So, you’ve been admitted to Fuqua and want to know what questions you should ask yourself before deciding to commit to the Fuqua family. This decision to enroll at Fuqua is not an easy one to make and lots of factors should be weighed when doing so. I’ve put together the exact questions and factors that I took into consideration when I made the decision to attend Fuqua not once, but twice, for the MMS program and later the Accelerated MBA program! I hope these questions will help you when you make your choice as well.

First off, congratulations on being admitted. That, in itself, is a huge accomplishment that you should be extremely proud of! As a recent graduate of the MMS program, I could not speak more highly of entering a graduate business program right after getting my undergraduate degree as I was able to sharpen my critical business skills before fully entering the workforce.

However, here are some things that you should think about before you make the commitment to attend Fuqua:

Do you prefer to work in a group or as an individual?

Personally, I think this is the biggest factor that you should take into consideration when deciding if Fuqua is right for you. As you have gone through the application process, I’m sure you have noticed the emphasis on a team-oriented culture. This ideal is a pillar of the Fuqua culture. The belief that together you will achieve much more than as an individual is strongly rooted in the core of our school and is reflected through our cohort-based learning and frequent school-wide events. It is important to know that there will be minimal individual work during your time with the MMS program. Most assignments will be done as a team which I found very beneficial as each person in the group will bring a different strength and outlook to assignments.

Do you do well in a fast-paced environment?

The MMS program is an extremely rewarding program as you are able to gain critical skills in many aspects of business. That being said, with the 10-month program, you are collecting a lot of information in a short amount of time. Each class is filled with, as an estimation, about a week’s worth of material in a traditional undergraduate institution. Time management skills are imperative, and it is highly recommended that you stay ahead of the material as it is easy to fall behind in a class. If you are someone that likes a fast-paced learning experience, then this is the program for you!

Are you looking for a school that offers a wide array of after-school events and organizations?

To take full advantage of the business school experience, it is so important to get involved in more than just an academic setting! Fuqua does a great job of perfecting the “work-life” balance. During the day, the school is filled with students who are busily attending class or working on assignments. In the evening, the school is filled with those who are attending events such as bingo, trivia night, charcuterie board class, and of course, the famous Fuqua Fridays! Whenever someone asks me what my favorite part about Fuqua is, I always say that it’s the school’s initiative, from day one, to make each and every student feels like they belong to the family. There truly is an event that suits the needs of any individual and if there isn’t, the school is so accommodating and will help you plan a new event! There are an endless amount of chances to meet new people and take advantage of the network that the Fuqua community has!

How well do you embrace a diverse and inclusive environment?

The Fuqua family is extremely diverse and filled with individuals from all around the world with different backgrounds and experiences. This is exactly what makes our school so special. In fact, one of the Fuqua principle values is “collective diversity” which basically means that we embrace all of our classmates because our individuality is better and stronger together. This is reflected by just walking through the school.

Nothing is more rewarding than holding genuine relationships with people. Having the opportunity to create such relationships with individuals from all walks of life is a gift that I will always be grateful to Fuqua for. That being said, different backgrounds bring different approaches to learning styles. Over the course of the year, you will effectively learn how to work will others who have different problem-solving skills than you which will be a great asset to take into the business world. It takes good communication skills and patience, but the outcome is so rewarding.

Although these are just a few of the major factors that you should consider before pursuing a master’s degree at Fuqua, there are many more that you should personally weigh out before deciding to commit. Nonetheless, Fuqua is a school that embraces any and everyone. You can confidently know that, upon completion of your degree, you will be well versed in various business practices and interpersonal skills. Best of luck with your decision and feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions!