Duke (Fuqua) 2013 - Calling All Applicants

Thanks, I did catch your earlier post and you make some good points. I'm leaning towards doing the interview not under the false belief that my admissions odds will go up in my favor, but more so to actually get a feel of the campus and what N. Carolina is like! With a chance this could be my home for a few years, I definitely see the merit in visiting

As for the interview, the long period of uncertainty probably won't be an issue for me, as I'll have work and other essays/applications to keep my mind busy. Will I not be as prepared? Sure... but there will always be a first interview. Gotta get it over with somehow!

Does anyone else feel like the "25 things about you" essay feels a lot like filling out a personal add?

YES!

I'm just going to have fun with it though, what an odd idea for an "essay"

Yes!

but I really do like long walks on the beach.

Hi guys, I'm in a bit of a predicament here. I visited the school last year and loved it. Duke is my #1 choice however I got a 640 (q44,v33) on my Gmat and a 3.55 GPA in Business Management from a middle tier state School. I'm a Caucasian male entrepreneur from NYC with over 4 years of w/e. I was planning on possibly retaking the GMAT however I see that the Early Decision deadline is one month away and I feel like that would be my best chance as Duke will see I'm 100% committed to the program and they would also fill one of their entrepreneur slots early on. On the other hand If I had more time I could possibly raise my GMAT by 10-40 points and apply in round 1.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Please feel free to PM me if you wish.

Thanks very much!

Completely work related.

Then I would include it. I haven't gotten this far into the application for Duke yet but as long as it doesn't ask for "Direct reports" and just asks for who you managed then it seems fair game. If you were the team lead on the project then you were managing your teammates(assuming you were doing it right ) and that should count.

read this thread
the-third-quadrant-applicant-125929.html

Also, I would take another stab at the gmat if you feel you can do better. A 640 will be tough to overcome, but it is doable. Good luck!

Thanks, I did read that thread prior to posting in here. It was very helpful and glad that it worked out so well. I just wanted to get a feel for how badly the 640 will hurt me in the early decision round.

Well, look at it this way, the 80% range is 630-740. that would mean that at least 10% of the matriculating students had a 630 or lower, so lets assume around 15% of applicants received a 640 or lower.

Duke enrolled 442 students, so around 65 of the students currently at duke (class of 2013) have a 640 or lower...

So, is it possible, Yes, but you'll have to stand out in other parts of your app.

I'm in the middle of filling out the leadership and community involvement section.
I served in several leadership positions in a organization during undergrad. Should I list and describe each position under it's own Activity?

I don't think it's impossible with a 640 if you have good work experience. However, if your work experience/success is good enough to overcome a 640, applying EA will not give you that extra boost. For example, what round of funding were you able to obtain? What kind of exit did you have for your company?

Also, you need to consider what you want to do after b-school. If you are planning to go back to entreprenuership, a low GMAT will not matter what so ever. If you are considering going into an industry/function that cares about GMAT, then a 640 will not make the cut.

I think my experience is pretty strong especially at my biz dev role, although for my start-up I was only able to raise angel funding and boot strapped the rest. Also there was no successful exit.
After B-school I'm looking to get into a funded startup or biz dev role as well.

I'm interested in applying to Duke this year.
The EA deadline is 9/19. They also have a self-initiated on-campus interview beginning 9/10. Since the EA round's deadline is 9/19, this means a person who wants to apply in the EA round has only 8 to 9 days. This is too short.
Can someone who wants to apply in the EA round schedule a self-initiated interview after 9/19 but before 10/30 ? OR is it mandatory to schedule one before 9/19 deadline ?

You can wait for the interview invitation.

If you apply EA, does that mean that it is less likely for you to receive any scholarship?

The logic is if you are so committed to come to Duke, there is no reason to further incent you to do so.


In another word, if duke is your top choice and you are ready, would you apply in EA or round 1?

thanks