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

Rejected

Hello bhavyasinghal,

Thanks for writing in.

The GMAT and work experience are only components of the application, albeit important ones; your overall profile including your achievements at work, career growth, leadership potential, as well as future goals have a major role to play in determining your chances, as well. Such details have not been mentioned in your post.

Thanks.

All the best!

Waitlisted:/

Congratulations to everyone who made it!

For sure--I wasn’t really planning on going, it was just a very very safe school in case literally everything else didn’t work out. Not losing any sleep over it! lol

There is a Duke MBA application webinar hosted by the Duke Fuqua Admission Committee on December 14, 2023. For registration https://bit.ly/MBA-Duke-Webinar

Hi folks! Is there some kind of a group of the admits on another platform?

Posted from my mobile device

Hi. There is the official Slack group. You would get the link to join the group from the school. There is also a w hatsapp group few of the admits are part of. If you are looking to be added to the w hatsapp group, DM me.

Thanks! Already a part of the slack group. DMing you for that other group.

Hey guys, I’ve been placed on the waitlist for Duke. As of today, I have 3.5 years of work experience in ad tech in Mumbai. I received a promotion to Senior Associate this year in January.
Now I’m looking for a new job with a better work profile, company profile or possibly a manager designation.
Do you think if I get the job such kind of new information would be beneficial for the AdComm?
Or is it recommended to stick with your old job while on the waitlist?

always good to show progression

Improving your GRE score may be a better direction to invest your energies in.

Congratulations to everyone accepted! I’m at first year at Fuqua and would be happy to chat with you all as you make decisions. Same with waitlisted folks!

I am waitlisted at Fuqua, what are the next steps and how long do they take to reach to a decision?

I got an email from Fuqua about the next steps for waitlisted candidates. There is an upcoming information session too, for waitlisted candidates. As per the email, you will get the next update on R2 decision date. Interestingly, 25% of the Fuqua first-year class is admitted from the waitlist. Is this typical for other schools?

Depends on demographics and the pool of the R2 candidates. You are on waitlist for multiple reasons- one of those reasons is potentially seeing whether the pool of applicants in R2 is better suited to increase their class profile appeal. Other reasons exist too but, I would still keep reaching out to students and ensuring to have them advocate for me for active engagement with the community

Hello DeuvuSharma,

After a long and exhaustive application process, spread over a few months, getting a waitlist notification can be disappointing. However, while many see the waitlist as a rejection, MBA applicants need to understand that being placed on the waitlist is another opportunity to shine. It really means the admissions committee has decided to continue evaluating your candidacy.

Connect with us to maximise this time, and get the right guidance.
Get in touch with The Red Pen’s MBA Admissions team via cell at +91 9820491179 or book your slot here.

Feel free to read the below blog which will help you add value to your profile.

Here are some waitlist strategies to help you get admitted:
Q) Should I stay on the waitlist?
Is the MBA programme you are waitlisted for your top choice? Are you willing to give up your spot at other business schools for the chance of potentially being accepted at your dream business school? If the business school you are waitlisted for is not your first choice, then it would be advisable to get your name off the list as soon as possible, so that another waitlisted applicant can have a better chance of pursuing their MBA dream.

Q) What can I do to improve my chances of getting off the waitlist?
Remember that every business school has a different process. So, you really want to ensure that you follow the instructions that come with the waitlist process. Some business schools only want to know if you would like to remain on their waitlist or not. If your answer is yes, inform them of your interest in remaining on the waitlist and thank the business school for continuing to consider your application. If the business school specifically tells you that no additional materials should be submitted then do not do so.

Now, this is easier said than done, but vital: don’t panic. You don’t need to send a waitlist essay/letter/recommendation letter the same day or even the day after you receive a waitlist decision. By sending materials immediately and without carefully considering, revising and polishing your work, you squander an opportunity to really showcase improvements in your candidacy. So instead of rushing through sloppy work, spend some time re-reviewing your materials, identifying gaps in your profile and addressing them.

For example, is your GMAT on the lower side versus their average? If so, consider taking it again. Have you taken the TOEFL to demonstrate English language proficiency? Now might be a good time to do so. If the school allows an update letter or essay, write a succinct letter (maximum 500 words) that outlines all the changes/updates in your profile or specific steps that you are taking to rectify weaknesses that reiterates your fit for the programme. Were your goals unclear/vague? Clarify them, with fresh insights you’ve gained since completing your application. Try making a list of everything that has changed since you applied. Promotion? Finished your CFA? Organised a blood drive? Write it down for yourself, summarise it and give them the greatest hits, in a clear concise way.

Your main aim in sending in additional materials while being placed on the business school’s waitlist is to impress upon the admissions committee that:

You will accept the admission if offered.
You are clear about your goals and are willing to work hard to achieve them.
You are invested in their MBA programme and are a great fit for the business school.
If the business school gives you no specific instructions on when to submit this kind of letter, beyond saying that it’s acceptable to do so, send it about a month after you receive your original notification. This gives the business school time to calculate their yield–what offers have been accepted) and their projected class size, so they have a stronger sense of how many spaces they have left to fill.

If the school gives you an opportunity to send additional letters of recommendation, try to find recommenders that can add a new perspective or spin on your candidacy. Perhaps a vendor or supplier who can speak to your persuasion skills or maybe a co-worker on a CSR project who is about to talk about your ability to rally a group. Don’t provide letters that simply re-hash the same incidents you’ve written about in your essays and those that your previous recommenders have mentioned. If you are close to alumni from the programme or know someone well enough for them to recommend you, ask them to provide drop an email to admissions emphasising your fit for the programme and endorsing your candidacy.

Even though it might not immediately feel that way, the waitlist is a good sign. It’s just up to you to decide how to deal with it, how to stay confident and make the best decision possible with the information you have.

Hi, everyone,

We have added a new episode to our GMAT Club Podcast. In this episode, we dive into Arya’s journey who got admitted to the MBA/MPP dual degree program at Duke Fuqua. We discuss Arya’s pre-MBA preparation story, her extensive social sector work, the highs and lows of business education, and her post-MBA goals. From networking events to work-life balance, Arya offers an authentic and inspiring glimpse into the transformative world of MBA life at Duke Fuqua.

You can listen to it at the following link gmatclub-podcast-arya-s-journey-from-social-entrepreneur-to-fuqua-422976.html#p3318213