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Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference Inspires Incoming MBA Students [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   14 Jul 2021, 09:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference Inspires Incoming MBA Students
Women MBAs in the incoming Darden Class of 2023 just completed several days at the virtual Forté MBA Leadership Conference. This annual event is traditionally held in-person, but moved to a virtual platform for 2020 and 2021. The conference hosted an impressive 1,500 women MBAs, and included a host of inspirational speakers, top companies looking to mingle with the Class of 2023, career panels and strategy sessions for women in business. The Forté Foundation is a non-profit consortium of leading companies and business schools (including Darden) working together to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, opportunities and a network of successful women.

Bridet Nolan and Elizabeth Owen, two incoming Darden students, recently shared their perspectives from the recent conference:

Bridget Nolan, Class of 2023


Bridget Nolan, Class of 2023
In the months leading up the Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I was keenly aware of Forte’s commitment to advancing women in business and its dedication to providing females with the resources they need to succeed in their careers, however, it wasn’t until the opening day of the conference when I understood the reach and scope of the network. I learned that there are over 100,000 women involved in the organization, and that 1,500 female MBA students were in attendance at this year’s conference. It was amazing to be virtually surrounded by so many powerhouse women.

As a producer at CNN for eight years, I had limited exposure to the business world so my goal coming into the conference was to keep an open mind and learn about as many different companies and industries as I could. The conference proved to be the perfect place to do just that.

While there is certainly more work to be done in advancing gender equality in the workplace and the world at-large, I left the weekend feeling hopeful because so many companies attending the event placed diversity and inclusion at the top of their agendas. I could not recommend it more, it’s such a wonderful experience for those certain of their career path and those still exploring.

Here are my key takeaways from the Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference:

  • Connections matter

    The conference kicked off with a warm welcome from the CEO of Forté, Elissa Sangster who then introduced Cassie Mclean and Ciera Crawford from a healthcare company, DaVita. Ciera was an MBA intern at DaVita when she reached out to Cassie, who was much higher up at the company. Ciera was not afraid to network during her internship and she credited it with where she was today at the company. Cassie became a mentor to Ciera and emphasized the importance of making connections everywhere you go. This was a powerful reminder that connections are powerful tools for building your career.
  •  Your path may be non-linear and it’s okay to take risks

    You don’t need to have an exact plan for your career and sometimes your path will only make sense in hindsight. That is what Val Kaplan Zapata, Chief Marketing Officer at Headspace, emphasized during her chat with Chandra Holt, Executive Vice President of eCommerce at Walmart. Val reiterated that you don’t need to have it “all figured out” at the start and it’s okay to take some risks in your career. She had been working in strategy at HBO for 3 years, followed by a position at Instagram, until she went to work at a startup, Helix Sleep. She now realized how important it was for her to learn and grow in different environments and remain open to opportunities that were seemingly out of her comfort zone, like a sleep startup. As an incoming MBA student, it was a key lesson for me to remember: a winding path can sometimes be the best one.
  • Find purpose in what you’re doing and a company that fits your values

    There was probably no greater lesson that I took from the conference than how important it is to find a company that aligns with your personal values. This event was a great way to explore that. Women’s empowerment, as well as diversity and inclusion, are very important to me; a company’s participation in the Forté Conference already informed me that we had that in common. Many of the companies that presented or held discussions throughout the weekend really leaned into how they were helping women advance in their careers and it was so encouraging to see. The women who spoke at the conference encouraged us to pay attention to this and take the time to find a company that aligned with our values.

Elizabeth Owen, Class of 2023

What do Chandra Holt, Executive Vice President for eCommerce, Walmart, Val Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer of Headspace, and Darden’s very own Jenny Zenner, Senior Director of Technology Careers all have in common? Not only are they all badass women leaders in the workplace, but they also all served as panelists and presenters at this year’s Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference!


Elizabeth Owen, Class of 2023
Although this year’s conference was…you guessed it… virtual, the Forté Foundation brought out all the stops to make the conference an engaging and active weekend for myself and the 1,400+ ambitious women attendees. The agenda was fun, motivational, and packed with opportunities to explore career options and gain insights from a world class suite of women in business.

For example, a Career Insights series spanned both days of the conference, showcasing the ins and outs of careers from consulting to entrepreneurship. Esteemed panelists in each field described their experiences, answered attendee questions, and spoke candidly about the challenges they’ve faced getting to the top.

The conference also featured discussions around topics aimed at accelerating success for women in business, such as “Building Career Winning Relationships,” “Igniting Your Brand,” and what turned out to be my favorite session, “Gender and Negotiations.” Did you know that during salary negotiations, men ask for more money ~8 times as often as women!?

To add to the fun, the conference also had a photobooth, a “power word” declaration, a virtual lobby blasting “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys on repeat, and a raffle for a KitchenAid stand-mixer to be mailed to one lucky pandemic bread baker.


A snapshot from the conference virtual photo booth. Go Hoos!
I feel fortunate to have engaged with such a fantastic group of accomplished women, including many of my Darden peers. Cheers to #MoreWomenLeading!

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
The post Forté MBA Women's Leadership Conference Inspires Incoming MBA Students first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference Inspires Incoming MBA Students [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   14 Jul 2021, 09:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference Inspires Incoming MBA Students
Women MBAs in the incoming Darden Class of 2023 just completed several days at the virtual Forté MBA Leadership Conference. This annual event is traditionally held in-person, but moved to a virtual platform for 2020 and 2021. The conference hosted an impressive 1,500 women MBAs, and included a host of inspirational speakers, top companies looking to mingle with the Class of 2023, career panels and strategy sessions for women in business. The Forté Foundation is a non-profit consortium of leading companies and business schools (including Darden) working together to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, opportunities and a network of successful women.

Bridet Nolan and Elizabeth Owen, two incoming Darden students, recently shared their perspectives from the recent conference:

Bridget Nolan, Class of 2023


Bridget Nolan, Class of 2023
In the months leading up the Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I was keenly aware of Forte’s commitment to advancing women in business and its dedication to providing females with the resources they need to succeed in their careers, however, it wasn’t until the opening day of the conference when I understood the reach and scope of the network. I learned that there are over 100,000 women involved in the organization, and that 1,500 female MBA students were in attendance at this year’s conference. It was amazing to be virtually surrounded by so many powerhouse women.

As a producer at CNN for eight years, I had limited exposure to the business world so my goal coming into the conference was to keep an open mind and learn about as many different companies and industries as I could. The conference proved to be the perfect place to do just that.

While there is certainly more work to be done in advancing gender equality in the workplace and the world at-large, I left the weekend feeling hopeful because so many companies attending the event placed diversity and inclusion at the top of their agendas. I could not recommend it more, it’s such a wonderful experience for those certain of their career path and those still exploring.

