Do your research

To decide whether this program is right for you, we encourage you to assess your personal situation and goals, consider the specifics of the program, visit our campus or attend an admissions event if possible, and talk to family, friends, and mentors.

Review the online application and deadlines. Consider important aspects of the timeline, including decision release dates and tuition deposit dates.

Apply

Apply for the Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business program with our online application, ensuring that your application is complete and that it provides the admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of your background, skills, talents, and goals. You can view your application status by logging into your student portal.

Interview

We do not offer open interviews for MMS candidates. Interview invitations will be extended after careful review of your application materials. Most interviews will occur via video-conference; North Carolina residents may have the opportunity to interview on campus by invitation.

Receive a decision

You’ll be notified via email of your admission decision by midnight (Eastern Time) on the decision date for the round in which you apply. 

To reserve your place in the class, you must submit:

• A nonrefundable 2,000 USD tuition deposit, due by the deposit deadline for your admission round
• Official test scores sent directly from the testing agency
• Official transcripts sent directly from the institution/s you attended

Attend a virtual campus visit

The best way to learn about Fuqua and the MMS program is by experiencing it firsthand. We encourage you to take part in our virtual campus visit program and the virtual Blue Devil Experience event for admitted students. Attending these events will introduce you to the Durham area and help guide your transition—or give you valuable insights if you’re still making your decision.

Access our incoming student website

Shortly after you’re admitted, you’ll receive access to our incoming student website. This site includes a wealth of information about our community and expectations, helping to guide your decision.

You’ll find all the information you’ll need to transition into your new academic life:

• Program announcements
• Technical and computer information
• Assignments to prepare academically
• Information about housing and living in Durham

Apply for a visa (international students)

If applicable, visa application information will be included in your admission packet along with specific deadlines for submission. Visa processing can take up to several months to complete, so it is critical you apply no later than Round 2 to ensure that you’re able to join the program.

If you are currently in the U.S. on a student visa for another program, contact our admissions office prior to making plans to leave the country or transferring your visa to ensure that the proper steps are taken to secure your new visa for the MMS: FOB program.

Visa fast facts:

• You must submit your tuition deposit to start the visa application process.
• You’ll be emailed a link to the visa web form.
• You must submit the form and all required documentation by the visa deadline that corresponds to your application round.
• Your visa web form must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the program start date, or your offer of admission may be cancelled.

Legible, scanned copies of all transcripts are required for each college or university you have attended where you:

• earned (or will earn) a degree;
• studied for one semester or more;
• earned 12 or more credits (note: 4 or more credits if your university awards 1 credit for the typical class instead of 3 credits);
• and/or took a class that relates to your graduate study interests. 

If you took classes at a college or university while in high school, do not list the college or university as a separate school in your application.

For transfer credits: Follow the guidelines listed above, but please note that for any transferred credits that qualify to be reported, we need to see grades/marks.  If the grades/marks as well as the credits appear on your degree-conferring institution's transcript, then the additional transcript will not be required.

For student abroad credits: Please follow the same guidelines as for transfer credits.

Transcripts must include:

• Your name and the name of the institution
• Each course taken and the grade received
• The degree received and date conferred

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript. If your transcript is not in English, it must be translated, attested, and uploaded along with the originals. Those applying from outside the U.S. should see additional transcript guidelines for international students.

Two options for sending transcripts:

• Electronically to transcripts@fuqua.duke.edu
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to:
  Duke University
  The Fuqua School of Business Office of Admissions
  100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120
  Durham, NC 27708-0120

If you do not submit your official transcripts on time, or if you misrepresent, falsify, or omit information, we may rescind any offer of admission or financial assistance.

When to submit copies of official transcripts

Only if you are admitted to the program, will you be required to submit official transcripts from each college or university you have attended for verification. The due date for official transcripts will be noted in your admitted student portal. If you have not yet completed your studies by this date, your official transcripts should reach The Fuqua School of Business no later than one week before your program begins.

The admissions committee wants to learn more about your personal and professional motivations. To help us get to know you better, you’ll need to provide your thoughts on three short answer questions and two essays as part of your application.

