1. Why should I come to Duke MBA Workshop? When is it? The Duke MBA Workshop is designed to give prospective students an overview of the MBA experience, starting with the admissions process and continuing through to your career beyond the MBA. The workshop incorporates both formal and informal interactions with current students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. This year’s workshop will be held November 19 – 22, 2009. 

2. What if I decide not to come/do not get invited; can I still apply for full-time admission? Yes, The Duke MBA Workshop application process is unrelated to the Daytime MBA admission process; your application for admission will be reviewed individually and holistically as will all completed applications received.

3. I have a low GMAT score; can I still get in? Yes. The GMAT is important in the evaluation process, but it is not the only indicator of achievement. Other important aspects of the application that are assessed by the Admissions Committee include: academic performance, work experience, recommendations, and essays. If you feel that you have not scored your personal best on the GMAT, or that the results of the exam are not representative of your ability, you may wish to re-take the exam.  The Admissions Committee will only consider the highest score you receive on the test, and you are not penalized for taking the exam multiple times.  Otherwise, you should concentrate on the remaining parts of the application. It may also be of some benefit to take quantitative classes, i.e., finance or statistics, to demonstrate to the admissions committee your ability to handle the quantitative aspects of the curriculum.

4. I went to college years ago; does my undergraduate GPA matter? Yes it matters, but your undergraduate transcript is only one part of a total package that will include your GMAT score, work experience, recommendations, and essays. If your undergraduate GPA is a concern, enrolling in and completing courses, particularly quantitative courses, prior to applying can provide more recent evidence of your ability to succeed in the academic environment.

5. I have very little work experience; should I still apply? The length of time an applicant has been working, post college, is less important than the quality of work and experiences gained during the time the individual has been working.  While the Fuqua student body averages about five years of work experience, there is a great deal of variation within that average.  We do admit individuals directly from undergraduate institutions when other areas of the application are particularly strong, and we have students who have ten years of experience or more.  If you have fewer than two or three years of work experience, the Admissions Committee will look to your college experiences, part-time work, internships, life experiences, and other areas to determine opportunities you may have had to develop teamwork, leadership, and business-related skills. 

6. What percentage of minorities and women usually come to Fuqua?  For the Class of 2011, the student body is comprised of 10% underrepresented minorities and 39% female students.  While the percentages do vary slightly from year to year, these figures are representative of historical enrollment percentages as well.   

7. Where is Durham? Durham is in the northeastern part of North Carolina, located 20 miles west of Raleigh, which the state capitol.  For additional reference, Durham is approximately four hours south of Washington, DC, by car.  The Raleigh/Durham International Airport (RDU) services all major airlines and offers non-stop flights to New York, Miami, Chicago, and Dallas, among other destinations.

8. How do I pay for my MBA? How do I apply for scholarships? All accepted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based financial aid. Merit-based scholarship decisions are made by the Scholarship Committee, and admitted students will be notified of any scholarship award within approximately one week of receiving an admission decision.  The earlier you apply, the more likely scholarship funds will be available. Also, many organizations have scholarships for first- and second- year MBA students, including the national and local chapters of the National Black MBA Association and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. In addition to merit-based scholarships and scholarships or fellowships from outside organizations, students may apply for loans to help fully fund their education.  Fuqua offers a Financial Aid office to assist students with loan programs.

9. How can I learn more about Fuqua? There are many ways to learn more about the program and what it offers. You can visit us on the web at www.fuqua.duke.edu, schedule an on-campus visit at http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/daymba/admissions/interviews.html or participate in one of our information sessions in your local area see https://access.fuqua.duke.edu/pws/public/infosession/all/.

10. Who can I talk to if I have more questions? If you would like to be connected with a current student, please contact Orion Brown (orion.brown@duke.edu) or Jodi Smith (jodi.smith@duke.edu). To speak with an admissions representative, you may send an email directly to admissions representatives Willie Green, at wg26@duke.edu, or Sharon Thompson, at sharont@duke.edu.