Duke MBA Student Blog » Admissionshttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba
Fuqua Daytime MBA student perspectiveTue, 28 Jul 2015 21:47:32 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Shedding Light on the MBA Admissions Processhttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2013/11/25/megan-lynam-overbay/shedding-light-on-the-mba-admissions-process/?category=admissions
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2013/11/25/megan-lynam-overbay/shedding-light-on-the-mba-admissions-process/?category=admissions#commentsMon, 25 Nov 2013 21:00:06 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=5267If I met you out on the road or at one of our campus events, you’re likely to have heard me talk about the “black box” of Admissions.  Applications go into the box, and decisions come out.  What happens in the middle is unclear to anyone outside of the Admissions Committee.  It causes much trepidation […]

]]>If I met you out on the road or at one of our campus events, you’re likely to have heard me talk about the “black box” of Admissions.  Applications go into the box, and decisions come out.  What happens in the middle is unclear to anyone outside of the Admissions Committee.  It causes much trepidation on behalf of the applicant — you may wonder, what is Fuqua looking for, and why are they asking me that? 

At Fuqua, we do everything we can to demystify the admissions process.  We want to help our applicants to understand what we are seeking so that you can first determine whether or not our programs are the best fit for you, and then you can put your best foot forward for the application.  So let’s break down the application to provide some insight into not just what, but why we ask for what we do. 

Academic Readiness

We utilize your GMAT or GRE scores, academic record, and work experience relevant to our coursework to answer one fundamental question — Will you be successful in our classrooms?  The pace of the MBA program is incredibly fast.  I know — I went through the Daytime MBA program, and we covered the material from my semester-long undergraduate accounting course in the first two classes at Fuqua!  When you are balancing rigorous courses with your career search, leading clubs and activities, and your personal commitments, you simply must have the intellectual horsepower and quantitative aptitude to be successful.  We do not want you to study 24-7.  We want you to network, pursue your career and personal passions, and grow into a stronger leader and team player.  If your academic background and tests are not a strong reflection of your academic aptitude, I encourage you to consider taking additional course(s) such as statistics, finance, and accounting, as success in them will demonstrate your aptitude as well as build a stronger foundation for your coursework at Fuqua. 

Work Experience

We assess your work experience to answer two questions: Will your classmates learn from you?  Will your past experience + our program translate well into your future aspirations?  The learning in the classroom is not gained simply from the professor sharing his or her knowledge, but rather the students share their personal experiences and insights.  Every class involves discussion and team assignments during which classmates share their best practices and ask thought-provoking questions.  So, from an admissions perspective, we assess the quality of your previous professional experiences, including how you progressed compared to your peer group, whether you have team and leadership experiences to draw upon, if you’ve been exposed to diverse industries/functions/geographies, and whether you had the opportunity to dive deep into specific fields.  Both depth and breadth are valued, and in choosing the cohort for the program, we ultimately aim to build a microcosm of the world in our classrooms through the experiences and perspectives of our students.  Your resume will be our roadmap to your professional experience, so be certain that it is understandable to those outside of your industry, is impact-focused, and allocates space to the experiences that you value most. 

Recommendations

How does an unbiased third party assess your performance as compared to your peers?  Your two professional recommendations provide the Admissions Committee with the opportunity to understand your performance and contributions in a professional environment, through the voice of those who have worked with you closely (either in a professional setting or in community activities) and who have insight into your strengths and development areas.  For your recommendations, it’s important to choose someone who knows you well, rather than someone with a big title.  Preferably, recommendations can be from a supervisor or senior colleague who will take the time to provide a detailed, thoughtful recommendation with specific examples.  Prepare your recommenders so that they understand why you are applying to Fuqua, and how their recommendation can highlight specific aspects of your experience and personality that are not contained elsewhere in your application.  DO NOT ghost write your recommendations.  DO give your recommenders plenty of time and thank them for their support.  If you are unable to ask your current supervisor for a recommendation because they do not know of your business school plans, simply explain this in the optional application essay. 

