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• Master of Management
• Master of Quantitative Management
• Executive Education
• STEM Qualifying

Daytime MBA

Leaders who bring out the best in others.

Application Instructions

Application instructions - daytime mba, help us get to know you better.

We want you to put your best foot forward. Please look over the instructions on this page to help you prepare your application to Duke’s Daytime MBA program. We appreciate all the work you’re doing to ensure your application package is complete. Remember the admissions committee can only review completed application packages. If you have questions after looking over the information here, feel free to send an email to the admissions office .

The Fuqua application is only available online, and it includes sections on both personal and program information.

Apply to Daytime

Personal information needed:

• Educational background
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Employment history
• Business resume
• Activities and achievements
• Self-reported test scores

Program information includes your choices for:

• Preferred interview location
• Dual degrees (if applicable)
• Concentration or concentrations (not required)
• Certificates (not required)

Application basics:

• You'll need to create a profile and get a PIN to access the system.
• You may access the application as many times as you like before submitting it.
• Detailed instructions are available in the online system.
• Your application will not be evaluated until you submit it and all supporting materials are received and verified.

Do your research

Talk to family, friends, and mentors. Visit our campus and attend a recruiting event, and then decide whether this program is right for you.

Review the online application and deadlines. Consider important aspects of the timeline, including:

• When to apply if you’re an international student
• When to schedule your interview
• When you’ll receive a decision
• When your non-refundable tuition deposits are due
• When to start the visa process if required

Submit your application

Ensure that your application is complete, including your resume, essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and application fee. You can view your application status by logging into your student portal.

Applicants will receive their interview decision by the date that corresponds to the round in which they applied.

Receive a decision

You’ll be notified via email of your admission decision on the decision date for the round in which you apply. 

To reserve your place in the class, you must submit:

• Two non-refundable tuition deposits, one following the round in which you were admitted, and a second in June prior to the start of the program 
• Official test scores sent directly from the testing agency
• Official transcripts sent directly from the institution/s you attended

Your non-refundable deposits can only be made in the following ways: credit card, personal check, money order, e-check, or wire transfer. Please plan accordingly so you don't miss the deposit deadlines.

Visit Fuqua

The best way to learn about Fuqua and the Daytime MBA program is by experiencing it firsthand. We encourage you to take part in our campus visit program and Blue Devil Weekend (for admitted students). Visiting campus, either in person or virtually, will not only provide insight to inform your final decision to join the program, but will also provide you with information on transitioning to the Durham area.

Access our incoming student website

Shortly after admission, you will receive access to our incoming student website. This will be your main source of information, helping you more fully understand our community and our expectations and giving you a better idea of what it will be like to be a full-time MBA student at Duke. 

Here you’ll find all the information you'll need to transition into your new academic life:

• Program announcements
• Technical and computer information
• Academic assignments to prepare to return to school
• Relocation information
• Classmate information

Apply for a visa

If applicable, visa application information will be included in your student portal along with specific deadlines for submission. Visa processing can take up to several months to complete, so it is critical you apply in Early Action, Round 1,  Round 2, or Round 3  to ensure that you are able to join the program on time.

Application Requirements

Legible, scanned copies of all unofficial transcripts are required for each college or university you have attended where you:

• earned (or will earn) a degree;
• studied for one semester or more;
• earned 12 or more credits (note: 4 or more credits if your university awards 1 credit for the typical class instead of 3 credits);
• and/or took a class that relates to your graduate study interests. 

If you took classes at a college or university while in high school, do not list the college or university as a separate school in your application.

For transfer credits:  Follow the guidelines listed above, but please note that for any transferred credits that qualify to be reported, we need to see grades/marks .  If the grades/marks as well as the credits appear on your degree-conferring institution's transcript, then the additional transcript will not be required.

For student abroad credits:  Please follow the same guidelines as for transfer credits.

Transcripts must include:

• Your name and the name of the institution
• Each course taken and the grade received
• The degree received and date conferred

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript. If your transcript is not in English, it must be translated, attested, and uploaded along with the originals. Those applying from outside the U.S. should see additional transcript guidelines for international students.

Two options for sending transcripts:

• Electronically to [email protected]
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to: Duke University The Fuqua School of Business Office of Admissions 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120 Durham, NC 27708-0120

If you do not submit your official transcripts on time, or if you misrepresent, falsify, or omit information, we may rescind any offer of admission or financial assistance.

When to submit copies of official transcripts

Only if you are admitted to the program, will you be required to submit official transcripts from each college or university you have attended for verification. The due date for official transcripts will be noted in your admitted student portal. If you have not yet completed your studies by this date, your official transcripts should reach The Fuqua School of Business no later than one week before your program begins.

You’ll need to provide your thoughts on one short answer and two longer essay questions as part of your application.

Instructions for all written submissions

• Responses should use 1.5-line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
• Do not repeat the question in the document you upload with your application as this will cause the essay to be flagged for plagiarism.
• Respond fully and concisely.
• Length requirements vary by question and are detailed below.
• Responses must be completed before submitting your application.

All essays are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Expressing your ideas by using verbiage from existing sources, including websites and other applicants' essays or materials, or having someone else compose your essays, without properly crediting those sources constitutes an act of plagiarism. Plagiarism, an act of theft and fraud, is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will result in an application denial. Note: if you have worked with a consultant to complete your application materials, please ensure that the Honor Code policy is discussed and yours essays will not be shared with other potential applicants.

Required short-answer essay question

Instructions: Answer the following question in 100 words.

• What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan.

First required essay: 25 random things about yourself

The 'Team Fuqua' spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. 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.

Your list will be limited to 2 pages (750 words maximum). Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be brief, while others may be longer.

Second required essay: The Fuqua community and you

Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and to the development of leaders. Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute at Fuqua?

Your response will be limited to 1 page (500 words maximum).

Optional essay: 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). Note that you should NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The Optional Information section is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only.

Submit your required one-page resume electronically within the online application system. For employment and volunteer positions, include the location, title, date, and responsibilities, starting with your most recent position. The education section should include dates of attendance and degrees received.

Your resume can include:

• Full-time employment
• Volunteer work
• Internships
• Part-time work experience

Your recommender must complete the current recommendation forms associated with the online application—no other format of recommendation will be accepted.

Your recommendation should reflect your performance in your most recent professional setting. Volunteer activities or other service-oriented roles in which you are deeply involved may also be excellent sources for your recommendation. The most valuable recommendations come from people who know your professional skills and abilities.

Submissions by email or mail are not accepted.

New applicants

• One required letter of recommendation

Reapplicants

• Reapplicants may use the same recommendation letter provided from last year, and you will have the option to include it in your current application if you choose. You also have the option of submitting one new letter of recommendation if you wish. 

Other recommendation guidelines

• You are required to use the recommendation forms that are within the online application.
• Use your recommender's work email addresses, which they monitor more closely, during our credential verification process, rather than personal accounts like Gmail.
• Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.
• Academic recommendations often provide a similar perspective to your transcript and are less helpful.

The following questions are included on the recommendation form:

• Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. 
• How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? 
• Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.  
• Is there anything else we should know? (Optional)

Bonus endorsement from Fuqua students and alumni

In addition to the one required recommendation, you may provide additional endorsements from our alumni or current students.

Endorsement Form

If an endorsement is submitted on your behalf before you submit your application, you will become eligible for an application fee waiver. We are unable to provide refunds if your endorsement is received after the application fee has been paid.

Fuqua accepts GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, and Executive Assessment (EA) scores. Test scores are valid for 5 years, and we do not require the official score report at time of application - you need only self-report your score and provide official scores when admitted. We do not have a preference for which exam you provide, and scores can be updated after your application is submitted.

Both GMAC and ETS, the administrators of the GMAT/EA and GRE tests, respectively, continue to offer the option to take these tests from a home environment. We accept both test formats. Please visit the GMAC or ETS websites for more information. 

Extra GMAT, GRE, and EA details

• There is no minimum test score requirement.
• We will accept scores up to 5 years old.

Admission system test codes

• GMAT/EA: Duke program code Q13-N5-32
• GRE: Duke program code 5156, and the 4201 Business Administration and Management Department name on your GRE exam

Need more help?

Information on registering and sending GMAT/EA scores Information on registering and sending GRE scores  

A 225 USD non-refundable application fee, payable by VISA or MasterCard, is due when you submit your online application.

Application fee waivers

You may be eligible to receive an application fee waiver if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

You are a member of the military—active duty, active reserve, or honorably discharged/completed service (within three years) of any nation. Either voluntary or compulsory service is valid for qualification.

You are an active participant or alumnus/alumna of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America.

You receive Fuqua Admissions Committee approval. In your application, include the reason for your waiver request and the name of the committee member granting approval.

You are a member of one or more qualifying organizations: Admit.Me  Access, Beta Gamma Sigma, Choctaw College Connect, Colfuturo, Forte Foundation, Fulbright, Golden Key, Graduate Horizons, Idealist, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), MBA Jumpstart, Posse Foundation, Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), or Riordan Fellows Program.

Before submitting your application, you register for and attend at least one of the event activities listed below. Indicate the event type, location and month of attendance in your online application. (MBA Fairs are only considered as a qualifying event if you completed a sign in at the Fuqua table during the fair.)

• Campus Visit
• Information session
• Informational luncheon
• Meet & greet
• Multi-school information session
• Virtual information session

You obtain a  recommendation from a current Fuqua student or alumnus/alumna.  In your application, include your recommender’s name, program (Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive, Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business, Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University, Master of Quantitative Management: Business Analytics, or Master of Quantitative Management: Health Analytics) year of graduation (if known), and email address.

