Weekend Executive MBA - FAQ

Do you offer a waiver of the application fee?

Yes, you may qualify for a waiver if you meet certain criteria. Please visit our Application Instructions page to learn more about the qualifications and procedure for receiving a waiver.

I own my own business. Am I eligible for the program?

As long as you are working, you are eligible for the program. Students participating in the Weekend Executive program must be employed on a full-time basis.

Do you require a standardized test score?

No. Standardized test scores are not required for the Weekend Executive MBA application. If you choose to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score, we will consider it as one data point within our holistic review, but it is neither required nor expected.

We evaluate applicants based on a full view of their academic preparation, professional experience, leadership, and potential for success in a rigorous, fast-paced academic environment. Test scores are just one of many ways an applicant might demonstrate readiness.

Other important components of your application include:

• Your academic performance and preparation
• Work experience and career progression
• Leadership and impact
• Community and extracurricular involvement
• Recommendations
• Essays
• Interview performance

If you believe a standardized test score adds helpful context to your profile, you are welcome to submit one. If not, your application will be reviewed fully and fairly without a test score.

Submitting your application and test scores:

Standardized test scores are not required for the Weekend Executive MBA application. If you choose to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) score, we will consider it as part of our holistic review.

If you do submit a test score:

Fuqua accepts GMAT, GRE, and Executive Assessment (EA) scores. Scores are valid for five years, and you do not need to submit official score reports at the time of application. You may self-report your score and provide official scores if admitted. We do not have a preference among these exams, and scores can be updated after your application is submitted.

Both GMAC and ETS, the administrators of the GMAT and GRE tests, respectively, have provided the option to take these tests from a home environment. Please visit the GMAC or ETS websites for more information.

What is your policy on deferred admission?

Admitted WEMBA applicants who have paid an enrollment deposit and are interested in possibly deferring enrollment to the next year’s class should reach out to their Admissions Counselor for further information. The deferral review process requires submission of a deferral request form (provided by an Admission Counselor), which is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The deferral request form must be submitted no later than five business days before the program start date (commencement of the Reading Period).

Deferral requests are typically granted only in cases of significant, unanticipated or unavoidable circumstances. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and submissions should include supporting documentation confirming the nature of the request.

If an applicant’s deferral request is granted, an additional non-refundable $1,000 USD deferral deposit fee is due within two weeks of the notification date. The tuition deposit and deferral fee will both be credited toward the tuition bill upon enrollment. These deposits are non-refundable. Deferrals are granted for a single year, and there are no extensions.

If a scholarship is awarded in the year the applicant applies, this award is guaranteed for matriculation the following year. Scholarship awards will be re-evaluated during the admissions cycle prior to matriculation.

Is an interview required?

Yes – your application is not complete without an interview. Interviews can be scheduled at any time during the application process and are best scheduled at your earliest convenience, as slots fill quickly. Interviews are conducted via video-conference or in-person and are typically 45 minutes in length.

See Application Instructions for more information.

What if I have to cancel or reschedule my interview?

If you are unable to attend your scheduled interview and need to cancel or reschedule, please do so using our online scheduling system, which is located in the interview section of the application. For cancellations within 48 hours or should unexpected circumstances prevent you from completing a scheduled interview, contact us immediately at +1.919.660.7705 or admissions-info@fuqua.duke.edu.

Is a campus visit required?

A campus visit is not required for the Weekend Executive MBA program.  If you are able to come to our Durham campus, we hope you will schedule your visit when we host an Open House for working professionals, where you will have a chance to attend a class, tour the Fuqua and J.B. Duke Hotel facilities and meet our faculty and staff.

How is full-time status determined?

To be considered full-time, a student must be registered for a course that makes progress toward their degree. This includes but is not limited to, enrolling in the appropriate courses required for degree completion and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Variation from 3 to 24 graduate credits is common across terms.

What enrollment status is required to be eligible for student aid?

Generally, student aid, i.e., loans, review is based on enrollment being at least half-time status.

How are Fuqua merit scholarship awards determined?

Every admitted applicant is automatically reviewed for merit-based scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application. If you are awarded a Merit scholarship, notification will be included with the letter of admission. Funding is limited and will not be sufficient to cover all tuition.

Is it possible to borrow funds to meet the costs of attending Fuqua?

A variety of student loan programs are available to both domestic and international students.

