Calling All Duke (Fuqua) 2011 Applicants

No calls about scholarship, guess I won't be getting any... Do you think it matters if you accepted the offer right away (I accepted on the day the decision was announced)?

And if someone was offered scholarship but then goes to another school, what happens to that money? goes to someone in the 3rd round?

1) You will never know how many people are on the list or where you sit. Last year they dropped some people off of the list in May I think and asked those remaining if they wished to remain on the list with the understanding that they could be admitted at any point.
2) Movement off of the wait list, based on my understanding, occurs with each admission round and then as admitted students opt not to matriculate beyond the target class size. So look for movement following the blue devil weekend and as peer schools have their deposits due.
3) I sent two updates. I could have sent more but I concentrated my material to make each letter as impactful as possible. More is not necessarily better, these people don't want to be burdened with a million little updates. That being said, if something big changes (i.e. promotion, new GMAT, nobel prize, etc.) let them know because the clock is ticking and the wait list churning.

Along the same lines, I was wondering if you everyone you know who got off the waitlist really had some relevant updates to provide to admissions? I'm just thinking about people like me who A. have an entirely acceptable GMAT and B. haven't gotten promoted in the past 3 months. I can certainly give them an update on the smaller details of how I continue to kick ass and take names in the world of biotech, but I'm not expecting to get a new title anytime soon. So what sort of stuff is really worth their time?

I'll have to think about the online classes suggestion. Just given the amount of time required, that would seem to be the sort of thing you'd have to send to admissions well into the summer, unless you're already halfway done (which I'm not).

I know you don't know how exactly how large the waitlist is, but I'm curious to know how many previously waitlisted students you know of in your class?

Thanks so much, highhopes!

Same question. I know Duke isn't big on calling people so I wouldn't be surprised if they don't call international students because of the time difference. Should we just wait till we get our letters? Or should we assume we're got getting a scholarship?

Is there a current Fuqua student on this site who is a part of the HSM program that wouldn't mind answering a few questions? I'm trying to decide between Fuqua's HSM and Wharton's HCM program. I received a call a couple of days ago awarding me a scholarship to Fuqua, which has complicated the whole decision! Please PM me. Thanks!

I think if you were awarded scholarship you would have received a call on mon,tues.
Looking back at old posts, it seems people who received aid heard via call from Duke (hopefully I am wrong, I am hoping I get some aid).

I wonder what happens to the money when someone who receives scholarship but withdraws from Duke...

.[/quote]

Along the same lines, I was wondering if you everyone you know who got off the waitlist really had some relevant updates to provide to admissions? I'm just thinking about people like me who A. have an entirely acceptable GMAT and B. haven't gotten promoted in the past 3 months. I can certainly give them an update on the smaller details of how I continue to kick ass and take names in the world of biotech, but I'm not expecting to get a new title anytime soon. So what sort of stuff is really worth their time?

I'll have to think about the online classes suggestion. Just given the amount of time required, that would seem to be the sort of thing you'd have to send to admissions well into the summer, unless you're already halfway done (which I'm not).

I know you don't know how exactly how large the waitlist is, but I'm curious to know how many previously waitlisted students you know of in your class?[/quote]


Honestly I can think of around 5 people in my class who got off the wait list and I'm confident there are more but not tons of people. However I want to stress that there is not set number every year and recent year have been so different (huge applicant numbers, etc.) that it would be even harder to compare year over year. I do know that not everyone had a huge update to their profile but I don't think you should use that to justify not taking further action. Staying in touch though is important. They want to know if they give you the offer off of the wait list that you're going to take it and therefore want to know that you're still interested. I looked in your submitted GMATclub profile and you're waiting on Duke and Haas, both uncertain outcomes. Would you be applying to MBA programs next year if not admitted this year? If so, I would recommend you taking the long view and preparing for your applications next year. I agree your GMAT is plenty high and a higher score isn't going to move the needle too much. What about grades? How was your interview (those are very important)? What do you feel might have been the weakest parts of your application?

Thats a really great question, I have been looking for similar information as well.
Also, what exactly is the definition of "core". Obviously McKinsey has been recruiting respectable numbers of MBA from Fuqua for several years now. What changes by them becoming a "core" school? More recruits?
Can anyone shed some light on these items?

I am an Intl waitlisted R1 applicant (new at the blog) ....and the decision.....still WL.
Congratulation on all the admissions!!!!!

What would be a reasonable decision deadline taking into consideration visa paperwork time restrictions for an int´l student? thanks

Thanks for the great feedback. I get what you're saying about staying in contact, and I'll definitely try to do that. I'm just not 100% sure what I can keep them updated on without a promotion or taking business classes. I guess I'll just work with what I've got.

And no, I don't think I'd be reapplying next year. I certainly respect those people who keep chipping away at a difficult goal and end up succeeding in a multi-year project, like getting into a top b-school when you're not necessarily a very competitive candidate. But I think that the calculus changes a bit when you're not single. Families have to make decisions differently than single people, and going through this process again seems like an untenable proposition for my family. So, if I strike out, then I think I'm done. I'll revisit the question of a part-time program maybe five years down the line.