You attended one of five Diversity Events: 

• Duke MBA Workshop
• Women's Leadership Weekend
• Pride Weekend
• Veterans Symposium
• International Applicant Symposium

You are an alumni of Duke University. In your application, include the name of your degree and the year in which you graduated.

Instructions to apply for an application fee waiver

• Meet at least one of the above criteria.
• Select an application round in the “Personal Information” section of the online application.
• Complete the questions included in the "Application Fee Waiver Information" section. 
• Submit your application after all sections are complete. However, do NOT submit your application if you are asked for credit card information.

Following the above instructions is the only way to receive an application fee waiver. If you submit your online application without selecting the "fee waiver" option, then you will not qualify for the waiver, and no refund will be available.

Admissions interviews are by invitation, and interview decisions are released on a rolling basis. Depending on when you apply and interview, you may also want to schedule your campus visit activities at the same time.

Interviews may be conducted by alumni, staff, or trained second-year MBA students called "Admissions Fellows." On-campus interviews are offered in Early Action, Round 1, and Round 2, and will be conducted in-person. Off-campus interviews will primarily be conducted virtually, and are offered in every round. All interviews are valued equally, regardless of format or interviewer. As you prepare for your interview, please be aware that your interviewer will only have access to your resume and will not have read your application.

Interview Fast Facts:

• Interviews are conducted in English.
• Interviews generally last 45–60 minutes.
• Appropriate attire is business casual.
• Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other portion of your application file.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an interview invitation no later than October 4, 2024. When submitting your application, you will indicate if you intend to interview in-person or virtually. If you select Durham as your interview location, you will also have the option to participate in other activities on campus during your visit. If you select the virtual option, you will be connected with an alumnus or student in a similar time zone, and you will schedule your interview directly with your interviewer.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an interview invitation no later than November 18, 2024. When submitting your application, you will indicate if you intend to interview in-person or virtually. If you select Durham as your interview location, you will also have the option to participate in other activities on campus during your visit. If you select the virtual option, you will be connected with an alumnus or student in a similar time zone, and you will schedule your interview directly with your interviewer.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an interview invitation no later than February 17, 2025. When submitting your application, you will indicate if you intend to interview in-person or virtually. If you select Durham as your interview location, you will also have the option to participate in other activities on campus during your visit. If you select the virtual option, you will be connected with an alumnus or student in a similar time zone, and you will schedule your interview directly with your interviewer.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an interview invitation no later than March 21, 2025. Please select "Virtual" as your interview location in the interview section of your application.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an interview invitation no later than April 18, 2025. Please select "Virtual" as your interview location in the interview section of your application.

In service to reapplicants, we offer the ability to replicate or "clone" your application from a previous application year (2019 and later). If you are reapplying, please submit the Reapplicant Request form  (login credentials required) to request that your previous application data be transferred over to the next available round of admission in the current application cycle. Please contact [email protected] should you have any questions or trouble logging in. You will receive a confirmation email once this process is complete, and can edit all or part of your application after it has been cloned.

When reapplying you are required to submit:

• Short-answer question
• Standard application essays
• Reapplicant essay question 
• One letter of recommendation
• One-page resume 
• Valid standardized test score 
• Online application form 

If you request to clone your application, all data submitted from the prior year will carry into your application. Cloning provides a starting point for your application, and you are encouraged to provide updates and edits as needed to your application information, work history, and essays, as well as to answer any questions that may be new to this year's application. 

Reapplicant essay question

It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us 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

Reapplicants may use the same recommendation letter provided from last year, and that letter will be included in the cloning process if you choose. You have the option of submitting one additional recommendation letter if you wish. 

GMAT, GRE, and EA Scores

Reapplicants do not need to resend official GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment scores to us unless the scores have expired since your last application. We will accept scores up to 5 years old.

Application fee waivers are available to reapplicants. 

Fuqua is a member of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, an organization whose mission is to enhance diversity and inclusion in global business and education by striving to reduce the significant underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. 

We encourage anyone interested to apply to Fuqua through the Consortium application rather than directly to Fuqua.

• The Consortium application has all the same questions and requirements that are detailed in the application information above.
• Admissions criteria and the evaluation process are the same for those applying through the Consortium.
• The Consortium application opens each year on August 15 and has two application deadlines: October 15 and January 5.
• The Consortium application is only available for student applicants who are applying to our Daytime MBA program. Applicants to any other Fuqua program should apply through the Fuqua application.
• You can learn more about the Consortium, their eligibility requirements, and apply through their website .

All applicants are required to complete the core set of application materials; however, non-U.S. applicants have additional application requirements and instructions, which are described below.

Application timing for international students

You are strongly encouraged to apply by the Round 3 deadline to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.

Transcripts and diplomas

Transcripts, diplomas, and academic records must be in English.

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript.

If your transcript is not in English, you must have it:

• Uploaded in addition to the originals

The University Registrar, local U.S. Embassy/Consulate, or local Fulbright office/Education Advisor are appropriate sources to make and verify the transcript copy. If you are an international student whose university does not provide an English version of the transcript, you may submit a transcript from World Education Services (WES) in addition to your original language transcript from the university. 

• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to:

Duke University The Fuqua School of Business Office of Admissions 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120 Durham, NC 27708-0120

English as a Second Language test scores

Fuqua does not accept ESL test scores.  We will use other aspects of your application to assess language proficiency. 

If you are applying for the dual degree with the Nicholas School of the Environment (MBA/MEM), please note that ESL test scores are required to complete the MEM application.

Dual degree application instructions and timing vary by program. For the best guidance, please refer to the following links for more information:

JD/MBA MPP/MBA MEM/MBA or MF/MBA MD/MBA

Examples of Our 25 Random Things

Daytime mba early action deadline.

Learn more about how to apply .

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Sign up now for a campus visit or schedule an interview during our open interview period.

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Explore This Program

Program format.

Team up in 6-week terms.

Design your own experience from 100+ electives.

Concentrations + Certificates

Enhance your skills in a focus area.

Dual Degrees

Combine your MBA with another Duke program.

Global Opportunities

Get outside your comfort zone by exploring a new culture.

Experiential Learning

Develop your abilities beyond the classroom.

Career Development

Leverage our resources to power your job search.

Program Location

Enjoy one of the nation’s most exciting—and livable—cities.

Admissions Information

Facts + dates.

Here's what you need to get started.

We want to hear your story.

Admissions Events

Learn about Fuqua in person or online.

Class Profile

See a snapshot of our current class.

Tuition + Costs

Determine your investment.

Financing Your Degree

Learn how to fund the program.

6 Duke Supplemental Essays That Worked for 2024

Getting into Duke University is difficult in 2024. But you make sure you have your best chances by writing great supplemental essays.

In this article, I've gathered 6 essays from admitted Duke students so you can get inspired.

What is Duke University's Acceptance Rate?

Duke University has highly competitive admissions, and this past year over 45,000 students applied to Duke. Duke had an overall acceptance rate of 4.8%.

Duke University Acceptance Scattergram

If Duke is your top choice school, then consider applying Early Decision. For the Class of 2026, the acceptance rate for ED admissions was 21.3%!

Regardless of if you apply regular or early, admissions to Duke is competitive. But that only means writing stellar essays matters even more.

What are the Duke University Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?

This year Duke asks applicants to write one required essay of 200 words and two optional essays of 250 words each.

Here are the 2022-23 Duke writing supplement prompts:

• Please share with us why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular about Duke’s academic or other offerings that attracts you? (200 word limit)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you feel that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already expressed elsewhere in your application. If you have already addressed either or both of these questions in your application, please don’t worry about leaving them blank. We appreciate how much time it takes to fill out this and your other college applications.

• Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 word limit)

Duke University Nondiscrimination Statement

• Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you would like to share with us more about your identity in these areas, you can do so here or, if you feel you have adequately represented your gender and sexual orientation in other parts of your application, feel free to not respond to this prompt. (250 words maximum)

If you're serious about getting into Duke, you should definitely answer the second optional prompt.

Because everybody has a unique background, and this prompt is another opportunity to show admissions officers why you deserve admission.

6 Duke University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 6 of the best Duke essays that worked that respond to the writing supplement.

I've also included an example of a Common App personal statement essay from an admitted Duke student.

Let's get started and inspired writing great admissions essays like these.

• Duke University Essay Example #1
• Duke University Essay Example #2
• Duke University Essay Example #3
• Duke University Essay Example #4
• Duke University Essay Example #5
• Duke University Essay Example #6

#1. Duke "Diversity" Essay Example

Prompt: Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 words max)

The pitter patter of droplets, the sweet smell that permeates throughout the air, the dark grey clouds that fill the sky, shielding me from the otherwise intense gaze of the sun, create a landscape unparalleled by any natural beauty. I have gazed upon the towering cliffs of Yosemite, stood next to Niagara falls as the water roars, succumbing to the power of gravity, and seen the beaches of Mexico basked in moonlight, yet none of these wonders compares to the simple beauty of an Arizona rainstorm. To me, our rain represents more than humidity and darkness; its rarity gives it beauty. The uncertainty of when the next day of rain will come compels me to slow down, and enjoy the moment.

Out of the three realms of time; past, present, and future, the present is the only one we can experience, and I take advantage of every moment I have. When I pause my running to enjoy a sunset that dazzles the sky with brilliant colors of purple and orange, when I touch my brush to a canvas and focus on my movements in the present, when I drive home after a long day of improving our robot, and decide to drive around my neighborhood to finish “Garota de Ipanema”, which just popped up from my playlist of 700 songs, I am taking advantage of the moment.

