Kim Runge
Duke University, Fuqua School of Business
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate School and Major: Davidson College, Economics
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Wachovia – economic analyst; Wells Fargo – senior foreign exchange analyst; Wells Fargo – foreign exchange sales specialist and AVP; Wells Fargo – foreign exchange sales specialist and VP.
Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? Allow plenty of time to prepare – about four months – if you have not seen this material in some time. Then allow time to take the exam twice. I suggest preparing for the exam very early in your application process, even a year in advance if possible, to allow plenty of time to research and visit schools and complete application essays.
Based on your own selection process, what advice do you have for applicants who are trying to draw up a list of target schools to which to apply? Take the time and energy to understand what each school offers. While applying to the top 5 or 10 schools may work out, I think fit is important and you cannot determine that based on rankings alone. You’ll also need to justify your choice in the admissions process, so you should understand what each school represents.
What advice do you have for applicants in actually applying to a school, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf? I think early preparation and commitment are key. This is a long process, and should include introspection early on so that you have a clear picture of your goals. You will have to communicate this to your recommenders and interviewers, and it’s easier if you have put in the time necessary to think about it. Be considerate of the time constraints on your recommenders and give them a long lead time. If they are not accustomed to writing recommendations, consider providing them with information IN ADDITION to the instructions on each school’s website so that they can represent your skills in a way that is helpful and distinctive to the admissions committee.
What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Visiting Fuqua was a very important factor in my decision. Sitting in a class, where students do not have laptops or phones out, demonstrated the commitment to academic excellence and seriousness of purpose. The student body is full of interesting and unique perspectives, and talented people. Fuquans clearly like to have fun together and truly care about each other and the culture of the school. This combination was exactly what I was looking for in a business school.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
I hope to enhance my leadership skills, prepare myself for my post-MBA career, and make a lot of good friends while enjoying living in beautiful Durham, NC!
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