Here are my key takeaways from the Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference:

  • Connections matter

    The conference kicked off with a warm welcome from the CEO of Forté, Elissa Sangster who then introduced Cassie Mclean and Ciera Crawford from a healthcare company, DaVita. Ciera was an MBA intern at DaVita when she reached out to Cassie, who was much higher up at the company. Ciera was not afraid to network during her internship and she credited it with where she was today at the company. Cassie became a mentor to Ciera and emphasized the importance of making connections everywhere you go. This was a powerful reminder that connections are powerful tools for building your career.
  •  Your path may be non-linear and it’s okay to take risks

    You don’t need to have an exact plan for your career and sometimes your path will only make sense in hindsight. That is what Val Kaplan Zapata, Chief Marketing Officer at Headspace, emphasized during her chat with Chandra Holt, Executive Vice President of eCommerce at Walmart. Val reiterated that you don’t need to have it “all figured out” at the start and it’s okay to take some risks in your career. She had been working in strategy at HBO for 3 years, followed by a position at Instagram, until she went to work at a startup, Helix Sleep. She now realized how important it was for her to learn and grow in different environments and remain open to opportunities that were seemingly out of her comfort zone, like a sleep startup. As an incoming MBA student, it was a key lesson for me to remember: a winding path can sometimes be the best one.
  • Find purpose in what you’re doing and a company that fits your values

    There was probably no greater lesson that I took from the conference than how important it is to find a company that aligns with your personal values. This event was a great way to explore that. Women’s empowerment, as well as diversity and inclusion, are very important to me; a company’s participation in the Forté Conference already informed me that we had that in common. Many of the companies that presented or held discussions throughout the weekend really leaned into how they were helping women advance in their careers and it was so encouraging to see. The women who spoke at the conference encouraged us to pay attention to this and take the time to find a company that aligned with our values.

Elizabeth Owen, Class of 2023

What do Chandra Holt, Executive Vice President for eCommerce, Walmart, Val Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer of Headspace, and Darden’s very own Jenny Zenner, Senior Director of Technology Careers all have in common? Not only are they all badass women leaders in the workplace, but they also all served as panelists and presenters at this year’s Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference!


Elizabeth Owen, Class of 2023
Although this year’s conference was…you guessed it… virtual, the Forté Foundation brought out all the stops to make the conference an engaging and active weekend for myself and the 1,400+ ambitious women attendees. The agenda was fun, motivational, and packed with opportunities to explore career options and gain insights from a world class suite of women in business.

For example, a Career Insights series spanned both days of the conference, showcasing the ins and outs of careers from consulting to entrepreneurship. Esteemed panelists in each field described their experiences, answered attendee questions, and spoke candidly about the challenges they’ve faced getting to the top.

The conference also featured discussions around topics aimed at accelerating success for women in business, such as “Building Career Winning Relationships,” “Igniting Your Brand,” and what turned out to be my favorite session, “Gender and Negotiations.” Did you know that during salary negotiations, men ask for more money ~8 times as often as women!?

To add to the fun, the conference also had a photobooth, a “power word” declaration, a virtual lobby blasting “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys on repeat, and a raffle for a KitchenAid stand-mixer to be mailed to one lucky pandemic bread baker.


A snapshot from the conference virtual photo booth. Go Hoos!
I feel fortunate to have engaged with such a fantastic group of accomplished women, including many of my Darden peers. Cheers to #MoreWomenLeading!

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
The post Forté MBA Women's Leadership Conference Inspires Incoming MBA Students first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Welcome Back! Former Airbnb Global Head of Diversity and Belonging Mel [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   15 Jul 2021, 13:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Welcome Back! Former Airbnb Global Head of Diversity and Belonging Melissa Thomas-Hunt Returns
We are thrilled to welcome back Professor Melissa Thomas-Hunt to Darden! She recently returned to the University of Virginia, where she joins the Darden faculty in a primary appointment with a joint


Melissa Thomas-Hunt has returned as the John Forbes Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at Darden with a joint appointment at UVA’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
appointment at the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She is joining Darden from Airbnb, where she served as global head of diversity and belonging, leading the strategy and execution of Airbnb’s global internal diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging programs for its 5,000 employees around the globe.

Thomas-Hunt served on the Darden faculty from 2009–17, teaching courses in the areas of leadership, team dynamics and negotiation. From 2016–17, she held the role of global chief diversity officer at Darden before taking a position as vice provost for inclusive excellence at Vanderbilt University from 2017 to 2019.

In addition to advancing research and teaching, she will serve as a special advisor to the deans of the Darden and Batten Schools in the areas of belonging and community. At Darden, she will work in close collaboration with Darden’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Dean’s staff to advance Darden as a place where members of our community can achieve their full potential.

Read the full story on the Darden Report.

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
The post Welcome Back! Former Airbnb Global Head of Diversity and Belonging Melissa Thomas-Hunt Returns first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Welcome Back! Former Airbnb Global Head of Diversity and Belonging Mel [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   15 Jul 2021, 13:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Welcome Back! Former Airbnb Global Head of Diversity and Belonging Melissa Thomas-Hunt Returns
We are thrilled to welcome back Professor Melissa Thomas-Hunt to Darden! She recently returned to the University of Virginia, where she joins the Darden faculty in a primary appointment with a joint


Melissa Thomas-Hunt has returned as the John Forbes Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at Darden with a joint appointment at UVA’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
appointment at the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She is joining Darden from Airbnb, where she served as global head of diversity and belonging, leading the strategy and execution of Airbnb’s global internal diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging programs for its 5,000 employees around the globe.

Thomas-Hunt served on the Darden faculty from 2009–17, teaching courses in the areas of leadership, team dynamics and negotiation. From 2016–17, she held the role of global chief diversity officer at Darden before taking a position as vice provost for inclusive excellence at Vanderbilt University from 2017 to 2019.

In addition to advancing research and teaching, she will serve as a special advisor to the deans of the Darden and Batten Schools in the areas of belonging and community. At Darden, she will work in close collaboration with Darden’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Dean’s staff to advance Darden as a place where members of our community can achieve their full potential.

Read the full story on the Darden Report.

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
The post Welcome Back! Former Airbnb Global Head of Diversity and Belonging Melissa Thomas-Hunt Returns first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Part-Time MBA Hosts Inaugural Overview Webinar [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   19 Jul 2021, 11:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Part-Time MBA Hosts Inaugural Overview Webinar
Darden recently announced the latest format of the Darden MBA — the Part-Time MBA. As with UVA Darden’s Executive MBA formats, the Part-Time MBA will be based out of UVA Darden DC Metro, the School’s grounds in Rosslyn, and it is designed with busy working professionals in mind. The first Part-Time MBA students will enroll in August 2022, and the School is planning for an initial cohort of around 65.

Senior Associate Dean for Professional Degree Programs Yael Grushka-Cockayne and Senior Director of Admissions Brett Twitty recently hosted an overview webinar in which they shared insight about the Part-Time MBA format’s structure and design as well as advice for prospective students as they get organized for the Part-Time MBA application process.

Watch | Part-Time MBA Overview Webinar

Highlights from the Part-Time MBA event include:

  • The Part-Time MBA will feature in-person and virtual program elements, with about 60% of the program content delivered in-person.
  • The schedule will be evenings-based, with students taking class on Monday and Thursday nights from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. EDT. The schedule will alternate between in-person weeks and virtual weeks, and in-person classes will take place at UVA Darden DC Metro in Rosslyn.
  • A featured core curriculum followed by elective coursework. The core curriculum will be roughly 18 months in duration and will consist of the same core courses as the School’s Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA formats.
  • Students will progress through the core curriculum together as a cohort, with the option of speeding up or slowing down their course of study during the elective period.
  • All Part-Time MBA students will have the opportunity to spend time in Charlottesville on the main Grounds of the Darden School. The program will begin with a week-long residency in Charlottesville and students will have another week-long residency at the conclusion of the core curriculum.
  • One of the key features is its timeline flexibility. Students may complete the Part-Time MBA in 28 to 48 months, with a standard pacing of 33 months.
Curious about the career support available to Part-Time MBA students? As with UVA Darden’s Full-Time and Executive MBA students, Part-Time MBA students will have access to robust suite of career-related resources, including:

  • Full access to Darden’s Career Center and all of its services – individual career coaching, professional advancement workshops, advanced analytics and career databases, and a comprehensive on-Grounds recruiting program
  • Thousands of recruiting opportunities from over 150 corporate partners that post on Darden’s job boards and participate in recruiting events such as career fairs and interview forums
The Career Center has support for a wide range of career goals – including climbing within an organization, switching function and industry, launching one’s own venture, or exploring multiple career paths.

