The Daytime MBA application must 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 certificate. In addition to these sections, the application asks for educational background, transcripts, employment history, a business resume, activities and achievements, self-reported test scores, and essays.

Interview

Interviews are a great way to present yourself and your credentials to the admissions committee. We offer 2 interview options: Open Interviews and Invitation-Only Interviews. Open Interviews occur in Durham, from September 15 - October 14, 2011. After October 14, interviews are by invitation only and occur in Durham as well as in locations around the world. Visit the Interviews and Campus Visits page for more details including registration information. 

All interviews are conducted in English by admissions staff, alumni, and admissions fellows (select second-year MBA students). Interviews generally last 30 - 45 minutes.  

Common questions and answers about interviews are posted within the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Resume

You must electronically submit a 1-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 2012 Entry

Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size no less than 10-point.

All applicants also have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.

Required Applicant Essays: Answer all 3 essay questions 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, emotional intelligence, and business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way.

In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know you in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.

1. Describe your vision for your career and your inspiration for pursuing this career path. 
2. How will your background, values, and non-work activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to Fuqua's diverse culture? 
3. Why Duke? (If you are interested in a specific concentration, joint degree, clubs or activities, please discuss how you would contribute to these in this essay.)

Optional Essay

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). Note that you should NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your extenuating circumstances only. Please limit your response to two pages.

Re-applicants

Candidates who applied to the Daytime MBA program between September 2010 and May 2011 are considered re-applicants. Reapplicants must complete the entire online application in addition to the 3 required Applicant Essays. For the Re-applicant 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. Reapplicants must also submit one new recommendation, rather than the two required for first time applicants. The system will still require you to enter two recommendations. Please list your own information, using a different email address, in the required fields as the second recommender.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

Official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score reports must be sent to the 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 5 years old. If you have taken the GMAT multiple times, please report your highest score. For information on how to register for the GMAT and how to send scores to Fuqua, visit www.mba.com.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Though GRE scores may be accepted as an exception, the Office of Admissions strongly encourages you to submit a GMAT test score to complete your application. If you already completed the GRE and would like to know more about our GRE policy, please email application-processing@fuqua.duke.edu.

For Joint Degree Applicants: Joint degree applicants may submit either an official GMAT or a GRE score to fulfill the testing requirement. All other applicants must submit a GMAT score with their application. For information on how to register for the GRE or request scores, please visit www.ets.org/gre/. Use the Duke program code 5156 on your GRE exam.

English Language Proficiency Tests

All international applicants who did not earn an undergraduate degree from a school whose primary language of instruction is English, must submit a valid Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (PTE), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. This requirement is waived for international applicants holding non-technical master’s degrees or a non-technical PhD from colleges or universities where English was the language of instruction for the entire course of study. This information should be indicated in the appropriate fields within the "Education" section of your application. You may indicate the primary language of instruction as English by checking the appropriate box listed under each school you enter. If you have questions regarding the waiver of this requirement, you may contact us directly at application-processing@fuqua.duke.edu.

All test scores are valid for two years. The test must be taken prior to your application round deadline. Allow at least 4 weeks for test scores to be delivered to Fuqua.

TOEFL Scores

Official TOEFL score reports must be sent electronically to the Office of Admissions directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Use The Duke MBA—Daytime program code 5156 on your TOEFL exam. For information on how to register for the TOEFL or to request test scores, visit www.toefl.org.

PTE Scores

Official PTE score reports must be sent electronically to the Office of Admissions directly from Pearson Vue. For information on how to register for the PTE or to request test scores, visit www.mba.com.

IELTS Scores

The Duke MBA accepts the academic modules of the IELTS. Scores must be sent electronically directly from the testing agency; personal copies or attested/notarized copies are not accepted. When requesting that 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
100 Fuqua Drive
Durham, NC 27708-0104

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 Daytime MBA must include a legible, scanned copy of your official transcript(s) that can be uploaded to the online application. Self-reported transcripts and scanned copies of unofficial transcripts are not acceptable. You should submit transcripts for each college or university you have attended. Hard copies of official transcripts will not be accepted prior to an offer of admission.