So next time it rains, step outside. Close your eyes. Hear the symphony of millions of water droplets. And enjoy the moment.

#2. Duke "Diversity" Essay Example

Prompt: We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself. (250 words max)

Ever since I can remember, the comforting lullabies my mother sang to me planted a deep seed in my mind. In my dreams, I began a journey for my identity to discover the hidden stories within those songs. Perhaps that's what led me to explore Hindustani music. "Sa-re-ga" encodes my ancestors' songs just like "do-re-mi." With this solfege, I began exploring a vocal part of my culture, collecting the keys to my identity.

Each song I learned further educated me about myths and legends that helped form who I am today.

When I face adversity in male-dominated activities, I remember Sita, who fought heroically in revolutionary conflicts hundreds of years ago. This has empowered me to believe in my talents and goals, whether I am doing research or organizing a STEM fair in my community. The character Arjuna, who became one of the best archers, taught me perseverance and a desire to learn from others. When chosen to fly to Denmark to play badminton with local clubs, I embraced this experience to play among outstanding competitors and to enhance my competitive abilities. As an Asian American, I am reminded by the Indian National Anthem that I am an American and an Indian.

I plan to bring my music and stories with me to college. The keyboard in my Duke dorm will ring with strong Hindustani notes. I hope to share with my dorm mates and friends the history of those heroes and the strength I gleam from them every day.

Learn the Secrets of Successful Top-20 Applications

Join 4,000+ students and parents that already receive our 5-minute free newsletter , packed with T-20 essay examples, writing tips & tricks, and step-by-step guides.

#3. Duke "Why Engineering" Essay Example

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first-year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke. (150 words max)

At Duke I was equally entranced by the articulate movements of 3D printers in the Co-Lab and the stunning Gothic architecture. Instead of forming a dichotomy, these aspects of Duke blended to symbolize its emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which will offer me a nuanced perspective of the world integral to becoming a leader in engineering.

I will join the Academy for Model Aeronautics and share my passion for designing drones, while taking fascinating courses such as “Taboo Markets” and “Banality of Evil”, while simultaneously working on an engineering project that improves real people’s lives in “Engineering Design”. By joining the Duke Robotics Club, I can expand upon my love for robotics, and I hope to write for the Duke Engineering magazine, as well as join the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. By drawing from this diverse range of educational experiences, I can become a leader in creating a better future.

#4. Duke Personal Statement Example: "Forest of Lights"

Common App Prompt #7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (250-650 words)

The diamond leaves of gnarled oak trees throw spectrums of color onto mounds of frosty snow that gleam melancholily under the moonlight. The leaves chime as wind violently rustles them in a haunting melody. I splinter a leaf off its branch and inspect the shard of my illusion, eyes dancing with amusement.

As I dwell in my worries, a cold hand reaches from behind me and taps my shoulder.

I jerk away, fear bubbling in my amygdala as I look into the nonexistent eyes of my intruding visitor.

The moon illuminates a blob of pink squish as it draws back slowly, points its spindly hands towards my drink and asks: “Could I have some of that?”

The blob wipes its invisible mouth with its nonexistent sleeve. I ask: “What are you?”

The blob tells me to stop looking at it so suspiciously. “I can prove it,” It says. I tell it, please, go ahead.

Suddenly we are back in the glowing forest. “Diamonds? Pah!” The blob dismisses them. Instantly, the leaves turn solid gold, the snow melts, and the wintry world is thrown into a blistering summer.

The blob laughs heartlessly. “Your cortex is under my control,” it says smugly.

“I heard you had a question for me?” It taps its invisible ears knowingly.

The blob wriggles its invisible brows as it waits.

It smiles that wicked smile. It laughs that sinful laugh. Then that insufferable blob wakes me up.

As I sit up in the dark and rub my bleary eyes, I am vaguely aware of the deep­set unfulfillment settling itself inside me. I yawn and plop back into bed, the soft red glow of my alarm clock indicating that it is still before midnight.

Why This Essay Works:

One thing is for sure about this essay: it has a unique idea that has surely not been written before. Regardless of your topic, you want your essay to be unique in some way, even if it isn't as fantastical as this essay. You can use a unique structure, such as having central symbolism, metaphor, or being structured as a recipe, for example. But this can easily become "gimmicky" if it doesn't have a clear purpose. In general, the most effective way to have a unique essay is to focus on having deep and unique ideas and reflections. By focusing on interesting takeaways and connections that are ultra-specific to you and your experiences, your essay will standout regardless of the structure.

What They Might Improve:

This essay uses a lot of fiction-like writing that is fantastical and "flowery." Although moments of this kind of writing can make your essay more vivid, it is quite easy to end up with dense storytelling and descriptions that ultimately don't share anything interesting about you. The purpose of your essay is ultimately to learn about you: your values, your ideas, your identity, etc. By using dense story-like writing, it can be easy to lose focus of what admissions officers are looking for. In general, avoid writing "fancy" stories like this essay, unless you have a clear and distinct purpose for doing so. Everything in your essay should have a purpose in "going somewhere" (i.e. reaching interesting ideas and takeaways).

This essay is definitely creative, but lacks meaningful takeaways and ideas. By the end of the essay, we don't know much about the author besides the fact that they have an affinity for creative writing and are "on a search." Although the content is unique, the end result comes off as quite generic and surface-level because no interesting thoughts are explored deeply. The most interesting part of this essay is "I open my mouth and ask it my most crucial question," but this is super unsatisfying because the question is never divulged. Instead, the reader is teased by this fantasy story and the essay goes nowhere meaningful, which comes off as gimmicky and "creative for creative's sake," rather than deeply personal and interesting.

This essay ends on the idea of "continuing my search," but for what exactly? It is never explained, elaborated, or even implied (besides one reference to painting earlier). That makes this conclusion comes off as somewhat surface-level and uninteresting. Admissions officers won't care about "your search" unless they have a reason to care. That is, unless it tells something specific about you. On it's own, this idea of "exploring" and "searching" is meaningless because it is too broad and unelaborated.

#5. Duke Personal Statement Example: "Shadow-Box Stick Art"

Common App Prompt #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. (250-650 words)

This essay shows a strong thinking ability because the author shows how they view the world differently than others. Specifically, the author is able to see something as mundane as fallen branches as an opportunity to create artwork. Showing how you view things differently is a great way to demonstrate your unique perspective. Another strategy is to think deeply about things that are often easily overlooked or things that are mundane on the surface. Everything can be reflected upon deeply, and doing so shows a strong thinking ability and level of thoughtfulness. Ask yourself: what do you see differently than others around you? What do you find fun that others find "hard"? What do you find fascinating that others find "boring"? What is something mundane in your life that you do, and what's the greater meaning behind it?

This essay uses a lot of narrative writing—that is, recounting of a specific story and moment. While most essays use storytelling, what most applicants get wrong is they describe unimportant details to the story. Don't write like a fiction book and describe everything in the scene, like what others were wearing, what people looked like, what the environment was, each small action that took place. This is a common mistake that students make in trying to write compelling stories, but it ends up with a lot of unnecessary details. This author shows how a story can still take up a lot of the essay, while also including interesting reflections throughout the story and making it purposeful by only including details that move the story forward.

This essay has a somewhat unexpected conclusion where the author connects to their significant accomplishment of starting and running a charity. Even though this is such a large and meaningful activity, the author chose to only write about it when it came in naturally and not make it the whole focus of the essay. Counterintuitively, by de-emphasizing your biggest accomplishments, they will seem more impactful and you will seem more ambitious. This is because students often try to showcase their achievements and make them the focal point, but instead if you have the attitude of, "Yeah, this is what I did, but really it is nothing in comparison to what I'm going to do" it makes your accomplishments even more impactful. You don't want to be nonchalant, but you do want to make your accomplishments small in comparison to your future goals and achievements, which will show both humility and ambition.

This essay is almost 100 words less than what is given. In general, you should try and make your essays as close to the word limit as possible. Why? Because you should have a lot to say and it should be a challenge to fit it all into your essay, not the other way around. Especially for personal statement essays, its almost always better to use most of the words. Being within 10-20 words of the limit is usually the target. In this essay, they could include further meaningful details that make their essay more vivid. They could describe what their "stick art" actually looks like, because it is hard for the reader to imagine since it is an obscure type of artwork. They could reflect on the impact of their charity: how many people did it help so far? What are their goals for the future of it? What have been challenges with it? Don't add words just to add words, however. As with everything, each sentence should be meaningful and have a clear purpose, but this essay could definitely use more words.

#6. Duke Personal Statement Example: "Kiki's Delivery Service"

Common App Prompt #6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (250-650 words)

I spent much of my childhood watching movies. I became absolutely engrossed in many different films, TV shows, and animations. From the movie theatres to the TV, I spent my hours enjoying the beauty of visual media. One place that was special to me was the car. My parents purchased a special screen that could be mounted on the back of the headrest, so that I could watch movies on trips. This benefited both parties, as I was occupied, and they had peace. Looking back, I realize this screen played a crucial role in my childhood. It was an integral part of many journeys. I remember taking a drive to Washington D.C, with my visiting relatives from Poland, and spending my time with my eyes on the screen. I remember packing up my possessions and moving to my current home from Queens, watching my cartoons the whole time. I can comfortably say that watching movies in the car has been an familiar anchor during times of change in my life.