As with the Executive MBA formats, the Part-Time MBA curriculum will include the Professional Advancement Course, a class in which students explore their career goals and set a roadmap for the years ahead.

Getting organized for the Part-Time MBA application process? Here are few details to keep in mind:

  • The Part-Time MBA application will launch in August. Be sure to join our mailing list to stay up to date with announcements and news about the program!
  • We are pleased to announce the deadlines for the Part-Time MBA (listed below). All deadlines are focused on one matriculation date – August 2022 – and we will continue to accept applications until the class fills. Be sure to keep an eye on the Part-Time MBA webpage in the coming days for additional application-related details.
    • 1 October
    • 1 December
    • 1 February
    • 1 April
    • 1 June
  • Curious about what materials will be required? We recommend using the Executive MBA application process webpage as a guide.
Want even more application tips? Check out our application tips playlist, in which members of the UVA Darden Admissions Committee share insights about Darden’s application and application process. Essential listening for anyone applying to any of Darden’s MBA formats.

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
The post Part-Time MBA Hosts Inaugural Overview Webinar first appeared on Discover Darden.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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Part-Time MBA Hosts Inaugural Overview Webinar [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   19 Jul 2021, 11:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Part-Time MBA Hosts Inaugural Overview Webinar
Darden recently announced the latest format of the Darden MBA — the Part-Time MBA. As with UVA Darden’s Executive MBA formats, the Part-Time MBA will be based out of UVA Darden DC Metro, the School’s grounds in Rosslyn, and it is designed with busy working professionals in mind. The first Part-Time MBA students will enroll in August 2022, and the School is planning for an initial cohort of around 65.

Senior Associate Dean for Professional Degree Programs Yael Grushka-Cockayne and Senior Director of Admissions Brett Twitty recently hosted an overview webinar in which they shared insight about the Part-Time MBA format’s structure and design as well as advice for prospective students as they get organized for the Part-Time MBA application process.

Watch | Part-Time MBA Overview Webinar

Highlights from the Part-Time MBA event include:

  • The Part-Time MBA will feature in-person and virtual program elements, with about 60% of the program content delivered in-person.
  • The schedule will be evenings-based, with students taking class on Monday and Thursday nights from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. EDT. The schedule will alternate between in-person weeks and virtual weeks, and in-person classes will take place at UVA Darden DC Metro in Rosslyn.
  • A featured core curriculum followed by elective coursework. The core curriculum will be roughly 18 months in duration and will consist of the same core courses as the School’s Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA formats.
  • Students will progress through the core curriculum together as a cohort, with the option of speeding up or slowing down their course of study during the elective period.
  • All Part-Time MBA students will have the opportunity to spend time in Charlottesville on the main Grounds of the Darden School. The program will begin with a week-long residency in Charlottesville and students will have another week-long residency at the conclusion of the core curriculum.
  • One of the key features is its timeline flexibility. Students may complete the Part-Time MBA in 28 to 48 months, with a standard pacing of 33 months.
Curious about the career support available to Part-Time MBA students? As with UVA Darden’s Full-Time and Executive MBA students, Part-Time MBA students will have access to robust suite of career-related resources, including:

  • Full access to Darden’s Career Center and all of its services – individual career coaching, professional advancement workshops, advanced analytics and career databases, and a comprehensive on-Grounds recruiting program
  • Thousands of recruiting opportunities from over 150 corporate partners that post on Darden’s job boards and participate in recruiting events such as career fairs and interview forums
The Career Center has support for a wide range of career goals – including climbing within an organization, switching function and industry, launching one’s own venture, or exploring multiple career paths.

As with the Executive MBA formats, the Part-Time MBA curriculum will include the Professional Advancement Course, a class in which students explore their career goals and set a roadmap for the years ahead.

Getting organized for the Part-Time MBA application process? Here are few details to keep in mind:

  • The Part-Time MBA application will launch in August. Be sure to join our mailing list to stay up to date with announcements and news about the program!
  • We are pleased to announce the deadlines for the Part-Time MBA (listed below). All deadlines are focused on one matriculation date – August 2022 – and we will continue to accept applications until the class fills. Be sure to keep an eye on the Part-Time MBA webpage in the coming days for additional application-related details.
    • 1 October
    • 1 December
    • 1 February
    • 1 April
    • 1 June
  • Curious about what materials will be required? We recommend using the Executive MBA application process webpage as a guide.
Want even more application tips? Check out our application tips playlist, in which members of the UVA Darden Admissions Committee share insights about Darden’s application and application process. Essential listening for anyone applying to any of Darden’s MBA formats.

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
The post Part-Time MBA Hosts Inaugural Overview Webinar first appeared on Discover Darden.
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All About the Application: Tips for International Applicants [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   21 Jul 2021, 10:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: All About the Application: Tips for International Applicants
At Darden, international students are valued members of our community, and in a typical class, roughly one-third of our full-time MBA students will hail from a country other than the United States. In an Executive MBA program cohort, there will usually be 10 or more countries, represented by citizenship.

[b]Plan, Plan, Plan [/b]
As we have noted elsewhere, the more time you can give yourself to work on your application, the better. This will enable you to be more intentional as you develop your narrative, but it will also allow you to meet any additional documentary requirements (for example, English proficiency tests, transcript translation, etc.) without having to delay your application or shift your round.

We have a helpful [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/guidelines]Application Guidelines webpage[/url], but we also encourage you to make note of any school-specific requirements in the spreadsheet you’ve created to keep track of your business school research. Different schools have different requirements – particularly when it comes to international students – and having all this information in one place will help you stay organized as the application process heats up.   

[b]Bachelor’s Degree[/b]
File under: FAQ. International applicants are required to hold a college or University degree equivalent to a four-year, U.S. baccalaureate degree. However, Darden will also recognize undergraduate degrees earned in only three years of study.

Pro Tip: We have [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/international-students]a webpage expressly for international applicants[/url]. Here you will find additional information about academic requirements, interviews, transcripts, and the University’s English proficiency requirement.

[b]English Proficiency Test Requirement[/b]
Are you from a country where English is not the native language? If so, you will want to review the University of Virginia’s English proficiency requirements closely as you plan for the application process.

The University of Virginia accepts both TOEFL and IELTS, and, as with other standardized tests, your score will need to be valid as of the deadline date of the round in which you apply. As this is a University-level directive, we are unable to waive this requirement, even for international applicants who have spent significant time living and working in the United States.

Here is a quick series of questions to help you determine if you will need an English proficiency test score as part of your application materials.

[list]
[*]Was English the language of instruction at your college or University? If YES, an English proficiency test score is NOT required. If NO, the next question to consider is:[/*]
[*]Did you complete a graduate or advanced degree in which English was the language of instruction? If YES an English proficiency test score is only recommended. [/*]
[/list]
If your answer to both of the above questions is NO, you will need to include a TOEFL or IELTS score with your application.

Pro Tip: You will be asked to confirm if English was the language of instruction for any school or institution you enter in the Academic History section of the application.

