Frequently Asked Questions- The Duke MBA

Printed from The Fuqua School of Business web site
Duke University, Durham, NC
www.fuqua.duke.edu

General Questions
Questions Regarding Interviews and Campus Visits
Questions for International Applicants
Questions on Recommendations
Questions about Financial Aid
Questions for Reapplicants

Click on each question below to view the answer.

What are the MBA Daytime application deadlines for entrance in fall 2008?: Round 1 - November 1, 2007
Round 2 - January 3, 2008
Round 3 - March 3, 2008
When should I apply for admission?: Given the competitive applicant pool, you are encouraged to apply as early in the admission cycle as possible. Candidates whose ability to enroll is dependent upon receiving merit-based scholarship assistance should apply during Round 1 or 2. Candidates who applied the previous year are strongly encouraged to reapply for admission during Round 1.
What kind of information is the admissions committee seeking in the essay questions?: Essays are an opportunity to share your perspective directly with the admissions committee. The goal of our essays is to gain a greater understanding of why you want to pursue an MBA, what you will bring to Duke, in addition to the experiences you have had that shape your unique perspective. In particular, we would like to address the difference between the second short and long essays. In short essay two, we would like to understand in what ways you will contribute and engage in The Duke MBA classroom and greater community. How have your experiences prepared to you to contribute to the learning environment and collaborative leadership culture we have at Duke? In long essay two, we would like to better understand how your personal history shapes the life journey you have taken and how it has influenced who you are today. What unique perspective and experiences distinguish you from other applicants to our program?
What are the minimum requirements for the GMAT?: We admit applicants with a range of test scores. There is no minimum requirement. However, if you feel that you have not scored your personal best, or that the results are not representative of your ability, you may re-take the exam. However, the test must be taken before you submit your application.
If my GMAT score is below your average GMAT score, should I still apply?: Yes. The GMAT is important in the evaluation process, but it is not the only indicator of achievement. Other important aspects of the application that are assessed by the admissions committee include a candidate's academic performance, work experience, recommendations and essays.
Can I take the GMAT more than once?: Yes, you can take the GMAT more than once. If you submit multiple test scores, you must indicate on your application which score you would like for us to use.
When do students matriculate each year? Can you start at other times during the year?: Full-time Duke MBA students begin their program one time per year, in August.
What is your policy on deferred admission?: We encourage applicants to apply for admission in the year in which they wish to matriculate. However, if circumstances prevent an admitted applicant from enrolling in that year, the applicant may request a deferral by writing to the director of MBA admissions outlining all details surrounding the request. Requests for deferral are considered on a case-by-case basis. Deferrals are granted for one year only.
Does The Fuqua School of Business accept transfer credits?: No, we do not accept transfer credits.
Is it possible to obtain an exemption from any of the courses? If so, can a student graduate early?: A student may take an exemption exam for most of the core courses. The exemption exams are offered at the beginning of each semester. A student may also be given an administrative exemption based on prior course work. Exemption from a course does not reduce the total number of credits needed to complete the degree. Students have the ability to substitute an elective in place of the required course.
How many credits and courses are required to complete the two-year Daytime/full-time MBA program?: The requirement consists of at least 79 credit hours for regular Daytime MBA students and at least 65 credit hours for joint-degree students.
When does the college level calculus course requirement need to be fulfilled?: If you did not take a calculus course as an undergraduate student, you may take it at any accredited college or university. It must be a "for credit" course in which you earn a passing grade. You may take the course during the spring/summer after being admitted into our MBA program. The requirement must be satisfied prior to matriculation in the fall.
What undergraduate major do I need?: We do not require or favor a particular undergraduate major. Students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
Can you recommend some additional courses that I can take prior to coming to your business school?: Our program is heavily quantitative in nature. We recommend the following preparatory courses: calculus, statistics, financial accounting, macro or micro economics, and corporate finance.
Can I take individual courses at your school of business?: No, you must be enrolled as a full-time student in one of our MBA programs to take any Fuqua courses.
Do I qualify for your business school based on my criteria provided in an e-mail?: We cannot evaluate your qualifications until we receive an application for admission from you. We look at a candidate's overall strengths and weaknesses and compare that profile against the larger applicant pool. Criteria considered includes leadership (both personally and professionally), essays, recommendations, academic transcripts and GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS scores.
What type of work experience do you look for in your admissions process?: We will consider any post undergraduate work experience presented for admission. However, the applicant must articulate the value of the experience as it relates to contributing to the learning environment at The Fuqua School of Business and how the experience has developed leadership, teamwork and maturity, both professionally and personally.
What are your methods of payment for the application fee?: The non-refundable $185 application fee must be paid by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). The fee is paid when you submit the application online to the office of admissions.
Do you offer a waiver of the application fee?: On rare occasions, and on a case-by-case basis, we may choose to extend an application fee waiver. Inquiries stating circumstances surrounding a fee waiver request should be directed to admissions-info@fuqua.duke.edu.
How do I apply to your Joint Degree programs?: An applicant must submit separate applications to each program. To learn more about the joint degrees offered at Duke University and to obtain contact information for the programs we partner with, please visit our Joint Degree page.

