Fuqua MBA Admissions Tips (Duke)

GMAT

80% range of GMAT scores for the class of 2010: 640–750

Interviews

Not required, but highly recommended.  As with all business schools, it shows a high degree of interest in the program if you interview.

Admissions interviews are usually conducted by alumni or second-year students. It is therefore important to position yourself as a prospect that your interviewer would like to have as a classmate. This means you should provide examples of professional excellence, but do so in an agreeable tone. In the back of his mind, your interviewer will be evaluating you as a potential team member.

Essays

When you apply to Fuqua, make it clear that you understand what it means to be part of a close-knit community, and spell out why it appeals to you. Along those lines, Fuqua students are heavily involved in everything going on at the school. If you are applying to Duke, make sure that this is what you want out of your business school experience. Even more importantly, make sure to emphasize this in your application through multiple examples of teamwork and involvement.  If you are applying to the Health Care program, make sure that you emphasize either experience in or passion for this discipline.

Legitimate Interest

Another way to show your fit with Fuqua is to demonstrate your sincere interest in the program. Even thought Fuqua is still a highly competitive school that’s tough to get into, its yield (percentage of accepted students who enroll) is somewhat low compared to that of other top schools. The school therefore wants to be sure that if they accept you, you will enroll. If you can demonstrate that you truly want to attend Fuqua—and why this is so—you will greatly improve your chances.

Examples of essay prompts previously used by Fuqua:

Short-Answer Essays

1. What do you hope to gain from The Duke MBA? How does it fit into your short- and long-term goals? If you are interested in a joint degree or the Health Sector Management program, please note that in this response.
2. How will you contribute to the overall experience of your peers at The Fuqua School of Business?
3. Discuss a person, event, or experience that has significantly shaped your life and explain why. Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are rather than what you have achieved professionally.
4. (Optional) If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).
5. (Reapplicant Essay) Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.

Long Essay

Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, and emotional intelligence as well as business acumen.

Upon graduation with your Duke MBA,  you will be a leader of consequence, able to deal simultaneously with complex matters and engage skillfully with colleagues, clients, and community. What impact do you hope to have as a leader of consequence?

Recommendations

Two letters of recommendation are required. The most valuable recommendations come from people who know your professional skills and abilities. It is encouraged that you submit at least one recommendation from someone who knows you well in your current position and can critique your professional performance, such as a current supervisor.

For expert help with your application, check out our MBA Admissions Consulting.