And for the people asking about core schools, this term usually refers to whenever an employer just officially states that they recruit at these schools primarily. The most direct way of finding this information is to research this from the opposite direction, starting with the companies not the schools. For example, if you were interested in Medtronic, you could go to their website, and they have a nice 1 page document saying the 5 or 6 schools they recruit from. Of course, that doesn't mean that those places are the only ones where they've ever hired someone, but it's still a really good indication of what they want from where.

Good Luck Jsmith. I'm sure it will work out the way it's supposed to. Just for the record. In finance, a "Core" school usually means that a firm has actually reserved a number of spots for that school. So you at least get some guarantee that they will hire at least those spots for "internships." It means nothing for full time placement. Jsmith, you are right. It also means they are physically on campus.

Has anyone gotten any calls or info about scholarships?

Along the same lines, I was wondering if you everyone you know who got off the waitlist really had some relevant updates to provide to admissions? I'm just thinking about people like me who A. have an entirely acceptable GMAT and B. haven't gotten promoted in the past 3 months. I can certainly give them an update on the smaller details of how I continue to kick ass and take names in the world of biotech, but I'm not expecting to get a new title anytime soon. So what sort of stuff is really worth their time?

I'll have to think about the online classes suggestion. Just given the amount of time required, that would seem to be the sort of thing you'd have to send to admissions well into the summer, unless you're already halfway done (which I'm not).

I know you don't know how exactly how large the waitlist is, but I'm curious to know how many previously waitlisted students you know of in your class?[/quote]


Honestly I can think of around 5 people in my class who got off the wait list and I'm confident there are more but not tons of people. However I want to stress that there is not set number every year and recent year have been so different (huge applicant numbers, etc.) that it would be even harder to compare year over year. I do know that not everyone had a huge update to their profile but I don't think you should use that to justify not taking further action. Staying in touch though is important. They want to know if they give you the offer off of the wait list that you're going to take it and therefore want to know that you're still interested. I looked in your submitted GMATclub profile and you're waiting on Duke and Haas, both uncertain outcomes. Would you be applying to MBA programs next year if not admitted this year? If so, I would recommend you taking the long view and preparing for your applications next year. I agree your GMAT is plenty high and a higher score isn't going to move the needle too much. What about grades? How was your interview (those are very important)? What do you feel might have been the weakest parts of your application?[/quote]


FingersCrossed-- thanks for your insight. I'm in a similar position, on the WL at Fuqua and waiting on Haas, and considering getting ready to reapply next year. What makes you recommend taking the long view and reapplying? From what I've read, the re-applicant acceptance rates are basically the same as the general acceptance rates. Also, what could a re-applicant realistically improve about their background in 8 months to make a school change their decision? Thanks again!

Honestly I can think of around 5 people in my class who got off the wait list and I'm confident there are more but not tons of people. However I want to stress that there is not set number every year and recent year have been so different (huge applicant numbers, etc.) that it would be even harder to compare year over year. I do know that not everyone had a huge update to their profile but I don't think you should use that to justify not taking further action. Staying in touch though is important. They want to know if they give you the offer off of the wait list that you're going to take it and therefore want to know that you're still interested. I looked in your submitted GMATclub profile and you're waiting on Duke and Haas, both uncertain outcomes. Would you be applying to MBA programs next year if not admitted this year? If so, I would recommend you taking the long view and preparing for your applications next year. I agree your GMAT is plenty high and a higher score isn't going to move the needle too much. What about grades? How was your interview (those are very important)? What do you feel might have been the weakest parts of your application?[/quote]


FingersCrossed-- thanks for your insight. I'm in a similar position, on the WL at Fuqua and waiting on Haas, and considering getting ready to reapply next year. What makes you recommend taking the long view and reapplying? From what I've read, the re-applicant acceptance rates are basically the same as the general acceptance rates. Also, what could a re-applicant realistically improve about their background in 8 months to make a school change their decision? Thanks again![/quote]

If an MBA is what you really want I hope you aren't deterred by one round of rejection. Candidly as much as admissions consultants and rumor would like people to think, admissions is far from a science. I don't know much about you or anyone else who's asked me questions but I can tell you, if you are a qualified candidate there may not be a great reason why you weren't admitted and your failure this round may not speak negatively to your chances next year. Personally, if you were a qualified candidate, I think if you were to reapply to Duke, Early Action, you would stand a better chance of admission. Why do I say that: firstly qualified is qualified and I'd expect a year later you would have even more to support your WE at the very least; secondly coming back after rejection speaks to your character and desire to pursue an MBA at Duke; and finally applying early action further displays your interest in attendance at Duke and is traditionally a less competitive pool. That being said I encourage you to take a painfully candid look at your profile and identify ways in which to improve. Not only will this give you ammunition to write about in your essays next fall but also in job market once in business school. These can be test scores, interviewing skills, GPA, leadership experience, global mindset, career focus, etc..

I'll spare you some canned inspiration quote but know that no one has a clear path to long term success and I'd encourage you to see this as bump in the road that can either be a test of your resolve or barrier to your ambition. Ultimately you need to decide whether an MBA is worth going through this process again if it comes to that. For me, I had no doubt.

Submitted in Rd 3

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