Are interviews required for admission? What if I am unable to visit Duke for an interview?: Evaluative interviews are not required for admission, but highly recommended. Interviews are a great way to present a different view of your credentials to a member of the admissions committee. Therefore, we encourage and value interviews highly in our evaluation process.

We realize that not all candidates are able to visit Fuqua, so you may submit your application without an interview. If you cannot come to campus to interview, and you live on the West Coast or outside of the United States, you may schedule an alumni interview.
When should I plan to schedule an interview?: Campus interview space is limited and fills quickly. As soon as you determine the application round in which you will apply, you may begin to schedule your interview. Please adhere to the interview deadlines established for each application round posted in the online admissions application instructions. For planning purposes, you cannot schedule a campus interview or visit less than 14 days in advance. We encourage you to schedule your campus visit as early as possible.
What happens if I cannot interview by the specific deadline in the round for which I am applying?: All interviewing candidates are required to schedule and have their interview conducted by the interview deadline for each application round. When scheduling your interview, please refer to the interview deadline to be sure that you are within the required dates. As soon as you determine the application round in which you will apply, you may go online to schedule your interview. If you interview after the deadline for your application round, your application will be moved to the next round.
Where can I have my interview?: We offer campus interviews to all applicants and alumni interviews for all international and West Coast-based applicants. We strongly encourage you to arrange a trip to Duke, as we believe that it is important for you to see and experience our “Team Fuqua” culture. While visiting Duke, you may schedule an evaluative interview with an admissions fellow (select second-year students) or a member of the admissions staff, attend a class, tour the facilities and have lunch with current students. Your visit will help you decide whether The Duke MBA is a good fit for you.

Alumni Interviews are available for candidates who live outside of the United States or who live on the U.S. West Coast. To schedule an alumni interview, candidates must make their request on the interview section of the online application. All interviews are conducted in English and evaluated equally regardless of the location or interviewer.
How do I schedule an interview?: To schedule a campus interview, go to our online interview scheduling system and select the day and time you wish to visit. We suggest that you finalize your travel arrangements after you have secured your interview date because your first choice date may not be available.
I am a reapplicant and interviewed last year. Do I need to interview again?: If you applied to Fuqua last year, we recommend that you schedule another interview. As a reapplicant, an interview is a great way to update the admissions committee on recent job promotions, personal achievements and ways that you are a stronger candidate this year.
How can I prepare for my interview and what should I expect during the interview?: During the interview you will be asked a variety of questions that will give you the opportunity to present your background and interests to a member of the admissions committee. It is important to relax and be yourself during the interview. Interviews typically last about 45 minutes. At the conclusion of your interview, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Fuqua experience. Appropriate attire for the day is business casual. Please bring a one-page resume to the interview and allow adequate time for parking and checking in with the office of admissions, as outlined in your confirmation e-mail.
Are there additional activities for me to participate in during my visit?: In addition to the interview, we offer a variety of activities to enable you to learn more about the Fuqua culture, including a class visit, tour of Fuqua facilities and lunch with current MBA students. You may sign up for these activities when scheduling your interview. If you are planning to bring your partner, please indicate in the appropriate section when scheduling your visit. Once you have scheduled visit, a representative of the Fuqua Partners Organization will contact your partner via e-mail with information for the day of your visit.
Can I request a specific class to visit in advance?: Unfortunately, we are unable to take specific class requests in advance. Because Fuqua uses an integrated curriculum and operates on six-week terms, the core and elective classes change frequently. The class you visit will depend upon the time and day of your visit.
What is the process for canceling or rescheduling my interview?: If you are unable to come to Fuqua on your scheduled day and time and need to cancel or reschedule, please go to our online scheduling system to reschedule or cancel your interview. For cancellations that are within 48 hours of your visit, please cancel your visit online and call the office of admissions at 919.660.7705. By notifying us, we can offer your schedule to another candidate.
Can I schedule more than one class visit and/or interview?: No. Both interviews and class visits are very limited. We would like to offer as many visitors as possible the opportunity to participate in these activities, so you may only sign up for one class visit.
Can my partner/spouse attend a class visit?: Due to limited space, we kindly ask that partners refrain from attending a class visit. Partners are welcome to wait in the admissions lobby during your class visit and interview.
Where can I get directions and lodging information for my visit to Fuqua?: Information about traveling to and staying in Durham will be included in the confirmation e-mail you will receive once you schedule your interview and visit. In addition, the Visit Duke section of our web site includes travel information to assist you with planning your trip.

