Duke Fuqua MBA: 2026-2027 deadlines and requirements
Key facts
| Program | Daytime MBA |
|---|---|
| City | Durham, North Carolina |
| Rank | #14 in U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools |
| Class size | 359 students in the Class of 2028 |
| GMAT score | Not published as an average. Middle 80% range is 605 to 715 (GMAT Focus), Class of 2028. |
| GRE | Not published as an average. Middle 80% range is 307 to 330 (Verbal plus Quant), Class of 2028. |
| Tests it takes | Takes the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition, the GRE or the Executive Assessment (middle 80% range for the Class of 2028: 150 to 162). No preference and no minimum. Scores last 5 years. A test waiver is not listed on the pages read. |
| Application fee | $225. It drops to $150 if you attend a Fuqua event or get a Fuqua student or alum to write an endorsement. It is free in the Early Action round, for Duke alumni, military members, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and Teach for America people, reapplicants, and several other groups. |
| Tuition | 2026-2027 tuition: $83,700. First year total cost of attendance: $118,974. |
| English test | Fuqua does not accept English test scores. It uses the rest of your application to judge your English. |
Application rounds
| Round | Apply by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action (binding: if admitted you must attend) | September 2, 2026 | October 15, 2026 (interview invitations by September 23, 2026) |
| Round 1 | September 30, 2026 | December 10, 2026 (interview invitations by November 11, 2026) |
| Round 2 | January 5, 2027 | March 11, 2027 (interview invitations by February 11, 2027) |
| Round 3 | March 25, 2027 | May 6, 2027 (interview invitations by April 14, 2027) |
| Consortium Round 1 | October 15 (year not printed) | Not published |
| Consortium Round 2 | January 5 (year not printed) | Not published |
Essays
- 100 words. What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan.
- 2 pages, 750 words at most. 25 random things about yourself. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU - beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Number your list 1 to 25.
- 1 page, 500 words at most. The Fuqua community and you. Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute at Fuqua?
- Optional, 1 page, 500 words at most. Tell us more. If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance).
- Reapplicants only, 1 page, 500 words at most. Reapplicant essay: share 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?
Recommendations
1 letter is required, written on Fuqua's form in the application. Pick someone who knows your work. Letters from relatives and friends are discouraged. You may add endorsements from Fuqua students or alumni.
Interview
By invitation. It lasts 45 to 60 minutes, in English. An alum, a staff member or a trained second year student does it. The interviewer sees only your resume. On campus in Early Action, Round 1 and Round 2. Virtual in every round.
Other parts of the application
One page resume. Unofficial transcripts when you apply (official ones if admitted). You can report scores yourself and send official scores only if admitted. Two non-refundable deposits after an offer.
Links
Sources
- Duke Fuqua: Admissions Facts + Dates, Daytime MBA, read November 1, 2026
- Duke Fuqua: Application Instructions, Daytime MBA, read November 1, 2026
- Duke Fuqua: Class Profile, Daytime MBA, read November 1, 2026
- Duke Fuqua: Tuition + Costs, Daytime MBA, read November 1, 2026
- Duke Fuqua: Daytime MBA FAQ, read November 1, 2026
- Campus photo: SamsungFuqua, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
