Pranjal Singla, Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2024
Age: 26
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), Delhi University
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years, Financial Services and Healthcare
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
For the past three years, while working with healthcare NGOs, I initiated numerous large-scale collaborations and fostered communities of experts from various educational, financial, and social backgrounds who helped develop innovative technology-based solutions to improve India’s healthcare system. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with a variety of stakeholders while leading these efforts, and it has made me more aware of the enormous potential of technology and social enterprises to positively affect people’s lives on a large scale. I wanted to be a part of this revolution as someone who can impact the intersection of technology and healthcare, and in order to do so, I needed to improve my technical and managerial skills.
I feel that attending business school will give me the necessary tools, frameworks, and abilities to handle problems in the real world and serve as the ideal spark for me to keep making significant contributions. Additionally, it will give possibilities for networking with business executives and provide exposure to the latest challenges and innovations in the business world
Why did you choose Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The ‘Team Fuqua’ spirit appealed to me from the beginning of the application process. I saw it come to life during my conversations with students, alumni and the admissions team. I felt welcomed, supported and encouraged! Given my professional background in healthcare, Fuqua’s Health Sector Management (HSM) Certificate course instantly piqued my interest. I was eager to gain knowledge about the US healthcare system and through research and networking, I realized that Fuqua would be the perfect place to pursue this passion. As a student body leader during my under-graduation, I enjoyed taking initiative and building relationships. I thought the student-led culture at Fuqua would help me hone and enhance my skills. Last but not least, Fuqua’s “25 Random Things” application essay caught my attention. I was able to honestly be myself, ponder, and engage in genuine introspection. This helped me to understand how the Fuqua community values distinctiveness and individuality and encourages students to be the greatest versions of themselves.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
A highlight of my time at Fuqua has been engaging with diverse individuals from different cultural backgrounds. I’ve got the chance to make some meaningful friendships over the last month that I hope to foster over the upcoming two years. I strongly believe with diversity comes the importance of being inclusive and empathetic. I enjoy enabling connections among my classmates by making introductions and hosting dinners. I especially enjoyed introducing classmates from other nationalities to Indian food, dance and festivals such as ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and Independence Day.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love dancing to Bollywood music! So much so that I taught my American friends how to dance to two well-known Bollywood songs to perform at an Indian wedding they went to recently.
Post-MBA career interests:
Healthcare / Consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely attend all the relevant admissions events. I think that events hosted by the Fuqua admissions committee were thoughtfully designed to give students a realistic insight into the Fuqua community and culture. The ‘International Applicant Symposium’ helped me learn how Fuqua supports and nurtures international students. At the ‘India Networking Event’, seeing alumni members from the 90s engaging with prospective students, I was amazed by how close-knit ‘Team Fuqua’ is. These events connected me with students and alumni, enabling me to understand the MBA program and the Fuqua culture. Moreover, these learnings helped me craft a compelling application.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would change my approach to school selection. I started out by solely looking at school rankings and brand names. Applying to these schools, I realized later in the application process that I was probably not a good fit. I realized the importance of analyzing cultural fit and having a sense of belonging in the school’s community. This can be achieved by intentionally speaking with students and alumni members and attending admissions events.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I’m convinced that the Fuqua application is comprehensive. Each element aids in self-reflection and demonstrates many facets of your personality. I would have avoided taking a difficult test, specifically the GMAT, if I could have. In retrospect, the GMAT may assess important skills, but it can also cause unneeded stress, which has a bad effect on other aspects of the application. I now realize how important it is for applicants to treat other application materials like essays, resumes, and recommendation letters with the same importance.
What is your initial impression of the Duke Fuqua students/culture/community?
As I mentioned earlier, Fuqua was my top choice because of the ‘Team Fuqua’ spirit. For all those thinking it is a marketing gimmick, you could not be more wrong! Since July 2022, I have met many accomplished, talented, supportive and inclusive people. My classmates have given me rides to school, helped me in setting up my apartment, shared incredibly personal stories and invited me to their homes for a meal. Second years have been putting in tremendous effort in helping overseas students adjust to a new culture and make connections with others in the field of their interest. Being a part of this community makes me feel immensely fortunate and proud.
What is one thing you have learned about Duke Fuqua that has surprised you?
I have been pleasantly surprised by the classes and the professors’ teaching style. Humor and intense discussions among classmates have made our classes extremely enjoyable and knowledgeable!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
A comprehensive business school experience is crucial to me. Academics, recruiting, and networking are just a few of the many things that come with the first year of business school. I’ve been anxious about how I’ll divide my time and work between these three. I’ve found that talking to my classmates and asking for support has been one way to manage my anxiety.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Meeting people from various racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds excites me. Along with exploring Durham and its surroundings, I am keen to travel with my classmates abroad. Additionally, I’m eager to join the board games club and pick up new games.