Do I need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score?: All international citizens who did not earn an undergraduate degree from a school whose primary language of instruction is English must submit either the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or results from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. The TOEFL/IELTS requirement is waived for international applicants holding non-technical master or PhD degrees from colleges and universities located in the United States. Official scores must be reported directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for the TOEFL or directly from the testing center for the IELTS. Applicant photocopies are not accepted. If we receive multiple TOEFL scores, we will automatically use the score from the test date submitted on your application. Scores are valid for two years from the date of the test. We will not review an application with expired TOEFL/IELTS test scores. Allow at least four weeks for requested TOEFL/IELTS scores to reach The Duke MBA office of admissions.
Will you consider my application with a degree less than a four-year bachelor's degree from the U.S.A.?: Generally, we will accept international bachelor's degrees. Most of the degrees we see are at least four years. Three-year degrees are fairly common in all U.K.-based systems. Level exams frequently are equal to the first year of college; therefore, a three-year degree from England, Scotland, Wales and Australia are usually equivalent to a four-year program. In India, the bachelor's of commerce degree is three years, and is usually considered the equivalent of a U.S. business degree.
Is there financial aid available for international applicants?: Each year a limited number of merit-based scholarships are awarded to incoming U.S. and international students. It is important to apply early to ensure consideration for available funds. Every admitted applicant will automatically be reviewed for merit-based scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application. Scholarship notification typically occurs within a week following admission notification. The awards are for the two-year duration of the MBA program and range from partial tuition to full tuition. Funding is limited and will not be sufficient to cover all tuition and living expenses. In addition, we are pleased to be able to offer the Expanded MBA Loan, which allows international students to borrow up to the cost of attendance each year without a U.S. co-signer.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?: We require two letters of recommendation. The most valuable recommendations come from the people who know your professional skills and abilities. The admissions committee is not impressed by the title or prominence of your recommenders, but rather the extent to which they know you and have worked closely with you. We encourage you to 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. We understand that your direct supervisor is not always an option. In such cases, please consider a vendor, client, or recent supervisor relationship. Another source for a strong recommendation may come from a supervisor in a community organization where you have a leadership role.

Academic recommendations are rarely able to provide the insight needed into your team and leadership performance unless you have worked closely with a professor on a project. Even in such a case, a professional recommendation would be preferable. Finally, recommendations written by relatives or family friends are discouraged by the Admissions Committee.
Can I submit an extra letter of recommendation?: You may submit an additional recommendation, but use good judgment to decide whether it is really necessary. Ask yourself whether the extra letter offers information not covered by the other two required recommendations.
Can recommendation forms from the previous year's application be used for the current year?: Fuqua's recommendation form changes from year to year. Please be sure to use the current form located in the online application. We encourage using our online recommendation form since it is the most efficient way to submit a recommendation. However, a recommender does have the option to fill out a hard copy version of the recommendation form. The admissions committee assesses online recommendations and hardcopy recommendations equally.

Who is considered for merit scholarship awards?: Every admitted applicant is considered for a merit scholarship. If selected to be a scholarship recipient, the admitted applicant will receive notification of the award approximately one week after admission.
How are merit scholarship awards determined?: Merit scholarship recipients are selected by the Admissions Merit Scholarship Committee.

The criteria for selection include prior academic achievement, demonstrated qualities of leadership, involvement in the community, extracurricular activities and professional accomplishments. These awards are for the two-year duration of the MBA program and range from partial tuition to full tuition.

The Duke MBA merit scholarships are awarded on a two-year basis to enable applicants to plan for the entire cost of a Duke MBA education. There is no funding for new awards in the second year. Thus, students who enroll without scholarship funding should not anticipate an award for the second year of the program.

The merit scholarship awards are made independent of determining a student’s eligibility for student loans and work-study employment.
Does The Fuqua School of Business offer other scholarship or grant assistance?: Merit scholarships are the only form of gift assistance offered by The Fuqua School of Business. No other grants or scholarships are available.

