Recognizing that business was becoming more and more data-driven, I sought out a master’s program that would help me improve my data analytics skills. Tuition, program format, and a school’s reputation in the industry were my top priorities as I prepared to submit my application.

While I narrowed my choices to four business schools in the U.S, I chose the MSQM: Business Analytics program at Fuqua for these reasons:

Reputation

Duke University and Fuqua are eminent institutions and are highly regarded around the world. Fuqua’s MBA program has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s best MBA programs, and I am proud to be pursuing the MSQM:BA program at the same institution. Also impressive was Fuqua’s network of alumni, who have made ground-breaking contributions to business, research and development, philanthropy and health care. A few role models and sources of inspiration for me are Apple CEO Tim Cook, philanthropist Melinda Gates, and Namita Thapar, one of India’s most powerful businesswomen.

Program Format and Curriculum

Knowing I intended to work while studying in order to support my tuition requirements, the MSQM’s online and part-time format suited me well. I valued Fuqua’s desire to prepare students for the changing trends toward data-driven and data-dependent economies by launching the MSQM programs at the right time. Unlike other data analytics programs I researched, Fuqua’s curriculum involved a harmonious blend of analytics and management education. I felt some programs offered by other universities were too technical. Although I wanted to upgrade my technical skills, I wanted to choose a program with a “doable” level of difficulty. The MSQM:BA program felt just right.

Support for International Students

International Students like me are eligible to receive merit scholarships and other financial assistance at Fuqua. Not all universities offered this. I also thought tuition was fairly reasonable compared to the tuition charged by other schools.

A nerve-racking application process? Not really!

I expected the application process to be long, cumbersome and nerve-racking. It was all but that!  I got a lot of support from the admissions team, who responded to my queries quickly.

Here is my advice for anyone starting the application process:

1. Ask yourself questions about what you want to do and why you want to do it. Give yourself ample time to explore those questions.
2. Thoroughly research the programs you are interested in, their duration, curriculum and costs.
3. Attend online admissions events. This will give you an opportunity to clarify your doubts or questions with the admissions team and current students. Don’t worry, they are there to help.
4. Fill out your application honestly—yes, including your essays. Be honest and avoid grandiloquent and nebulous explanations. People can distinguish between truth and farce.

In the end, the time I invested in researching schools and putting my best foot forward in the application has paid off. The MSQM:BA program has been the right fit for me.