Leadership & Involvement

At Fuqua, a notable portion of your learning and development will happen outside of the formal classroom setting.  We want to know — Will you be engaged in the community, share and pursue your passions, and make an impact at Fuqua and in the places where you live and work in the future?  Your past activities and involvement — the things that you chose to do, rather than what was required for work or school, are the best indication of your potential future impact as a Leader of Consequence.  Take the time to complete the leadership and involvement section of the online application, and in your essays share your passions and how you have committed yourself to them.  Also be certain to mention your future aspirations about making an impact. 

Essays

The essays are where you truly come alive, and where you have the opportunity to weave your application together into your personal story.  Who are you as a 3-dimensional person?  What are your passions and aspirations?  If there are gaps in your resume or potential areas of confusion, have they been addressed?  We really get to know you through your essays, and we were proud to be voted last year as the school who knew its applicants best (survey conducted by Huron Education).  We LOVED the 25 random things essay that we incorporated last year as it truly provides applicants with the opportunity to share a wide range of interests and insight into who they really are, and we are excited to continue with this essay. ( Check out the blog I wrote last year about the 25 random things essay.)  Please, be genuine and passionate in your response to this essay — take ownership for your accomplishments and blemishes, and aim to provide the Admissions Committee with a holistic understanding of you, what has made you who you are, and what you hope to be. 

Interview

Will others want to be on your team?  Will you impress our recruiters and faculty?  Will you make us proud as an alumnus/a?Why is the Daytime MBA program, with its incredibly cohesive and collaborative community and its focus on empowering our students to lead and make an impact at the school and beyond the right program for you?  These are the key questions that our interviewers aim to answer through speaking with you personally.  Our interviewers are current students and alumni who are tightly tied to our community, and they help to identify those who will carry on their legacy.  The interview is a two-way street, though.  It is also a wonderful opportunity for you to learn more about the program and the student experience.  So be prepared with your own questions.  For more insight, read the blog post I wrote specifically on the interview process. 

Ultimately, the application evaluation process is a holistic process.  Your application will be read at least twice, and will go through multiple committee discussions.  You will have the opportunity to interact with our students, alumni, and admissions officers either in person or virtually.  Our hope is that we will each have a mutual understanding of who you are as an applicant, and how Fuqua and our community will cultivate you into the Leader of Consequence that you aspire to be.  The admissions process is not a black box.  You are engaged in the entire process, and we look forward to getting to know you!  Learn more about the Daytime MBA application process, and contact us if you have any questions. 

I have traveled to 39 countries, and had the best meal of my life in Thailand. 

I was captain of my high school drill team and can still remember the kick routine I learned for the audition.  I’ve been known to throw a high kick during the welcome at Orientation for our new students …

Since we all make mistakes, I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to a “do-over” and as human beings we should graciously allow them to have it. 

I ADORE my children!!  I aspire to be a great example to women, of how to balance a demanding career and being a good mommy. 

I’ve been told that I have enough personality for a small Latin American country.  That was a compliment — right? 

I love roller coasters and have ridden several that either are, or were once, world record holders.  If you ever want to, please visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. 

I was a vegetarian for 11 years and returned to eating meat as a means of including more protein in my diet.  I still eat mostly vegetarian to this day and can cook the heck out of some tofu.  Ask me how! 

I always thought being a court recorder would be a cool kind of job.  Good thing I realize and embrace the fact that I cannot keep quiet or still for very long. 

I do not have cable, satellite, rabbit ears, etc.  on my TV at home.  A marketer’s nightmare. 

I am an only child and have been on my own since 18. 

I still am in contact with people I met when I landed at RDU on August 22, 1980.  Some were even at my birthday party this year! 

