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About The School

In its relatively short history, The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University has established itself as one of the leading MBA programs in the world. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is part of the world-renowned Research Triangle Park (RTP), one of the oldest and largest science parks in the US with over 300 companies ranging from startups to multinationals including Biogen, Credit Suisse, and Cisco Systems.

Fuqua and Duke see themselves as a vital part of this growth. The school has long-standing relationships with firms in key industries, including healthcare, financial services, consulting, technology, consumer goods, energy and the environment, and media, as well as a focus in the areas of entrepreneurship and social impact. They also have a network of 25,000+ alumni, many of whom remain highly engaged with the school.

They are looking for individuals who thrive in diverse environments, enjoy collaboration and the innovation it fuels, and believe the collective is just as if not more important than any one member of the team. (Prominent alumni include Apple CEO Tim Cook and philanthropist Melinda Gates.)

Fuqua’s mission is to transform its students into leaders who are equipped to inspire organizations in a way that leads to positive impact on the bottom line, but also positive impact on the world. Over and over again, companies say they recruit at Fuqua because of their intelligence, drive, and team-oriented nature as well as the “decency quotient” which Fuquan students are known for.

The decency quotient is fostered by the Fuqua culture which is incredibly collaborative and close-knit – Team Fuqua isn’t just a saying, but a commitment that the students, faculty, and staff make to one another (which also extends to partners of students). And while Fuqua may have built a reputation for marketing & general management early on, but consulting, technology, finance, and healthcare have quickly become significant areas of focus.

Strengths And Specializations

Healthcare management, energy & the environment, technology, social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship & innovation, marketing

Incoming Class

Number of Applicants: 3,762

MBA Class Size: 399 

Tuition: $150,000 

Post-MBA Careers

Career Sector: Finance 36%; Consulting 23%; Technology 16% ; Health 11%; Starting Own Business 1%

Top Recruiters: Accenture, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, EY Parthenon, McKinsey, PwC, ZS Associates, Amazon, Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, Microsoft, Bank of America, Barclays, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, DaVita, Johnson & Johnson, The Kraft-Heinz Co.

Avg. Base Salary: $160,055 

Salary Increase: 130% 

Employment in 3 months: 98 

Duke Fuqua Ranking

Admissions

Avg. Work Exp: 6 

Average GMAT: 718 

International Students: 52% 

Female Students: 48% 

Deadlines For 2023-2024: Early Action: Sep 07, 2023, R1: Sep 28, 2023, R2: Jan 09, 2024, R3: Feb 22, 2024, R4: Apr 04, 2024

Essays

Short Answer Question:  

What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first choice career plan and your alternate plan. (500 characters onlythe equivalent of about 100 words)

Essay 1: 25 random things about yourself 
Present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25limit your response to 2 pages 750 words maximum. 

Optional Essay: If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware (such as unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance), please explain them in an optional essay. (500 words)

Fortuna Tips & Advice 

Read Fortuna’s Essay Tips & Strategy for Duke Fuqua. 

Request a copy of our team’s Insider Tips Report for Applying to Duke Fuqua. 

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