Mr. Small Nation Applicant

Your a GMAT tutor but only managed to score a 700 on the test? Well, you are just five points below Duke’s latest 705 average so it shouldn’t matter all that much, especially at Fuqua which does not have a reputation for over-indexing GMAT scores. Your GPA of 3.3 from a small midwestern college is also below the class average of 3.49. You have a compelling story, given your promotions and your accomplishments at the CPG company. But because it is a local company in a small market, it’s not going to drive you into Duke the way a Procter & Gamble, Nestle or PepsiCo job might. On the other hand, there aren’t many students from Mongolia in MBA programs so you would add to the diversity of perspectives in the class. At Duke, the acceptance rate is 22.9% and I would say you are right on the cusp of an admit. I think your story overcomes the numbers and puts your odds slightly above Fuqua’s admit rate.

Hi Mr. Small Nation Applicant! This is Kate Richardson, Senior Admissions Consultant. I have to say in the years I’ve been working in admissions and reviewing many profiles online, I’ve not come across too many applicants from Mongolia. That immediately makes me rate your odds well above Fuqua’s 22% acceptance rate. Adding to that, I think your accomplishments in marketing global brands, earning multiple promotions, and increasing revenue are really impressive. I bet there are many students who’d love to learn what it’s like to expand a global brand to a market like Mongolia. I’d love if your GMAT could be a bit higher, though it’s very close to Fuqua’s average so I don’t see that being a huge roadblock. My biggest concern is whether you have your MBA already? Or is that online coursework? Some schools will consider you ineligible to apply if you already have an MBA or an MBA equivalent, so please double check those requirements with each school before you apply. If you can’t find the answer on their websites, just email or call each school’s admissions office to verify their policies. Assuming you can address that concern, I feel good about your chances at Fuqua — good luck!

Hey Mr. Small Nation Applicant – Susan Cera, Director of MBA Admissions here.

Congrats on the impressive results in increasing sales revenue!

During my time working with admissions committee at Duke Fuqua I was responsible for evaluating and selecting candidates out of all countries in Asia (other than China, Taiwan and Hong Kong). I don’t recall ever seeing an applicant from Mongolia. I bet Duke would be excited to raise a Mongolian flag in the hall of flags.

While your stats are in range and your work is solid, I do have a one major concern. You note that you have an MBA form a ‘Small Midwestern University.’ If you already have an MBA, why would you be applying?

Assuming that you do have an MBA, I would rate your chances at 0% because you are likely disqualified from applying. If I have misunderstood, then your chances are likely 80+% (I’m hoping I’m wrong because I think you would add a unique perspective to classroom discussions and marketing club events!)

I suggest that you reach out to any schools you are considering applying to and ask about whether or not you are eligible to apply.

Good luck!