Anne-Caitlin Procopio

Anne-Caitlin Procopio, Interview Coordinator

I spent 6 months living alone in The Times Square Hotel.  Three floors of the hotel were for housing for AIDS patients, another was for recovering drug addicts and another for mentally challenged (formerly) homeless people.  These formerly homeless patrons were also incredible artists and the artwork they produced was displayed on the walls. 

I do MANY impressions — my most famous is a crying baby … I’ve been told it’s eerie. 

I portrayed a Holocaust survivor, Eva Schloss, in a production in college.  She is amazing.  She ran from the women’s camp in Auschwitz the night of the liberation and found Otto Frank (Anne Frank’s father) in the men’s camp.  She had been friends with Anne before the Frank family went into hiding.  Eva’s mother ended up marrying Otto Frank.  Eva sent me her book and also sent the cast copies of pictures that her stepfather had taken of Anne that have never been printed. 

Favorite books: The Great Gatsby, The Things They Carried, Beloved, The Awakening.  I don’t care for Jane Austen, even though that really irked my English teachers. 

My husband Mikey is a rock star (seriously, you should hear his songs) and my cat Skunk has been deemed “a one cat army.”  I am so lucky to have the friends and family that I do. 

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/10/04/megan-lynam-overbay/more-random-things/?category=admissions/feed1Is Early Action Right for Me?https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/08/31/megan-lynam-overbay/is-early-action-right-for-me/?category=admissions
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/08/31/megan-lynam-overbay/is-early-action-right-for-me/?category=admissions#commentsFri, 31 Aug 2012 20:56:34 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=2388This is a common question from applicants, as Fuqua is one of the few schools offering an Early Action application option.  It is an incredible opportunity to clearly communicate your commitment to Fuqua and to confirm early in the application cycle — perhaps before you submit applications to any other programs you may be considering […]

]]>This is a common question from applicants, as Fuqua is one of the few schools offering an Early Action application option.  It is an incredible opportunity to clearly communicate your commitment to Fuqua and to confirm early in the application cycle — perhaps before you submit applications to any other programs you may be considering — your plans for next year.  It is compelling, to know so soon, but it is only the right choice for some applicants.  The best way to figure out whether you are one of them is to ask yourself the following questions:

1.  Have you done deep research into MBA programs, including speaking to alumni and current students? 

In applying during the Early Action round, you are committing to attend Fuqua if admitted, including withdrawing any applications to other programs and paying the $3,000 tuition deposit within a few weeks of admission.  You should, therefore, feel absolutely confident based on your research about programs and connecting with members of the Fuqua community, that Fuqua is where you belong for the next two years, and for a lifetime as an alumnus/a.

2.  Will you be able to put together your best application by the September 19, 2012, deadline? 

The golden rule for application timing: Apply as early as possible without compromising the quality of your application.  The critical piece here is the quality of your application.  Only you can know how much time you need to allocate to complete standardized tests, to write and rewrite your essays (possibly multiple times, depending on how you approach writing), to request official transcript(s), and to give your recommenders sufficient time to put together an exceptional representation of your contributions.  You want to put your very best foot forward, so make sure you have plenty of time to do that. 

3.  If you live in the United States, with the exception of the West Coast, will you be able to come to Durham to complete your interview between September 10 and October 16, 2012? ( Review our campus visit registration system to check available dates and times – they go fast!) 

Fuqua’s interview process has changed slightly this year.  All Early Action applicants living in the U.S., with the exception of the West Coast, are required to come to campus to complete their interviews during the Open Interview Period (September 10 – October 16, 2012)

Your interview does NOT need to be completed prior to the application deadline on September 19, but you must interview by the close of the Open Interview Period on October 16. 

If you live on the West Coast or internationally, we encourage you to visit Durham during the Open Interview Period to complete your interview if it is feasible for you to travel to Durham.  We understand that traveling this distance may not be a viable option.  In these cases, if you live on the West Coast or internationally, your application will be reviewed after the Early Action application deadline, and some of you will be invited to interview with our alumni in a location closer to your home (you will be able to select an interview location in your online application) between October 11 – 16. 

