Hi, everyone! Welcome to the Darden Forum. Hope everyone is working hard on their applications! Here's a quick collection of resources one might need to refer to while completing the Darden Application.
Darden Information Thread - Fall 2022About: Darden is a Consulting-heavy school, with over a third of the class recruiting for Consulting, but has strong placements in Financial Services and in General Management (over 26% and over 16% respectively). At Darden, it is believed that the case study methodology is the right way to learn, and they're very proactive about it. This makes the MBA experience a bit curriculum-heavy. Study groups at Darden are called Learning Teams and are assigned by the administration keeping in mind the diversity. Darden professors are always available and super-friendly toward the students. You'll often hear stories about professors hosting thanksgiving and baby showers for their students. You can read more about the school here:
https://www.darden.virginia.edu/aboutDeadlines:Early Action:Application due: Sept. 8th, 2022
Decision by: Oct. 19th, 2022
Round 1:Application due: Oct. 5th, 2022
Decision by: Dec. 7th, 2022
Round 2:Application due: Jan. 5th, 2023
Decision by: Mar. 15th, 2023
Round 3:Application due: Apr. 5th, 2023
Decision by: May 3rd, 2023
You can read about the deposits to be made for every round here:
https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/deadlinesApplication Details:Watch the Introduction video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uCLiI_pcbQLetter of Recommendation:One mandatory LoR from
"someone who knows you well and has supervised you in a professional setting and directly observed your work (typically within the last few years). Identify someone who will help us learn more about your accomplishments and leadership potential through specific examples and anecdotes. Strictly academic recommendations are typically less helpful in our evaluation."(You may include a second recommendation with your materials, if desired. However, you will want to be sure this additional recommender is offering new insights regarding you and your candidacy.)The LoRs are to be submitted electronically. They have two parts. The first is a rating grid, and the second will require your recommender to answer some short questions. The short questions are:
> How would you characterize your relationship with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization?
> How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?
> Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
Essays:There are
three essay questions:
> Given that you will be forming lifelong connections with your classmates that extend beyond the classroom, what is important for your classmates to know about you that is not on your resumé? (200 words)
> Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating a welcoming, global community at Darden. (300 words)
> At this time how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words) You can read PersonalMBACoach's Essay Analysis for Darden here:
https://www.personalmbacoach.com/darden-essay-analysis/Additionally, Darden also requires you to answer
two questions about the DWCs as it believes in the importance of International Exposure. The questions are:
> Darden has an incredible network of alumni and partners around the world, and, in a typical year, the School connects with over 80 countries. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel? (5 words)
> And why? (50 words)There's
another question about the location of the school:
> What are you excited to explore in Charlottesville? (25 words)Resume:"For most full-time MBA applicants, a one-page resume is generally sufficient for those with under ten years of professional work experience. If you’ve reviewed our application, you know there is a Professional Experience section, and, in this section, you will provide basic details about your various roles and responsibilities.
Consider using your resume to highlight your leadership and impact. What have you accomplished in your roles? And whenever possible, try to quantify your results.
A resume is also an opportunity to display your personality and offer insights about your passions and interests. Including a few of these personal details can help us get a more complete picture of you."Test Scores:"We accept a number of standardized tests that are viewed equivalently by the Admissions Committee– GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment (EA), MCAT and LSAT. We encourage you to choose the test that best aligns with your strengths, application plans and career goals. We also offer a standardized test waiver. Read on for additional details about the waiver application process.
Self-reported test scores are acceptable for the purposes of our application process, but you should also arrange for GMAC, ETS or Pearson VUE to send their official score report directly to the Darden Office of Admissions.
You are required to report all valid test scores and not required to report cancelled or expired test scores. However, you should include cancelled or expired test administrations in the overall test administration counts reported in the Standardized Test section of the application."School Codes:GMAC: KC7-0X-86
ETS: 4629
TOEFL: 5820 Dept. 02
IELTS: 5099
Test Waiver:"For some of our candidates, a test score may not be needed for our Admissions Committee to assess their preparedness for Darden.
Waiver applications should be submitted prior to submitting the overall degree application. Candidates who plan to submit a waiver application should do so 3-4 weeks prior to their target degree application deadline. They will receive a decision from the test waiver application within an average of 10-14 business days. Waiver applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and our Admissions Committee will consider a number of factors when evaluating these applications. Particular regard will be given to indicators of academic and professional accomplishment, including but not limited to:
> At least three years of professional work experience
> A strong undergraduate and/or graduate record, including performance in analytical coursework or disciplines
> CPA or CFA designation or other quantitative, professional certification
> Master’s or advanced degree in an analytical discipline
These factors will be considered across several criteria, in combination with resume and transcripts for all degree-related coursework. Candidates who present a strong profile across several criteria (including supporting materials) are more likely to be granted a test waiver than candidates who meet only one criterion.
*Please note that a test waiver applies for the GMAT, GRE, EA, LSAT or MCAT. International students who are granted a test waiver are still required to submit an English language proficiency test score if they meet the criteria.
Candidates who believe they may qualify for a test waiver on the basis of the above criteria should submit a test waiver application here:"https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/faq#toggler-2-3-18551Interviews:At Darden, you can opt to interview during the open interview window. The slots for virtual open interviews will be released in early August. The interviews have to be wrapped up by mid-september, though. Please keep checking the website!
Application Fee:$250
Application Fee Waivers are available to the following:> Teach for America corps members and alumni
> Peace Corps volunteers
> Education Pioneers fellows
> Current undergraduate students
> U.S. military members
> African citizens living in Africa
> Citizens of countries on the UN's list of least developed countries also qualify for an application fee waiver
> https://gmatclub.com/chat Fellow Program members
> Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Fellow members
> Forté MBALaunch members
Events:Register for Events at Darden here:
https://www.darden.virginia.edu/eventsIf you would like me to add any further information to this thread, please feel free to ask. I'm also attaching the latest placement report for Darden and a
mbaMission Free Guide for Darden that will help you with your research about Darden.
Hope this helps!
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05 Jul 2022, 00:07
mbaMission UVA Darden Insider's Guide 2021-2022.pdf [4.78 MiB] 
