Fuqua School of Business – Duke University

FAQ

What is the tuition for Fuqua's MBA program?

The tuition for Fuqua's MBA program is $70,000 per year. The total cost of the Fuqua MBA program is $97,554 per year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

How hard is it to get into Fuqua's MBA program?

The acceptance rate for Fuqua is 20.5%. It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to Fuqua's MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Fuqua is not available. The GMAT middle 80% range is 680 - 760.

Does the Fuqua MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Fuqua MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Fuqua's MBA program?

The average combined GRE for the incoming class at Fuqua is 318.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Fuqua's MBA program?

Fuqua does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 6 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Fuqua's MBA program? (or, What is the average age of a Fuqua student?)

The average number of years of work experience among students in Fuqua's MBA program is 6. The average age of a Fuqua student is 29.

What is the median starting salary for graduates of the Fuqua MBA program?

The median starting salary for Fuqua MBA graduates is $160,055 with a mean signing bonus of $30,000. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is Fuqua's full-time MBA program?

Fuqua offers a traditional 2 year MBA program, which is 22 months long.

What are the application deadlines for Fuqua's MBA program?

The Early Action round MBA deadline is September 7, 2022. The Round 1 application deadline is September 26, 2022. The Round 2 application deadline is January 5, 2023. The new Round 3 deadline is February 13, 2023. The new Round 4 deadline is March 28, 2023.

What percent of Fuqua MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Fuqua that are women is 48%.

What type of interview does Fuqua use for MBA admissions?

Fuqua offers interviews by invitation. The interviews are resume-based. This means the interviewer has not had access to the application materials.

VIDEOS

Admissions

The Class Profile

Fuqua’s Class of 2024 numbers 399 students who averaged 6 years of work experience and 29 years of age at the time of matriculation. The class’s 80% range of GMAT scores spanned from 680 to 760, while the 80% range for undergraduate GPAs was 3.1 to 3.9. The average combined GRE score landed at 318. Forty-eight percent of first-year students are women, and 43% identify as minorities. A quarter of U.S. students identify as underrepresented minorities. Thirty-nine percent of the student body are international citizens by U.S. status.

Application Procedures

Those interested in the Fuqua MBA program can submit an application in an early action pool or during any of Fuqua’s three other application rounds. The submission deadline for Early Action (EA) students occurs in early September, and applicants learn of their admissions status by mid-October. Upon acceptance, EA applicants must withdraw their bids to all other programs.

Fuqua requires applicants to submit its online application form, a one-page résumé, essays, and GMAT or GRE results, though GMAT scores are strongly preferred. Two letters of recommendation are also required, along with official academic transcripts, and an application fee of $225. TOEFL, PTE or IELTS scores may be submitted, but they are not required, even if applicable.

Applicants can qualify for the Duke MBA Application Fee Waiver through various avenues, including student recommendations or by attending a qualifying campus visit or virtual event. After a brief open on-campus interview period from mid-September to mid-October, admissions interviews are offered by invitation only both on campus and abroad.

Application Checklist

• Online Application
• GMAT/GRE Score(s)
• Official Transcripts
• Résumé
• Essays
• Two Recommendation Letters
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• TOEFL/PTE/IETLS score(s) (optional)

Interview Reports

Duke Fuqua MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

The interview was very conversational and easy going. It lasted an hour and went by very quickly since it felt like two friends talking. The second-year student was a fellow vet and only had my resume. List of interview questions: – Tell me about yourself. – Why an MBA? – ST/LT goals? – Why Fuqua? […]

Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / AdCom / Zoom

School/Date/Admissions Round: Duke Fuqua/Jan 4th/2nd Round Description/location of visit and/or interview atmosphere: Virtual interview (Zoom) Type of interview (alum/adcom/first- or second-year student, resume-based vs. application-based): AdCom (very friendly), resume-based List of interview questions: a. Why MBA? Why now? b. Why Fuqua? c. What can you add to the incoming class? d. What are your post-MBA […]

Duke Fuqua MBA Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Second-Year Student / Zoom

The interview was very casual and conversational. He asked me the very standard questions: – Tell me about yourself. – Why MBA/why Fuqua? – ST/LT goals? – Strengths and weakness? – Any questions for me? The interviewer gave me a very comprehensive introduction about himself at the end of the interview and shared more about […]

Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Pretty friendly second-year 1. Walk me through your resume. 2 Why MBA? 3. Why Fuqua? 4. What will you contribute to Fuqua? 5. What do you know of the Team Fuqua Spirit? 6. Tell me about a time when you helped advance a team. 7. Tell me about a time when you disagreed in a […]

Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / On-Campus

Second-year student interviewed me. Was not the friendliest. Duke Students community and other students were very friendly and engaging. Duke interview questions I got: Walk me through your career path starting from undergrad. Why an MBA/ Why an MBA if you have a master’s degree already? What is your short- & long-term goals? Tell me […]

Duke Fuqua MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / On-Campus

I opted for the open interview and a full day of programming. My interview was at 9 am, and I checked in at 8:30 am and found two very welcoming first-year students waiting in the lobby, giving us company and engaging in great conversations. The interview started promptly at 9:00 am, with the interviewer briefly […]