You MUST upload an OFFICIAL copy of your undergraduate transcript. All courses and grades must be listed. The DEGREE GRANTED and the DATE CONFERRED must be clearly visible on your transcript. If your transcript does not clearly state degree and date, please upload a copy of your DIPLOMA, in addition to the transcript. If your transcript is not in English, you must make arrangements to have it translated, attested, and uploaded along with the originals.

If you are admitted to Daytime MBA program, 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 When to Apply section. You must ensure that all necessary official transcripts are received by the 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. To request official transcripts, you may send completed Transcript Request Forms to the registrar of each college or university you have attended. Although 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.

Recommendations

We require two letters of recommendation for applicants, with the exception of re-applicants, who must submit only one additional 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. Recommendations from relatives or friends are strongly discouraged by the Admissions Committee.

If possible, we ask that you use your recommenders' work email when providing their contact information. Recommendations sent from a general email account (gmail or yahoo, for example) will be more closely monitored in our application credentials review process.

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.

About the Online Recommendation Form
You are required to utilize the online Recommendation Forms associated with the online application. Recommendations sent by mail or email to the Office of Admissions will NOT be accepted.The following questions are asked on the online recommendation form, and are posted here to help applicants select and prepare their recommenders.

• Comment on the applicant's interpersonal skills (effectiveness in establishing and maintaining relationships; working with supervisors, peers, and subordinates; willingness to work in a team environment).
• Description of applicant's peer group.
• What do you consider the applicant's primary talents or strengths?
• In what areas does the applicant need improvement or growth? If you have had the opportunity to provide the applicant with constructive feedback, please provide specific examples of the feedback and the applicant's response to it.

Non-refundable Application Fee

The Fuqua School of Business requires a $225 USD application fee, payable by VISA or MasterCard. The application fee is paid electronically when you submit the online application. Learn about our application fee reduction and fee waiver policies, as you may qualify for an application fee of only $125.

Application Deadlines for 2011 - 2012

* Please be aware that invitation-only interview dates vary for Durham, North Carolina and other designated interview locations. For a more detailed listing of dates for invitation-only interview locations outside of Durham, North Carolina, please visit here. 

**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 non-refundable $3,000 tuition deposit along with official transcript(s) by December 20, 2011. In addition, any applications submitted to other schools must be withdrawn upon an offer of admission from The Duke MBA.

***Tuition deposits must be paid by check or money order. Credit card payments cannot be accepted.

Please see more about our deferral policy in the FAQ section.

Our admissions committee considers a number of factors when evaluating an application. These factors are taken into consideration from a holistic perspective. We are looking for students who we believe will be successful in the program and who will add significant value to the program through their professional and academic experience. The application components provide the applicant an opportunity to demonstrate that they are a good fit for the program.

• Work Experience
  There is no minimum work experience requirement. We will consider any post undergraduate work experience presented for admission. You should use the application to articulate the value of your work experience as it relates to contributing to the learning environment, and how the experience has helped you develop leadership and teamwork skills, as well as maturity, on both professional and personal levels.
• GMAT
  We admit applicants with a range of GMAT 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 (before you submit your application).
• Past Academic Performance
  We admit applicants with a range of GPAs. We do not favor a particular undergraduate degree, and students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Please note that a college-level calculus course with a grade equivalent to a "C" or better is required for matriculation.
• Recommendations
  Your letters of recommendation are important because they give the admissions committee valuable, independent information about your capabilities. The most valuable recommendations come from people who know your professional skills and abilities.
• Essays
  Essays are an opportunity to share your perspective directly with the admissions committee. The goal of the essays is to gain a greater understanding of who you are and the contributions you will make at Duke and beyond.

Each applicant is expected to submit a complete application package to the Office of Admissions. The admissions committee will only review a complete package, which must include the following items: 

• Completed and submitted online application, including 3 essays (4 if you are a reapplicant or a joint MEM/MBA applicant).  
• Non-refundable application fee. Review our Application Fee Reduction and Fee Waiver policies.
• Current, 1-page professional resume.
• Two letters of recommendation. 
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and post graduate coursework, in English. Download the Transcript Request Form. 
• Official GMAT (or GRE, where applicable) scores.   
• Official results from the TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS exam for applicants whose native language is not English.