You will upload your TOEFL or IELTS in the Test Scores section of your application, and it is worth noting there is no minimum or required score for these tests. As with our review process generally, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your score(s) within the full context of your application.

[b]About the Darden Interview[/b]
If you participate in an interview, this conversation is an additional opportunity for you to demonstrate your English language proficiency. In fact, in the interview evaluation form, there are multiple fields where your interviewer will be asked to assess your communications and, if you are a non-native English speaker, your language skills. 

For our applicants for whom English is a second or other language, we know conducting an interview in English can be particularly stressful. In addition, because interviews are being hosted remotely via Zoom, it can be tempting to work from a pre-drafted script or have written answers close at hand for quick reference.

While we recommend practicing and preparing for your Darden interview, you should not read during this interaction. As noted, this is intended to be a conversation, and, believe it or not, it will be obvious to your interviewer if you start to read or review notes (tell-tale signs include eye drift and voice inflection) or even if there is another person coaching or directing your responses.

Your interviewer will have many goals for this 30-35 minute conversation – to learn more about your story, your motivation for pursuing an MBA, why Darden, your short-term and long-term goals, to name a few. However, the interview is also an opportunity for her to assess important characteristics that may be more difficult to judge from the application alone – for example, your communication skills, your presence and your ability to think on your feet.

Darden is a communication-based MBA experience, and we want to make sure you are ready for an extemporaneous, discussion-based classroom environment. The interview can be particularly helpful when making this assessment, and we encourage you to make the most of it. 

[b]Transcript Translation[/b]
Another potential speed bump! If any of your transcripts are not in English, you will need to make arrangements to have your transcripts translated. All translations must be complete and literal versions of the original records, and you should have the translated transcript, along with the original document, sent directly to our office. We will upload these materials to your file.

Pro Tip: Even for transcripts that are in English, it can sometimes be challenging for our Admissions Committee to understand an applicant’s relative academic performance. If possible, make sure your transcript includes a key or some detail about the institution’s grading scale. You can even use the Additional Comments section or your resume to provide context regarding your GPA, graduation rank or coursework.

[b]Making Connections[/b]
Networking can be a less familiar concept for some of our international applicants. However, the business school research process is a great opportunity for you to test drive this important skill. After you’ve done your preliminary research into each of your target schools, we recommend connecting with a few students and alumni to give some more personal depth to what you’ve gleaned from websites, rankings and third-party sources.

When it comes to this kind of outreach, LinkedIn is a great place to start, but we also recommend checking out Darden’s student organizations listing. There are a number of international student-related clubs – Asia Business Club at Darden (ABCD), Darden African Business Organization (DABO), Daren South Asia Society (DSAS), Global Business and Culture Club (GBCC), Latin American Student Association (LASA), Middle Eastern Islamic Student Association (MEISA) – and the leadership boards for these groups are an easy and convenient way for you to connect with students who share your background.

But remember:  You will want to have a strategy for your student and alumni outreach. The clearer you are about your goals for these conversations, the more you can be sure you are maximizing these interactions. Check out our earlier post, [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/07/13/a-brief-guide-to-networking/]Networking During the Application Process[/url]  

Be sure to consult the [b][url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url][/b] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [b][url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url][/b]. And stay connected with us via social media: [b][url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url][/b], [b][url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url][/b], [b][url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url].[/b]
The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/07/21/all-about-the-application-tips-for-international-applicants/]All About the Application: Tips for International Applicants[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url].
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All About the Application: Tips for International Applicants [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   21 Jul 2021, 10:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: All About the Application: Tips for International Applicants
At Darden, international students are valued members of our community, and in a typical class, roughly one-third of our full-time MBA students will hail from a country other than the United States. In an Executive MBA program cohort, there will usually be 10 or more countries, represented by citizenship.

[b]Plan, Plan, Plan [/b]
As we have noted elsewhere, the more time you can give yourself to work on your application, the better. This will enable you to be more intentional as you develop your narrative, but it will also allow you to meet any additional documentary requirements (for example, English proficiency tests, transcript translation, etc.) without having to delay your application or shift your round.

We have a helpful [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/guidelines]Application Guidelines webpage[/url], but we also encourage you to make note of any school-specific requirements in the spreadsheet you’ve created to keep track of your business school research. Different schools have different requirements – particularly when it comes to international students – and having all this information in one place will help you stay organized as the application process heats up.   

[b]Bachelor’s Degree[/b]
File under: FAQ. International applicants are required to hold a college or University degree equivalent to a four-year, U.S. baccalaureate degree. However, Darden will also recognize undergraduate degrees earned in only three years of study.

Pro Tip: We have [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/international-students]a webpage expressly for international applicants[/url]. Here you will find additional information about academic requirements, interviews, transcripts, and the University’s English proficiency requirement.

[b]English Proficiency Test Requirement[/b]
Are you from a country where English is not the native language? If so, you will want to review the University of Virginia’s English proficiency requirements closely as you plan for the application process.

The University of Virginia accepts both TOEFL and IELTS, and, as with other standardized tests, your score will need to be valid as of the deadline date of the round in which you apply. As this is a University-level directive, we are unable to waive this requirement, even for international applicants who have spent significant time living and working in the United States.

Here is a quick series of questions to help you determine if you will need an English proficiency test score as part of your application materials.

[list]
[*]Was English the language of instruction at your college or University? If YES, an English proficiency test score is NOT required. If NO, the next question to consider is:[/*]
[*]Did you complete a graduate or advanced degree in which English was the language of instruction? If YES an English proficiency test score is only recommended. [/*]
[/list]
If your answer to both of the above questions is NO, you will need to include a TOEFL or IELTS score with your application.

Pro Tip: You will be asked to confirm if English was the language of instruction for any school or institution you enter in the Academic History section of the application.

You will upload your TOEFL or IELTS in the Test Scores section of your application, and it is worth noting there is no minimum or required score for these tests. As with our review process generally, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your score(s) within the full context of your application.

[b]About the Darden Interview[/b]
If you participate in an interview, this conversation is an additional opportunity for you to demonstrate your English language proficiency. In fact, in the interview evaluation form, there are multiple fields where your interviewer will be asked to assess your communications and, if you are a non-native English speaker, your language skills. 

For our applicants for whom English is a second or other language, we know conducting an interview in English can be particularly stressful. In addition, because interviews are being hosted remotely via Zoom, it can be tempting to work from a pre-drafted script or have written answers close at hand for quick reference.

While we recommend practicing and preparing for your Darden interview, you should not read during this interaction. As noted, this is intended to be a conversation, and, believe it or not, it will be obvious to your interviewer if you start to read or review notes (tell-tale signs include eye drift and voice inflection) or even if there is another person coaching or directing your responses.

Your interviewer will have many goals for this 30-35 minute conversation – to learn more about your story, your motivation for pursuing an MBA, why Darden, your short-term and long-term goals, to name a few. However, the interview is also an opportunity for her to assess important characteristics that may be more difficult to judge from the application alone – for example, your communication skills, your presence and your ability to think on your feet.

Darden is a communication-based MBA experience, and we want to make sure you are ready for an extemporaneous, discussion-based classroom environment. The interview can be particularly helpful when making this assessment, and we encourage you to make the most of it. 

[b]Transcript Translation[/b]
Another potential speed bump! If any of your transcripts are not in English, you will need to make arrangements to have your transcripts translated. All translations must be complete and literal versions of the original records, and you should have the translated transcript, along with the original document, sent directly to our office. We will upload these materials to your file.

