ADMISSIONS

Application Requirements

All applications are evaluated holistically based on multiple criteria. Below, you will find detailed instructions about how to apply to the MMS: Duke Kunshan program. You’ll find outlines of how we evaluate application components to determine if you fit our selection criteria.

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 refer to the additional transcript guidelines for international students. For detailed information, please refer to the “Non-U.S. Applicants” section below.

Two options for sending transcripts:

Duke University
The Fuqua School of Business
Office of Admissions
100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120
Durham, NC 27708-0120 USA

If you do not submit your official transcripts on time, or if you misrepresent, falsify, or omit information, we may revoke 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 submissions are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Plagiarism is considered a cheating violation within the Fuqua Honor Code and will not be tolerated in the admissions process.

Required Short Answer Questions

INSTRUCTIONS:

Answer all three questions. Responses must not exceed 500 characters (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:

Your response to this essay question should be a maximum of 350 words in length.

Question: For our MMS: Duke Kunshan University 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. 

Required Essay 2

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 the 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.

Re-applicants are not required to generate a new list of “25 Random Things.” The option of resubmitting “25 Random Things” from the previous year’s application, or creating a new list of “25 Random Things” is available.

Optional Essay

INSTRUCTIONS:

Responses must be a maximum of one page.

Question: 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 or 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 and 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 both GMAT and GRE scores. We recognize that testing centers are not open at the moment, but both 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 in most countries/territories. Please visit the GMAC or ETS websites for more information. GMAC is also allowing applicants to reinstate canceled test scores without a fee. Typically GMAT and GRE test scores are valid for five years. During this time Fuqua will accept test scores for exams taken more than five years ago.

We also accept SAT or ACT scores for applicants who are unable to take the GMAT or GRE. If you would like to submit one of these scores, you may select the appropriate test in the Test Scores section of the online application.

We do require one of these test scores in order for an application to be considered complete and receive an admissions decision. If you have difficulty accessing or scheduling a test, please contact the Office of Admissions directly to discuss your unique situation.

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
  • 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.

Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other component of your application. We do not offer open interviews for MMS: DKU 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. Both formats are given equal weight in the admissions process.

On-campus interview fast facts:

  • Interviews are only available to North Carolina 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 residents.
  • Appropriate attire is business casual.

In service to reapplicants, we offer the ability to replicate or “clone” your application from the previous application cycle. If you are reapplying, please create your new application and submit the Reapplicant Request form from the Application Instructions section, to request that your prior year data be transferred over to your new application. 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.

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

  • Short-answer questions
  • Standard application essays
  • A special re-application essay
  • One new 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. You may also choose to submit an additional recommendation from someone who knows you through school and can speak to your performance in an academic setting.

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; non-U.S. applicants have additional application requirements and instructions.

Application Timing for Non-U.S. Students

Non-U.S. students must apply by the round 2 deadline if they:

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

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:

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.

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