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bakfed
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 02 Mar 2011, 09:48
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I've definitely heard of Kroll, and I have most certainly heard of background checks.

Because of this, I called Darden up once (about a month ago) and inquired about the background check (i.e. using Kroll or any other 3rd party company), the lady didn't seem to know what I was asking about and she told me that all admitted students have already been checked by Darden party directly. After this, I didn't feel comfortable to ensue any further.

Again, please correct me if I'm wrong about Darden should anyone else know anything about Darden's background check.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 02 Mar 2011, 09:50
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kitbama
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I believe Darden performs background checks prior to admitting an applicant. Once admitted, you do not have to undergo any additional background checks. (Please correct me if my understanding is inaccurate)

I think it's only after you get admitted (or, thats what I've heard from other schools). It's a lot cheaper to perform background checks only on those admitted than the whole applicant pool.
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Just to elaborate on this a bit - I think Darden does the background check right before it decides to admit a student. Again, as I posed in my prior response - please correct me if I'm wrong about this if anyone knows the process for Darden.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 02 Mar 2011, 13:07
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I've been admitted to several schools and as part of my admitted student checklist, I have been asked to submit to a background check by all schools, except Darden. I'm not sure if they do this before admit, but it's def not something I've been asked to do before matriculation... and most certainly have been asked by other schools.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 04:57
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Has anyone received interview invite this week?
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 05:04
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kn2130
I've been admitted to several schools and as part of my admitted student checklist, I have been asked to submit to a background check by all schools, except Darden. I'm not sure if they do this before admit, but it's def not something I've been asked to do before matriculation... and most certainly have been asked by other schools.
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Wow! For someone like me who has not got an admit from even a single school, the first line is very overwhelming :)

Hopefully, sooner or later, I will get there ;)
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 05:41
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pjman
kn2130
I've been admitted to several schools and as part of my admitted student checklist, I have been asked to submit to a background check by all schools, except Darden. I'm not sure if they do this before admit, but it's def not something I've been asked to do before matriculation... and most certainly have been asked by other schools.

Wow! For someone like me who has not got an admit from even a single school, the first line is very overwhelming :)

Hopefully, sooner or later, I will get there ;)
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Don't worry, pjman! I applied R1 to all my schools and that's the only reason I can say that. In just a matter of weeks, prob less than a month, you'll be there! :)
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C20
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 09:46
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greetings -- I am debating whether or not to apply in the upcoming R3. I have had some hard dings from some schools that I thought I'd get interviews with (HBS, UPenn, MIT), and now I only have a few more applications out there. I realize that I put all my eggs in one basket in Boston, and now need to identify one or two more schools to get after. I have no option to apply next year -- I am in the Army and need to go to grad school this summer for my follow-on assignment. Here are my stats -- 3.4 GPA (GWU, DC), 8 years active duty Army expericence, GRE (no GMAT) 590q, 550v (roughly 560 GMAT equiviliant, taking it again this weekend to try to bolster the score). Any advice?? I am a little jaded after applying to programs that articulated "total-scholar" look at their applications...and don't want to invest a ton of time just to get shot down again -- I dont have the luxury.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 09:51
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With all due respect - 560 GMAT equiviliant makes me wonder, how did you manage to get an interview invite from Tuck in the first place. I would expect such score to have an automatic ding from any top20 program.
If I were in your shoes, I would go for far lower ranked schools to make sure I am accepted in at least on of them.
Hopefully you'll do better in your next attempt as 560 is definetelly an application killer.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 09:53
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bakfed
I believe Darden performs background checks prior to admitting an applicant. Once admitted, you do not have to undergo any additional background checks. (Please correct me if my understanding is inaccurate)
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How could they perform background check without authorization? Isn't it illegal?
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 10:52
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Rado
With all due respect - 560 GMAT equiviliant makes me wonder, how did you manage to get an interview invite from Tuck in the first place. I would expect such score to have an automatic ding from any top20 program.
If I were in your shoes, I would go for far lower ranked schools to make sure I am accepted in at least on of them.
Hopefully you'll do better in your next attempt as 560 is definetelly an application killer.
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Agreed. Your priority here is to raise your GMAT score. The reality is that a good GMAT will not get you in, but a GMAT below the middle 80% (~640-750) will pretty much assure you a ding at any top school. I would say that at this point, assuming your GMAT score does not improve drastically, you have 2 options:
1. Apply to schools outside of top 30
2. Somehow figure out how to make a run at applying next year. GMAT study being the priority

