Calling All Duke Fuqua MBA Applicants: 2024 Intake Class of 2026

Hi Fuqua starts in 2 mins.

The Zoom starts at 10:45 Eastern (Zoom does not allow scheduling in 15-min increments). Someone forgot to tell them it is 2023 😂

Oh god! And I was thinking that I missed it as my time zone conversion was horrible.

Omg me too!
And now it says it has reached the meeting limit

Oops sorry about that. Give it a bit - you should be able to join as the volume will drop off

At-home GRE/GMAT test score accepted?

Hi, everyone!

My name is Ankit and I’m an incoming MBA candidate at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. I was also the GMAT Club Fuqua moderator for 2022-2023. (The spotlight moderator before me ended up going to Fuqua, too, so maybe it’s a good omen?). I made it out of the waitlist with a merit scholarship, too!

I’m from India. I applied in the Early Action round with a GMAT score of 710. I did my undergrad (B.Com) from University of Calcutta and was in the top 0.5% of my class. I’m also a Chartered Accountant (similar to a US CPA) and a Company Secretary (specializing in Corporate Law and Corporate Governance). I was working for a plastic pipe and fitting manufacturing company and I worked there for 6.5 years. I was responsible for taking the day-to-day financial and strategic decision making of the company, but in the past 3 years, I’ve been involved a lot of executive-level decision-making. Ideated an executed some great projects which focused on profitability along with sustainability.

I also have a lot of volunteering experience. I’m a stand-up comic and storyteller as well (working on my first novel for while now T_T). I was waitlisted after applying in the Early Action round, and then I sent in a bunch of updates highlighting my professional accomplishments and retaking the standardized test. I went in for EA and scored 161 on it.

Please feel free to ask your question if you think I can help you out. Please keep in mind that I have not been to Durham yet, so I can’t give out any advice about the school or Durham in general.

😂 Yes

As long as you take it yourself

mainbhiankit, Thanks so much for joining us and conducting this session!

I think we have one more admit joining - I can see him typing his intro 👍 (i can’t see what he is typing but I can see the typing)

Question about the Fuqua application process - what was your perhaps favorite or least favorite (most annoying) part of applying to Fuqua? What did you think about that 25 things essay?

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tejas, and I am currently based out of New Delhi, India. I am an incoming MBA student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business for the FT class of 2025.

Here is a little information to give you an idea about my profile and background.

GMAT: 1st attempt - 720, 2nd attempt: 750
Education Background: Bachelor’s of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering with a minor in Business Management
Pre-MBA: Software Engineer turned Project Manager / Solutions Architect
Post-MBA goals: Short term: Product Management, Long term: Entrepreneurship
Work experience: 5 years
I was waitlisted at Fuqua after applying in R1 and then made it off the waitlist during the R2 decisions. Fuqua was my top choice school, so after going through a roller coaster of emotions, I am extremely happy and grateful that I get to attend my dream school. I look forward to answering your questions about everything ranging from the application process, my thoughts behind why Fuqua was my top choice school, how I made it off the waitlist, building your B-School ready resume, etc.

Fuqua’s admission’s process is famous for its 25 random things essay, so to break the ice it would be great if you guys could share a random fact about yourselves (if you don’t have any questions)

Here’s a fact about me: I have a 943 day streak of Spanish on Duolingo, however yo hablo un poco de espanyol!

WOW! 943! Fantastic job. That’s a crazy fact but useful in applications and shows your character in so many ways 👍

Hi guys, Could you kindly answer me the below? Thanks

I come from the most common bunch of applicants from India - Male + Engineering + IT Job. How do Duke Fuqua filter each candidate to reach the interview stage apart from the GMAT score?

Is this a chat or a zoom session? Thank you!

Hello, is IELTS/TOEFL a mandate for Indian applicants or is it fine to provide transcripts stating English as the primary mode of education in undergrad?

My favourite and most annoying part both was in fact the 25 random things essay, it started off with not being able to come up with any points that I felt were worthy enough the on the essay, to struggling to cover all aspects of my profile/personality through these points, to finally being frustrated at not being able to add a few of my favourite points.

All in all, revealed as much to me about myself as it did to the adcoms! 10/10 would do it agani!


I don’t remember it being mandatory for Fuqua’s application. I don’t think there was a option to even add the score if remember correctly!

Hi. How to get the application fee waiver ?

Hi Everyone,

I am an incoming MBA student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business for the FT class of 2025.

Here is a little information to give you an idea about my profile and background.

GMAT: 700; GRE: 321
Education Background: B.E. Civil Engineering
Pre-MBA: Manufacturing and real estate
Post-MBA goals: Short term: IB
Work experience: 4 years
I was waitlisted at Fuqua after applying in EA (without interview). I was then invited to interview in R2, but was waitlisted again. And finally got off the waitlist earlier this month.

Shoot your questions!