Tips for Duke Fuqua’s Application

Duke Fuqua MBAs at their orientation week

Tips for Duke Fuqua’s Application

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business recently revamped its application process to revise its short answer questions.

Catherine Tuttle, a Fortuna Admissions coach and former associate director at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, recently discussed tips for applicants on how to best approach Fuqua’s application.

25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT YOU

Fuqua’s notorious 25 Random Things essay can be tricky if you aren’t familiar with it. Yet, Tuttle says, this prompt is simply to learn more about you beyond your professional attributes.

“This is an opportunity to have some fun and to highlight an aspect of yourself that may not shine through in traditional MBA essay questions,” Tuttle writes. “This is also an opportunity to connect on a personal level – this is a medium to be courageous. If done right, your answers will draw the committee in and lead them to advocate for you during the process.”

To answer this question, Tuttle says, applicants should reflect on their values, hobbies, and passions.

“These can and should be a combination of poignant, playful, sad, funny, striking, deep and everything that lies in between,” she writes. “Some can be a paragraph whereas others may be a declarative sentence. Remember that these things should reflect with the core values of Fuqua’s community – collaboration, diversity, respect, honesty and contributing to a cause greater than yourself.”

The Fuqua Community and You

The second Fuqua essay prompt asks you how you see yourself engaging in and contributing to the Fuqua community outside of the classroom.

Tuttle says the key aspect of this question is “outside of the classroom.”

“Applicants frequently ignore that portion of the prompt and wax poetic about how their experiences will add value in classroom discussions,” Tuttle writes. “Going deeper here is crucial. Fuqua boasts over 60 clubs, all of which were initiated and run by students. These clubs and other experiential opportunities position you to take action and flex the leadership muscle you’ll be strengthening in the program.”

It’s important, Tuttle adds, to highlight which clubs you think you’d fit into and tie in your experience.

“Consider the associations you’d enjoy being a contributor to – professional clubs but also merrier ones like the Outdoors Club or the Wine Club,” Tuttle writes. “Then, contemplate your past experiences and how they will reinforce Fuqua’s mission and goals. Connecting with club members will ensure you’re even better armed to specifically articulate how you plan to add value.”

CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Fuqua also emphasizes its diversity. Nearly 40% of its student body hails from outside the United States.

Tuttle says it’s critical that applicants demonstrate cultural competency when applying to Fuqua.

“Explore ways to emphasize your experience partnering with globally diverse teams and why an international perspective is essential to you from a personal and professional perspective,” Tuttle writes.

Sources: Fortuna Admissions, Fuqua, Fuqua