Duke Fuqua MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / On-Campus

The waiting area was friendly and lively with other candidates having conversation and student representatives placed in the room to chat with while you wait. My interviewer was a second-year and was friendly but professional. It was a resume-based interview that lasted about 30 minutes with an additional 15 or so for my questions. It […]

Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / On-Campus

Interview conducted on campus during the Veterans Symposium weekend. General casual conversation with specific interview questions mixed in. Started out with “walk me through your resume,” and we delved a little deeper into a couple specific stories or positions. Some specific interview questions: -Tell me about a time you had a conflict with your boss […]

Duke Fuqua MBA Interview Questions & Report: Open Interview / Alumnus / Virtual

In the beginning, the interviewer set the tone, introduced himself and explained the format. He only had my resume in hand, as expected. He did not ask many questions and I spent the rest of the time asking questions to him, and we could talk about Fuqua and his MBA experience (which was great!). I […]

Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Walk me through your CV. Why MBA? (since you mentioned this in your walkthrough) Why Duke? Which qualities do you admire the most in a leader? Post MBA plans? What does Team Fuqua mean to you? Is there anything you would have wanted to be asked?

Duke-fuqua Q&As

Admissions Director Q&A: Shari Hubert of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

In this Admissions Director Q&A, get the inside scoop on MBA admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions, is responsible for overseeing recruitment and admissions for the school’s portfolio of ten business degree programs. Prior to Fuqua, she was in charge of admissions for the Full-time and Evening […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Shari Hubert of the Duke Fuqua School of Business

We continue our Admissions Director Q&A series with Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.  Hubert oversees recruitment and admissions for Fuqua’s Daytime MBA, Weekend Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA, and four Specialty Masters’ Degree Programs.  Prior to Fuqua, Hubert was in charge of admissions for the Full-time and Evening […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Shari Hubert of the Duke Fuqua School of Business

Diversity and inclusion stand out in the thorough Duke MBA admissions process.  Here to tell us all about it in our ongoing Admissions Director Q&A series is Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.  Hubert is responsible for overseeing recruitment and admissions for Fuqua’s Daytime MBA, Weekend Executive MBA, Global […]

Duke / Fuqua LiveWire and DecisionWire

Academics

Faculty

Fuqua employs nearly 150 full-time faculty members across eight academic areas of concentration. The areas are accounting, business administration, decision sciences, economics, finance, health sector management, management and organization, marketing, operations management, and strategy. Fuqua faculty contribute to the research agendas of the school’s centers, which include the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE), the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE), Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E), the Center for Energy, Development and Global Environment (EDGE) and Health Sector Management (HSM).

Curriculum

The school’s guiding concept is “Team Fuqua,” and the academic environment of the MBA program certainly mirrors this cooperative, team-based mentality. Fuqua’s MBA classes of close to 400 students are divided into six sections, and students are further placed into learning teams of four to five peers. These study groups are changed up mid-year, all the while working together to complete assignments throughout the core curriculum.

Fuqua’s pre-term and orientation schedule begins in July. An optional Business, Communications and Culture Program is offered in early to mid-July, and MBA students in the Health Sector Management program take a weeklong, for-credit class in July that has become known as HSM Bootcamp. A mandatory orientation period takes place over three days at the end of July. Classes commence the following week for first-year students with an intense month of orientation and immersion in a rigorous, hands-on program of three courses that emphasize leading and managing in an uncertain world. Second-year students begin classes at the conclusion of the mandatory program, or sometime near the beginning of September.

Fuqua’s schedule is organized into four six-week terms per year, and classes do not meet on Wednesdays in order to provide students with a mid-week break. Full-time MBA students must earn a minimum of 79 credits to graduate, at least 41 of which are earned through electives, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition to completing 38 core credits, which can be earned through electives should students earn exemptions from core courses, students must complete an Applied Learning Requirement, which consists of an internship over the course of at least six weeks in a business that aligns with a student’s sector and function interests. Fourteen courses comprise the core and, along with at least four electives, round out students’ first year at Fuqua. The means to core exemptions vary by course, though many can be earned based on a student’s undergraduate coursework or results on exams offered by Fuqua in July and August.

Students may also opt to focus their studies by undertaking up to two academic concentrations within 14 fields of study. Each concentration is comprised of six courses in total. Fuqua further offers two certificate programs: the Certificate of Academic Excellence in Finance, and the Health Sector Management Certificate. In addition, second-year students can take their studies abroad through a variety of international study options. Fuqua’s Outgoing Exchange Programs (OEPs), for instance, can vary in length from a single short program to an entire semester or summer break. Meanwhile, Integrated Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE) courses give students the chance to spend six weeks studying a country or region in a three-credit elective course before traveling to that location for 12 days.

