Hi, no problem.
1) I don't have hard numbers, but I'd say it feels like at least 25% of the FY's go. It's hard to asses because there are 2 GATES (Spring Break & Summer) as well as GCP during Spring break, so of those who participate, some do both GATE, some do one of each (I did GCP and will be doing gate for summer) and some only do one. It's not something that's little known by any means; what a lot of people grapple with most is the difference between GCP and GATE if they only want to spend the money on one, and/or the trade off of having a class to learn about a country and pay a bit inflated prices for group travel vs just traveling there on your own for cheap. There are some SY's who did Spring break GATE this year because last year they didn't think it was worth it, but changed their mind!
2) Duke's global focus is more about the International student body, the travel opportunities, bringing in companies and speakers from other countries, Int' cases/examples in class, etc. Global Institute is more about getting to know the first year class a month before the SY's get back, easing back into school, as well as taking two courses: Leadership, Ethics, & Organization, as well as Global Institutions. It hasn't directly helped my career/internship per se, but that's because my focus isn't international.
3) I was in high-tech prior to Duke and plan to go back (You can check out my profile
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/students =) .... I came to Fuqua to explore other possibilities, and hope to return to the same type of function but perhaps in other industries (e.g. there's product management tech jobs at Ford or GE, not just focusing on Microsoft and Apple, etc). I'm not as much as a switch as I'm looking to gain a better foundation because I didn't do business in undergrad, as well as take advantage of the various opportunities I couldn't get anywhere else. For example, I am not part of of a start-up company in the Program for Entrepreneurs, and am also trying out the Health Sector Management program because it applies to what I'm doing with the start up as well as longer term abilities to help my family with health care businesses.
4) I would say it doesn't feel like the goal is to only be known for one thing. We have various centers for a reason to have strenght in each vertical -- we're not a school that only marketing or finance comes to, etc. Fuqua used to get feedback that they develop good team players...the focus is shifting to be more about well-rounded leaders. Even if you focus in marketing, you've had the good grounding in operations of finance, etc. We're not the target school for one thing - I have just as many friends doing consulting as I know bankers and non profit! That said, in terms of classes, every single class has the key professors that you MUST take that are amazing.
5) Definitely! Kraft, Unilever, J&J, P&G, General Mills...they all recruit here. The Marketing Club is strong for or CPG and does interview prep and events like Brand Challenge to get people going. I'm not as connected to apparel - I believe Levi's was on our career center postings.
6) No, the CMC doesn't do treks; that's up to the clubs. Being a very student-run school, new opportunities can pop up every year, as well. For example, this year the High Tech club made a seattle trek as well as an SF trek (the previous year they had only visited the bay area). the Media, Sports & Entertainment club visited LA during both fall & winter breaks, as well as added a New York visit in Winter. The High Tech club also had more than one city as options to visit during winter break.
7) try checking this first but happy to clarify/expand if needed:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/stern-v-kell ... tml#327354 ... to my #5 reason I'd also add COLE fellowship & FuquaVision =)
--sv