4.  Is your decision about which school to attend independent of merit scholarship awards? 

It is a common misconception that scholarships are not awarded during Early Action.  This is absolutely not true – scholarship decisions are made consistently at Duke, regardless of the round in which you apply.  Getting a merit scholarship is competitive, though.  If a generous scholarship offer from another school would weigh heavily on your decision to come to Fuqua, then you are not yet ready to commit to Early Action. 

5.  Is Fuqua unequivocally your top choice? 

Can you see yourself at Fuqua?  Will you flourish in our rigorous, collaborative, student-initiative-driven culture?  Do you aspire to make the places that you live and work better? 

If you answered “yes” to all 5 of the above questions, then Early Action is absolutely the right option for you!  I encourage you to reach out to our office (admissions-info@fuqua.duke.edu) for any guidance needed as you prepare your application, and to closely monitor this blog for additional tips and insights. 

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/08/31/megan-lynam-overbay/is-early-action-right-for-me/?category=admissions/feed6Application Essays Change to Gain Greater Insightshttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/07/19/megan-lynam-overbay/application-essays-change-to-gain-greater-insights/?category=admissions
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/07/19/megan-lynam-overbay/application-essays-change-to-gain-greater-insights/?category=admissions#commentsThu, 19 Jul 2012 15:07:09 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=2199One of the more challenging jobs that the Admissions team faces each year is selecting our application essay questions.  We strive for questions that will fill any gaps in the application, tie the applicant’s story together, and shed light on what truly makes the person who they are — beyond what is stated in the […]

]]>One of the more challenging jobs that the Admissions team faces each year is selecting our application essay questions.  We strive for questions that will fill any gaps in the application, tie the applicant’s story together, and shed light on what truly makes the person who they are — beyond what is stated in the resume, test scores, and transcripts.  Despite our best intentions, it can be difficult to convey what we are seeking through our essay questions, and we sometimes receive submissions that are regurgitations of information found elsewhere in the application, overly manufactured versions of what applicants think we want to hear, or in some extreme cases, plagiarism of content found online.  This is why you may notice so many admissions teams adapting their approach to essay questions.  We are in a constant search for the tool, question, or method that will evoke a sense of who the applicant truly is, and what makes him/her unique. 

Who Are You? 

This year at Duke, we are stretching the definition of “essay” in an effort to harness the sort of insight that we’re looking for from applicants.  The Daytime MBA application now includes three very straightforward short answer questions about the applicant’s goals.  Here, we’re just looking for the facts, with minimal embellishment.  We do have an “essay question,” but what we’re seeking through it is a glimpse into the conversations that applicants have with the people who know them best.  Think about it.  When you tell your best friend why you are applying to a specific school, you do so with genuine passion and enthusiasm.  We want to hear that honest emotion, along with the reasoning that you give your best friend/mom/significant other/mentor about why you are applying not just to MBA programs, but to Fuqua. 

Finally, we are asking for a numbered list — a kind of top 25.  That’s right.  For one of the “essays,” we want a list of 25 things that illuminate your passions, personality, quirks, hopes, fears, etc.  A couple of years ago, the “25 Random Things” list went viral, and back then, we shared our lists within the Admissions team at Fuqua.  It became a tradition, and new team members share their lists when they join us.  Like our new hires, our applicants are looking to join our Fuqua community.  Thus, we thought that the Random Things would be an appropriate way to get a true sense of our applicants and how they would engage with and impact our community. 

We Are Team Fuqua

Since applicants are also seeking to understand the schools to which they are applying, and whether Fuqua is a good fit, we will use the Random Things to help you to get to know us and our community.  In my contributions to the blog throughout the year, I will include a smattering of Random Things about our staff, and I encourage our student bloggers to do the same!  It is only fair that I start off, so below are a few selections from my 25 Random Things, as well as those from a couple of other amazing Admissions team members.  We hope you enjoy getting to know us! 