Other MBA Degree Options

Fuqua’s 22-month full-time MBA is the longest of its four programs, tied with its 22-month Weekend Executive MBA that uses Durham residencies and hybrid learning to help executives earn their management degrees on the weekends. The Global Executive MBA program is slightly shorter at 21 months, and employs international residencies and distance learning to meet the needs of currently working professionals and executives. Fuqua’s newest offering is the 10-month Accelerated Daytime MBA, designed for students who have already earned their master’s degree in management and thus skip the business fundamentals. Fuqua also provides four dual degree options for full-time MBA students through other schools at Duke University and one dual degree in partnership with Seoul National University.

Concentrations at Fuqua

• Decision Sciences
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• Energy & Environment
• Energy Finance
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Finance
• Financial Analysis / Accounting
• Fin Tech (Financial Technology)
• Leadership & Ethics
• Management
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Strategy

Certificates at Fuqua

Finance
Health Sector Management

Track Offering at Fuqua

Management Science and Technology Management (MSTeM)

Degree Offerings at Fuqua

Full-time MBA Programs
Daytime, Health Sector Management
http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/

Dual Degree Programs
Doctor of Medicine, Juris Doctor, Master of Environmental Management, Master of Forestry, Master of Public Policy
https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/dual-degrees

Executive MBA
Global Executive, Weekend
https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/global-executive-mba
https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/weekend-executive-mba

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

MBA students matriculating at Fuqua have over 60 student organizations and clubs to choose from and are encouraged to create organizations that match their interests. The Duke MBA Association, or MBAA, is the student governing body for these organizations. Fuqua offers activity, professional and diversity clubs, such as the MBA Energy Club, the Marketing Club and the Asian Business Club. In addition, many students and faculty, staff and community members meet informally at the student center each Friday for food and conversation at “Fuqua Fridays.”

Fuqua’s student clubs sponsor many conferences and events, ranging from the lauded Heath Care Conference—Fuqua’s largest conference—to the MBA Games, which have engaged top business schools in charitable competitions and supported Special Olympics North Carolina for over 20 years. Hosted by the Black and Latino MBA Organization or BLMBAO, the yearly BLMBAO Leadership Conference addresses topics of business leadership through panels and discussions. Meanwhile, Entrepreneurship at Fuqua, the VC Investment Competition and Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference offer perspectives on developments in VC and entrepreneurship.

Campus Spaces

Fuqua lies within the West Campus of Duke University. The cornerstone of Fuqua’s campus is the Fox Student Center, which joins the main wings of the school while also providing spaces such as dining centers and an indoor winter event space. Fuqua’s most recently constructed building is Breeden Hall, which opened its doors in 2008 and includes class and meeting rooms as well as the Ford Library and MBA admissions offices. The school does not offer on-campus graduate housing options. Most MBA students live in the greater Durham area, and those accepted to Fuqua can access Duke’s Community Housing Office for guidance in securing accommodations.

MBA Careers

Career Services

Fuqua’s Career Management Center serves students and alumni through a variety of career resources, including on-campus, regional and virtual workshops as well as on-campus recruiting options. Many of the staff members at the center specialize in different regions, functions and industries and also in advising students of Fuqua’s different MBA programs. The online [email protected] service allows recruiters to directly post openings for Fuqua students in a centralized database of upcoming events and job fairs, employer profiles and more. Fuqua students can also contribute to a Résumé Book compiled by the Career Management Center. On-campus interviews for second-year students formally begin in early October, though networking nights and corporate presentations begin in mid-September.

Career Statistics

Of the 348 graduates in the Class of 2022 seeking employment, 92% had received job offers by commencement, and 98% had received offers by three months out. The median reported salary was $160,055 with a median signing bonus of $30,000. In both industry and function, consulting was the top draw for 2022 Fuqua graduates; 40% of the class took on that function, while 36% entered the industry directly. The next most popular industry for Fuqua graduates was technology at 23%, followed by financial services and health care at 16% and 11% respectively. By function, finance followed consulting at 24%, and 15% of students entered general management functions, with a further 14% taking on marketing/sales roles.

In total, 97% of graduates chose to remain in the U.S. for their post-MBA roles, while the rest accepted positions across the globe. Twenty-nine percent of Class of 2022 graduates who work in the U.S. accepted positions in the Northeast. The West drew 25% of U.S.-bound graduates, and the South region hired 17%. The Southwest took in 14% of Fuqua grads while nine percent settled in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Financing

Tuition for Fuqua’s daytime MBA costs $71,750 for the 2022-2023 academic year. Fuqua estimates that first-year students of the Class of 2024 will pay $100,269 in total to attend the program for a year, parsing out the cost to include $20,304 in living expenses and $8,215 in fees, insurance and supplies.

Fuqua automatically considers applicants for its range of merit-based scholarships. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can also finance the cost of their MBA through federal or private loans. These applicants must complete the FAFSA to be considered for aid. Finally, international applicants can apply for international student loan programs to gain financial assistance with or without a co-signer.

Cost of Attendance (first year)

• Tuition: $71,750
• Living Expenses: $20.304
• Estimated Educational Supplies: $668
• Estimated Medical Insurance & Other Fees: $7,547
• Total: $100,269

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