Calling all UVA Darden MBA Applicants: (2019 Intake) Class of 2021

Thank you

Hi all. I see a lot of chatter about interviews and want to share my experience. I applied in the Early Action round and interviewed in August.

My interview was very conversational and relaxed. The majority of my interview was spent telling my story: who I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going. It felt very natural.

However, it’s clear that there are a few questions that my interview was required to ask. Namely, my interviewer asked me about international experience—something which seems to be a pretty huge focus for Darden right now. Be prepared to get asked that question, even if doesn’t feel natural.

Overall, my interview experience was very good and I’m feeling confident about my experiences. I’m looking forward to hearing back from Darden by October 17!

Posted from my mobile device

So i had my Darden interview yesterday. It went exactly like all the other interview debriefs. Started off with tell me something about your family. Then childhood and college (more specifically extracurricular). I was also asked why engineering, this is primarily because my background is in biotechnology so she asked why not become a doctor etc.
Then we talked about professional life. She asked how you managed teams from different cultures and background
The Why MBA and Why Darden?
Then we talked about life outside work - we even talked about Harry Potter because i said that i am reading that currently.
In summary, the interviewer is looking for a conversation and gives you ample opportunity to tell her who you are in person outside of your essays. What is it that makes you special - i have consulting experience and team management experience so i made sure i drove those points really well.
My interview lasted for about 32 mins and that includes the questions i had for her. It was an amazing conversation and i couldn't get enough of it. It wasn't like i was speaking to the person for the first time.
My suggestion would be to say whatever you love and if the interviewer loves that too then there comes out a personal connection - in my case that was Harry Potter (never thought that reading it will help me in an interview)
And most importantly, i believe because i was calm the conversation happened naturally and i told her more things (on a personal front) than i had imagined.

All the best!

Anyone got an interview invite from Batten Insitute for the scholarship or has already given the interview

getmeacupofjoe when you say international experience, do you mean to say that they asked if you had any international experience or do you mean to say what they expected you to get out of the international experience that Darden offers. Like the question in the application which asks us to name a location we would like to go to.

Good to hear that GoalMBA2019

All the best.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for my interviewer (to first get an invite) to like things that I like so that it gives us something to talk about.

Had my interview on campus. Weather was pretty gloomy while I was there, but the class I sat in on was great and the students were super nice. The interview itself went on for a while, no idea to gauge how it went. That said, I addressed all the points I wanted to, so nothing to do now but wait and see!

What were your points Amaranth if you do not mind sharing.

Just an observation. How came more than 90% of the people here are all Indian? I hardly see any other Pakistani. A few US citizens but that is it.

Fingers crossed now; done with the interview. Went exactly the way described in the aforementioned comments: started from childhood story and went all the way to gmatclub.com

my interview went for around 40 minutes; (not 45~) so a bit tensed about the outcome. All the best everyone who is yet to interview!

How did gmatclub.com fit into it, gmatexam439 ?

That's a long story GMATClub is very close to heart !!

I'd love to hear (read) it if it is not something you'd rather not became public.

Maybe in my next debrief -- if I get an admit! For now I will go back to writing essays All the best with prep!

Okay

Mostly the points/reasons I wanted to include for my "Why Darden". The reasons I wanted to include for my "Why MBA" answer. Also, the parts of my background that I wanted to ensure I communicated during the interview!

Thank you

Submitted your application yet DigitsnLetters ?