{"id":34462,"date":"2016-09-08T14:51:13","date_gmt":"2016-09-08T21:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=34462"},"modified":"2016-09-08T14:52:44","modified_gmt":"2016-09-08T21:52:44","slug":"uva-darden-2016-17-mba-essay-tips-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/uva-darden-2016-17-mba-essay-tips-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"UVA Darden 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Check<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

If you like the idea of constantly being thrown into the decision maker\u2019s role, using the case method to navigate real-life business situations, then you may want to consider applying to the University of Virginia\u2019s Darden MBA program. Darden is the second-largest case publisher in North America, and because of Darden\u2019s commitment to the case study method, a Darden student will examine over 500 business cases throughout the course of their 2-year Darden MBA studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many applicants will make the mistake of sweating over their one Darden application essay and then carelessly complete the rest of the application form. Darden actually has several short answer sections<\/a> in its online application that provide applicants more room to demonstrate to the admissions committee that they are a great fit with the Darden program. Here are all of the questions that Darden asks in its application, with my tips in blue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you.<\/strong> (100 words max)<\/em><\/p>\n

Darden is one of the smaller MBA programs, with 324 students in the class of 2016. That class size means that every single students needs to be congenial: there\u2019s just no room for a jerk at Darden. Applicants who share an example here of contributing to a team \u2013 during a difficult situation, through a crisis, or just with a specific set of talents or personality traits \u2013 will be offering the Admissions Committee the opportunity to truly envision them in a Darden <\/span>learning team<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you could go anywhere in the world with Darden, where would you go and why?<\/strong> (50 words max)<\/em><\/p>\n

Darden has an array of <\/span>international<\/a> experiential learning programs<\/a> and expects every one of its students to take part in at least one global opportunity during their 2 years in the program. This is a very small space, so applicants should use it to identify a location somewhere in the world that excites them, then explain the unique opportunity to learn or make a difference that they envision there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlottesville has a renowned film festival, book festival and vibrant music scene. What is your favorite film, book or song?<\/strong> (15 words max)<\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no room to explain your choice here but you can pique the Admissions Committee\u2019s interest with your selection.<\/span><\/p>\n

List up to three hobbies or interests you enjoy in your free time.\u00a0<\/strong>(10 words each)<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you run for an hour every day (showing your drive and commitment)? Do you enjoy preparing elaborate meals for friends and relatives every weekend (showing your sociability and creativity)? Here\u2019s your chance to give the Admissions Committee some insight into what you do when you are not at work so they can start imagining the role you will play on campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is your short-term, post-MBA career goal and why?<\/strong> (150 words)<\/em><\/p>\n

You have room here for 2 small paragraphs to explain your expected path after you graduate from Darden. If your goals are seen as unachievable \u2013 for example, investment banking or consulting industry aspirations despite having a low GMAT score or a pharmaceutical general management ambition despite having no background or education in that field \u2013 then you will have weeded yourself out of the class. Darden also has <\/span>a few fields<\/a> to which they send most of their students; if you wish to stray greatly from them, you will need to demonstrate your ability to tap your own connections and network to help pave that path \u2013 as 15% of 2015 Darden graduates did.<\/span><\/p>\n

Essay Question<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

:Describe the most important professional feedback you have received and how you responded to this feedback.<\/strong>\u00a0(500 words maximum)<\/em><\/p>\n

Darden\u2019s Assistant Dean of Admissions Sarah Neher has a nice explanation of what kind of story they are looking for in <\/span>this video<\/a>. She is very clear that applicants need to select a situation from their professional experiences and demonstrate that they listen to their managers about how they can improve their performance.<\/span><\/p>\n