Instructions for all written submissions:

• Responses should use 1.5-line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
• Do not repeat the question in the document you upload with your application.
• Respond carefully, fully, and concisely.
• Length requirements vary by question and are detailed below.
• Responses must be completed before submitting your application.

All essays are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Expressing your ideas by using verbiage from existing sources, including websites and other applicants' essays or materials, or having someone else compose your essays, without properly crediting those sources constitutes an act of plagiarism. Plagiarism, an act of theft and fraud, is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will result in an application denial. Note: if you have worked with a consultant to complete your application materials, please ensure that the Honor Code policy is discussed and yours essays will not be shared with other potential applicants.

Required Short Answer Questions

Instructions:

Answer all three questions. Respond in 500 characters at most (the equivalent of about 100 words per question).

1. Why are you pursuing the MMS degree at this stage in your professional development?
2. What are your immediate career goals after completing the MMS program?
3. Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the immediate goals that you provided above not materialize, what alternative directions have you considered?

Required Essay 1

Instructions:

Present your response in list form, numbered from 1-25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed two pages.

Question: The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that set the Fuqua experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us to get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.

In this spirit, the admissions committee also wants to get to know you—beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes and dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are.

Required Essay 2

Instructions:

Respond in 350 words at most.

For our MMS: Foundations of Business class, the admissions team is looking for students who are eager to engage with, and learn from, their classmates. This learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom, as extracurricular engagement is an important part of the MMS experience. Describe how you would plan to be engaged outside of the classroom and how your unique perspective, experiences, and passions will add to the MMS community.

Optional Essay

If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders or lack of a professional recommendation, inconsistent or questionable academic performance), please explain them. Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The optional essay is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only.

Re-Applicant Essay

Instructions:

An additional essay is required for re-applicants. Respond to the following in no more than two pages:

Question: It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year's application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?

Submit your required resume electronically within the online application system. For employment and volunteer positions, include the location, title, date, and responsibilities, starting with your most recent position. The education section should include dates of attendance and degrees received.

Your resume should include:

• Full-time or part-time employment
• Volunteer work
• Internships
• Education

One letter of recommendation is required and should come from someone who knows you in a professional context, such as a supervisor at an internship or place of employment. If you are unable to provide a professional recommendation, you may submit a recommendation from someone who knows you through school and can speak to your performance in an academic setting. Please clarify if you select this option in the Optional Essay. You may not submit more than one recommendation.

Other recommendation guidelines:

• Use your recommenders’ work email addresses, rather than their personal accounts, like Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, and so on.
• Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.

Fuqua accepts GMAT, GRE, SAT, and ACT scores. GMAC and ETS, the administrators of the GMAT and GRE tests, respectively, have now made available the option to take these tests from a home environment, which we view the same way as tests taken in a test center. Please visit the GMAC or ETS websites for more information. Test scores are valid for five years.

For SAT and ACT, we are able to waive accept tests taken prior to your undergraduate experience. If test scores are expired, please contact the Office of Admissions to discuss your situation.  

We do require one of these test scores in order for an application to be considered complete and receive an admissions decision.

We do not accept TOEFL or IELTS test scores. We will review applicants' English abilities based on written essays in the application and verbal proficiency in the interview.

Admission system test codes:

• GMAT: Duke program code Q13-N5-19
• GRE: Duke program code 5156, and the 4201 Business Administration and Management Department name on your GRE exam
• ACT: Duke school code is 3052. The instructions on how to submit official test scores can be found here. If your test date was before 9/1/2017, ACT provides specific instructions on how scores can be obtained.
• SAT: Duke school code is 5946. The instructions to send recent scores can be found here. The instructions on how to send older scores can be found here.

Need more help?

Information on registering and sending GMAT scores 
Information on registering and sending GRE scores 

Fee

A 125 USD nonrefundable application fee, payable by VISA or MasterCard, is due when you submit your online application.

Application fee waivers

You may be eligible to receive an application fee waiver if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

Before submitting your application, you register for and attend a recruiting event. Attend an admissions event, and in the online application indicate the event type, location, and month of attendance in your online application.

