Calling Darden 2008 Applicants

I haven't started mine yet... procrastinating. It looks like Darden's essays are so different from the typical b-schools' "describe you career progress to date blah blah blah" essays.

I am in for R2. Kripal, back at you buddy.

aha! We meet again. Darden's essays are suuuuper different, don't you think?

Actually, I have just the right material for Darden and that is the reason why I am considering Darden. Hopefully, all you R1s can give me tips about Darden essays

I do like the Darden essays, I'll be sending my app in by 1 Nov. Crazy long wait though...

I like them also, however, the word limits are killing me.

I will be attending SICEF MBA event in Copenhagen on 4th of October. Darden is one of the schools on my list.

BTW, I found this while googling for Darden:

1.What matters to you most, both personally and professionally, and how does an MBA relate to these priorities? (500 word maximum)

"This is a creative way of asking for your career goals and why you want an MBA. However, they want you to articulate your broader values and goals, not just career plans. This is similar to Stanford’s “what matters most to you and why”. As we advised with Stanford, think about the honest answer. What is actually important to you? Your career goals should in some way reflect your personal priorities (this does not mean they are one and the same, but that there is some correlation). Then articulate why you need an MBA to reach these personal and professional goals - offer up classes, clubs, etc that will help you. They want to see that that you will take advantage of Darden and make a difference in their community."

Is anyone attendingt the Darden Reception in Miami tomorrow night?

Better yet, do we have in South Floridians in the GMAT Club House?

Just attended the Darden reception in Miami, and it was great! The Director of Admissions was there, so it was awesome getting face time with her. If they come to your area, and you are interested in Darden, I highly recommend that you attend the event. There are a lot of alums, so it is great to get their insight for the essays and just to hear their experiences in general.

Did you see/hear anything of importance that you could not get off the internet?

Hi,
I am going to attend the open house on 9/21. If there are any questions that folks who can't visit want investigated by proxy I would be happy to do my best to help... anyone else on for the event?

Not really. They said that they look for leadership in your essays more than any other aspect, but I think that's what we all focus on for our essays. However, making alumni and adcom contacts is pretty invaluable. When I am writing my essays, I can reference convos with alumni. When I visit the school, I can stop by the adcoms' office. To me, getting perspectives from alums and making contacts was the biggest benefit.

I had my official visit today for Darden, and WOW what a great school! Whenever I visit a class, I either introduce myself or I am a fly on the wall. At Darden, I had to introduce myself and then they asked me a "question," which I don't want to elaborate upon just in case someone is visiting soon. Anyways, it shows a true interest in the prospective students and shaping the community; a rarity amongst many top schools.

Plus, the case method is really all it's cracked up to be. The entire class was a discussion, which is very transferable in the real world.

Ok, I am sounding like a brochure, time to go.

There is a very good possibility that i will be there on the 12th.

Reco-1 has submitted.

Hello,
I am also planning to apply for the ED for Darden.
I sent the emails to my recommenders. One of them is busy and may not be able to write over the weekend.

Does anyone know if i can submit the application even if my recommender has not submitted his recommendation by Nov 1?

Thanks for your quick feedback
Pats

I would contact Darden's admissions directly and explain your situation. Most schools are understsanding of issues that are out of your control.

From your post, it sounds like you gave your recommenders only a week/weekend to write you a recommendation letter? If you did, try to not put them in such situations when you apply to other schools . A week to write a recommendation is simply not enough, especially for busy people. In addition, you can tick them off which is by no means good for you. I know a person who put his recommender in the same siutation, and the recommender got really upset about the lack of planning involved on the applicant's part and wrote in the LOR that the school should not admit him.

I don't want to scare you with this, but a recommendation letter is a very serious business which requires time committment from your superiors. Give them at least 2-4 weeks to write it.