Pro Tip: Even for transcripts that are in English, it can sometimes be challenging for our Admissions Committee to understand an applicant’s relative academic performance. If possible, make sure your transcript includes a key or some detail about the institution’s grading scale. You can even use the Additional Comments section or your resume to provide context regarding your GPA, graduation rank or coursework.

[b]Making Connections[/b]
Networking can be a less familiar concept for some of our international applicants. However, the business school research process is a great opportunity for you to test drive this important skill. After you’ve done your preliminary research into each of your target schools, we recommend connecting with a few students and alumni to give some more personal depth to what you’ve gleaned from websites, rankings and third-party sources.

When it comes to this kind of outreach, LinkedIn is a great place to start, but we also recommend checking out Darden’s student organizations listing. There are a number of international student-related clubs – Asia Business Club at Darden (ABCD), Darden African Business Organization (DABO), Daren South Asia Society (DSAS), Global Business and Culture Club (GBCC), Latin American Student Association (LASA), Middle Eastern Islamic Student Association (MEISA) – and the leadership boards for these groups are an easy and convenient way for you to connect with students who share your background.

But remember:  You will want to have a strategy for your student and alumni outreach. The clearer you are about your goals for these conversations, the more you can be sure you are maximizing these interactions. Check out our earlier post, [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/07/13/a-brief-guide-to-networking/]Networking During the Application Process[/url]  

Be sure to consult the [b][url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url][/b] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [b][url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url][/b]. And stay connected with us via social media: [b][url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url][/b], [b][url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url][/b], [b][url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url].[/b]
The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/07/21/all-about-the-application-tips-for-international-applicants/]All About the Application: Tips for International Applicants[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url].
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MomBA’s Share Hard-Earned Advice, Tips for MBA Moms [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   22 Jul 2021, 08:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: MomBA’s Share Hard-Earned Advice, Tips for MBA Moms
Sarah Costa (MBA ’21), Kat Jorgenson (MBA ’21) and Jungae “Jess” Kim-Schmid (Class of 2022) have had remarkable Darden experiences ⁠— being a mom while also pursuing Darden’s Full-Time MBA. Each took time out of busy work, internship and family schedules to share personal insights on what it’s really like to be a mom and an MBA student. A MomBA, if you will. Their responses are thoughtful and thought-provoking — and take it from us, it’s worth reading the whole post. Settle in and check it out.

Now with degree and family in hand, Costa is heading to Vanguard for their Leadership Development Program, where she’ll spend 15 months rotating through the various areas and functional roles of one of the world’s largest investment companies. Jorgenson welcomed her second son in June, and will be headed to Draper & Kramer Chicago this fall as a real estate asset manager. After an already uncommon First Year pandemic experience, Kim-Schmid will kick off her Second Year at Darden in August. She also serves as the president of the Business Ethics Club, a student-run organization now in its second year.

Q: What led you to pursue an MBA?

Sarah: In part, it was being a mother that made me think an MBA might be right for me. I’d always been very impact-focused, which led me to my first career in non-profit leadership. Having children widened my lens beyond my immediate community and made me think more about the world my generation would be leaving for the next. I realized that my scope for impact would be far greater if I honed my leadership skills more intentionally and pivoted to the private sector, and an MBA was a natural fit to accomplish that.

Kat: I never thought I would go back to school, but I ended up growing my career at several real estate firms, and realize my undergraduate liberal arts degree prepared me for many things, but not for crunching numbers and building spreadsheets, nor for understanding the finance world. I also realized I would often be the only woman in the room so I needed the right credentials to become a decisionmaker, and an MBA would give me the leg up I needed to get there.


Jess Kim-Schmid (Class of 2022) with son, Teddy
Jess: When I was in consulting, it seemed to be the norm for everyone to at least consider an MBA. After looking into it, I found that the MBA curriculum and experience really appealed to me. Demonstrating effective and ethical leadership, navigating difficult problems, and orchestrating strategic change across global organizations are all skillsets I want to develop in my career, and there are few better ways to jumpstart those abilities than an MBA!

Q: What was it about Darden that made you realize it would be a good fit for your academic experience and career goals, as well as a good fit for your family?

Sarah: I chose Darden based on three criteria:

1) ROI: this wasn’t just two years of my life I’d be spending back at school, but it was uprooting a family of four and putting us in a totally new part of the country far away from existing support networks. I needed to know the investment – both in time and in money – would pay off. Darden’s employment outcomes made me confident that this wouldn’t be a problem.

2) Academics: I’m a lifelong nerd, and wanted an academically rigorous program where I would really learn and internalize the material. Again, Darden was the clear choice on this front, and the classroom experience and faculty proved even better than I’d hoped.

3) Community: As both a mom and someone coming from the social sector, I felt a bit like an outsider when I was applying for my MBA. I knew I needed to find a community I felt I could be a part of, one with smart, humble, engaged, inquisitive, diverse, and generous people. Every one of my many engagements with students confirmed that Darden had the community I was looking for. And because this is for a MomBA post, I’ll also mention that when I came for my interview day, my baby daughter came to Charlottesville too. The admissions folk at the desk were so kind about finding me a space to nurse her, which was clearly not the usual applicant question they were used to answering!

Kat: We looked at a lot of programs, but my interview at Darden stood out because of how genuine the people were and how rigorous the academics are. I was very worried in the application process about disclosing that I was a mom, as I didn’t see anyone like me on any of the websites for the MBA programs I was looking at. Dads, sure, but no mothers. I was afraid to bring that part of me into the conversation in case it reflected negatively. It sounds silly now, having experienced such a fantastic, inclusive two years at Darden. During my interview day, I was too nervous to talk to admissions about being a parent, but the students I met were so willing to connect me to the current parents in the program, and I was able to talk to them and their partners about Darden and Charlottesville, which certainly set my mind at ease.


Sarah Costa (MBA ’21)’s children, Alaia and Ferran, play at Darden on Flagler Court
I think the community feel of the Darden student body is what ultimately drew us in. I knew as a parent, my feet were already planted in two worlds, firmly at home with my family and firmly at school. The fact that the majority of Darden students choose to live in close proximity to one another and to campus seemed like a great thing for me. Not only would we go to school together, but we would be neighbors. That additional interaction gave me the space to do bedtime with my son, and then invite friends to our yard for a bonfire once he was sleeping. Or to watch him ride his bike while chatting with our friends out for a walk. The village feel of Darden is truly special, and I can’t imagine many other schools match the living and learning environment that Darden provides.

Jess: As a former teacher, I am very cognizant of how teaching quality can impact students’ ability to learn and be inspired, regardless of content. Darden is renowned for having the best teaching faculty and an academically rigorous program while also providing great career exploration opportunities – it fit everything I was looking for in an MBA program! And from the family perspective, Darden’s location couldn’t be beat. We wanted to be close to my parents, who live in Northern Virginia, without having to live in a big city like DC. Charlottesville fit the bill perfectly. Because of how well Darden fit both my personal and professional criteria, I decided not to apply to any other MBA programs. Definitely risky, but for me it was Darden or bust!

Q: What were you most worried about when it came to being a parent and getting your MBA?

Sarah: I was worried about time management, and whether I would be able to “do it all”. I knew the first few months during recruiting would be the most challenging, and I tried to prepare my kids and partner for that. This would not be a year for elaborate homemade Halloween costumes or lots of homecooked meals, but I also knew those weren’t the things that would make me a good mom. I strived to just be fully present and focused in each moment, so that the time I spent with my kids I was fully there for them and not trying to answer emails or do anything else, while the time I spent in class or networking I was fully focused on that. It was still seriously challenging, yet we all rose to the challenge. It did teach me a lot about the raw algebra of how many hours you have in a day or a week, and that in turn helped me make the right choices for me and my family on what sort of balance I wanted to strike with those hours in my post-MBA work.