Blogger Megan Overbay

Megan Lynam Overbay, Director of Admissions

I was a … ummm … headstrong child.  I liked to dress myself, and would throw nasty temper tantrums when I didn’t get to do so.  My mom finally stopped fighting me, and when she dropped me off at school, the woman who ran my Montessori school said that the hideous outfit I had put together was a sign of intelligence. 

My grandparents have traveled to every continent, every state, and pretty much anywhere you would ever want to go.  They keep a map of the world with pins designating all the places they have seen.  In my lifetime, I aspire to have a map that’s as full of pins as my grandparents’ map. 

There is an assumption that because I am a good baker, I am also a good cook.  This is not true.  Baking is a science.  Cooking is a mystery.  What does “add salt to taste” mean anyway? 

I didn’t start running for exercise/sport until I was a junior in college.  I got my first bike (since my Huffy Pink Thunder) when I was 22.  I didn’t start swimming until two years later when I got hurt and couldn’t run or bike.  I’m now a triathlete.  ANYONE can do it if they decide that they want to do it. 

I was waitlisted in Round 1 when I applied to Fuqua for the Class of 2003.  When Liz Riley Hargrove (our Associate Dean) called me that March to congratulate me on being admitted, I thought I had won the lottery.  I did. 

My real name is Willie, not William.  Seriously, it’s on my license, birth certificate, social security card and everything. 

I have asthma but during freshman football practice in high school, I decided I wasn’t going to use my inhaler and I haven’t used one since. 

At the age of 4, I told my parents I wanted to be a doctor, and was on my way until a couple of drag out fights with Organic Chemistry and Biology in undergrad. 

During my junior year of high school, I was nominated for a male beauty pageant.  For the talent portion of it, my best friend and I lip-synced to Milli Vanilli’s “Girl You Know It’s True” with suits, and dreadlock wigs (sorry no pictures or videotapes exist). 

I have a pretty good memory about random stuff, especially when it comes to sports (teams, who was on the respective team, etc.),  music and when songs came out, and people, and how and when I met them. 

Kalina Monti

Kalina Monti, Operations Coordinator

I can juggle.  My uncle was a professional juggler at one time, and he taught me how to do it. 

As a child, my family raised a few chickens and goats.  We also grew large gardens with fresh vegetables and herbs (I miss it terribly). 

I was bitten by a copperhead snake on my left foot while moving things on my back porch (it was hidden under a cabinet, and afterwards I was out of commission for several weeks). 

I took ballet and danced on toe shoes until said toe was broken.  Then I moved on to Cross Country and Track in high school (loved it!). 

My favorite author as a child was Dr. Seuss, and I still love him (quote: “Today you are You, that is truer than true.  There is no one alive who is You-er than You.”) 

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/07/19/megan-lynam-overbay/application-essays-change-to-gain-greater-insights/?category=admissions/feed39Insight on our Interview Processhttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/02/23/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-insight-on-our-interview-process/?category=admissions
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/02/23/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-insight-on-our-interview-process/?category=admissions#commentsThu, 23 Feb 2012 22:17:32 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=1594We are in the midst of interviews for our Round 2 applicants, our largest application round of the year.  We’ve had staff members on the ground, leading events in China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Israel, India, and across the U.S. Alumni spearheaded activities across Latin America, Europe, Russia/CIS, and Africa.  It is our goal, through these […]

]]>We are in the midst of interviews for our Round 2 applicants, our largest application round of the year.  We’ve had staff members on the ground, leading events in China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Israel, India, and across the U.S. Alumni spearheaded activities across Latin America, Europe, Russia/CIS, and Africa.  It is our goal, through these events and interview activities, to not only provide insight for the Admissions Committee into the candidacy of our applicants, but also to bring the Fuqua community to our applicants around the world, through both formal and informal engagement with our alumni and current students.  We often get questions about why our interview process works the way it does:

Why do our alumni and current students conduct most of our Daytime MBA interviews? 

