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.

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. You can view your application status by logging into your student portal.

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. 

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
• Official test scores sent directly from the testing agency unless you were granted a test score waiver

Your deposit can be made by credit card, check, e-check, or money order. 

Access our Canvas Learning Platform

Shortly after admission, you’ll receive access to our Canvas Learning Platform. 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 where you:

• earned (or will earn) a degree;
• studied for one semester or more;
• earned 12 or more credits (note: 4 or more credits if your university awards 1 credit for the typical class instead of 3 credits);
• and/or took a class that relates to your graduate study interests. 

If you took classes at a college or university while in high school, do not list the college or university as a separate school in your application.

For transfer credits: Follow the guidelines listed above, but please note that for any transferred credits that qualify to be reported, we need to see grades/marks.  If the grades/marks as well as the credits appear on your degree-conferring institution's transcript, then the additional transcript will not be required.

For student abroad credits: Please follow the same guidelines as for transfer credits.

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.

When to submit copies of official transcripts

Only if you are admitted to the program, will you be required to submit official transcripts from each college or university you have attended for verification. The due date for official transcripts will be noted in your admitted student portal. If you have not yet completed your studies by this date, your official transcripts should reach The Fuqua School of Business no later than one week before your program begins.

You’ll need to provide your thoughts on two short-answer questions and one essay 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 questions

Instructions: Answer both of the following questions. For each question, respond in 500 characters only (the equivalent of about 100 words).

What are your short-term goals, post-MBA? 

What are your long-term goals?  

Instructions for Long Essay:  

Each person in the program brings unique skills, training and experiences to the overall learning environment. Share what you believe you will contribute to the cohort.  

Response should be a maximum of 250 words.

Optional essay: Tell us more

If you feel there are 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).  

The Optional Essay is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only. 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 circumstances only.  

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

Please choose one individual who can objectively evaluate your professional skills and abilities. Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged. Academic recommendations often provide a similar perspective to your transcript and are less helpful. 

Submissions by email or mail are not accepted.

New applicants

• One letter 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 endorsement from Fuqua students and alumni

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

Endorsement Form

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

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.

GMAT/GRE/EA waivers are offered on a case-by-case basis, and such cases may include, but are not limited to: 

• An undergraduate degree in a STEM, business, or economic discipline with quantitative coursework 
• Strong academic performance in a non-STEM/business/economics discipline
• A masters or doctorate degree in a STEM or other quantitative discipline

To be considered for the standardized test waiver, you must begin an application to your program of interest and submit the test waiver request form, which is located in the test scores section. Highlight aspects of your current work or background you feel are relevant to the Admissions Committee’s consideration of your waiver request. In addition, you will need to upload your resume and transcripts from all degree-granting institutions. 

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.

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. 

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-N5-56

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 military—active duty, active reserve, or honorably discharged/completed service (within three years) of any nation. Either voluntary or compulsory service is valid 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 Forté 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 only considered as a qualifying event if you completed a sign in at the Fuqua table during the fair.)

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

You obtain an endorsement from a current Fuqua student or alumnus/alumna. In your application, include your endorser’s name, program (Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive, Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business, Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University, Master of Quantitative Management: Business Analytics, or Master of Quantitative Management: Health Analytics), year of graduation (if known), and email address.

You attended one of four Diversity Events: 

• The Duke MBA Workshop for Minority Applicants
• The Duke MBA Women’s Leadership Weekend
• The Duke MBA Pride Weekend
• The Duke MBA Veterans Symposium

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. Complete the questions included in the "Application Fee Waiver Information" section. 
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.

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, or by video-conference.
• Interviews are conducted by an admissions officer, are conducted in English, and typically last 30 minutes to an hour.
• The link to schedule your interview is located in the online application. Based on availability, choose a day and time that works best for you.

View responses to frequently asked questions about interviews.

If you applied to the program in the previous admissions cycle, you are considered a re-applicant. For re-applicants we offer the ability to replicate or “clone” your application from the 2019-2020 application cycle. If you are reapplying, please email us at admissions-data-requests@fuqua.duke.edu to request that your data be transferred over.

While we encourage international applicants to apply by Round 6, you may still apply in the new Round 7.

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

Fuqua does not accept ESL test scores.  We will use other aspects of your application to assess language proficiency.