Application Instructions

Do your research

To help decide whether this program is right for you, talk to your family, employer, and mentors, attend an admissions event or information session, or start a conversation by emailing an admissions counselor or calling us at +1.919.660.7705.

Review the online application and deadlines for various admission rounds. Consider important aspects of the timeline, including:

• When to apply if you’re an international student
• When to schedule your interview
• When you’ll receive a decision
• When your tuition deposit is due
• When to start the visa process

Submit your application

Ensure that your application is complete. Learn more about the components of an application, including your resume, essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, official test scores, and application fee.

Schedule an interview

All candidates must have an official interview, but before scheduling one, we encourage you to contact your admissions counselor, who will provide feedback on your candidacy and ensure you make the most of your meeting.

Receive a decision

You will be notified of your admissions decision via email 2–4 weeks after you submit your application. Please note that the decision notification email is not viewable on any mobile devices.

To reserve your place in the class, you must submit the following by the deadline specified in your admission notification:

• A nonrefundable tuition deposit of 6,000 USD
• Hard copies of your official transcripts and translations (if not in English) from each college or university you attended

Your deposit can be made by check or money order only; credit card payments cannot be accepted. Please plan accordingly so you do not miss the deposit deadline.

Get a letter of support

If you are admitted to the program, you are required to submit a letter from your current employer outlining your company's support for time off to attend class, as well as financial sponsorship, if applicable. Proprietors or principals of a company may provide a letter of self-support. See a sample letter of support.

Access our incoming student website

Shortly after admission, you’ll receive access to our incoming student website. This will be your main source of information and is particularly helpful if you’re still undecided about attending Fuqua. Visit the website to more fully understand our expectations and to get a better idea of what it would be like to work while studying for your MBA. The site provides information on next steps in the admissions process and includes all the information you need to transition into life as a working professional MBA student.

On the incoming student website you’ll find:

• Program announcements
• Travel/residency information including visa requirements
• Technical and computer information
• Academic assignments to prepare to return to school
• Classmate information

Apply for a visa (international students)

If applicable, visa application information will be sent to you after your deposit has been received. 

Legible, scanned copies of all transcripts are required for each college or university you have attended, even if a degree was not awarded. 

When to submit copies of official transcripts

Official transcript(s) and translations (if not in English) from each college or university you attended must be received prior to the start of your program.

Transcripts must include:

• Your name and the name of the institution
• Each course taken and the grade received
• The degree received and date conferred

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript. If your transcript is not in English, it must be translated, attested, and uploaded along with the originals. Those applying from outside the U.S. should see additional transcript guidelines for international students.

Two options for sending transcripts:

• Electronically to transcripts@fuqua.duke.edu
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to:
  Duke University
  The Fuqua School of Business
  Office of Admissions
  100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120
  Durham, NC  27708-0120

If you do not submit your official transcripts on time, or if you misrepresent, falsify, or omit information, we may rescind any offer of admission or financial assistance.

You’ll need to provide your thoughts on one short-answer question and two essays as part of your application.

Instructions for all written submissions:

• Responses should use 1.5-line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
• Do not repeat the question in the document you upload with your application.
• Respond fully and concisely.
• Length requirements vary by question and are detailed below.
• Responses must be completed before submitting your application.
• Prepare your responses carefully.

All submissions are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Plagiarism is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will not be tolerated in the admission process.

Required short-answer question Instructions:

Response should be a maximum of 100 words.

1. What are your career goals?

Required long-form essay questions Instructions for first required essay:

Response should be a maximum of 250 words.

How will your skills, training, and background enhance your cohort's experience? Please include both personal and professional insight that may not be apparent through your resume and other application materials.

Instructions for second required essay:

Response should be a maximum of 500 words.

Duke University is embedded in the world's most important economic regions. As a result, our students experience a unique learning environment in which programs are delivered on four different continents by our world-renowned faculty. Our diverse student cohorts represent a vast array of professional backgrounds, nationalities, interests, and experiences. Serving students who are also working professionals, Duke’s Global Executive MBA program allows student to apply new skills immediately in the workplace and reap the benefits from their first-hand global experiences. Explain how you and your organization will benefit from the global education offered at Duke.