I actually was in a similar situation as you last year. My GMAT was a 580 and I HAD to get into school that year. I only applied to one school and it wasn't even a top-30 school. Result: Dinged w/o interview.
Fast-Forward a year (and 4 months of rigorous, and I mean RIGOROUS GMAT studying) - I applied to 8 top 15 schools, getting interviews with 6 of them and awaiting final decisions.

What a difference a year can make if you plan and execute properly...

Good luck!
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 11:12
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argodan
bakfed
I believe Darden performs background checks prior to admitting an applicant. Once admitted, you do not have to undergo any additional background checks. (Please correct me if my understanding is inaccurate)

How could they perform background check without authorization? Isn't it illegal?
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I have no idea how thorough the background check was and I have no idea how it's performed.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 11:21
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kn2130
pjman
kn2130
I've been admitted to several schools and as part of my admitted student checklist, I have been asked to submit to a background check by all schools, except Darden. I'm not sure if they do this before admit, but it's def not something I've been asked to do before matriculation... and most certainly have been asked by other schools.

Wow! For someone like me who has not got an admit from even a single school, the first line is very overwhelming :)

Hopefully, sooner or later, I will get there ;)


Don't worry, pjman! I applied R1 to all my schools and that's the only reason I can say that. In just a matter of weeks, prob less than a month, you'll be there! :)
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Cheers mate! Thanks for your kind words. Amen!
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 19:44
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cricket.. cricket.

out of FML. Enjoy. ;)

Today, I was answering a text from one of my students asking me if they could re-take a test. I thought I'd texted back "No, you can't." Auto correct had used a more frequently used word: "No, you ***." FML
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 21:19
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nyxjf
cricket.. cricket.

out of FML. Enjoy. ;)

Today, I was answering a text from one of my students asking me if they could re-take a test. I thought I'd texted back "No, you can't." Auto correct had used a more frequently used word: "No, you ***." FML
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LMAO!!!!!!!!!
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C20
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 03 Mar 2011, 22:33
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Thanks rpratt -- question...a lot of people have been telling me to wing it and take the GMAT that there is minimal difference in the Q portion and that the difference mainly resides in the V portion. I feel that switching to the GMAT at this point would be like switching horses in the middle of the race. Thoughts?

@Rado -- having gone through the rest of these dings...in hindsight, I have no idea how I got the interview at Tuck. Truly, I have excellent undergrad and military records -- highly decorated on both fronts. Commissioned from Georgetown University with 8 years active duty service since college. I am also a female who commanded 120 Soldiers in Iraq. So, I'm thinking that maybe they truly looked at the 'total package' versus the GMAT score cutoff. However, having said that...Tuck interviews a higher % than most B-Schools...so there's still alot of uncertainty there.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! Updated on: 04 Mar 2011, 05:16
Originally posted by wp06 on 04 Mar 2011, 05:12.
Last edited by wp06 on 04 Mar 2011, 05:16, edited 1 time in total.
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C20,

I would stick to the GRE for now, unless you have the time/flexibility to take the GMAT and begin in 2012. I am pretty sure you said this is not a possibility.

GMAT math is actualyl significantly different IMO, I took both tests,GMAT math highlights Data Sufficiency which is tough to get used to, most of us spent at least 2-3 months practicing how to attack these and learn topics that are not included in the GRE such as trailing zeros, advanced number properties, etc.