Sarah Costa (MBA ’21) and daughter Alaia attend a virtual class during the 2020-21 academic year
Kat: I was most worried about failing at both things, not being enough of a student and not being enough of a parent. I was also worried about being the only one. I won’t lie and say it was easy or that there weren’t tears shed at the beginning. But I think one thing I learned is that everyone has something going on behind the scenes. Sure, mine happens to call me mom, and is very physically present, but everyone is struggling with that same imposter syndrome their first year. Some people are in long distance relationships, some have sick parents, some are very far from home for the first time. But you are never truly alone, and there are some really incredible people here that will help you through the hard days.

My peers at Darden were always happy to see Ivan, and incredibly considerate when my family needed me. My son and husband were honorary members of my learning team from day one. We brought Ivan to picnics and happy hours, and Darden Cup events. He became a mascot for my section. My peers accepted and appreciated my experience as a working mom. I think I also learned that if you can survive your First Year at Darden, you can survive anything else your career throws at you. Being given more than you think you can bear is part of the growth of the program, and once you make it to the other side and realize how much learned in such a short time, on such little sleep, while still being there for your kids and your partner, you have learned your limits, but also seen how strong you are.

Jess: I was worried that I would be stretched too thin and that I would fail at everything: academics, recruiting, and parenting, as a result. The year was definitely busy, but I received some great advice to be really strict with my priorities and try to get my summer internship offer as early as possible. I was fortunate to get an internship offer from Danaher during the Consortium’s pre-matriculation recruiting conference, and this really enabled me to dedicate a lot of time to my son (Teddy) and my classes during the school year. Not everyone comes in to Darden with the same priorities, but being clear on what they are before you show up in August is critical for everyone, but especially parents!

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing during your MBA journey?

Sarah: There are certainly specific accomplishments I’m proud of – writing a case for publication, my membership in the Raven Society, and organizing programs with business leaders I deeply admire. Yet what I’m most proud of is not so tangible or easily named. It’s the ways I’ve grown and the “soft skills” gained at Darden. Two years here made me infinitely more confident speaking my truth, advocating action, asking hard questions, and even being willing to analyze incomplete information, take a chance, be wrong publicly, and pivot when needed. I am leaving Darden a more capable leader, and I’m proud of that growth over these two years.

Kat: I found out I was pregnant with my son two weeks before my scheduled GMAT. I did all my applications while I was on maternity leave, just after my son was born. My first trip away from him was for MBA interviews. My second son was born three weeks after I walked the lawn for Darden graduation. My MBA journey and my parenthood journey have been closely tied to one another, there have been beautiful times as well as hard ones, and there were several moments I sat down early on and thought about putting school on hold, waiting a year, waiting for life to slow down before making such a big change. But I am so glad I didn’t wait, I am so grateful to have a partner who has been entirely supportive of my dream, and so thankful to have the experience I did. I am proud that all of these accomplishments were able to overlap and coexist with one another.


Kat, Fred and Ivan Jorgenson at a UVA football game
Jess: I was able to get involved with the new Business Ethics at Darden club as a First Year Liaison and was recently elected President of the club for next year. When I came to Darden, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to fit in involvement with clubs at all, so I’m thrilled and fortunate that I was able to earn a leadership spot in a club that I’m passionate about while also meeting my academic goals.

Q: Do you have a favorite class/moment/memory that you’d like to share?

Sarah: I was “voluntold” to do my personal networking pitch during Marketing class, and my 64 section-mates spent the next hour dissecting and improving it. They were so kind, insightful, and helpfully challenging throughout what could have been a mortifying experience but was instead deeply valuable. Beyond that one memorable experience, I have too many favorite classes to list! Two standout courses for me were Project Management with Yael Grushka-Cockayne and Financial Crises and Civic Reactions with Scott Miller. For the latter, Timothy Geithner visited our class at the end, and I got to introduce him and hear firsthand about how the response to the 2008 financial crisis unfolded.

Kat: We take this class in First Year called “Leadership and Organizations”. The cases are all focused on human centric issues, often HR related. There is this one case about a working mom who has had a really rough day and has taken it out on her direct reports, her husband, and her kid’s doctor’s office receptionist. I wept when I read this case. When we came to class to have our conversation, I raised my hand and explained how much this case sounded like me on a bad day. How hard it is to keep little humans alive, and how tough it is when of course your big meeting is the day your kid spikes a fever. And my classmates listened, waited after class to thank me for sharing, and heard me. I like to think that someday, when the individuals in my class are managing a team, and they see a parent struggling, burning it at both ends, they will think of me, and realize a little more humanly what it is they are dealing with.

I think bringing my son to the first meeting of the private equity club was one of the funniest experiences I had. He was napping in the stroller, but of course woke up immediately when the presentation started, and spent an hour climbing up and down the classroom steps. But I think an infant was the last thing this room full of private equity bros expected to see in this meeting. But several classmates played with him while I asked my questions, and walked home together afterwards. It felt like a very girl power moment.

Jess: Q3 Ethics with Bobby Parmar was amazing and Peter Belmi’s Paths to Power class in Q4 was life-changing! I also loved Elean Loutskina’s Finance core class – she is the only reason I’m taking finance electives next year. I could go on and on about all the amazing faculty here. If you are passionate about learning and want the best class experience, Darden is definitely the place for you.

Q: When a situation came up where you needed to be fully present for your family (sick little one, etc), did you feel that you were able to voice that need to your classmates and/or professor? And if so, what was the response/support/accommodation like?

Sarah: My professors were always very understanding on the rare occasions when something unavoidable came up. I remember being worried early on about even revealing that I had kids, but no one ever made me feel like I was disadvantaged or faced different expectations because I was a mother. Professors were supportive while still challenging me to continue pushing myself and growing. My classmates were unbelievably supportive. When we moved to virtual classes in Spring of 2020, it was our first quarter of electives, which meant it was our first quarter of classes with people other than our 65 section-mates we’d gone through all of core with. Those months were disorienting and challenging for absolutely everyone in the midst of figuring out what virtual learning looked like, wondering how our internships would work, adapting to less than ideal work-from-home situations, and worrying about a global pandemic. My section-mates secretly raised funds from each other and our section faculty to send generous gift cards for kids’ activity subscription boxes to all of the parents in our section. My kids loved getting those boxes throughout lockdown, and I felt so supported and seen by my incredible classmates and professors

Kat: If you have a sick little one, Sarah in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) will contact your professors and help you get access to classes if you need. There is also a room at Darden with privacy booths to pump if needed, as well as a mini-fridge and changing table. It was a lifesaver. I had a key for all of the first semester to use it whenever I needed to pump between classes. The OSA is incredibly helpful if you bring your concerns to them.


Sarah Costa (MBA ’21) at graduation with daughter Alaia, son Ferran, and Learning Team classmate Talia Bronfin
Jess: We spent Q3 and Q4 of my first year in Germany with my in-laws. (Not intentionally – we actually went for the holidays and ended up staying because most of our classes were virtual due to COVID.) The six-hour time difference meant that one of my classes was at the same time as Teddy’s bedtime routine, which was really important for me to be a part of as much as I could. I contacted my professor about having to step away or at least be off-camera for certain parts of class, and he was very understanding, especially since he has an infant himself! Accommodations would definitely have needed to look different had we been in-person (and I’m sure I’ll run into those situations when we are in person next school year!), but I have felt completely comfortable initiating those dialogues when needed.

