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
Nonrefundable Application Fee
Interview (encouraged)
Interview Deadlines
Application Deadlines for Fall 2008 Entry
| Application Round | Application Deadline | Decision | Tuition Deposit Deadline | Official Transcript Deadline |
| Round 1 | November 1, 2007 | January 18, 2008 | April 15, 2008 International | June 2, 2008 |
| Round 2 | January 3, 2008 | March 7, 2008 | April 15, 2008 International | June 2, 2008 |
| Round 3 | March 3, 2008 | April 21, 2008 | May 1, 2008 International | June 16, 2008 |
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 2008 Entry
Two short essay answer questions and two long essays 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 questions, please select only one question to answer from the three choices given for the first question, and then you must answer the second question. There is no restriction on the length of your response for the two long essay questions. Applicants typically use between 500 and 750 words for long essays one and two.
Candidates who applied to Fuqua between September 2006 and April 2007 are considered reapplicants. Reapplicants are asked 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 Essays - Answer both short essay questions.
- Why are you interested in The Duke MBA and how will it help you achieve your goals? Please also discuss your career path, including your short and long-term professional goals. If you are interested in the Health Sector Management concentration or a joint degree program, please address in this essay.
- 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?
Long Essays - For essay 1, please answer only one of the three essay options provided. All applicants should answer question 2.
- Please respond fully and concisely to one of the following three essay topics. Clearly identify which question you have selected.
- Describe an example of where you were challenged to lead in a team-oriented context. What was the challenge you faced, how did you address it, and what takeaways or lessons learned have you successfully applied in other leadership situations?
- Describe a situation in which your ability to perform ethically was challenged. What was the issue, how did you handle it, and what did you learn from it?
- Describe a significant leadership failure in your life. What did you learn from this failure? How has it impacted who you are today and the kind of leader you would like to be?
- How has your personal history and family background influenced your intellectual and personal development? What unique personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally.
Reapplicant Essay
In addition to the Applicant Essays listed above, please answer the following question. There is no restriction on the length of your response. Reapplicants typically use between 500 and 750 words for this essay.
- 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 (fulltime) 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 (fulltime) 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 self-reported transcript for each college or university you have attended. It must contain information included on your official transcript about all courses taken, including incomplete courses, courses taken pass/fail, and dates taken, their grades, degree(s) earned and award(s). Please report grades and scores using the scale employed by your college or university. If your institution does use a 4.0 GPA scale, you must accurately describe the grading scale used. Do not convert scores to a 4.0 GPA scale.
A Microsoft Excel file is available for download on the online application Web site that will facilitate your submission. Alternately, you may submit a legible, scanned copy of your official transcript(s) issued by colleges or universities you have attended.
If you are admitted to The Duke MBA, you are required to submit official transcripts from each college or university you have attended for verification. You must ensure all necessary official transcripts are received by The Duke MBA Office of Admissions before the required deadline: June 2, 2008 if you applied for admission in round one or round two, and June 16, 2008 if you applied for admission in round three. We recommend you use a parcel service that offers tracking and proof of delivery.
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. You may send a completed Transcript Request Forms to the registrar of each college or university you have attended to request official transcripts. We must receive the official transcripts by the stated deadline.
Detailed directions for self-reported transcripts are included in the online application.
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. We encourage you to utilize the online recommendation system in order to expedite the processing of your application. Applicants do have the option of submitting hard copies of the recommendation form. If hard copy recommendations are submitted, they should be included with your transcripts in one package.
Nonrefundable Application Fee
The Fuqua School of Business requires a $185.00 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 schedule an alumni interview, you must request the alumni interview and location on the online application. Once we receive your application, we will schedule an alumni interview and send an e-mail confirmation to you. 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 2008 Entry
| Admissions | Application | Campus Interview Deadline |
| Round 1 | November 1, 2007 | November 20, 2007 |
| Round 2 | January 3, 2008 | February 22, 2008 |
| Round 3 | March 3, 2008 | April 8, 2008 |
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