Why does the interviewer only have the applicant’s resume? 

What is the purpose of the interview? 

It is difficult to capture in words, and it’s hard to understand without experiencing it … but once you are exposed to it, it is universally recognized by prospective students and recruiters as a primary distinguishing factor of our school, our students, and our alumni – it’s The Fuqua Culture.  Yes, I am bolding it.  It is pervasive throughout the staff, faculty, students, and alumni of Fuqua. 

“Collaborative”

“Leaders of Consequence”

“Teach as Much as You Learn”

All of these above concepts and others describe our culture, but do not fully capture it.  Hence the importance of each of our prospective students having the opportunity to connect with members of our community, so that we’re able to share the culture directly and personally with each of them.  This is exactly why we aim to have our alumni and current students as engaged in the recruiting and interview process as possible.  For current students and alumni who conduct interviews, they do it to help select their legacy, and they provide insight based on their deep knowledge of the Fuqua culture – Will the candidate add value in the classroom, will he/she contribute to our community, and will he/she represent us well with future employers?  Interviewers also think about:

Would they want the applicant on their team? 

Would they be proud to have him/her as a member of our alumni network? 

Can they see the impact that he/she would have on our community at Fuqua and beyond after graduation? 

Our alumni and current students have only the resume of an applicant when conducting interviews, and it is for a logical reason.  That’s all a potential employer will have when deciding whether to interview you, and likely all that they will have when they do interview you. 

Our interviews are also a two-way street.  They are an opportunity for applicants to determine whether or not Fuqua is a good fit for his/her background, goals, and learning style.  Personal interaction with our alumni and current students provide applicants with the ability to ask detailed questions, and to get the “inside” perspective on the Fuqua experience.  Applicants can truly hear what it’s like to sit in our classrooms, how to get involved in X club, how our alumni act as a support structure to help each other transition to new cities, new jobs, and the like.  The interviewers as well as the other alumni, current students, and staff involved in our recruiting activities around the globe are an incredible resource for our applicants, and we are honored to have such a talented and engaged community supporting our admissions efforts to bring in the next generation of Fuquans. 

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/02/23/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-insight-on-our-interview-process/?category=admissions/feed3Reflections from Admissionshttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/01/03/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-reflections-from-admissions/?category=admissions
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/01/03/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-reflections-from-admissions/?category=admissions#commentsTue, 03 Jan 2012 21:31:52 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=1352The holiday season starts with the rush and chaos of shopping, holiday parties, and finishing work projects, followed by … quiet.  With presents wrapped, shipped, and unwrapped, LOTS of food cooked and devoured, and much of the world on vacation, I am enjoying one of my favorite times of the year.  It is a time […]

]]>The holiday season starts with the rush and chaos of shopping, holiday parties, and finishing work projects, followed by … quiet.  With presents wrapped, shipped, and unwrapped, LOTS of food cooked and devoured, and much of the world on vacation, I am enjoying one of my favorite times of the year.  It is a time to relax, clean up the chaos, and reflect on successes, learnings, and opportunities to seize in the new year. 

A Year of Travel

2011 was filled with travel to most every major U.S. city and several smaller ones, as well as England and Russia in February (there are no words to describe 27 degrees below zero), and Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Mexico in August and/or December.  And though I have not been to Asia, India, the Middle East, or Africa this past year, both our Admissions team and our Regional teams have been there.  I am fortunate that they can teach me about the nuances of what matters today in each culture and economy.  Our job in Admissions is to fill our classes with bright, passionate, collaborative people who share the school’s commitment to making our companies, organizations, and communities better—they are Leaders of Consequence.  Fuquans come from every corner of the globe, from every function, industry, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual preference, and political perspective.  So, those of us in Admissions have the distinct fortune to be able to travel to meet prospective students and reconnect with alumni, to share with applicants what Fuqua is all about, and to learn about vastly different cultures and communities. 