I used to watch many different cartoons, nature documentaries, and other products in the car, yet there has been one movie that I have rewatched constantly. It is called “Kiki’s Delivery Service” by Hayao Miyazaki. My parents picked it up at a garage sale one day, and I fell in love. The style of the animations were beautiful, and the captivating story of a thirteen year old witch leaving home really appealed to me. To be honest, the initial times I watched it, I didn’t fully understand the story but the magic and beauty just made me happy. Then, the more I watched it, I began to see that it was more about independence, including the need to get away from home and establish yourself as your own person. This mirrors how I felt during that period of my life,with mehaving a little rebellious streak; I didn’t agree with my parents on certain topics. That is not the end of the story though. As the years passed, and I watched it a couple more times, although with less frequency than before, my view of this movie evolved yet again.

Instead of solely thinking about the need for independence, I began to think the movie was more about the balance of independence and reliance. In the movie, the girl finds herself struggling until she begins to accept help from others. Looking back, this also follows my own philosophy during this time. As I began to mature, I began to realize the value of family, and accept all the help I can get from them. I appreciate all the hard work they had done for me, and I recognize their experience in life and take advantage of it. I passed through my rebellious phase, and this reflected in my analysis of the movie. I believe that this is common, and if I look through the rest of my life I am sure I would find other similar examples of my thoughts evolving based on the stage in my life. This movie is one of the most important to me throughout my life.

What Can You Learn From These Duke Essays?

If you're trying to get into Duke, writing great essays is one of your best ways at standing out. These 6 Duke essays that worked are successful examples of essays admitted into Duke so that you can get inspired and improve your own essays.

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Tips for Duke Fuqua’s “25 Random Things” Essay

Gurufi.com helps clients brainstorm, build, write, and revise their personal statements. With 17 years of industry experience, Gurufi’s Ivy League-educated consultants and editors have helped thousands of applicants earn admission to their dream schools.

         Let’s face it: most MBA admissions essays are pretty much the same: what have you done, how do you fit, what do you hope to do? While it’s obviously smart to tailor these essays to particular schools, it’s also true that once you’ve written your first personal statement, you can repurpose much of that text for subsequent schools. But Duke Fuqua’s “25 Random Things” list / essay is its own thing.

         Now, as a consultant, I love this prompt because it forces people to break through the carefully constructed “Application Self” that they deploy anytime they’re trying to sell the best version of themselves and instead embrace the discomfort of moving beyond their controlled and comfortable self-presentations. That’s why this prompt works… and why it’s so confusing and borderline terrifying.

         Here at Gurufi, we’ve had great success helping people get into Duke, and in part it’s because of the advice we provide them when constructing this list, both in terms of what to select and how to say it. So here are seven tips that you can use, including a list of potential questions to ask to help you create a strong, personal, and effective list that reflects your personality, values, and yes, quirks. Remember, rather than focusing solely on professional achievements, this prompt asks for a glimpse into the more personal and human sides of candidates. Understanding how to tackle this essay

can set you apart in the admissions process.

• Embrace the 'Random' but Keep It Relevant

The term 'random' may suggest that anything goes, but the best essays show a strategic selection of

facts that collectively paint a picture of who you are. Random does not mean irrelevant. Each fact should offer a fresh perspective or insight into your character, values, and how you engage with the world. Whether it's your knack for remembering obscure facts, a passion for salsa dancing, or your experience volunteering across continents, each tidbit should add a new color to the portrait you're presenting to the admissions committee. A good place to start is to ask three good friends: “suppose you were going to tell your mom about me. What stories about me would you include to give her a picture of who I was, what I cared about, and what I was like to be around?” These replies might give you some insights into things that people find most distinctive about your and / or what moments from your life best exemplify your personality and character.

• “We, Not Me.” Your Character and Team Spirit

During a recent conversation with Duke Fuqua’s Russ Morgan , he noted that the admissions staff often keep an informal tally of how many times applicants use “me” versus “we.” The idea being that Duke cares deeply about collaboration and building a dynamic and interactive community, and as such want to see whether applicants view success as mostly personal as opposed to within the context of a shared goal. As such, your essay should reflect your ability to contribute to and thrive in a collaborative and collegial environment. Rather than simply stating that you work well in a team, share anecdotes that show your collaborative spirit in action. This could include a story about a time you resolved a conflict, led a group to success under tight deadlines, or went above and beyond to support a teammate.

• Diversity and Cultural Competency Are Key

With a significant international student body and an emphasis on diverse perspectives, Fuqua

values cultural competency. Indeed, in recent years, the school has redoubled its efforts to make DEI a substantive part of its education. Your essay should highlight your experiences and comfort with diversity. Have you worked on global teams, navigated cross-cultural communication challenges, or learned a great deal from someone with a very different background? These stories can demonstrate your readiness to join and contribute to the diverse Fuqua community.

• Honesty and Vulnerability Can Be Strengths

As a whole, your essay should have balance. This means showing successes and achievements, but also including a bit of quirkiness and also a few moments where you talk about vulnerabilities or setbacks. Admission officers are well aware that no candidate is perfect, and they appreciate honesty and self-awareness. Sharing a fear, a mistake, or a lesson learned shows maturity and depth. It reassures the admissions team that you are someone who is reflective, able to grow from experiences, and relatable. Similarly, talking a bit about passions outside of work can show that you’re well-rounded and also allow you to show that you’d bring some variety and spice to the incoming class.

In terms of writing an interesting set of random factoids, a great exercise for revision is to highlight every verb in the text. If you find that you are repeating verbs, especially “to be” (and its variants: am, was, were, are, etc.) then swap those out. Verbs show what you DID, which is ultimately the most important information in these essays. Give real attention to them.

• Vary the Length and Depth to Create Dynamic Rhythm

Since you have a maximum word count (750), use it strategically. Not every entry needs to be a deep

dive; some can be short and light-hearted, while others may require more explanation. A mix of lengths and tones will keep the reader engaged and offer a more complete view of your multi-faceted personality.

• I’m at 17, and I’m Stuck!!!

If you’re having trouble populating your list, here are some ideas that you can explore to generate additional items.

• Regrets and Learning : Share a regret not just as a missed opportunity, but as a catalyst for future actions, showing your growth mindset and resilience.
• Unique Skills as Superpowers : Relate a unique skill to how it has helped you in your career and personal life, showing your resourcefulness and impact on others.
• Soft Spots and Personality : Your penchant for something unusual can reflect your creativity or unique way of seeing the world.
• Quirks and Individuality : Your differences make you memorable. Illustrate how these quirks play into your life choices and interactions.
• Ever got lost? Is there some city, place, or time that you remember with particular vividness? Why? What about that place or moment excites you still?
• Pride and Accomplishments : Share what you're proud of with an emphasis on the journey, not just the destination.
• Desires and Motivations : Talk about something you desire, not for its material value but for what it represents in your life story.
• First Experiences : Reflect on a 'first' that was a turning point or a significant learning moment.
• Wishes and Aspirations : Connect a deep wish to your overall narrative, showing how it aligns with your life’s mission.
• What does your family mean to you? Are you close? A parent? How has family shaped your worldview? Are you a spunky youngest child? A deal-making middle kid? A confident and assertive oldest child?
• Nicknames and Stories : Use a nickname to introduce a story that offers insight into your character and past experiences.
• Likes with Meaning : Explain a like or preference in a way that reveals more about your personality or values.
• Entrepreneurial Ventures : Describe a time you made money in an unconventional way, showing your initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Conquering Fears : Share a fear you’ve overcome, the process behind it, and what it taught you about yourself.

Remember, the point of this essay isn’t to show that you’re perfect and amazing in 25 different ways. Lean into your individuality, and for each one, ask yourself “why?” and “why is this important?” View this essay / list as a chance to stand out as an individual and showcase the unique attributes you would bring to the Fuqua community. By being thoughtful, honest, and creative, you can craft an essay that will capture the attention of the admissions committee and help pave your way into the Duke MBA program.

For more help with your personal statement, check us out at Gurufi.com . Our personal statement editors and consultants have decades of experience helping clients get into top Masters and Ph.D. programs in STEM, humanities, fine arts, and social sciences. Our specialty is helping you craft compelling personal statements that move the needle in your admissions process! For questions, shoot us an email at [email protected] . Check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn .

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How to Write the “Why Duke” Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Robert Crystal in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered

Understand the prompt, avoid generalizations, use specific examples, connect yourself to duke.

Duke University has one required essay and one optional essay, where you can choose to respond to two of several prompts. It is important to write strong essays for your application to Duke because it is a highly competitive school. For more information, read this comprehensive guide on how to write the application essays for Duke University . 

What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 words)

This is a classic college application essay prompt, and it is the one required prompt that all Duke applicants must respond to. If you are in the process of applying to colleges, you have probably seen many supplemental essays prompts that look similar to this one. Nearly every college or university will ask for some version of this essay to gauge your interest in their school. Have you done your research? Are you a good fit? Do you want things that the school can provide you?

Applying to colleges is a matchmaking process, and essay prompts like this help colleges determine whether you are the right match for them. The admissions officers want to know if an applicant is invested in their school and to admit those applicants who are most likely to take advantage of all the opportunities that the school offers. 

A compelling response to this essay prompt will avoid sweeping generalizations that could apply to any college or university: “The engineering department is doing groundbreaking work. The liberal arts curriculum strikes the perfect balance between depth and breadth.”

