What are the best tips for writing Duke MSBA essays , What should I focus on in the written essay?

Question

The prompt asks about goals, but I’m unsure how specific it should be. Is it better to write about short-term career plans in analytics or give a long-term vision as well? For someone without coding experience, how do you show fit in the essay without sounding weak?

Aarushi S · Accepted Answer

When writing Duke MQM (often called Duke&rsquo;s MSBA) essays, the best approach is to be specific and career-focused. The admissions team wants to see that you know what you&rsquo;ll do after graduation and how MQM connects to that plan. Short-term goals matter most, so frame roles like business analyst, data consultant, or financial analytics associate rather than a 15-year dream job. A brief mention of long-term vision is fine, but the main weight should be on realistic first steps.
For candidates without coding backgrounds, don&rsquo;t hide it &mdash; instead, highlight experiences where you worked with data in finance, market research, or projects. Show you understand how analytics drives decisions, and connect that to Fuqua&rsquo;s training. The essay isn&rsquo;t about proving you&rsquo;re already a coder; it&rsquo;s about showing how your foundation plus MQM can lead to success in analytics consulting or finance.

V Gupta · Answer

What trips people up with the Duke MQM essay is thinking they need to sound like a data scientist. The reality is, they want a clear story that links your background, your goals, and why Fuqua.
&bull; Focus on short-term roles first &mdash; think business analyst, product analytics, or consulting. That&rsquo;s what recruiters expect, and admissions likes seeing grounded plans.&bull; It&rsquo;s okay to add a long-term direction, but just a line or two &mdash; don&rsquo;t make it the centerpiece.&bull; If you lack coding experience, emphasize transferable skills: Excel modeling, financial analysis, or even working with datasets in internships. Then explain your intent to strengthen those skills at Fuqua.&bull; Be personal but structured. The strongest essays come across as genuine stories, not laundry lists of skills.&bull; One extra thing: weave in &ldquo;Team Fuqua&rdquo; culture &mdash; they look for people who will thrive in collaborative settings, not just technical stars.