Frequently Asked Questions

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Admissions

What is the average GMAT score? 
The average GMAT score for The Duke MBA—Cross Continent program is 640 to 650 and the average undergraduate GPA is 3.2/4.0.
I own my own business. As a self-sponsored student, am I eligible for your program? 
As long as you are working, you are eligible for the program. Students participating in the Cross Continent program must be employed on a full-time basis.
I noticed an online application for the Cross Continent program. Can all or part of the application requirements be submitted via online or is a paper-based application required?  
We only accept online applications via ApplyYourself, our online application system. There is a $200 application fee.
What “type” of student are you looking for? 

Duke is not looking for any one type of applicant. We want to create a diverse class with individuals who can add to the learning experience. In general, applicants to The Duke MBA — Cross Continent program are high-potential professionals who are on the fast track in their organizations with:

  • At least three years professional work experience
  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent 
  • High English proficiency 
  • A clear understanding of the commitment required to succeed in the Cross Continent program
How do you rank undergraduate transcripts?  
We look quite closely at undergraduate transcripts and examine the quality of the institution, the overall performance, and strong performance in any relevant quantitative and business courses, including calculus, macro and micro economics, statistics, finance, and accounting.
How do you assess my quantitative skills in the admissions decision process?  
The admissions committee will look closely at your performance at the undergraduate level and in any graduate work you have done, particularly quantitative courses. Also, the committee will consider your career history and the types of quantitative work to which you have been exposed.
Is an interview required?  
Yes. An interview can be conducted in a variety of ways. The applicant can come to the Duke campus, conduct the interview via telephone or Skype or schedule an interview with a Fuqua representative during a visit to your region.
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Academic

What percentage of the enrollment in the program is made up of international students?  
Typically, between 30 percent and 40 percent of the students are international and come from more than 20 different countries.
How many students are self-sponsored?  
Sponsorship levels vary within the program. Some students receive full corporate sponsorship while others receive approval for time off only to participate in on-campus residencies.
Is The Duke MBA—Cross Continent degree the same as those of the other Duke MBA programs?  
Duke University's Fuqua School of Business offers four MBA programs, each with a different format. The same Duke MBA degree is awarded upon completing program requirements.
Can I take electives offered under the Daytime program?  
Students participating in The Duke MBA—Cross Continent program complete five terms, consisting of core courses (Financial Accounting, Managerial Effectiveness, Managerial Economics, Decision Models, Statistics, Finance, Marketing, Operations Management, Managerial Accounting, and Strategy). In addition, two courses on Global Leadership and Global Cultures run through the first five terms. The last term consists of four elective courses. Upon completion of the MBA, all Fuqua alumni have the option to take up to two elective courses within three years of graduation, subject to space and availability.
Do I need to be fluent in English to take the program?  
Yes, all courses will be taught in English. Non-native English speakers would be required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or TOEIC examinations to demonstrate English language competence.
How is the Cross Continent program different, in terms of academic content, from other executive MBA programs (e.g., Weekend Executive and Global Executive)?  
The Cross Continent program features the same core curriculum, with slight differences. The program provides course work with a global emphasis in the subject areas of management, marketing, operations, economics, finance, accounting, strategy, and decision sciences. Students are exposed to global perspectives as they develop personal and professional relationships with classmates from countries all over the world.
How accessible are the faculty online?  
Faculty members are easily accessible during on-campus residencies but also take an active role during the Internet-mediated portion of the program. They offer weekly virtual class sessions, and monitor the bulletin boards with regularity, and are available for individual consultation via email or phone. You can expect that, on average, faculty will respond within 24 hours.
What is the purpose of having residencies?  
Residencies in North America, Europe, Asia, and other international locations allow for close interaction with faculty, about six to eight hours per day, as well as highly interactive work with team members and contact with the program staff. Students learn to think on their feet and to benefit from the team building and communication building, which is endemic to a face-to-face environment. Residencies help prepare you for the Internet-mediated portion of the program in addition to assisting in the understanding of the regions of the world and integration into the learning experience.
How do professors teach in the distance portion of the program?  
Whether teaching in the residency portion or the distance portion, each professor chooses communication modalities that best enhance the subject matter. In distance, some professors provide lectures via streaming audio or video, CD-ROM, and weekly virtual class sessions. Others create customized workshops and tools so that students can learn and apply specialized concepts. All faculty members use both asynchronous discussion boards and in-synchronous virtual classrooms to provide guidance in the learning experience and to foster peer-to-peer learning.
Can group or individual projects be done that are directly related to the sponsoring company?  
After the completion of electives, students can choose to embark upon special projects to work on issues facing their companies.
Do I have to attend all the residencies?  
Yes, attendance at all residencies is mandatory. Also, please note that Orientation is mandatory as it is part of the Term 1 residency.
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International Students