Anything that you write that applies to more than one school or department will not be a sufficient response to this prompt. Your response needs to be specific to Duke and only Duke, and the admissions officer should feel confident when reading your application that you know what the university can offer you that no other school can.

The best way to demonstrate your interest in Duke is to use specific examples of your goals, interests, and previous experiences. Most importantly, do your research, and identify specific academic departments, faculty, research opportunities, student organizations, scholarships, and other resources on campus that match your goals and interests. To help you with this, you should explore Duke University’s website, social media accounts, and any interviews or articles written by current students or recent graduates. 

A great way to start your essay is by describing your specific academic and professional goals and then transitioning into a discussion on the academic offerings and preprofessional programming that you will take advantage of at Duke. Afterward, you can draw connections between your other skills and interests and programs, opportunities, and resources at the university.

Make sure you weave information about yourself and other helpful context into the essay so you are building a narrative and not just rattling off a list of things that you researched on the Duke University website. These details will help admissions officers understand who you are as an applicant and how that relates to your desire to attend Duke and take advantage of the various opportunities that you have identified.

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Aringo Reviews

About aringo mba consulting.

Aringo is an admissions service focusing on students who have a score below 720 on the GMAT. This is a notable point. Great work experience is important, but many MBA applicants are equally qualified in terms of work experience. Without a strong GMAT score, applicants will not stick out. Students with low GMAT scores require other strategies to swaying admission committees.

This firm also publishes statistics on how often its applicants get into popular programs, with independent verification performed by Ernst & Young. Potential applicants should familiarize themselves with these numbers, as well as the results of their “admission chances calculator” provided free online.

Aringo offers a number of different services with each of its packages so students can focus on the support they need. For example, a student who is excellent at writing essays but nervous in interviews could opt for spending most of their time with an interview expert, rather than editing papers that are already good. These packages are available in 5, 7, and 10-hour setups, as well as a full service package to cover one school.

Their website also offers free materials, including published essay questions, tips for visiting campuses, and a thorough overview of the entire admissions process.

Aringo Cost and Contact Info

Prices vary based on the package, starting at $1,250 for the 5-hour package and $5200 for Full School Package – Unlimited, comprehensive support.  Discounts are available for high-performing students, and some refunds are available.

Aringo prefers to be contacted through their website here .

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Be sure to mention the promo code MBAINSIGHT10 .

To view how Aringo stacks up, check out the link below:

TOP MBA ADMISSIONS CONSULTING FIRMS OF 2024

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53 reviews for Aringo Reviews

Dar – May 13, 2024 :

I was recommended to Aringo by my partner, who also used their services. I was matched with Selim, and wholeheartedly can say, that was a match made in heaven. Selim is a consummate professional whose dedication to his clients is unparalleled. His insights and strategic advice were instrumental in helping me craft compelling application materials for my MBA journey. From refining my essays to preparing for interviews, Selim as well as other ARINGO members provided meticulous guidance every step of the way. His encouragement and expertise instilled confidence in me throughout the challenging process. With Selim’s assistance, I was accepted into Cornell Johnson Tech MBA, without a GMAT, a testament to his exceptional skills as a consultant. I wholeheartedly endorse Selim to anyone seeking top-notch guidance in achieving their academic goals.

Erez – May 13, 2024 :

Made it into Cornell Tech with a GMAT Waiver – a dream come true!

Working with Selim and the entire ARINGO team was an absolute game-changer for me. As I embarked on my MBA journey, The guidelines I received from ARINGO and Selim and their expertise were invaluable. Selim’s deep understanding of the admissions process and his personalized approach tailored to my strengths and aspirations ensured that I presented the best version of myself in my applications. Thanks to his support, I secured a spot at Cornell Johnson Tech MBA in New York, a dream come true. I highly recommend ARINGO and specifically Selim to anyone seeking expert assistance and mentorship in navigating the competitive world of MBA admissions.

Alex – April 8, 2023 :

Good material for reference. Very clear understanding

Alisha Jyoti – January 27, 2023 :

One of the most useful resources for my admission essays

Antonio La Gamba – December 30, 2022 :

Aringo was great in helping me with providing a plethora of resources!

Ayush Verma – September 19, 2022 :

I am highly thankful for Aringo for providing really valuable resources, including, but not limited to, the sample essays from past applicants. These essays helped me keep a framework in my mind and then build upon my own story.

Vishi – September 19, 2022 :

Alok – September 19, 2022 :

Very insightful and supportive team; helped me throughout the process

McViey – September 18, 2022 :

2 admits with 50K and 60k scholarship with R1 submissions and 730 on GMAT.

I worked with them for 3 schools. Their process was structured, but it seems to be pretty standard. I feel if I had put in the time and not had the assumption that, “damn these are professionals, they must know something more than me”, I could have saved money on the expensive consulting. I am not saying that they did anything bad; they were helpful and nice. I am just saying that the same results could have been achieved with fewer resources. If I had to do it all over again, I would hire them for 1 school – learn the process and key drivers, and then use ApplicantLab for the next schools. This way I would have the best value for money proposition. Anyways I got in with a decent scholarship so can’t complain much.

Eyal – August 2, 2022 :

2 admits with 60K scholarship with R3 submissions and 660 on GMAT!!!

When I got 660 on my GMAT, I knew I had to compromise on my school list. But Shimri and Jen gave me the much-needed confidence and motivated me. Starting from the initial consultation, I received customized and tailored advice. I was matched with the best consultant based on my background and goals, and it was a perfect fit! My consultant had a wealth of knowledge and love the fact that she was very straightforward. Her ability to focus on even the smallest details, strong points, and potential flaws was overwhelming (which eventually helped). If there is ANY possibility any part of my application might have a positive or negative effect on the assessment she WILL find it, point it out and work with you to highlight or address it- Relentlessly.

Madhav Rangarajan – May 11, 2022 :

Loved the entire journey, was easy to access the consultant as well as Shimri himself. Here are things which they do better than everyone else, since I have worked with 3 more services during my application:

1. The insights from multiple rounds of essay review/enrichment was deep, relevant and different from easily found online information/current students 2. They really helped build my application around my strengths and story – instead of imposing something else 3. Very strong at helping form meaningful connections with folks from the school you might apply to 4. Probably the best profile assessment – which enables accurate representation of chances with top B-schools (and they are amazing at pointing out what you can do/how you can apply to improve your odds). Also very candid about what is un-realistic helping you save time and money 5. Easily accessible, very quick turnaround and VERY professional consultants who are alumni of the best schools and have had experience in adComs of various schools

Watch a gmatClub vidoe featuring Shimri in it, you’ll feel confident about working with Aringo.

Applied to a handful of top MBA programs, attending ESADE from 22′! 🙂

MBA Program & Grad Year: ESADE MBA - 2024 Your MBA Application & School Advice: NA

Siddharth – May 1, 2022 :

I signed up for multiple full school packages. The consultants took the time to listen to my stories and highlighted key turn-around points in my career. With their help, I could truly bring out the best in my stories and the essays appeared much more coherent with my life & goals.

Their interview prep was spot on. I entered the actual interviews with much more confidence and I could present my best self with meaningful stories.

The only point of improvement is that the agency did not advise on school short-list initially. They were happy to help me apply to my dream schools but somewhere I would have preferred hearing their selection…

MBA Program & Grad Year: UW Foster School of Business 2024 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Focus on one thing at a time. I got GMAT out of my way first and with my score, I knew the range of schools I could target. Don't focus a lot on school rankings. It is important to find your fit with the school culture. Ultimately, GMAT is just a number and it doesn't guarantee you a spot in the M7s or the Ivy Leagues. I learned this the hard way having spent two years applying to B-Schools when I could have started my MBA journey much sooner. The GMAT application is a journey filled with introspection. I believe it has made me learn so much about myself.

Ben – April 26, 2022 :

Thanks for collecting this review

I would like to mention Aringo MBA Admissions Consulting – they are truly the best and most professional consultants out there!

I worked with them on 4 MBA applications after working last year with one of the other consulting firms which are on your list and are priced higher. it is really hard to compare my two experiences but I will try. Aringo was awesome in terms of the number of interactions (daily), details (my consultant was “on me” daily, reminding me about my deliverables), amount of caring I felt throughout the process from Aringo’s CEO, Jen, and of course the result (2 admits to M7 Ivy League schools…) All these were lacking last year when working with the other firm, which mainly consisted of some emails.

Thanks Aringo. Love working with you and happy to share my experience with anyone who wants to compare. Columbia or Wharton? Still haven’t made my mind up about the two of you… help……

MBA Program & Grad Year: Wharton 2024 Your MBA Application & School Advice: My advice is this: 1. Invest time in the GMAT (I took me nearly 6 months) 2. Wait for the right moment (I rushed my application last year, in R2, instead of waiting for this year and doing things properly) 3. Work on your apps a lot (I used Aringo, they were great) 4. Choose your school list according to your criteria

Omer – January 27, 2022 :

I first heard about Aringo from someone I really trust, my sister, who got into Stern with Aringo’s and Mark’s help. When I spoke to Shimri and Mark I was blown away. They both helped me decide on the best school that fits my needs (HEC) and they were able to quickly help me bring out the best stories to tell in my application, improve my resume, and put forward great essays. Mark was very organized and helped me to get everything done well before the deadline. He has a collaborative style and is very easy to work with. I am now all set to join the HEC – all thanks to Mark and Aringo.

MBA Program & Grad Year: HEC EMBA 2023 Your MBA Application & School Advice: HEC's EMBA program is great, both the at the academic level and at the personal level. For those of you hoping to get a great European MBA education, HEC is a great choice.