Optional essay: Tell us more

If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware (such as unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, or inconsistent or questionable academic performance), please explain them here. Although we call this section “Optional Essay,” your explanation does not need to be essay-length and may only be a few sentences depending on the topic.

Submit your required resume electronically within the online application system. For employment and volunteer positions, include the location, title, date, and responsibilities, starting with your most recent position. The education section should include dates of attendance and degrees received.

Your resume should include:

• Full-time employment
• Volunteer work
• Internships
• Part-time work experience
• Education

Your recommenders must complete the current recommendation forms associated with the online application—no other format of recommendation will be accepted.

At least one recommendation should come from your current immediate supervisor.  

We only accepted official recommendations via the online application system. Submissions by email or mail are not accepted.

New applicants

• Two letters of recommendation

Re-applicants

• One new letter of recommendation (not from a previous recommender)

Other recommendation guidelines:

• You are required to use the recommendation forms that are within the online application.
• Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.
• Academic recommendations often provide a similar perspective to your transcript and are less helpful.
• Proprietors or principals of a company may provide a recommendation from a client, board member, or other professional colleague.

Recommendation forms

The following questions are included on the recommendation form:

• Comment briefly on the context of your interaction with the applicant.
• How do the applicant's performance, potential, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?
• What do you perceive as the applicant's areas for growth? 
• Describe the applicant's awareness of these areas and his/her response to constructive feedback.
• Please include additional comments you feel will be helpful to the Admissions Committee.

Bonus recommendation from Fuqua students and alumni

In addition to the 2 required recommendations, you may provide additional recommendations from our current students or alumni.

Alumni Recommendation Form
Student Recommendation Form

If one of these recommendations is sent on your behalf before you submit your online application, you will be eligible for an application fee waiver.

A letter from your current employer outlining your company’s support of your time in the program is required.

• Include information about your employer’s financial commitment (if applicable).
• Proprietors or principals of a company can provide a letter of self-sponsorship.

See a sample letter of support.

The Fuqua School of Business is now accepting the Executive Assessment (EA) for applicants to Duke’s working professional and executive MBA programs. The Executive Assessment was developed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) in partnership with leading business schools from around the world to evaluate the business school readiness of working professionals. The assessment is easy to schedule, short in duration, and requires only modest preparation.

During the assessment, you will be measured on the skills that are critical both at work and in an EMBA program such as higher order reasoning, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. Based on your results, you can work to sharpen your skills before your MBA program begins.

You must take the GMAT, GRE, or EA and have your scores sent directly from the testing service to the admissions office prior to your application round.

The Fuqua School of Business will be revising the online application in late September, so any prospective student taking the Executive Assessment and submitting an application prior to the revision will need to send Fuqua a copy of their score in a separate communication.

GMAT/GRE/EA waivers are offered on a case-by-case basis for candidates whose academic background is strong, specifically in quantitative subjects, and for whom the GMAT/GRE/EA would not necessarily be a useful predictor of success in the program. Contact an admissions counselor for more information.

If you are not satisfied with your score, you may retake the exam before submitting your application. If you take the exam multiple times, only report your highest score and any sub-scores from the same testing date.

Extra GMAT, GRE, and EA Details

• There is no minimum test score requirement.
• We will accept scores up to 5 years old.
• Schedule a test date at least 3 weeks in advance of your application submission.

Only if you're admitted will you be required to have your official GMAT, GRE, or EA scores sent to The Fuqua School of Business directly from the testing administrator.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

Use Duke program code Q13-N5-18

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Use Duke program code 5156, and the 4201 Business Administration and Management Department name on your GRE exam

Executive Assessment (EA)

Use Duke program code Q13-N5-18

Need more help?

Information on registering and sending GMAT scores

Information on registering and sending GRE scores 

Information on registering and sending EA scores

Fee

A 225 USD nonrefundable application fee, payable by VISA or MasterCard, is due when you submit your online application.

Application fee waivers

You may be eligible to receive an application fee waiver if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

You are a member of the U.S. military—active duty, active reserve, or honorably discharged/completed service (within 3 years). Only voluntary service is valid. Mandatory service may not be used for qualification.

You are an active participant or alumnus/alumna of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America.

You receive Fuqua Admissions Committee approval. In your application, include the reason for your waiver request and the name of the committee member granting approval.

