Duke MBA Program Admissions Strategy and GMAT Test Preparation

Fuqua School of Business

No school has come as far as Fuqua (pronounced “FEW-kwa”) has in the past three decades. Duke enrolled its first class of MBA students in 1970, but things really started to happen after the school took Atlanta industrialist John Brooks Fuqua’s name (and his money) in 1980. What was once a well-regarded school with mostly regional appeal has grown into one of the top MBA programs in the nation.

Young Fuqua has an used its small size as an advantage over the business school competition, employing an innovative curriculum that allows for breadth and flexibility. Students have four terms (of six weeks each) per year, meaning that they get a taste of many more subjects than students at most other schools. They also complete at least five electives by the end of their first year, which some Fuqua students have credited as a competitive advantage heading into summer internships.

Fuqua’s academic emphasis has traditionally been on general management, although students can earn concentrations in two areas, ranging from typical subjects such as finance and marketing to broader topical areas such as social entrepreneurship and international business. One program that has become a signature for Fuqua is its Health Sector Management (HSM) program, which is the largest program of its kind at any top business school. If you are interested in biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices or health care management, then take a close look at this program, which draws a wide range of recruiters to Fuqua every year.

One theme that is prevalent at Fuqua is teamwork. Work in most classes is done in teams, and Fuqua’s graduates have gained a strong team-oriented reputation among recruiters. Students often refer to themselves as “Team Fuqua,” and they mean it. This atmosphere is reinforced by Fuqua’s relatively small size (810 total full-time students, although the school has grown by about 20% since 2002). When you apply to Fuqua, make it clear that you understand what it means to be part of a close-knit community, and spell out why it appeals to you. Along those lines, Fuqua students are heavily involved in everything going on at the school. If you are applying to Duke, make sure that this is what you want out of your business school experience. Even more importantly, make sure to emphasize this in your application through multiple examples of teamwork and involvement.

Admissions interviews are usually conducted by alumni or second-year students. It is therefore important to position yourself as a prospect that your interviewer would like to have as a classmate. This means you should provide examples of professional excellence, but do so in a non-arrogant tone. In the back of his mind, your interviewer will be evaluating you as a potential team member in addition to evaluating you as an applicant overall. Also, if you have three years professional experience or less, you should also expect to receive questions on your ability to contribute in the classroom. Have a response prepared as to why “now” is a good time for you to attend Fuqua.

Another way to show your fit with Fuqua is to demonstrate your sincere interest in the program. Even thought Fuqua us still a highly competitive school that’s tough to get into, its yield (percentage of accepted students who enroll) is somewhat low compared to that of other top schools. The school therefore wants to be sure that if they accept you, you will enroll. If you can demonstrate that you truly want to attend Fuqua—and why this is so—you will greatly improve your chances.

Like many other top schools, Fuqua has been placing increasing emphasis on the importance of global business. The school recently replaced its pre-term course for first-year students (formerly called Integrated Leadership Experience) with a new three-week program called the Global Institute. The new program puts students in learning teams that study issues related to leadership and ethics in the context of a global business climate. It’s a nice warm-up for incoming students, and a clear indication of how important global competitiveness is to the Fuqua administration. While a background—or even a strong interest—in international business is definitely not a prerequisite, keep this in mind as you craft your Fuqua application strategy.

• Northwestern (Kellogg)
• Dartmouth (Tuck)
• Michigan
• UC Berkeley (Haas)

1. 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. (restrict your response to a single page)


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? (restrict your response to a single page)


3. Please respond fully and concisely to one of the following three essay topics. Clearly identify which question you have selected. (Applicants typically use between 500 and 750 words)
   
   
   1. 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?
   2. 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?
   3. 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?


4. 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. (Applicants typically use between 500 and 750 words)


5. (Optional) 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).

This and dozens of other top business schools are covered in detail in Your MBA Game Plan, the definitive guide on MBA admissions, now in its second edition.