knew that an MBA program would help me further develop my leadership toolkit. Second, I knew that I wanted to pivot into the healthcare industry from the strategy/business side, so an MBA was an excellent fit for that as well. I’ve decided to pursue my MBA now because I was extremely satisfied with the experiences and skills I gained in my previous role/industry, so I was ready to start my journey pivoting into the healthcare space.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There were many factors that went into this decision-making process, but one of the primary ones was the support that UNC Kenan-Flagler provides to those pursuing careers in healthcare. They have a healthcare concentration with robust course offerings, UNC Center for the Business of Health, excellent career services, and an active Healthcare Club led by second-year MBA students. Additionally, I was immediately impressed by how welcoming and collaborative everyone at UNC Kenan-Flagler was when I first visited for my interview.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think the most valuable skill I contribute is my ability to collaborate and support the teams I work with, whether that be as a teammate or a leader. I highly value creating team environments where everyone feels included and valued; for me, this entails setting up my teammates for success and making sure that their contributions and good work don’t go unnoticed.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
During my time at the University of Virginia I participated in the reenactment of an ancient Greek phalanx. One of my personal interests is ancient Greek history, so when I was an undergraduate student I took a class on Ancient Greek and Roman Warfare (as well as Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek History, and Ancient Greek and Roman Archaeology). The reenactment involved wooden shields, PVC pipe, and running at full speed up the hills on UVA’s lawn.
Post-MBA career interests:
In the long term, I would love to work with healthcare providers to investigate how healthcare systems can become more resilient to climate change and natural disasters. The intersection between climate and healthcare access/delivery is extremely interesting to me, and something that will become more and more prevalent in the coming years. In the short term, my goal is to build up my healthcare industry knowledge and develop my leadership skill set, since I am pivoting from a non-healthcare background.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
If possible, I would highly recommend visiting programs in person. I had never been to North Carolina, so when I was offered an interview I made a point to interview in person so that I could see the campus and have the opportunity for more casual conversation with students and staff.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Honestly, I don’t think there is anything I would have changed about my application process. I applied to all my programs in Round 1 and this allowed me to interview in the fall and I heard back from most programs by late December. The slightly accelerated timeline allowed me to know my options sooner, and start thinking about the moving process gradually.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I don’t think there were any elements that I would have wanted to skip completely. Going through the application process, although draining, did help me solidify what I wanted out of the MBA experience and why it was the best fit for my future career goals.
What is your initial impression of the Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
One of the things that drew me to UNC Kenan-Flagler was the extremely welcoming culture I observed when interviewing and visiting for Experience Weekends. Since starting, I have continued to be impressed by the driven, kind, and collaborative nature of the community.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Given that I am interested in pivoting into the healthcare industry or healthcare consulting, I’m very excited to get involved with both the Healthcare Club and the Consulting Club. Outside of the industry clubs, I’ve also signed up to be a part of Carolina Women in Business, so that I have plenty of opportunities to engage with and learn from other women in my program!
What is one thing you have learned about Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
I have been very pleasantly surprised by how accessible and supportive the staff at UNC Kenan-Flagler are. I truly feel like if I was struggling and needed help – whether it be academically, mentally, or personally – I could reach out to the staff and they would make sure I was connected to the appropriate resources.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
There are many things I’m looking forward to in my first year, but I’m especially excited to participate in the Blue Cup! From my understanding, it’s a friendly competition between students at UNC Kenan-Flagler and Duke Fuqua in activities ranging from flag football to spelling bees. It sounds like a great way to interact with students from Duke Fuqua and show team spirit.