Yoni – January 26, 2022 :

I got in touch with Aringo in March, immediately after the GMAT. While I knew the application deadlines are in September, I wanted to make the most of the time. Joy Pincus was assigned to me and she was awesome. She helped me with profile enhancement and networking. She helped me identify the aspects of my profile that made my story compelling. The clarity of thoughts was effectively communicated in my essays. Her guidance helped me prepare to stand out essays that were very much needed for getting a positive result from top-notch schools. Her magic worked indeed. I got multiple interview calls and was eventually admitted from 2. One of the schools gave a generous USD 100,000 fellowship. I owe my success to Aringo.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Booth 2024 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Never focus on what you think AdComs want to hear -- that'll only make you blend in. Lean into what makes you different -- that's what makes you stand out!

Noy – January 24, 2022 :

I got in touch with ARINGO in 2019, when I was working on my GMAT. Shimri advised me on an action plan and timelines which was super helpful. When eventually I got the desired score, I reached out to them again (obviously) and we had a detailed discussion on my profile and target schools. Shimri connected me with Lainie and shared the application strategy. From brainstorming ideas, editing essays, conducting mock interviews, there is no way I could have made it through this application process without ARINGO’s help. The feedback on essays by Lainie was honest and I could tell that she really wanted me to succeed. There were times when I thought the essays were school-ready but she pushed me to improvise them further. The result- Admits from Chicago, Kellogg, Stern and Yale most with scholarships. Thank you thank you thank you

MBA Program & Grad Year: Kellogg, 2024 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Kellogg Booth HBS Stanford Wharton NYU Columbia Yale

Apoorva Tyagi – September 20, 2021 :

Aringo provided me with a top class advisor, who had himself graduated from Sloan so knew exactly what he was doing. He pushed me to write a strong essay and didn’t sugarcoat his feedback – which is exactly what I needed to make it through. Would HIGHLY recommend Aringo!

MBA Program & Grad Year: UCLA Anderson School of Management, 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Look into the culture of every school and see what resonates most with you - very important for B school!

Victoria – May 11, 2021 :

With aringo it is not just a client-consultant relationship, these guys are committed to your success as much as you are. Be it Jen or Shimri, I connected with them in my first conversation itself. They bring instant positivity. I worked with Shimri directly as I was targeting London Business School (and he knows the school in and out). He took time to learn about my background and how my goals should be devised. At every step, I was guided well and they encouraged me to be my true self which actually worked! I

I got my LBS’ admit offer and could not be happier.

MBA Program & Grad Year: LBS 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Use LinkedIn and attend MBA events to network with the school's Alumni and team.

Rianaah – April 24, 2021 :

Yes, getting a good score on GMAT is difficult but sailing through the application process is another level of the grueling task. Initially, I thought that I will handle it on my own but I was wrong. The final essay was so bad even after multiple rounds of feedback from family and friends. I then started looking for consultants and got to know about ARINGO. After an initial free consultation, I got onboard them with Mark as my consultant. Mark very patiently looked through all my drafts and cited the obvious flaws in my story (which were not so obvious for me). I dreaded that I have to rework everything again but Mark had an amazing way through language. Through his comments, I revised the essay but did not miss the original theme of the essay. It was all still me saying out the stories. When your essays are strong your interviews echo confidence. By the end of the interview, I somehow knew I have got the seat – it was so good! Thank you so much Mark and ARINGO for the helping with the Kellogg admit.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Kellogg 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Do not do reverse consulting

Parth – April 2, 2021 :

My first piece of advice would be when you look for a consultant, try talking to as many as you can. The idea is not only who is an expert of your target school but how comfortable you are working with him/her. This is because, at the end of the day, no one will be writing your stories. The rapport with your consultant will only help you to bring the best in you. The same was the case was with me. I was not much confident with my score. Though I had certifications like CA, CFA, etc. I just did not want to settle for any college. Jenifer with Shay understood my plans and ambitions well. They kept on sending me edits (generally before the promised time) to keep up with my schedule and not compromising with the quality. Interview prep was amazingly supportive. I managed to get two admits- INSEAD and Kelley. It is a happy feeling to get into a school that you always thought was beyond reach. Thank you, team!

MBA Program & Grad Year: INSEAD 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Believe in your stories.

Welrine – April 1, 2021 :

Sriram was extremely helpful in targeting me on those areas of the applications which needed the most attention. He helped me refine my essays, shared the relevant resources, and interview readiness. The process laid out for me was not only efficient but also took care that my application is submitted early resulting in the admit of my preferred school- Yale. I recommend Sriram with all my heart because of his mentoring and guidance.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Yale 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Have some questions ready to ask to the panel, post the interview completion (an be smart in choosing those!)

Bandy – March 23, 2021 :

I was interested in Aringo’s consulting because it is one of the few firms where it is not a one-man show. While they assign a consultant (I got the best- Jenifer), they have specialists for every task. Your application undergoes so many rounds of edit and checks that the end product is something like a diamond made from coal.

In the brainstorming session, my thoughts were refined and Jenifer directed me to career goals that suit best my candidature. I became more confident after each essay and could see the transformation. Jenifer was always available when my application needed attention or any ad hoc question. This all resulted in my admit to Warwick Business School.

I have already told my happy experience with Aringo to my friends and peers who are considering applying to B schools.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Warwick 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Do research not only on schools but also on scholarship availability.

Joy – March 22, 2021 :

While I knew I wanted to pursue MBA, I was not very familiar with the admission process. I wanted a consultant who can do justice with my story and should highlight what is needed in my MBA application. In the complimentary call with Jenifer, she was able to answer the specific questions that I have about my work profile, goals, etc.

I then filled the profile summary document and prepared the resume in the format suggested by the team. I then waited for the strategy team to come with their insights which were indeed valuable. Jenifer and Jason then helped me to narrow down my strengths and weakness. What I liked about them is that they don’t impose their thoughts. They suggest understanding if the client is able to resonate with that and then proceed. At every step, there was a team effort and they are very approachable. An admit with Cornell happened because of team aringo. Thank you so much!

MBA Program & Grad Year: Cornell 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Think through when you share your information and stories with the consultants. You might find a few stories irrelevant but your consultants might feel otherwise. :)

Phuc – March 15, 2021 :

I took Aringo’s consulting services and I am happy to receive admission to the school of my choice. I appreciate the team’s promptness in answering my queries and just being there for me. I highly recommend Jenifer and loved the support from the team.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Columbia University 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Be unique in telling your stories!

Harshi – March 12, 2021 :

I needed help with organizing my ideas into a story that is compelling enough to impress the top schools.

Aringo helped me doing exactly what I wanted which resulted in more than what I expected. Sessions with Jen were helpful on how to make the essays and resume highlight my achievements. Jason’s storytelling skills are strong enough to help me create essays that could paint a picture in a reader’s mind.

MBA Program & Grad Year: HBS 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Start early and do the networking

Arya – March 12, 2021 :

Doing an MBA was never in my mind in my graduation days. Hence, I did not pay much attention to my extracurriculars, my early career, etc. which all play very important roles in the MBA applications. I decided to take personalized mentorship so that I can put my best foot forward.

Working with Jen has been a fantastic experience. I was juggling many tasks both in personal and professional space. However, Aringo helped me managing my time optimally. When sharing my essays, I had clear and intelligent feedbacks along with the next action items. It made the process easy for me which otherwise is very daunting. Shay helped me prepare my resume in the Oxford template. As I mentioned I did not have many stories to write, Aringo still made me carved out wonderful essays. Oxford happened because of Jen and Shay. I 100% recommend them for applications.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Oxford 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Make sure you shine beyond professional experience as well...

Bill – March 10, 2021 :

I still remember how lost I was when I decided to do MBA applications on my own. Preparing a stellar MBA application is a herculean task. That’s when I started reaching out and got to know about ARINGO from a friend of mine. I knew I was a little late in the game and I was worried about crafting my story and articulating why I was ready to get my MBA. Jen gave the confidence that I have enough to pull a good application and I would not have to compromise. I was quickly assigned Derin Raji and she was super prompt. In the brainstorming session, I was happy to see the analysis that was done on my profile by the strategy team. My narrative was clear and logical. Once the essay work started, Derin helped me to bring the part of my stories that resonated with each school I was applying to. The resume and recommendation letters, everything complemented each other. I was very satisfied with my final applications. I got into Rice University in round 2 and was very happy with the admit! I loved the way I was coached by Jen and Derin! Thank you guys?

MBA Program & Grad Year: Rice 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: The earlier the better

Jonathan – March 10, 2021 :

I knew my profile was good but never knew it was MIT good?. As my job is super stressful and demanding, I could not allocate enough time for the GMAT exam. I did not want to compromise on the business school I would study at and was planning to skip the entire MBA plan. But, I didn’t, and all thanks to Aringo. Danielle Marom, Jenifer, Shimri, Sriram and the entire Aringo team helped me to think, strategize, and effectively execute the best possible application.

For those who are considering working with an MBA consultant, I cannot recommend Aringo enough!

MBA Program & Grad Year: MIT Sloan 2023 Your MBA Application & School Advice: The team is incredibly knowledgeable about the requirements of the admission process. I was highly impressed by their professionalism and attentiveness. From the strategy stage, their experts focused both on my strengths and weakness, choosing the best narrative to show the school. Danielle ensured that my application is presented in the best possible manner to the Adcom. They understood that I am playing all my cards on one school, and left no stone unturned to bring out the best. When I got the admission letter from Sloan – I was super thrilled.

