A Chat with Fuqua's Director of MBA Admissions

An excerpt from the Q&A:

Q: Which holds more weight at Duke: on-campus or off-campus interviews?
A: Our preference is that students come to campus for an interview. However, we recognize that this is not always possible. That's why we offer alumni interviews for international candidates or candidates who are living abroad, or for candidates living in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. We would like for you to come to campus so that you can get a sense of what Team Fuqua is all about. You can sit in on a class, have lunch with our students, and tour our facility, in addition to the interview. It's a great way to determine if you would want to spend the next two years here.

Q: What types of questions should candidates be prepared for in B-school interviews?
A: An applicant to an MBA program should prepare for an admissions interview the way you would a job interview. Make sure you do your research before you come to campus. Make sure you know why you want a Duke MBA and what you are prepared to contribute to the program. We're not trying to trick anyone with the questions we ask in the interview. It's a conversation about your qualifications, about what you hope to do long term, and what you bring to the table. It's also the candidate's opportunity to ask us questions and find out if Duke is a good fit for them.

For the full version of this Q&A

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Comments from Student 1:
Scheduling the Interview: I scheduled it online.

Location of interview: On campus in student center.

Preparedness of Interviewer: The interview was based on my resume, not on the entire application package. Duke interviews can be conducted before applications are submitted.

Interviewer University affiliation: Second year MBA student

Atmosphere: The atmosphere was very relaxing. My interviewer was a Second year MBA student who was very excited about Duke and her experience there. She was very interested in me and our interview.

Questions asked: The questions were typical MBA admissions questions. Talk about your previous work experience. Why is now the right time to go to b-school. What do you want to do after b-school? How will Duke help you achieve those goals?

Length of interview: 30-40 minutes

Any additional comments: After visiting Duke and going through my interview, I left with a much greater appreciation for the school and its students, largely because my interview was so enjoyable. For all three of my schools I visited campus to do the interview. I recommend, if possible, that applicants go to campus rather than doing an alumni interview. I believe that important feedback can get lost in translation from alumni to the admissions office.

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Comments from Student 2:
Scheduling the Interview: I was going to fly down to NC to visit so I scheduled a campus visit and interview online.

Location of interview: I met with a second year admissions fellow in the admissions office and she led me to a quiet room in the student union where no one occupied the entire office – incredibly silent in the space so there were absolutely no distractions.

Preparedness of Interviewer: Interviewer had received my resume so she had highlighted certain things to ask me about. I walked her through my resume and she asked me questions along the way.

Interviewer University affiliation: Second year admissions fellow.

Atmosphere: Lower level floor in student union – a group of offices that were not occupied so we were the only people down there.

Questions asked: I did most of the talking. The woman asked me to walk her through my resume, which I did and she asked me why I made certain decisions and how that led to me wanting an MBA right now.

Length of interview: approximately one hour

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Comments from Student 3:
Scheduling the Interview: I sent an email to Duke, requesting an interview in Lima, Peru (because I was there learning the language and culture).

Location of interview: Lima, Peru

Preparedness of Interviewer: He had reviewed at least some of the application, but not my resume.

Interviewer University affiliation: He was an alumnus.

Length of interview: We went a little bit over an hour.

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