Duke University, Durham, NC
www.fuqua.duke.edu
Applying to business school is an important decision. The time and effort you put into the application process is greatly appreciated. We hope this summary will provide you with a good understanding of what to expect when applying to Fuqua. The following must be completed in order for your application to be considered for admission.
Application Deadlines
Online Application
Resume
Essays
Official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) Scores
English Language Proficiency Tests (if applicable)
Transcripts
Two Recommendations
Non-refundable Application Fee
Interview (encouraged)
Interview Deadlines
Application Deadlines for Fall 2009 Entry
Application Round |
Application Deadline |
Decision
|
Tuition Deposit & Official Transcript Deadline |
Tuition Deposit Amount |
Early Action* |
October 15, 2008 |
November 14, 2008 |
December 12, 2008 |
US$3000 |
Round 1 |
October 27, 2008 |
December 19, 2008 |
April 7, 2009** |
US$1500 |
Round 2 |
January 7, 2009 |
March 10, 2009 |
April 7, 2009** |
US$1500 |
Round 3 |
March 16, 2009 |
April 23, 2009 |
May 1, 2009 |
US$1500 |
*The Duke MBA Early Action option is ideal for applicants who have completed their MBA research and have decided that The Duke MBA is the best program for them. Applicants admitted in the Early Action round must submit the $3000 tuition deposit along with official transcript(s) by December 12, 2008. In addition, any applications submitted to other schools must be withdrawn upon an offer of admission from The Duke MBA.
**Scholarship and Visa Recipients must deposit by April 7, 2009
Online Application
The Duke MBA application is to be completed online and submitted electronically once all of the required questions have been answered. You do not have to complete the online application in one sitting. Until you are ready to submit, you may access your application and edit your answers as many times as you like with your PIN and Password from any computer with Internet access.
The online application includes sections on personal information and program information. The program information section includes questions if you are applying to one of the joint degree programs or the Health Sector Management concentration. In addition to these sections, the application asks for education background, transcripts, employment history, a business resume, activities and achievements, self-reported test scores, essays and financial aid information.
The Duke MBA - Online Application
(Best viewed using a recommended browser.)
Resume
You must electronically submit a one-page business resume. The resume should contain employment and education background. The employment section should include locations, titles and dates, starting with your most recent job. The education section should include dates of attendance and degrees received.
Essays for Fall 2009 Entry
Three short answer questions and one long essay question must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the following questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing.
For the short answer questions, please restrict your response to a single page each. For the long essay question, please restrict your response to two pages. Please avoid using a font size smaller than 10-point.
Candidates who applied to Fuqua between September 2007 and April 2008 are considered reapplicants. All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay in addition to the Applicant Essays.
All applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.
Applicant Essays
Short Answer Essays - Answer all short answer essay questions.
- 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 address in this response.
- How will you contribute to the overall experience of your peers at The Duke MBA?
- 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.
Long Essay - Answer the long essay question below.
-
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, a Duke MBA 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?
Optional Essay (not required)
- 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).
Reapplicant Essay
All reapplicants are also required to complete the Reapplicant Essay below. Please limit your response to two pages.
- Write an essay describing how you are a stronger candidate for admission compared to the previous year's application.
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
Official GMAT score reports must be sent to Fuqua's office of admissions directly from the GMAT testing service. Please use The Duke MBA Daytime (full-time) program code Q13-N5-32 on your GMAT exam. You must request that your official score be sent to Fuqua prior to your application round deadline. We will accept GMAT scores up to five years old. However, we will keep official scores sent to Fuqua for one academic year. If you have taken the GMAT multiple times, please report your highest score. For information on how to register for the GMAT or to request scores sent to Fuqua, visit www.mba.com.
English Language Proficiency Tests
If you did not earn an undergraduate degree from a school whose primary language of instruction is English, you must submit a valid Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. This requirement is waived for international applicants holding non-technical master or Ph.D. degrees from colleges or universities located inside the United States, or for international students whose undergraduate institution was instructed in English.
