The admissions interview is a critical component of how we get to know candidates for the MQM program. As an admission representative, I understand that having to present yourself in a 30-minute window to a stranger can be naturally very stressful. I wanted to pass along some advice to make the process easier.

1. Know your story. Make a point to present your background, experiences, and interests in a cohesive manner that the interviewer will be able to follow. Your interviewer will have access to your resume, but not necessarily your application. Don’t assume the interviewer has information you shared in your application.
2. Be sure you’re able to clearly articulate why you want to pursue the Master of Quantitative Management degree and why you want to study at Duke. We want to know WHY Fuqua and WHY MQM, specifically.
3. Be aware of your strengths and how you could leverage them in the program. Also, be aware of your weaknesses and consider how you plan to address them. In particular, think about how you’d hope to improve upon your weaknesses in the MQM program. It’s great to demonstrate self-reflection and awareness during this process as we hope everyone coming into the cohort will be able to learn in grow in different ways.
4. Be prepared, but natural. Avoid over-rehearsing your answers or reciting prepared responses word-for-word. Reading off of a script or regurgitating rehearsed answers is noticeable and often a bit awkward. Let the conversation flow and speak fluidly about your experiences. It’s not bad to have notes or talking points. If you find yourself reading an entire paragraph for an answer, it’s probably not being delivered as effectively as it’s written.
5. Answer your interviewer’s questions. We encourage you to share solid examples of your teamwork, leadership, and experiences to support your answers. However, be sure you do so in an effective and succinct way. Always make sure you answer the question that was asked.
6. Aim for professionalism and plan ahead. Most interviews take place via Zoom, and you should take time ahead of your interview to test out your location and attire.  Be sure you choose a quiet spot with good lighting and you’re dressed professionally.
7. We encourage you to ask questions. The interview is your opportunity to learn more about the Fuqua community, and your interviewer will be happy to share their experiences with you. Remember that applying to a graduate program is a two-way street—while we are trying to see if you are a strong candidate for our program, you are also considering investing your time and money, so make sure you have all the information you need to feel comfortable and excited when thinking about enrolling in our programs.
8. Do your research. By this point in the admissions process, you know why you’ve applied to this program and what excites you about it—your interviewer will likely ask you about this! You can maximize on the time allowed for your interview by knowing information easily found on Fuqua’s website.
9. Keep in mind that your interviewer is truly interested in you and wants to get to know you better! Interviews that are conversational are often the most successful ones. Therefore, try to be curious and get to know your interviewer, too.
10. Feel free to reach out to our Admissions Ambassadors to inquire about their experiences in the interview. All of these students went through our admissions process. They are happy to share their insights and tips.

Most importantly, relax. Our interview team consists of current students, alumni, and admissions staff who strive to make these interviews as conversational as possible—and we are all genuinely pulling for you to do your best.