Steve J – March 4, 2021 :

Simply the best-Got into Wharton with a USD 145k scholarship! do I need to say anything else?

MBA Program & Grad Year: Wharton 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Reaching out to ARINGO was the best decision made for my MBA applications. Shimri and Chaya guided me from day one and helped me with everything that I needed for my applications. I come from an unorthodox background, both personally and professionally, and ARINGO helped me turn my diversity into my strength! They helped me align my essays, shaping my resume, etc. ARINGO’s process is very streamlined and they are very resourceful. I applied to various top programs with a 710 on GMAT and got 5 out of 5 interviews. The result- I received admits from MIT, Wharton, and Kellogg! The icing on the cake was Wharton admit with a whooping USD 145K scholarship!!! I could have never got 3 M7 admits without ARINGO. Kudos to you guys!

Adi C – March 2, 2021 :

4 Admits-Highly recommend!

After my GMAT was sorted, I had to start working on my applications. All the consultant seems to be equally good and it was hard to find the right fit. I had a counseling session with Jenifer and instantly liked her. She advised me on the schools that I can apply to and paired me with Jason Bond who was a true mentor in every sense. The team has school specialists and what they bring to the table makes your application unique. I felt like I had decent credentials but I was totally lost on how to showcase the story. Jason helped me to identify the right stories and building the theme of the applications. He helped clean up my storytelling and provided valuable feedback to smoothen the rough edges. I was confident that my applications are strong and interview calls proved the same. I had multiple rounds of mock interview sessions and got offers from 4 schools!!! Jenifer and Jason exceeded expectations- Thanks Aringo!

MBA Program & Grad Year: Rice Your MBA Application & School Advice: Take time for GMAT preparation but focus on MBA application equally. While GMAT is important, how you present your case makes the difference in your applcation

Abhi – March 1, 2021 :

With an average GMAT score and from an over-represented demographic, I did not hope much from the applications. I started talking to different admission consultants and they thought the same. But Jen was an exception. She brought the peculiar points in my profile which even I failed to look at. That was the deal maker and I knew Aringo could make an outstanding case out of an ordinary applicant like me. Jason Bond – my wonderful consultant made the crazy process of application super simplified. There was so much I did not know about the process but Jason was a lifesaver. I will always remember the level of commitment from the Aringo team who helped me with shaping my resume, essays, short questions, and interview preparation. I was accepted in IE and wholeheartedly recommend Aringo to every MBA aspirant.

MBA Program & Grad Year: IE & 2020 Your MBA Application & School Advice: 1) Ensure that you go through the documents required for the application well in advance- like a transcript, video essay, resume in a particular format, passport, photograph, etc. This will avoid last-minute rush and problems. 2) Also, always prefer uploading documents in pdf (unless advise otherwise) to avoid formatting issues. 3) Name your files properly. :)

A.S. – March 1, 2021 :

I worked with Shimri for my applications and I am glad I chose aringo. Shimri took time to understand my background, my career goals, strengths, and weakness before jumping on anything. The brainstorming session played a key role in how my story should be created and the team knows what the school is looking for in an application. We spent hours on essays until it was perfect. With the combined effort I got an offer from INSEAD which was like dream come true. I was elated beyond words on receiving the admission letter. Thank you Shimri for being a tremendous coach!

MBA Program & Grad Year: INSEAD & 2020 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Take time to do your research on schools. This really makes your application unique

Roei – February 15, 2021 :

ARINGO- Best Coach! Best Results!

I did some research on many admissions consulting firms and decided to go with Aringo due to a recommendation I got from a close friend who got into MIT the previous year with their assistance. When I made my decisions, little did I know that this will be one of the best decisions I ever made! The one thing that I loved about Gwen and every single one of the ARINGO reviewers is that they don’t sugar coat. They are brutally honest with the feedback at every stage from strategy, school selection, resume, essay to interview. I could always count on the team with their critical feedback. My story for each essay was finalized and they helped me to put across the unique aspects of my profile with customizations to each school. With the guidance of Gwen and Shimri I wasaccepted to 2 top B-school and had the chance to pick the one that is best fit for me. Huge thanks ARINGO!

MBA Program & Grad Year: 2023 Your MBA Application & School Advice: It's important to have a good connection with your advisor.

Penny – February 4, 2021 :

Thanks Aringo. I really enjoyed working with you. worth every penny

MBA Program & Grad Year: Yale 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: I worked with Aringo on 4 schools. As I come from a family business, I didn't have many achievements to show. Aringo really helped me shape my story, prepare the essays, CV and entire applications. I received 3 interviews. Aringo prepare me to all and I am happy to say I received 2 acceptances (NYU and Yale) Jenifer, Sriram and team - you are the best!

Raviv Sapir – September 24, 2020 :

Highly recommend ARINGO to anyone who’s applying for an MBA. 10/10!!

MBA Program & Grad Year: HEC 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Find a consultant that you have a good connection with and you trust.

Eduardo Perticarrari Mucci – August 30, 2020 :

I didn’t think that my chances of getting into a good MBA program were high. My work experience was all outside of the US and my GMAT was not as high as I would have liked. Sriram helped my focus my application on all of the positive aspects of having international experience, and we made sure that the rest of my application looked good. Thank you Sriram!

MBA Program & Grad Year: Babson College 2018 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Figure out how to spin the negative parts of your profile/application.

Adhish Bhobe – August 27, 2020 :

If I could give Jen/Sriram 6 stars, I would! I would never have gotten into Duke without their help. I couldn’t recommend ARINGO highly enough to anyone that is applying to MBA programs.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Duke 2019 Your MBA Application & School Advice: The cost is totally worth it. ARINGO lead me not only to my dream school, but also to working in some of the most prestigious companies in the world!

Joseph Shawn – August 26, 2020 :

Working with Sriram made my dreams come true. I never thought that when I received my GMAT grade that I would still be able to go to my dream school. I stumbled upon ARINGO and from the first time I spoke to Sriram, I realized that despite my low GMAT, my top schools were still in reach. After working together on my application I got into one of my top schools, Cornell! Thank you Sriram and thank you ARINGO!!!

MBA Program & Grad Year: Cornell 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Be yourself, do not lose hope from a low GMAT score. Try to make the rest of your application stellar!

Joy Gilbert – August 24, 2020 :

INSEAD with 640 – do I need to say more?

I loved my work with Shay from Aringo. Well actually, I loved Jenifer, Sriram, Prasanth, Lainie and the entire Aringo team. He worked with Shay on INSEAD, IESE and LBS I received 3 interviews and got into two schools. The level of documents I started with and finally submitted is uncomparable. and the feedback, interview prep, and guidelines along the way, were amazing!

All in all, could not be happier Thanks Aringo

MBA Program & Grad Year: INSEAD 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: I did a lot of research spoke to 4 MBA consulting firms and chose to work with experts on the schools I wanted + Aringo specialize in working with candidates with low GMATs...

B Esbin – February 11, 2020 :

I used Aringo’s admission chances calculator as a way to narrow down my search for business schools. It was a thorough and reasonable calculation of the options as well as how I could make changes in my overall profile to improve my admissions chances.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Fuqua 2022 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Definitely use their site as a way to gauge your likelyhood of admission at various programs.

Sydney Miranda – August 5, 2019 :

Thanks aringo! Worked with David, Derin, Sriram, Jenifer, Shimri and the aringo team on 2 MBA applications (after being dinged from 3 in round 1 with no interview) My application was 500% better I got into Wharton and HBS What else could I ask for 🙂 not cheap, but worth every penny!

MBA Program & Grad Year: Harvard 2021 Your MBA Application & School Advice: I was not sure if to use consulting services. I spoke before round 1 to about 6-7 consulting services and I felt all did the same (match me up with a school alumnus and take a lot of money) I felt I could do it on my own then, after being rejected in round 1, my GMAT tutor Vinay, told me about aringo. they really do things differently and I felt I am working together with them on my applications. they bring into the process many consultants and kept showing me ways of doing things differently. I didn't expect two interviews at both Wharton and Harvard and I didn't expect to be accepted to both, but I was! So, I might be the first "no interview at Stern, but got into HBS" out there, and all thanks to aringo!

David Hammer – March 10, 2019 :

I am also assuming they are a lot of fake reviews here. mine isn’t… I had to pleasure of working with aringo on 2 schools. my consultant (Sriram) was excellent. he guided me along the way. brought into the process other experts when needed. and was there for me on a daily basis when I needed him. he also went out and beyond helping me choose between the two offers I received (MIT and CBS -> very tough choice).

MBA Program & Grad Year: Columbia MBA 2019 Your MBA Application & School Advice: start early, as the process does take time good luck to everyone

Shila – February 4, 2019 :

Thanks aringo – for making a stressful situation easier. We applied together to 4 schools and I got into 2. Wharton was my dream school all along, so no-brainer on which school to choose. I love it here!

From strategy to essays to interview prep aringo were there for me. Well done.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Wharton 2018 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Advise: I have read here some more comments and agree with all of them: do school research. Throughout your application I was asked why this school, and the fact that I visited the campus and spoke to students really made the difference. Good luck to all candidates

Abiodun – July 27, 2018 :

I stumbled on the Aringo’s website while I was preparing my essays and I was very happy I’d find them. The guidance was very clear enough. They had a lot of sample essays to work with and seems affordable. I also recommended their website to my recommenders as they were first time recommenders to an MBA program and did not know the structure of the write-up.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Stanford Graduate School of Business/2019 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Please spend sometime looking at the sample letters posted and i can tell you that you'd want to work with them.