TOEFL Scores
Official TOEFL score reports must be sent to Fuqua's office of admissions directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Please use The Duke MBA Daytime (full-time) program code 5156 on your TOEFL exam. We will accept TOEFL scores up to two years old. A score must be valid as of the application deadline for the round in which you are applying. The test must be taken at least one month before your application round deadline. Allow at least four weeks for scores to reach Fuqua. For information on how to register for the TOEFL or to request test scores, go to www.toefl.org.
IELTS Scores
The Duke MBA accepts the academic modules of the IELTS. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency, and personal copies, or attested/notarized copies are not accepted. When requesting your score be sent to Fuqua, please use the following mailing address:
The Duke MBA Office of Admissions
The Fuqua School of Business
Duke University
1 Towerview Drive
Durham, NC 27708-0104
We will accept IELTS scores up to two years old. A score must be valid as of the application deadline for the round in which you are applying. The test must be taken at least one month before your application round deadline. Allow at least four weeks for scores to reach Fuqua. The IELTS is administered by Cambridge ESOL, British Council, and IDP:IELTS Australia. More information about the test is available at www.ielts.org.
Transcripts
Your application for admission to The Duke MBA must include a legible, scanned copy of your official transcript(s) that can be uploaded to the online application form. Self-reported transcripts are not available with the online application. You should submit scanned transcripts for each college or university you have attended. Hard copies of official transcripts will NOT be accepted prior to an offer of admission.
If you are admitted to The Duke MBA, you are required to submit a hard copy official transcript in a sealed envelope from each college or university you have attended for verification. These copies are in conjunction with your tuition deposit on the deadline specified in the Application Deadline section above. You must ensure all necessary official transcripts are received by The Duke MBA Office of Admissions before the required deadline. We recommend you use a parcel service that offers tracking and proof of delivery to send your packet containing your transcript(s) and tuition deposit.
Failure to submit official transcripts on time, or any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of information, is grounds for automatic revocation of any offer of admission and financial assistance.
To facilitate the collection and submission of official transcripts, a Transcript Request Form has been provided in the downloadable forms section of the online application. You may send a completed Transcript Request Forms to the registrar of each college or university you have attended to request official transcripts. The Transcript Request Form is not a required part of the application, it is provided to assist applicants in obtaining required information. We must receive the official transcripts by the stated deadline.
Two Recommendations
We require two letters of recommendation. The most valuable recommendations come from people who know your professional skills and abilities. 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. Please note that an application is not considered complete until we have received both recommendations. You are required to utilize the online Recommendation Forms associated with the online application.
Non-refundable Application Fee
The Fuqua School of Business requires a $200.00 USD application fee, payable by Visa or MasterCard. The application fee is paid electronically when you submit the online application form.
Interview
Interviews are not required, but are strongly encouraged for all candidates. Interviews are conducted by admissions staff, alumni, and admissions fellows (select second-year MBA students). All candidates are encouraged to come to campus for an interview. Applicants living outside of the United States and in select cities on the west coast of the U.S. have the option to request an alumni interview. All interviews are evaluated equally regardless of location or interviewer.
All campus interviews are scheduled through our online scheduling system, and can be scheduled prior to submitting your application.
To request an alumni interview, you must request the alumni interview and location on the online application. Once we receive your application, we will review the applications and invite applicants to interview. You will receive an e-mail regarding your interview request status. Please allow two weeks from the application deadline date to receive this message. Alumni interviews are based on the availability of alumni. The U.S. cities and international countries where alumni interviews are currently offered are subject to change.
Interview Deadlines for Fall 2009 Entry
Admissions |
Application |
Campus Interview Deadline |
Early Action |
October 15, 2008 |
November 1, 2008 |
| Round 1 |
October 27 , 2008 |
December 6, 2008 |
| Round 2 |
January 7, 2009 |
February 14, 2009 |
| Round 3 |
March 16, 2009 |
April 11, 2009 |