You are eligible to apply for a combination of:

• Federal student loans
• Private alternative student loans

For international students, the Weekend Executive program has loan programs available that cover up to 80% of the cost of attendance; no U.S. cosigner is required.

At our Financing Your Degree page, you can learn more about scholarship and financial aid options, including:

• Domestic and international student loans
• Loan eligibility
• The loan application processes
• Scholarship information
• Financial aid for U.S. military veterans

How will I know if my FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has been sent to Fuqua Financial Aid?

Approximately 1 week after you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which will indicate the receipt and initial processing of your application.

• Our financial aid office receives an electronic copy of the SAR, and the FAFSA data for admitted students is reviewed for accuracy and completeness.
• If additional information is needed, you will receive a written request from Fuqua.
• If no additional information is requested, you will receive a financial aid award notice.
• Our financial aid office begins review of financial aid applications in March and sends out award notices on a rolling basis.

How do I go about getting corporate financial support?

Company policies vary, but if you email our admissions committee, we can put you in touch with Duke students or alumni from your organization or industry to help discuss strategies for gaining corporate financial support.

Learn more about getting employer support.

Do I need to submit an English as a Foreign Language Test?

Fuqua does not accept ESL test scores.  We will use other aspects of your application to assess language proficiency.

Will you consider my application with a degree less than a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree?

Generally, we do accept international bachelor's degrees. Most of the degrees we see are for 4-year programs. Three-year degrees are fairly common in U.K.-based systems therefore, a 3-year degree from England, Scotland, Wales, and Australia is acceptable. In India, the bachelors of commerce degree is 3 years, and is usually considered the equivalent of a U.S. business degree.

Is there financial aid available for international applicants?

Every admitted applicant is automatically reviewed for merit-based scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application. Merit scholarship notification typically occurs within a week following the admission notification. Funding is limited and will not be sufficient to cover all tuition.

For more information, please visit our Financing Your Degree page.

Do I need a new application, essays, and letters of recommendation?

Applicants re-applying from the previous admissions cycle can reuse their letter(s) of recommendation. Please contact your Admissions Counselor. Anyone applying from an admissions cycle prior to the previous cycle must submit all new application materials, including a letter(s) of recommendation.

Do re-applicants need to resend official test scores and official transcripts?

Re-applicants do not need to resend official GMAT/GRE/EA scores to Fuqua, unless the scores have expired or you have retaken the tests and wish to have your new scores considered.

GMAT/GRE/EA scores are valid for 5 years from the date the exam is taken. To update your scores, have the testing company send the official score report directly to our office. Once your official score is available, send an email to application-processing@fuqua.duke.edu to ask to have the score updated in your application.

I am a re-applicant and interviewed last year. Do I need to interview again?

Applicants re-applying from the previous admissions cycle typically do not need to re-interview. Please contact your Admissions Counselor. Anyone applying from an admissions cycle prior to the previous cycle must submit all new application materials including scheduling a new interview.

How does the waitlist work?

Waitlisted applications will be reviewed during admissions rounds subsequent to the round in which you originally applied. Please be sure to keep us informed of any changes to your contact information.

• We are unable to share an exact number of people who are waitlisted. Candidates on the waitlist may be admitted or may choose to remove their names from the waitlist at any point in the process, so the number of candidates on the waitlist can vary.
• Please be advised that the admissions committee has made a conscious decision to limit the number of applicants extended a place on the waitlist.

May I submit additional information for the admissions committee to consider?

Yes. During the coming months you may submit additional information that you feel will be helpful to the committee in consideration of your file. Brevity and relevance are important when determining what to submit to the admissions committee. It is not necessary to duplicate information already covered in your application. Please follow the instructions below to ensure your update/s is placed in your file.

• Information on recent professional accomplishments – submit via the waitlist update form
• Transcripts or details regarding recently completed coursework relevant to program success - submit via the waitlist update form
• New unofficial test score – submit via your student portal
• Updated mailing address – submit via your student portal

All additional information, including additional recommendations, should be submitted via email to working-professionals@fuqua.duke.edu. If you have any inquiries regarding your status on the waitlist, call our office at +1.919.660.7705.

I have a question regarding the waitlist that has not been addressed by this information. What should I do?

Please feel free to contact our office via email at working-professionals@fuqua.duke.edu or by telephone at 1.919.660.7705 and ask to speak with an Executive MBA Admissions Officer. You may reach us during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm ET. We would be happy to speak with you and address any questions or concerns you have regarding your application status.