The DNA of a “Fuquan”

One of the things I have learned in all of my travels (almost 40 countries, and yes, I am counting), is that there is a DNA to a Fuquan, that amidst the incredibly diverse histories, talents, and perspectives of our students and alumni, we share core values.  Fuquans are proud of where they come from, and are honored to share with you what makes their country, their family, and their community special.  They are humble.  They know their strengths, and will take the time to teach and help others in these areas, while simultaneously and graciously accepting guidance from others in their areas of development.  They are doers.  They are passionate and motivated and know they cannot do things alone, so they are wonderful at inspiring others to join them in their initiatives.  And we don’t just appreciate diversity, it is at the very core of the Fuqua DNA—it is woven into everything we do. 

Building Fuqua’s Future

Spending time reflecting on the past year often comes with a bit of sentimentality.  I’m no exception—I am honored to be a Fuquan (from the Daytime MBA Class of 2003!),  to be a part of a school and a community that is proud, humble, passionate, fascinatingly diverse, and focused on cultivating the leaders who will make the world a better place.  And with our Early Action round already tapping the first group of students for the Daytime MBA Class of 2013 to carry on this incredible legacy, Round 1 interviews taking place this month, and the Round 2 application deadline tomorrow, I am particularly honored to be a part of building Fuqua’s future. ( More application information is on the Daytime website.) 

And so I begin the transition into 2012, into more days spent in my pajamas reading applications at home than in business suits and hotel rooms, into the excitement of reading people’s stories and filling our classrooms with the next generation of Fuquans.  Happy New Year, indeed! 

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2012/01/03/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-reflections-from-admissions/?category=admissions/feed1Admissions Tipshttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2011/11/16/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-admissions-tips/?category=admissions
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2011/11/16/megan-lynam-overbay/guest-blog-admissions-tips/?category=admissions#commentsWed, 16 Nov 2011 18:24:12 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=987I recently participated in Accepted.com’s Duke Fuqua Admissions Q&A with my colleague Catherine Tuttle, Associate Program Director in the Career Management Center, and second-year Daytime student Alon Gorbonos.  The Q&A was broadcasted online and prospective students sent in questions, which we answered in real-time.  We responded to specific questions about the application process, career services, […]

The Q&A was broadcasted online and prospective students sent in questions, which we answered in real-time.  We responded to specific questions about the application process, career services, academics, and the student experience.  It was a great opportunity to not only interact with future Fuquans, but also with Catherine and Alon.  Just one example of how, as members of Team Fuqua, we work across functions to build strong partnerships among the administration and students. 

Unfortunately, we received a couple questions that we didn’t have time to answer.  My responses are below:

Is there a way to conduct an open interview if the applicant is abroad? 

No.  The Open Interview Season is intended to allow people who have a deep interest in Duke to couple their interview with a campus visit early in the application period.  We understand that not all applicants can make the trip to campus, so we support interviews around the world throughout the remainder of the interview season. 

For a long time now, I have been fascinated by human psychology, while being interested in consulting as a career, and aside from wanting to pursue a dual concentration in strategy and decision sciences, would I be able to take additional courses in psychology (or other courses)? 

Students are welcome to take graduate-level courses at other Duke schools for elective credit.  Students must meet the prerequisites for these courses, and must receive prior approval from our registrar for the course(s). 

We have a flexible curriculum that allows for almost a year and a half of elective courses, and during this time, our students certainly take advantage of the fact that Duke has top graduate programs across many disciplines.  Courses at other Duke schools that are popular with Fuqua students are often cross-listed and offered on Fuqua’s academic calendar.  For those that are not, students must plan ahead in terms of scheduling because while Fuqua is on a term schedule, other Duke schools are on a semester system.  So, a non-Fuqua course may not necessarily align with the student’s schedule at Fuqua.