Meet The Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2017

Christa Register 

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

Hometown: Wilmington, NC

Undergraduate School and Major: BS in Finance from UNC Charlotte

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Associate Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual; Small Enterprise Development Consultant, US Peace Corps; Special Assistant, Arabella Advisors

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? The most important thing is to get on a study schedule and stick to it. You’ll have to make social sacrifices, but it will be worth it when you get that acceptance letter! The second most important thing is to keep the GMAT/GRE in perspective. It’s only one tiny piece of your entire application.

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? First, narrow your focus based on what you want to do after school. I knew that social enterprise was important to me, so I applied to schools that valued this. (I also knew I hated the cold, so Chicago was out for me.) Once you have your top ten list, visit the school! When it comes to top business schools, the MBA degree will look just as good if it comes from Duke or Wharton. The important thing is to find the place you fit culturally and apply there.

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? Breathe. The process can be so overwhelming. Also, just be you. MBA programs really are looking at a holistic application, not just GPA and GMAT. Pick recommenders who know and respect your work, not just people with elite titles.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Coming to Duke was such an easy decision for me for so many reasons. Number one ranking (!), focus on impact investing, and location. But the biggest decision maker for me was my visit to Fuqua during open interview period. Fuqua was so different than any other school I visited. I immediately felt drawn in to Team Fuqua.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? Land my dream job! More importantly though, I really want to leave an impact on Fuqua before graduating. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but ask me again in six months.