Q: How were you able to create a ‘mom’ community for yourself as a parent at Darden? How have your partners/children (if applicable) found community?

Sarah: The other mom in my class, Kat, and I started the Parents of Darden club (PoD). We knew parents in general and moms in particular would always be less represented at Darden, but we wanted to be sure that they were a visible part of the student population and that whatever recognition and resources each class of student parents gathered could be passed on to the next year’s group. We’re proud to have used some of our COVID downtime to get that organization established! It was more challenging for my partner to find community as a working dad, but living close to Darden in a housing complex (Huntington Village) where a lot of other Darden families lived helped a lot. It was a little built in community for our whole family, complete with playmates for our kids!

Kat: I was fortunate that Sarah Costa and I were in the same class. There were certain days when a case hit differently as a parent, or as a mom, and Sarah and I sought each other out on more than one occasion for a quick hug in the hall before class. When Jess reached out before her admission, I was so excited to get to talk with an incoming mom because I remembered all the feelings and fears I had during the admissions process. I think visibility is really important, because it is so hard to picture yourself achieving something when you don’t see anyone who looks like you succeeding. I would love to see a future Darden class full of moms, and I think the best way to ensure that is to show that it can be done, and that Darden is a great, inclusive community that will support you every step of the way.

Jess: We weren’t able to engage much with my Darden peers in-person last year because of COVID restrictions, but there is such a warm community of Darden parents and partners that we’ve been getting to know as restrictions have lifted. There are so many family friendly events and venues here in Charlottesville, and we are looking forward to making playdates and Darden family outings a big part of our experience next year!

Q: For moms or moms-to-be who are thinking about business school, what is your top advice for them?

Sarah: Talk a LOT with your partner beforehand about time management and expectations.  You know how busy you’ve heard first year will be? It really is that busy, but more so. It will get stressful for everyone, and you will reach your limits and push beyond them. Nothing can really prepare you for how hard it will be, but setting expectations and having those conversations ahead of time makes you much more resilient in the midst of those challenging months. Also, line up great childcare!

Kat: If you’ve decided that an MBA is the right next step, don’t wait. Life with kids is a beautiful chaos. It doesn’t slow down. If I had put it on hold for another year or two, I think it would have only been more difficult to make the change. Diving in and moving to Charlottesville is one of the best decisions our family has made. I would also say that childcare in Charlottesville is really great. There are great school options, and an excellent daycare (UVA Child Development Center Kindercare) associated with the university. If you are considering Darden, make sure to contact them early to get on the list for fall enrollment.

Jess: First, do not automatically write off an MBA as an option just because you are a mom! The ratio of dads to moms here at Darden (and most other business schools) is 15:1, at least. If there are so many dads here, you should realize that parenthood is not the limiting factor! It is, for many systemic reasons, the combination of parenthood and being a woman that is limiting. This status quo needs to change, and it can’t change without women who go for the opportunities they deserve! Do your homework and make sure you set yourself up for success in an MBA, but don’t say no to yourself before you even start.

Second, Reach out to Parents at Darden (PoD)! PoD was created by student parents in the class of 2021 to help parents connect and to advocate for policies and programs that will make Darden a top-choice for parents. In the next year, PoD will continue to connect with prospective students, provide a supportive community for parents, and sponsor events that bring the joy and energy of children into the Darden Community. If you are interested in getting matched with a Darden parent buddy, fill out this form and you can also feel free to reach out to parents@darden.virginia.edu with any questions. We are here for you and would love to welcome you to Darden!

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
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MomBA’s Share Hard-Earned Advice, Tips for MBA Moms [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   22 Jul 2021, 08:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: MomBA’s Share Hard-Earned Advice, Tips for MBA Moms
Sarah Costa (MBA ’21), Kat Jorgenson (MBA ’21) and Jungae “Jess” Kim-Schmid (Class of 2022) have had remarkable Darden experiences ⁠— being a mom while also pursuing Darden’s Full-Time MBA. Each took time out of busy work, internship and family schedules to share personal insights on what it’s really like to be a mom and an MBA student. A MomBA, if you will. Their responses are thoughtful and thought-provoking — and take it from us, it’s worth reading the whole post. Settle in and check it out.

Now with degree and family in hand, Costa is heading to Vanguard for their Leadership Development Program, where she’ll spend 15 months rotating through the various areas and functional roles of one of the world’s largest investment companies. Jorgenson welcomed her second son in June, and will be headed to Draper & Kramer Chicago this fall as a real estate asset manager. After an already uncommon First Year pandemic experience, Kim-Schmid will kick off her Second Year at Darden in August. She also serves as the president of the Business Ethics Club, a student-run organization now in its second year.

Q: What led you to pursue an MBA?

Sarah: In part, it was being a mother that made me think an MBA might be right for me. I’d always been very impact-focused, which led me to my first career in non-profit leadership. Having children widened my lens beyond my immediate community and made me think more about the world my generation would be leaving for the next. I realized that my scope for impact would be far greater if I honed my leadership skills more intentionally and pivoted to the private sector, and an MBA was a natural fit to accomplish that.

Kat: I never thought I would go back to school, but I ended up growing my career at several real estate firms, and realize my undergraduate liberal arts degree prepared me for many things, but not for crunching numbers and building spreadsheets, nor for understanding the finance world. I also realized I would often be the only woman in the room so I needed the right credentials to become a decisionmaker, and an MBA would give me the leg up I needed to get there.


Jess Kim-Schmid (Class of 2022) with son, Teddy
Jess: When I was in consulting, it seemed to be the norm for everyone to at least consider an MBA. After looking into it, I found that the MBA curriculum and experience really appealed to me. Demonstrating effective and ethical leadership, navigating difficult problems, and orchestrating strategic change across global organizations are all skillsets I want to develop in my career, and there are few better ways to jumpstart those abilities than an MBA!

Q: What was it about Darden that made you realize it would be a good fit for your academic experience and career goals, as well as a good fit for your family?

Sarah: I chose Darden based on three criteria:

1) ROI: this wasn’t just two years of my life I’d be spending back at school, but it was uprooting a family of four and putting us in a totally new part of the country far away from existing support networks. I needed to know the investment – both in time and in money – would pay off. Darden’s employment outcomes made me confident that this wouldn’t be a problem.

2) Academics: I’m a lifelong nerd, and wanted an academically rigorous program where I would really learn and internalize the material. Again, Darden was the clear choice on this front, and the classroom experience and faculty proved even better than I’d hoped.

3) Community: As both a mom and someone coming from the social sector, I felt a bit like an outsider when I was applying for my MBA. I knew I needed to find a community I felt I could be a part of, one with smart, humble, engaged, inquisitive, diverse, and generous people. Every one of my many engagements with students confirmed that Darden had the community I was looking for. And because this is for a MomBA post, I’ll also mention that when I came for my interview day, my baby daughter came to Charlottesville too. The admissions folk at the desk were so kind about finding me a space to nurse her, which was clearly not the usual applicant question they were used to answering!

Kat: We looked at a lot of programs, but my interview at Darden stood out because of how genuine the people were and how rigorous the academics are. I was very worried in the application process about disclosing that I was a mom, as I didn’t see anyone like me on any of the websites for the MBA programs I was looking at. Dads, sure, but no mothers. I was afraid to bring that part of me into the conversation in case it reflected negatively. It sounds silly now, having experienced such a fantastic, inclusive two years at Darden. During my interview day, I was too nervous to talk to admissions about being a parent, but the students I met were so willing to connect me to the current parents in the program, and I was able to talk to them and their partners about Darden and Charlottesville, which certainly set my mind at ease.