CBS2019 – July 5, 2018 :

Aringo pros – They have various price plans and, although I took the most comprehensive plan, overall I got from them the cheapest quote. Tim my consultant was amazing. Michelle, the CEO, talked to me every few days to make sure I was on track. besides them, because I took the full comprehensive package, I also got my essays and applications reviewed by 3 different consultants.

Cons – yes, it is pricey , but as I got into the school I wanted, it is absolutely worth it

MBA Program & Grad Year: Columbia 2019 Your MBA Application & School Advice: I absolutely loved ARINGO. I worked with Tim, applied in r2 to only 3 schools, but got into 2 of them, with a little scholarship. I applied to 3 schools and got into two. I chose Columbia as I really want to experience the Big Apple My advice - research the schools . Aringo can definitely help you get in, but it is up to you to decide which school to go to...

Dan – July 16, 2017 :

Being that I had limited funds to spend on a consultant I throughly researched the differing admissions consulting agencies before selecting ARINGO. I was especially attracted to ARINGO because of it’s flexible packages and prices and I must say I was blown away with the experience! I My consultant, Sriram, was incredibly responsive, he offered amazing feedback on my resume and essays, and he was especially judicious in how we used the hours I had spent! I was fortunate to get into Yale SOM, NYU Stern, and Stanford GSB and Sriram was integral in crafting my essays. I have to point out my Stanford GSB essays in particular because I submitted what I thought was a wonderful essay and would have used up my final hour for that essay. Sriram, knowing I could do better, gave me a fantastic set of notes and told me he only used half an hour for the essays so he could take a look at the next draft. ARINGO went above an beyond my expectation and I know I wouldn’t be attending Stanford GSB if it weren’t for the amazing feedback!

MBA Program & Grad Year: Stanford 2018

Abhay – July 7, 2017 :

Had a wonderful experience working with my consultant. Chaya who is the CEO of the company was very accommodating and always present to discuss any issue.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Stanford GSB Your MBA Application & School Advice: BE CONSISTENT ABOUT WORK AND TRY TO ESTABLISH A GOOD STORY ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE THAT CONNECTS EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE TO YOUR FUTURE.

Gina – February 23, 2017 :

I’m what these companies would call a non-traditional applicant, meaning I have a very unique background and goals after my MBA and so on.

Therefore, I wanted to make sure I was working with someone who really understood me, what makes me different and why I need an MBA. While I talked to several different admissions consultancy companies, I didn’t get the feeling most of them “got it”. I could just tell by the recommendations they would make but Aringo was really different. I got a different feel from them and decided to have them help me get accepted to my dream school. I am glad I did, because as a first time applicant, I got in! Which might not sound as impressive as it really was, because going into the process I really had no idea what I was doing. So I was lucky the Aringo guys were so patient and understanding of “newbies” like me!

MBA Program & Grad Year: HEC PARIS, 2017

Talia – December 4, 2016 :

I had a really great experience with Aringo. I was teamed up with a consultant the fit my needs perfectly and really helped me turn around my application. I also had three mock interviews with other consultants at the company which were very helpful. I feel like I wouldn’t have gotten in without them.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Stern 2018 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Apply to the schools that actually specialize in what you are passionate about. Talk to students at these various schools. The vibe really differs from school to school and understanding where you best fit will make the application come more naturally.

Alon – June 1, 2016 :

Pro: They took me as a candidate with bad GPA, low work experience, and high GMAT score, who also applied on round 3, and got me in a top school. Couldn’t ask for more. The consultant who worked with me invested a lot of work working with me on my resume and essays. I had no idea how to do it myself. Also, being under round 3’s deadline, we didn’t have too much time and he did a great job helping me meet deadline.

Cons: Looking back at my application I think I could, today as an MBA graduate, do the application myself slightly better, at least for some of the essays I wrote.

MBA Program & Grad Year: 2015 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Not a good question here - really depends on the school. - Generally, I think you need to know the school exceptionally well - classes, curriculum, etc. - Make sure you point out what value you add to the program. - Show them you want to get in the program more than anything else.

Greg Nemeth – May 23, 2016 :

Didn’t use the actual consulting service, but I used their free admissions % tool extensively and it was extremely helpful.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Wharton 2016 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Find what makes you stand out from the crowd and play it up big

Jason Limb – April 25, 2016 :

Had a great experience working with my consultant for all of my schools. He helped me with everything from organizing and developing my story to helping strengthen my essays and when the time came, interview prep. He was very candid and straightforward.

MBA Program & Grad Year: Duke Fuqua / 2017 Your MBA Application & School Advice: Be diligent and disciplined so that you do not lose focus. Give yourself as much time as possible to set yourself up for success. Go 100% at each application.

sameer – April 13, 2016 :

the most optimal consulting package for me. in terms, of price/school aringo is very competitive. consultant was very helpful and they also provided a discount. overall, I was very happy with the service

MBA Program & Grad Year: stern/ 2016 Your MBA Application & School Advice: the most optimal consulting package for me. in terms, of price/school aringo is very competitive. consultant was very helpful and they also provided a discount. overall, I was very happy with the service

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Scholarship Highlight: Post-Bruen Judicial Partisanship and Immigration Restrictions

• August 23, 2024
• Categories:
• Second Amendment
• Supreme Court
• Immigration
• Prohibited Persons

By: Andrew Willinger

The scholarship highlighted in this post does not necessarily represent the views of the Duke Center for Firearms Law.

In a new draft posted to SSRN, Rebecca Brown, Lee Epstein, and Mitu Gulati empirically analyze the partisan divide in gun-rights cases since Bruen .   They generally find that “ Bruen appears to have left sufficient discretion to lower court judges such that the Democratic judges were able to uphold gun rights less often while Republicans were able to champion gun rights.”   They also argue, with regard to judges appointed by former President Donald Trump, that “ Bruen may have amplified careerism, in the form of promotion effects.”

Alan Mygatt-Tauber, in a new article, takes an in-depth look at restrictions on undocumented immigrants possessing firearms.   Mygatt-Tauber focuses on whether historical analogues might support laws targeting undocumented immigrants and argues “that lawfulness of status is irrelevant to the question of a noncitizen’s rights under the Second Amendment.”

Rebecca L. Brown, Lee Epstein & Mitu Gulati, Guns, Judges and Trump , posted to SSRN

This Essay reports data on the impact of Bruen and its predecessor, Heller , on gun rights cases. Put mildly, the impact was substantial, not only in terms of the number of cases in the courts but also the partisanship displayed in the application of Bruen . And that partisanship increase was particularly large on the part of Trump-appointed judges. The Supreme Court has now decided Rahimi , its first opportunity to apply Bruen . While the Court's new decision blunted some of the sharpest concerns raised by Bruen , it did not eliminate the key concern, recommitting itself to a test that places considerable unguided discretion in judges, inviting partisan bias. The revolution that the Court wrought through Bruen and Heller may have only just begun.

Alan Mygatt-Tauber, The Second Amendment Rights of Undocumented Immigrants , posted to SSRN

In 2008’s District of Columbia v. Heller , the Supreme Court, for the first time, held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms. Challenges to various federal gun control laws immediately followed, including challenges to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(a), which prohibits possession by an undocumented immigrant. Between 2008 and 2022, courts faced with challenges to 922(g)(5)(a) universally upheld it. Then the Court decided New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen , in which it discarded the means-end balancing tests the courts of appeals had adopted, instead preferring a test focused on “history and tradition.” Under Bruen ’s test, if a regulation was targeted at conduct protected by the Second Amendment, it was presumptively invalid, unless the government could identify an analogous law from the time of the Founding. New challenges were filed. Many courts have continued to uphold the constitutionality of 922(g)(5)(a), but others have found that it is unconstitutional. And at least two circuits have upheld the statute on the ground that undocumented immigrants are not part of “the people” protected by the Second Amendment.

This article is the first in-depth look at the application of Bruen ’s test, as modified by the Court’s June 2024 decision in United States v. Rahimi , that addresses both the question of whether undocumented immigrants are part of “the people” entitled to Second Amendment protections and, if so, whether any of the historical analogues identified by the government serve to justify 922(g)(5)(a)’s complete ban on gun ownership. It concludes 1) that undocumented immigrants are part of “the people” because status is irrelevant to the question—it is physical presence in the United States that matters; and 2) none of the purported analogues support a categorical ban on undocumented immigrants possessing firearms. Instead, they support an individualized analysis where only the dangerous may be disarmed.

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Omsk Oblast

DOI link for Omsk Oblast

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This chapter presents history, economic statistics, and federal government directories of Omsk Oblast. Omsk Oblast is situated in the south of the Western Siberian Plain on the middle reaches of the Irtysh river. Kazakhstan lies to the south. Tyumen Oblast lies to the north-west, and Tomsk Oblast and Novosibirsk Oblast lie to the east. The city of Omsk was founded as a fortress in 1716. In 1918 it became the seat of Adm. Aleksandr Kolchak's 'white' 'All-Russian Government'. Omsk fell to the Bolsheviks in 1919, and Kolchak 'abdicated' in January 1920. In 2015 Omsk Oblast's gross regional product (GRP) amounted to 617,184m. roubles, equivalent to 311,973 roubles per head. The Oblast's soil is the fertile black earth characteristic of the region. Its agriculture consists mainly of animal husbandry, hunting and the production of grain. The sector employed 14.6% of the workforce and contributed 9.6% of GRP in 2015.

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