What kind of visa will I need for the residencies? Will Duke help me with the visa application?  
Students participating in The Duke MBA—Cross Continent program travel to all residency locations as tourists. Duke does not issue visas; rather, it assists in providing the paperwork explaining why you need to be in the designated location for the residencies.
After graduating from the program, can international students get a one-year practical training permit to work in the United States?  
No. The Duke MBA—Cross Continent program is a career enhancement program. It is designed for those who seek a career with an international focus and for those who are being groomed for higher level positions within their current organization. Students in the Cross Continent program continue working full-time while obtaining their MBA.
Does Duke provide financial aid to international students?  
Historically, The Duke MBA has offered an international student loan program (The Expanded MBA Loan) that did not require a U.S. cosigner. This loan is currently available for students in the 2008 - 2009 academic year. However, given the current financial market situation, we are uncertain as to our ability to offer this particular loan in the future to incoming international students. The entire Fuqua community recognizes and understands the importance of this loan, and we are exploring all potential funding avenues. We hope to have a suitable resolution in the very near future.  In the meantime, we will utilize our website and electronic communication to update admitted students on the status of this loan program. International students will still have the option of applying for loans with a U.S. cosigner.
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General

Why should I get my MBA and continue working? How do I fit this program into my life?  
The scheduling format of The Duke MBA—Cross Continent has been crafted to suit the lifestyle of the busy professional with both business and personal commitments; the Cross Continent program can be done from anywhere in the world. The program is designed for those who want to enhance their career path within their existing company. The Cross Continent program definitely will require some prioritizing in your life. When deciding to apply to the program, you need to make sure that those around you — your significant other, family, and co-workers —  understand the commitment you're making and support your undertaking. Every student handles the workload differently; some do all homework on the weekends, while others set a couple of hours aside each night. The important point is that you need to find a routine that works for you and for your team and stick with it.
Can I speak with a current student or alumnus to hear first-hand about the Cross Continent program?  
Yes, we will be happy to provide you with the contact information for a current Cross Continent student or alumnus.
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Technology

Will I be required to have a laptop or any special software?  
Every student in the program needs a reliable computer as well as a stable internet service provider (ISP). These technology tools are essential for completing the program requirements. Once you are accepted to the program, you will receive more details about computer requirements.
How good/reliable does my Internet access have to be? 
Most Cross Continent students have DSL or cable lines.
How technologically savvy do I need to be to succeed in Cross Continent?  
There is a wide range of computer skills among the Cross Continent students, but we recommend that you have some basic skills on the computer (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) to succeed. Most students also are familiar with various Internet technologies, including the Web, e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, chat rooms, and messaging services.
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Financial

Do I have to have corporate sponsorship to be admitted to the Cross Continent?  
There are two types of corporate support. One is support for the endeavor itself and the other is financial. Your company must endorse your involvement in the program by allowing the time off necessary to attend the six residencies and by being flexible about the additional commitment you've made in your daily life. It is not necessary to obtain financial support. As part of the application process, you must have a written agreement from your organization stating its willingness to let you be away from the office for the required period of time. How to categorize that time off (e.g., vacation, paid time off) is a decision that is left to you and your employer.
How do I go about getting corporate financial support?  
Policies vary among companies in terms of how they view educational benefits. Representatives from Fuqua are available to discuss strategies for gaining corporate sponsorship within your organization. We see the Cross Continent program as a partnership of the student, the organization, and Fuqua, so we are eager to see that you have all the information you need to garner adequate support from your organization.
What if I don’t receive corporate financial support? Are scholarships available?  
Limited scholarship funds from The Fuqua School of Business are available for this program. Additionally, Cross Continent students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents have the option of applying for federal loans. Fuqua has a financial aid office that can assist you with this process of borrowing from the U.S. federal loan program (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). International students can apply for an Expanded MBA Loan.
How will I be billed for the program fees and do you offer special payment plans?  
If you are admitted to The Duke MBA—Cross Continent program, a non-refundable $5,000 deposit will be due immediately. The remaining balance will be divided into three or four separate installments and due prior to each term.
What is NOT included in the tuition?  
Travel to and from the residencies, your laptop computer, visas, vaccinations (if necessary), incidental costs at each residency (e.g., phone calls, laundry, souvenirs), local Internet service provider costs during the distance portion of the program are not included in the program fee.
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