You are a member of the military—active duty, active reserve, or honorably discharged/completed service (within three years) of any nation. Either voluntary or compulsory service is valid for qualification.

You are an active participant or alumnus/alumna of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America.

You are a current member of the Forté, Posse Foundation, or Management Leadership for Tomorrow.

You receive Fuqua admissions committee approval. In your application, include the reason for your waiver request, the name of the committee member granting approval, and the date the request was granted.

You obtain an endorsement from a current Fuqua student or alumnus/alumna. In your application, include your recommender’s name, program (Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive, Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business, Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University, or Master of Quantitative Management) year of graduation (if known), and email address.

You attended one of four Diversity Events: 

• The Duke MBA Workshop
• The Duke MBA Women’s Leadership Weekend
• The Duke MBA Pride Weekend
• The Duke MBA Veterans Symposium

You are an alumni of Duke University. In your application, include the name of your degree and the year in which you graduated.

Instructions to apply for an application fee waiver:

1. Meet at least one of the above criteria.
2. Select an application round in the “Personal Information” section of the online application.
3. Complete the questions included in the "Application Fee Waiver Information" section.
4. Submit your application after all sections are complete. However, do NOT submit your application if you are asked for credit card information.

Following the above instructions is the only way to receive an application fee waiver. If you submit your online application without selecting the "fee waiver" option, then you will not qualify for the waiver, and no refund will be available.

Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other component of your application. We do not offer open interviews for MMS candidates. Interview invitations will be extended after careful review of your application materials. Most interviews will occur via video-conference; North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia residents may have the opportunity to interview on campus by invitation. Both formats are given equal weight in the admissions process.

Interviews are conducted by Fuqua staff, alumni, or select students who will ask you a variety of questions about your educational background and personal interests. At the conclusion, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions.

On-campus interview fast facts:

• Interviews are only available to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia residents who are invited to interview.
• Interviews are conducted in English and generally last 30–45 minutes.
• Select a time that lets you participate in other campus visit activities.
• Appropriate attire is business casual.
• Arrive 20 minutes prior for parking and check-in.
• Bring a one-page resume to the interview.
• Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other portion of your application file.

Video conference interview fast facts:

• Most applicants will interview via video-conference, as on-campus interviews are only available to invited North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia residents.
• Appropriate attire is business casual.

In service to reapplicants, we offer the ability to replicate or "clone" your application from a previous application year (2019 and later). If you are reapplying, please submit the Reapplicant Request form (login credentials required) to request that your previous application data be transferred over to the next available round of admission in the current application cycle. Please contact application-processing@fuqua.duke.edu should you have any questions or trouble logging in. You will receive a confirmation email once this process is complete, and can edit all or part of your application after it has been cloned.

You will need to interview in the new cycle; the same interview policies apply to you as to other applicants.

When re-applying, you are required to complete/submit:

• Short-answer questions
• Standard application essays
• A special re-application essay

Re-applicants do not need to resend official test scores to us unless your previous scores have expired. 

All applicants are required to complete the core set of application materials; however, non-U.S. applicants have additional application requirements and instructions.

Application timing for international students

International students must apply by the Round 2 deadline if they:

• Require an F-1 visa
• Are not already studying in the U.S.
• Are not eligible for a transfer

Admitted students in Round 2 need to start the visa application process quickly to ensure it’s received before the program start date.

Three-year bachelor's degree

Fuqua welcomes the applications of qualified candidates from outside the United States. We accept three-year bachelor’s degrees that are equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.

Transcripts and diplomas

Transcripts, diplomas, and academic records must be in English and certified by an appropriate university official.

Transcripts must include:

• Your name and the name of the institution
• Each course taken and the grade received
• The degree received and date conferred

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript.

If your transcript is not in English, you must have it:

• Translated
• Attested
• Uploaded in addition to the originals

Two options for sending transcripts:

• Electronically to transcripts@fuqua.duke.edu
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to:
  Duke University
  The Fuqua School of Business
  Office of Admissions
  100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120
  Durham, NC  27708-0120 USA

English as a Second Language test scores

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