Here's what it takes to get accepted into Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, according to 3 MBA grads, an admissions dean, and 2 former Fuqua staffers
- The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University is consistently ranked among the leading graduate business programs, currently No. 10 in the US, according to US News and World Report, and No. 11 in the world, according to The Economist.
- Among those who applied for the class of 2021, Fuqua reports that just 22% were admitted.
- Business Insider checked in with six insiders, including 3 alumni, an admissions dean, and 2 former Fuqua staffers, to glean some tips that will help you get in the door.
- "You can't beat a primary source by talking to current students, talking to alumni, visiting us on campus, [and] coming to events that we travel around the world to do," said Allison Jamison, assistant dean for admissions at Fuqua.
- You'll also want to highlight experience that includes giving back in your application, and show why you're ready to join "Team Fuqua" - which values a collaborative and diverse space where students are engaged, ambitious but supportive, impactful, and loyal.
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The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, located in the small city of Durham, NC, is consistently ranked among the leading graduate business programs, currently No. 10 in the United States, according to US News and World Report, and No. 11 in the world, according to The Economist.
But entry into an elite school like Fuqua is never easy. Among those who applied for the class of 2021, Fuqua reports that just 22% were admitted. That's an acceptance rate in line with other prestigious programs, including the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, according to a Poets & Quants article. Students are coming in with top GMAT scores - the range extends from 660 to 740 for most - and undergraduate GPAs that run between 3.1 and 3.87.
So how do you nab an acceptance letter and differentiate yourself from other top applicants? We checked in with six insiders to glean some tips that will help you get in the door.
Don't just browse the website - reach out to students and alumni and attend information sessionsFuqua's website is full of information about its various programs and learning environment. But experts say that a close read of the website is no replacement for speaking with members of the Fuqua community so you can better articulate in your application how you'll fit in.
Fuqua's website has a listing of student profiles and alumni ambassadors, or you can email the admissions office to be connected with people involved in your particular area of interest.
Highlight experience that includes giving backFuqua admissions officers are looking for future leaders in business, but also in their own communities.
When she applied, Rosanna Arias - who graduated in May 2019 and is now a human capital consultant for Deloitte - had experience serving on a board that provides scholarships within the Latino community and as a mentor to a first-generation Latina student. In her application, she also shared her interest in starting a human capital club, which she eventually launched with several classmates.
"Now it's officially a club on campus and hopefully something that will continue for years to come," she said. "What Fuqua cares about are people who are going to make an impact, but also lead with a style of servant leadership. Humility and empathy are a huge piece of how we're taught about leadership."
Show why you're ready to join "Team Fuqua"Even those at Fuqua agree that "Team Fuqua" sounds a little hokey, but for students, alumni, and staff, it's a well-known and respected phrase that defines the culture at the school, which values a collaborative and diverse space where students are engaged, ambitious but supportive, impactful, and loyal.
"Especially for top business schools, you have to assume there is a baseline intelligence or academic performance at that level. To me, the distinguisher is really going to be the emotional intelligence," said Erica Campbell, who graduated in 2005 and is now executive director of the Pinky Swear Foundation, which supports kids with cancer and their families. "Fuqua really embraced that through a focus on leadership, a focus on teamwork, and just a general focus on the well-rounded individual … That's what set it apart for me."
One place to demonstrate how you will fit in with Team Fuqua is in one of the application's essays where prospective students are asked to explain how they'll get involved.
"That's probably one of the most common missed parts of the application where the student tends to focus on, 'I'll take advantage of this and take advantage of that,'" Jamison said. "What we're looking for is what will you get, but also what will you give. Do you know how students here engage? Are you looking to be involved in professional clubs or hobby clubs or in the student government or in our exchange programs? We want to see that you are aware of the specific opportunities and how you will contribute to the culture, not just take. It's reflective of your research of the school, but also reflective of your knowledge of yourself and what unique perspectives and talents you're bringing to the community."
Prep 25 random but specific things about yourself to differentiate your 'essay'About a decade ago, Fuqua's application took a different spin on the typical admissions essay, asking applicants for a list of 25 random things about themselves. "It is everybody on the admissions committee's favorite question," Jamison said.
But it's harder to answer than you might think, said Catherine Tuttle, a former associate director at Fuqua who served as an admissions liaison while there. "It's not just listing things out. It's telling me why is this important to you."
Tuttle, now an expert coach with Fortuna Admissions, recommends ticking off every possible thing you could include before whittling it down to 25.
"Think about what's important to Fuqua," Tuttle said. "What are the core values as you understand them based on your research and your conversations? Often times that boils down to international exposure, cultural competencies, collaboration, community involvement, leadership, but then also throwing in some funny random things."
That might include explaining how your experience building a house for a particular family through Habitat for Humanity changed your perspective on life. It also could include a fun fact like the following, which was part of an application for a student Tuttle helped: While living in China and on her own for the first time, the applicant found a big spider in her apartment, threw a book on it, and left it there for two weeks because she couldn't bear to look at it.
"Being able to be humble and present yourself in a way that it's clear that you still have things to learn - professionally or personally - is really important," Tuttle said.
Consider requesting an interview - and prepare for a student to conduct itInterview spots typically are by invitation only, but, unlike many business schools, Fuqua also offers an open interview period in the early fall for any prospective applicant. The early interview period is a good opportunity for students to express interest, if they're ready. "It's not a warmup," Jamison said. "You need to know what your story is, why Fuqua, and be knowledgeable about the program and also have questions prepared."
And, unlike other schools, on-campus admissions interviews typically are done by students, which Charlene Fadirepo, who graduated in 2009, said makes the experience a bit less formal.
"What was great about the Fuqua interview was it was just a conversation," said Fadirepo, who is the founder of Smart Choice Nation, which teaches kids and families about money, and Guidefi, a financial technology startup. "It was another opportunity for me to bring my application to life and that's how I thought of it. I was on message. Everything in my application, I was able to add some color and depth to it in my interview."
Be authenticIt helps to have a strong GPA and an academic background that includes some quantitative work when applying, but Sherry Holland, a former assistant admissions director at Fuqua, said admissions officers also are looking to build a diverse student body, too.
"We had people who'd come from the Peace Corps, very different from somebody from finance, from Wall Street, from consulting, but they also had a lot to contribute to the learning environment," said Holland, who now helps applicants as a consultant with Stacy Blackman Consulting. "The No. 1 thing is, how can you differentiate yourself in a positive way? What are you passionate about? What do you really want to do? Tell them what you want, not what you think they want to hear … You've got to be true to yourself. Authenticity is huge."
Another mistake prospective MBA students make is not giving Fuqua's admissions officers the opportunity to even consider their abilities because they're scared off by the school's top ranking and reputation. Don't rule yourself out, Jamison said.
"Everybody has a chance at admission," she said. "Everybody has a story, and how you tell your story is important. You may not have maxed the GMAT, but if the rest of your story is strong and you own your story and you can make a compelling case, everybody is eligible for admission. Don't take yourself out of consideration before you're in it."