There are a limited number of award programs available to First Year students who were not offered a merit scholarship upon admission. Based on academic standing and achievement, the Financial Aid Committee will select and invite students to apply for consideration at the end of the first spring semester. These modest awards are generally made during the summer or early fall.
Is it possible to borrow funds to meet the costs of attending Fuqua?: A variety of student loan programs are available to both domestic and international students enrolled at The Fuqua School of Business. Students are eligible to apply for a combination of federal and alternative student loans to meet their cost of tuition, fees, books, and related living expenses as estimated in the cost of attendance.
How do I apply for student loans?: Upon admission, all students requesting loan assistance must complete and submit the Fuqua Financial Aid Application to the Financial Aid Office. This application is available to admitted students in the Financial Aid section of our Incoming Student Website.

Students (U.S. Citizens and Permanent U.S. Residents) requesting federal loan assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is generally available during December and should be completed as soon as your federal tax information is available. You may complete the FAFSA form prior to receipt of your admissions decision.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid may be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Title IV code for The Fuqua School of Business is E00160.

Once admitted and as the result of the FAFSA and the student’s data is complete, a Financial Aid award notice will be sent. The award notice will outline the available loans and information regarding the recommended lender for both federal and alternative student loan programs. Detailed information about the loan process will accompany the award notice.

All International students at the Fuqua School are eligible to apply for the Expanded MBA Loan. This loan program was established to make loan funds available to all admitted international students without the need of a U.S. co-signer. International students will be eligible to apply for funds equal to the total cost of attendance per academic year. This amount may be increased for approved miscellaneous expenses that may include spouse and child living expenses, Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE) courses, and exchange expenses.

The Expanded MBA Loan application for each academic year is generally updated and available on the incoming student web site during the month of May.

Most of the student loan applications are completed and processed electronically.

The Expanded MBA Loan application is not an electronic process.
How will I know if my financial aid application is complete?: Approximately one week after you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which is the result of the FAFSA that indicates receipt and initial processing of this application. Our Financial Aid Office receives an electronic copy of the SAR. The FAFSA data for admitted students is reviewed for accuracy and completeness. If additional information is needed, you will receive a written request from The Fuqua School of Business. If no additional information is required or after requested information is received and reviewed, you will receive a Financial Aid award notice as stated above.

Usually, our Financial Aid Office starts to review financial aid applications and send out award notices during March.
When should I start contacting lenders to apply for a loan?: Usually, students contact lenders after they have received their award notice. However, since alternative student loan programs are credit-based programs, students who anticipate borrowing alternative student loans may consider contacting lenders earlier to make certain that they are creditworthy loan borrowers.

Most of the student loan applications are completed and processed electronically. Therefore, paper applications are unnecessary to obtain.

Generally, students will visit a lender’s Web site to apply for a loan and electronically complete the promissory note. Subsequently, lenders will transmit the students’ loan request to our Financial Aid Office, which is certified and processed electronically.

The Expanded MBA Loan application for each academic year is updated and available on the incoming student web site during the month of May.

The Expanded MBA Loan application is not an electronic process. Students must print out the loan application, complete and submit it the Financial Aid Office.

Who is considered a reapplicant ?: Reapplicants are individuals who applied in the previous year only. Individuals who applied prior to the preceding year are considered new applicants.
Do reapplicants need to complete a new application?: Reapplicants do need to submit a new online application. Although the online application program may retain some of the information you submitted last year, each year's application is different, so you will need to begin a new application.
What essays do reapplicants need to answer?: Reapplicants are asked to answer the same short answer and long essay questions as new applicants, plus one additional essay for reapplicants only. Applicant and reapplicant essays can be found on the "Apply" page of this Web site.
Are reapplicants required to submit new letters of recommendation?: Reapplicants should submit one additional letter of recommendation with their new application. The Duke MBA does retain applicant files for one calendar year, so the prior year's letters of recommendation will still be on file with The Duke MBA Office of Admissions.
As a reapplicant, will the Admissions Committee still be able to see my application from last year, along with my new application?: Yes. Applicant files are retained for one year, and thus the Admissions Committee will have your application from the prior year when reviewing your new application.
Do reapplicants need to resend official test scores and official transcripts?: Reapplicants do not need to resend offical GMAT and/or TOEFL/IELTS scores to The Duke MBA, nor do they need to resend official transcripts. As long as test scores are still valid, The Duke MBA will retain the score for one year, and transcripts are retained for one year as well.

I am a reapplicant and interviewed last year. Do I need to interview again?: If you applied to Fuqua last year, we recommend that you schedule another interview. As a reapplicant, an interview is a great way to update the admissions committee on recent job promotions, personal achievements, and ways that you are a stronger candidate this year.

General Questions

Questions Regarding Interviews and Campus Visits

Questions for International Applicants

Questions on Recommendations

Questions about Financial Aid

Questions for Reapplicants