You are a current member of the Forte Foundation or Management Leadership for Tomorrow.

Before submitting your application, you register for and attend at least one of the activities listed below. Indicate the event type, location and month of attendance in your online application. (MBA Fairs are not considered qualifying events.)

• Open house
• Information session
• Informational luncheon
• Meet & greet
• Multi-school information session
• Virtual information session

You obtain a recommendation from a current Fuqua student or alumnus/alumna. Current Fuqua students must complete the online peer recommendation form, while Fuqua alumni must complete the alumni recommendation form. In your application, include your recommender’s name, program (Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive, Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business, Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University, or Master of Quantitative Management) year of graduation (if known), and email address.

Instructions to apply for an application fee waiver:

1. Meet at least one of the above criteria.
2. Select an application round in the “Personal Information” section of the online application.
3. Choose the "fee waiver" option within your online application and follow the related instructions.
4. Submit your application after all sections are complete. However, do NOT submit your application if you are asked for credit card information.

Following the above instructions is the only way to receive an application fee waiver. If you submit your online application without selecting the "fee waiver" option, then you will not qualify for the waiver, and no refund will be available.

Allow a minimum of 2 business days for the admissions office to process your application fee waiver. You will receive a fee waiver confirmation via email when your waiver is activated.

An official interview is required, and your application isn’t complete without one. Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other component of your application.

Interview fast facts:

• Interviews can take place at any point in the admissions process.
• Slots fill quickly, so schedule one at your earliest convenience.
• Interviews are either in person at the Fuqua campus in Durham, NC, by phone, or by Skype.
• Interviews are conducted by an admissions officer, are conducted in English, and typically last 30 minutes to an hour.

Interview Registration

Use the online scheduling system to register for an interview.

• The system is not connected to the online application, so you will need to create a unique account for each.
• The system will not allow you to schedule an interview less than 4 days in advance of your selected date. However, if you are within the 4-day window, contact us at +1.919.660.7705, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

If you applied to the program in the previous admissions cycle, you are considered a re-applicant. Email an admissions counselor or call +1.919.660.7705 before you begin the admissions process again. We will provide you with specific guidelines. Depending on when you first applied, you may be required to complete a new online application, including one new recommendation, a sponsorship letter, and an updated resume

All applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents should apply by the Round 5 deadline for sufficient time to submit and receive an F1 Student Visa to attend your first residency in Durham, NC.

All applicants are required to complete the core set of application materials; however, non-U.S. applicants have additional application requirements and instructions, which are described below. If you have any questions please email your admissions counselor or call at +1.919.660.7705.

If you are already lawfully present in the U.S. (e.g., H1-B, L-1, etc.), after you submit the 6,000 USD tuition deposit, you will need to complete a web form that will be sent to you by Fuqua's admissions office. Your current visa status will not be affected, but all non-immigrant visa holders are required to register their presence on campus. In addition, you will need to present your passport, I-797, and I-94 or I-94 admissions page.

For Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders), you are required to present your Form I-551 (Green Card) during orientation at your first Durham residency.

Transcripts and diplomas

Transcripts, diplomas, and academic records must be in English.

Transcripts must include:

• Your name and the name of the institution
• Each course taken and the grade received
• The degree received and date conferred

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript.

If your transcript is not in English, you must have it:

• Translated
• Attested
• Uploaded in addition to the originals

Two options for sending transcripts:

• Electronically to transcripts@fuqua.duke.edu
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to:
  Duke University
  The Fuqua School of Business
  Office of Admissions
  100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120
  Durham, NC  27708-0120 U.S.A.

English as a Second Language test scores

These scores are not required, but we encourage you to include valid scores that you may have available. If you choose to report your test score to Fuqua, please follow the below instructions:

Submitting test scores

Scores are valid for 2 years.

When requesting that your score be sent to Fuqua, use the following mailing address:
Office of Admissions
Duke University's Fuqua School of Business
100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120
Durham, NC 27708-0120  USA

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Use Duke program code 5156.
Registration and score reporting information 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Fuqua accepts the academic modules of the IELTS.
Registration and score reporting information 

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Use Fuqua program code Q13-N5-18.
Registration and score reporting information