If admitted, can I defer my admission to the following year?

No, we do not grant deferred admission for this program.

Can I apply in multiple admission rounds and/or to multiple programs?

You can only apply to one program at a time. If you are denied admission in an early round, you cannot reapply in a later admission round.

Do you offer a waiver of the application fee?

Yes, you may qualify for a waiver if you meet certain criteria. Qualification details are listed on the MQM Application Instructions page.

Is this program appropriate for individuals who have post-collegiate work experience?

This program is designed for individuals who do not have extensive work experience. If you have more than 3 years of post-collegiate, full-time work experience, you are encouraged to continue working and apply for the MBA program at a later date. If you have questions about what constitutes full-time work experience, or if you have more than 3 years of full-time work experience, please contact an admissions counselor at +1.919.660.7705 or mqmbusinessanalytics@fuqua.duke.edu.

What should I know about standardized test scores?

We accept standardized scores. The admissions committee pays particular attention to the quantitative score on both exams. We admit students with a range of test scores. 

Other important aspects of your application include:

• Your academic performance
• Work experience
• Community Involvement
• Leadership
• Recommendation
• Essays

View typical MQM class statistics. 

Does the admissions committee accept 3-year bachelor's degrees?

Yes. As long as you have earned a bachelor's degree by the start date of the program, you are eligible to apply.

What do I need to know about my recommendation?

Your recommendation must be received before your application is considered complete and ready for review.

• We require your recommender to complete and submit an online recommendation form. A mailed letter of recommendation will not be accepted.
• 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.

If admitted, can I switch my track?

No. As you are admitted into a specific track, switching tracks would require you to re-apply for the program.

How are interviews conducted?

We do not offer open interviews for MQM candidates. Interviews will be extended by invitation 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. Both formats carry equal weight in the admissions process. Interviews are conducted by staff, alumni, or MBA students.

What activities are offered during a campus visit?

We encourage you to visit campus. We regularly host campus visits during the fall and spring. Please check our events page for upcoming events. We typically open registration a month or two ahead of the event.

Campus visits may include:

• Tour of Fuqua’s facilities
• Chat with current students
• Visit a class
• Group meet-and-greet with an admissions officer
• Q&A with Program and Career Management Center 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 considered for a merit scholarship; there is no separate merit scholarship application. Merit scholarship recipients are selected by an Admissions Merit Scholarship Committee and are awarded based on a candidate’s overall profile. Merit scholarship awards are made independently of determining a student's eligibility for student loans.

The selection criteria include:

• Prior academic achievement
• Demonstrated leadership
• Community involvement
• Extracurricular activities
• Professional accomplishments

How will I know if I've received a merit scholarship?

A scholarship letter will be included in your admission packet. Scholarship information will be listed on page two of your electronic admission letter.

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
• Alternative student loans

Loans can be used for:

• Tuition
• Books
• Related living expenses

Visit Financing Your Degree for more details about applying for aid.

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.

As an international student, when should I apply for admission?

International students who are not already studying in the U.S. and are not eligible for a transfer should apply before the Round 2 deadline to allow time for visa processing.

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 3-year 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. International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the Round 2 deadline to ensure sufficient time for visa processing if admitted. International applicants currently on student visas in the U.S. should apply by Round 3.

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. The awards are for the duration program and cover partial tuition. Visit Financing Your Degree for more information. 

We also offer a student loan for international students. This loan offers a very competitive rate and does NOT require a co-signer from the U.S.

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

We offer the ability to replicate or 'clone' applications for applicants who submitted an application to the same program in the prior year. If you are a reapplicant, you may submit the Reapplicant Request Form, within 3 business days of your application deadline, to request to have your data transferred over. Our team will let you know when your new application is ready for you to login.

• You will be asked to answer the same essay questions as new applicants, plus one additional essay for re-applicants only.
• You will need to submit one new letter of recommendation with your new application.
• The Admission Committee will have access to essays submitted in the prior year.  Re-applicants should take advantage of the opportunity to revise their essays and provide the Admissions Committee with new or updated information.

Visit Application Instructions for more information.

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

Re-applicants do not need to resend official test scores to Fuqua, unless the scores have expired or you have retaken the tests and wish to have your new scores considered. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the date the exam is taken. 

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

Yes. Re-applicants need to follow the same interview policies as new applicants. What’s more, an interview is a great way to update the admissions committee on recent job promotions, personal achievements, and ways in which you are a stronger candidate this year.

How does the waitlist work?

Waitlisted applications will be reviewed in subsequent admissions rounds, following the round in which you originally applied.

On the decision release date for each round, you will be informed if you are admitted, and if not, your status will remain waitlisted. As such, please be sure to keep us informed of any changes in 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 name from the waitlist at any point in the process, so the number of candidates on the waitlist can vary from day to day.
• In the past, we have admitted students from the waitlist as late as the start of orientation in July.
• Please be advised that the admissions committee has made a conscious decision to limit the number of applicants extended a place on the waitlist.
• If the admissions committee determines that an interview is needed to make a final decision on your application, you will be contacted directly by the admissions office in order to schedule and complete your interview.

While I’m on the waitlist, can I retake the GMAT/GRE?

Yes. We will accept new scores from an applicant who has elected to remain active on the waitlist. Deciding to retake the GMAT or GRE is a personal decision. If you feel that you did not test at your highest potential, it might be in your best interest to retake the test. In deciding to retest, applicants have found it helpful to compare themselves to the 80% GMAT range.

If you take the GMAT or GRE again, please submit your new test scores in your student portal.

Should you be admitted, official GMAT test scores must be formally requested through Pearson Vue to be sent to program code Q13-N5-51 in order for our office to receive the score.

For GRE scores, use the Duke program code 5156, and the 4201 Business Administration and Management Department name on your GRE exam.

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 or community accomplishments – submit via the waitlist update form
• Transcripts for recently completed coursework – submit via the waitlist update form
• New unofficial test scores – 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 application-processing@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 that has not been addressed in the waitlist FAQs. What should I do?

Please feel free to contact our office via email at application-processing@fuqua.duke.edu or telephone at 1.919.660.7705 and ask to speak with an 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.