The verbal is also much different, critical reasoning and sentence are not that hard but it is another section to get used and again, require significant practice - even for native speakers - I would stay with what you know and just try to maximize it. I do not think they look down on a stronger GRE.

the **** reality is this process is tough and competitive as hell. I am coming out of the Army as well and I realize now just how much harder it is on the outside. Yes, the Army is hard - combat sucks, but in terms of life at home in garrison, it is much easier and we are usually big fish in a small pond.

You will see some extremely gifted people in this pool, just do your best and adjust expectations. I know I definitely had to as well. I am also highly decorated, combat, ranger etc, but did not make it in MIT after interview. We have to go compete with Navy Seals with 99% GMATs, Silver Star Winners, or Fighters Pilots etc so even the military pool is ridiculous

best of luck,
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! Updated on: 04 Mar 2011, 06:26
Originally posted by nyxjf on 04 Mar 2011, 05:14.
Last edited by nyxjf on 04 Mar 2011, 06:26, edited 1 time in total.
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C20
Thanks rpratt -- question...a lot of people have been telling me to wing it and take the GMAT that there is minimal difference in the Q portion and that the difference mainly resides in the V portion. I feel that switching to the GMAT at this point would be like switching horses in the middle of the race. Thoughts?

@Rado -- having gone through the rest of these dings...in hindsight, I have no idea how I got the interview at Tuck. Truly, I have excellent undergrad and military records -- highly decorated on both fronts. Commissioned from Georgetown University with 8 years active duty service since college. I am also a female who commanded 120 Soldiers in Iraq. So, I'm thinking that maybe they truly looked at the 'total package' versus the GMAT score cutoff. However, having said that...Tuck interviews a higher % than most B-Schools...so there's still alot of uncertainty there.
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Tuck has high interview percentage because it allows self initiation. If you were invited, you're golden.

That is a truly remarkable accomplishment and I thank you for your service. B-schools are particularly picky on Gmat because it affects their ranking. If I had your background, I'd work my arse off to 700+ GMAT and go for H/S/W for next year. I'm confident you will compete well.
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 04 Mar 2011, 06:17
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C20
Thanks rpratt -- question...a lot of people have been telling me to wing it and take the GMAT that there is minimal difference in the Q portion and that the difference mainly resides in the V portion. I feel that switching to the GMAT at this point would be like switching horses in the middle of the race. Thoughts?

@Rado -- having gone through the rest of these dings...in hindsight, I have no idea how I got the interview at Tuck. Truly, I have excellent undergrad and military records -- highly decorated on both fronts. Commissioned from Georgetown University with 8 years active duty service since college. I am also a female who commanded 120 Soldiers in Iraq. So, I'm thinking that maybe they truly looked at the 'total package' versus the GMAT score cutoff. However, having said that...Tuck interviews a higher % than most B-Schools...so there's still alot of uncertainty there.
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I would agree with Ranger that if you want to apply this year, stick with GRE. HOWEVER, from what you have described in your posts it sounds like you are a really unique applicant with a very strong profile. Bear in mind that the story you tell in your application, highlighting your life experiences and leadership qualities, is ultimately what will get you into school. Again, the GMAT/GRE is simply a check box requirement--one that likely will keep you out if it is too low. On the other hand there are scores of candidates with GMAT scores in the mid-high 700 range whose story/leadership can't hold a candle to yours. By my estimation, you actually hold an advantage over these people because all you have to do is improve your GMAT score, and although it will be a TON of work to do that, it will be much easier than trying to create real, relevant leadership experiences that can compete with your experiences. If I were you I would put everything I've got into creating a stellar application for next year, get my GMAT to the 680+ range and make a run at several T15 schools. (Unless, of course you get into Tuck this year, then you can disregard all this feedback;-)
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 07 Mar 2011, 08:00
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Any Interview invites this or past week?
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Calling all Darden Fall 2011 Applicants! 07 Mar 2011, 08:23
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jnikhil
Any Interview invites this or past week?
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Can Internationals expect interview invites. I was quite keen on Darden :( . Looks like game over :oops: .


Regards
Prashant
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