Ep 44. Benedict Ashiedu - Duke Fuqua: Getting off the Waitlist and Getting Internships Pre-Matriculation

Today’s guest is Benedict Ashiedu, a proud Nigerian and newly minted graduate of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. His MBA journey is a masterclass in clarity, resilience, and proving fit. Benedict applied to several programs, but Fuqua was his clear first choice. When he was placed on the waitlist, he didn’t sit back. He doubled down. In this episode, he shares how he fought his way off the waitlist by demonstrating a meaningful, authentic connection between himself and Fuqua and showing the admissions committee exactly why he belonged there. He also walks through how he secured a Bain & Company internship (and later a full-time offer) before stepping foot on campus, and how that early win shaped the rest of his MBA experience. In this episode, Benedict shares: 🔹 How he made Duke his top choice and proved that fit to the adcom 🔹 What he did on the waitlist to move from “maybe” to “yes” 🔹 How he landed a Bain internship and full-time offer before school even started 🔹 His perspective on the Fuqua community and what made it the right home 🔹 The power of staying intentional, even when the process gets tough It’s an inspiring story of belief, preparation, and persistence — and a great roadmap for anyone navigating the waitlist or aiming for a top consulting outcome. Tune in and enjoy!