Fuqua (Duke) Class of 2016: Calling all applicants!

So as I am looking through the application there is a lot of very serious stuff about background investigations, criminal pasts, getting any trouble at school, etc. I have nothing to hide and don't have anything that will raise a red flag, but this is kind of crazy. Is this common? Is Duke really going to check in with my undergrad school to see if I got in trouble almost 10 years ago? This just comes across more like I'm applying for a job with the CIA than grad school.

It's Duke. And yes, they can check with your undergrad institution. They even scan your essays for plagiarism.

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I don't agree with your first sentence. It's not just Duke. I'm actually not sure of any top programs that don't subject you to a background check. The extent to which a company may go will likely vary by company and maybe by what the school asks of them, but just like when you apply for a job they're reserving the right to make sure what you told them is accurate.

I think people worry too much over this unless they really have something bad from their past. For undergrad, they'd likely just verify you were enrolled there and graduated when you said you did. They might check your gpa or major, but you've also submitted a transcript so they have that. For past employers, it's likely just the dates you've worked there and your title. They may or may not ask about salary. I really wouldn't think too deeply into this.

Dude, this is no worse than renting an apartment. I'm sure clicking "no" on a few drop-down menus is just as bad as going through 3 days of polygraph testing or having one of your former drunk one-night stand partners interviewed about whether you abuse alcohol, have criminal/immoral tendencies, or intend to overthrow the government (None of these are personal experiences, just stories I've heard.).

Maybe I'm dogpiling here, but I couldn't resist.

Just remembered something for 25-things essay. Or, maybe not!

Just got my official "ding letter" from Duke. Will be reapplying in ED and revisiting Fuqua from Sept19-22.

I started my application today and saw a comment there that Fuqua may provide the names of the ED admits to other schools. Does that really happen?

Unlikely. Duke has better things to do - my thoughts

Having said that, I was told that in the information session as well.

Hi Guys, In the Fuqua online app, under Education Background, they ask for a college level calculus course. I'm an Indian applicant with an engineering background. We had three math papers in our curriculum and none specifically titled calculus. How should i go about this section?

Not 100% sure, but I think if you haven't taken one, you need to take one before your matriculate in August. You admission to Fuqua will be contingent upon your successful completion of that class.

I think I just indicated in my app that I took up Engineering Math, which contained calculus and listed my grade. You can register for a calculus course if you like. If you matriculate at Fuqua, you may have to complete it.

Interview booked for 10/14. Is anyone else going to be there at that time?

Fuqua visit booked from Sept 19th - Sept 21st. Would love to meet with other applicants.

Hi Rajiv,

I booked my interview for the same weekend! It should be a fun trip. I booked my hotel through hotwire.com and was satisfied with what it spit out. Are you attending a class and Fuqua Friday?

I am scheduled for sept 27th , class , tour, fuqua friday and partners club. Hope to see some GCers there!
Btw - for the summer waitlisters who are re applying for EA- how are your essays coming along? Also, are you guys making major changes to your main application or keeping it like 90% the same?

I am keeping 60% same. My reapp essay turned out pretty good, but I am struggling to find new random things. I think I will use 8-9 new ones and keep the rest same. Also, my interview was pretty mediocre last time, so I am preparing for a better one this time around.

How are yours coming along?

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Nice. thanks for sharing.

I am am on the flip side here. I am having difficulty approaching the reapplication essay, mainly around that I had sent in several updates while I was waitlisted and this was part of my self reflection process. Now the reapp essay asks for the self reflection process we went through since "last year" but for us summer waitlisters this is only like a month old..so I am not sure if I should be repeating myself in the reapp essay since I have already included this content in the earlier updates. thoughts?

Second issue is that I can see there being some overlap with the reapp essay and the Why Duke essay.. did you Hailmary or anyone else face this problem?

My 25-random list is coming along well, I do need to prep my interview as well but i think that will formulate over time.