Sarah Costa (MBA ’21)’s children, Alaia and Ferran, play at Darden on Flagler Court
I think the community feel of the Darden student body is what ultimately drew us in. I knew as a parent, my feet were already planted in two worlds, firmly at home with my family and firmly at school. The fact that the majority of Darden students choose to live in close proximity to one another and to campus seemed like a great thing for me. Not only would we go to school together, but we would be neighbors. That additional interaction gave me the space to do bedtime with my son, and then invite friends to our yard for a bonfire once he was sleeping. Or to watch him ride his bike while chatting with our friends out for a walk. The village feel of Darden is truly special, and I can’t imagine many other schools match the living and learning environment that Darden provides.

Jess: As a former teacher, I am very cognizant of how teaching quality can impact students’ ability to learn and be inspired, regardless of content. Darden is renowned for having the best teaching faculty and an academically rigorous program while also providing great career exploration opportunities – it fit everything I was looking for in an MBA program! And from the family perspective, Darden’s location couldn’t be beat. We wanted to be close to my parents, who live in Northern Virginia, without having to live in a big city like DC. Charlottesville fit the bill perfectly. Because of how well Darden fit both my personal and professional criteria, I decided not to apply to any other MBA programs. Definitely risky, but for me it was Darden or bust!

Q: What were you most worried about when it came to being a parent and getting your MBA?

Sarah: I was worried about time management, and whether I would be able to “do it all”. I knew the first few months during recruiting would be the most challenging, and I tried to prepare my kids and partner for that. This would not be a year for elaborate homemade Halloween costumes or lots of homecooked meals, but I also knew those weren’t the things that would make me a good mom. I strived to just be fully present and focused in each moment, so that the time I spent with my kids I was fully there for them and not trying to answer emails or do anything else, while the time I spent in class or networking I was fully focused on that. It was still seriously challenging, yet we all rose to the challenge. It did teach me a lot about the raw algebra of how many hours you have in a day or a week, and that in turn helped me make the right choices for me and my family on what sort of balance I wanted to strike with those hours in my post-MBA work.


Sarah Costa (MBA ’21) and daughter Alaia attend a virtual class during the 2020-21 academic year
Kat: I was most worried about failing at both things, not being enough of a student and not being enough of a parent. I was also worried about being the only one. I won’t lie and say it was easy or that there weren’t tears shed at the beginning. But I think one thing I learned is that everyone has something going on behind the scenes. Sure, mine happens to call me mom, and is very physically present, but everyone is struggling with that same imposter syndrome their first year. Some people are in long distance relationships, some have sick parents, some are very far from home for the first time. But you are never truly alone, and there are some really incredible people here that will help you through the hard days.

My peers at Darden were always happy to see Ivan, and incredibly considerate when my family needed me. My son and husband were honorary members of my learning team from day one. We brought Ivan to picnics and happy hours, and Darden Cup events. He became a mascot for my section. My peers accepted and appreciated my experience as a working mom. I think I also learned that if you can survive your First Year at Darden, you can survive anything else your career throws at you. Being given more than you think you can bear is part of the growth of the program, and once you make it to the other side and realize how much learned in such a short time, on such little sleep, while still being there for your kids and your partner, you have learned your limits, but also seen how strong you are.

Jess: I was worried that I would be stretched too thin and that I would fail at everything: academics, recruiting, and parenting, as a result. The year was definitely busy, but I received some great advice to be really strict with my priorities and try to get my summer internship offer as early as possible. I was fortunate to get an internship offer from Danaher during the Consortium’s pre-matriculation recruiting conference, and this really enabled me to dedicate a lot of time to my son (Teddy) and my classes during the school year. Not everyone comes in to Darden with the same priorities, but being clear on what they are before you show up in August is critical for everyone, but especially parents!

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing during your MBA journey?

Sarah: There are certainly specific accomplishments I’m proud of – writing a case for publication, my membership in the Raven Society, and organizing programs with business leaders I deeply admire. Yet what I’m most proud of is not so tangible or easily named. It’s the ways I’ve grown and the “soft skills” gained at Darden. Two years here made me infinitely more confident speaking my truth, advocating action, asking hard questions, and even being willing to analyze incomplete information, take a chance, be wrong publicly, and pivot when needed. I am leaving Darden a more capable leader, and I’m proud of that growth over these two years.

Kat: I found out I was pregnant with my son two weeks before my scheduled GMAT. I did all my applications while I was on maternity leave, just after my son was born. My first trip away from him was for MBA interviews. My second son was born three weeks after I walked the lawn for Darden graduation. My MBA journey and my parenthood journey have been closely tied to one another, there have been beautiful times as well as hard ones, and there were several moments I sat down early on and thought about putting school on hold, waiting a year, waiting for life to slow down before making such a big change. But I am so glad I didn’t wait, I am so grateful to have a partner who has been entirely supportive of my dream, and so thankful to have the experience I did. I am proud that all of these accomplishments were able to overlap and coexist with one another.


Kat, Fred and Ivan Jorgenson at a UVA football game
Jess: I was able to get involved with the new Business Ethics at Darden club as a First Year Liaison and was recently elected President of the club for next year. When I came to Darden, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to fit in involvement with clubs at all, so I’m thrilled and fortunate that I was able to earn a leadership spot in a club that I’m passionate about while also meeting my academic goals.

Q: Do you have a favorite class/moment/memory that you’d like to share?

Sarah: I was “voluntold” to do my personal networking pitch during Marketing class, and my 64 section-mates spent the next hour dissecting and improving it. They were so kind, insightful, and helpfully challenging throughout what could have been a mortifying experience but was instead deeply valuable. Beyond that one memorable experience, I have too many favorite classes to list! Two standout courses for me were Project Management with Yael Grushka-Cockayne and Financial Crises and Civic Reactions with Scott Miller. For the latter, Timothy Geithner visited our class at the end, and I got to introduce him and hear firsthand about how the response to the 2008 financial crisis unfolded.

Kat: We take this class in First Year called “Leadership and Organizations”. The cases are all focused on human centric issues, often HR related. There is this one case about a working mom who has had a really rough day and has taken it out on her direct reports, her husband, and her kid’s doctor’s office receptionist. I wept when I read this case. When we came to class to have our conversation, I raised my hand and explained how much this case sounded like me on a bad day. How hard it is to keep little humans alive, and how tough it is when of course your big meeting is the day your kid spikes a fever. And my classmates listened, waited after class to thank me for sharing, and heard me. I like to think that someday, when the individuals in my class are managing a team, and they see a parent struggling, burning it at both ends, they will think of me, and realize a little more humanly what it is they are dealing with.

I think bringing my son to the first meeting of the private equity club was one of the funniest experiences I had. He was napping in the stroller, but of course woke up immediately when the presentation started, and spent an hour climbing up and down the classroom steps. But I think an infant was the last thing this room full of private equity bros expected to see in this meeting. But several classmates played with him while I asked my questions, and walked home together afterwards. It felt like a very girl power moment.

Jess: Q3 Ethics with Bobby Parmar was amazing and Peter Belmi’s Paths to Power class in Q4 was life-changing! I also loved Elean Loutskina’s Finance core class – she is the only reason I’m taking finance electives next year. I could go on and on about all the amazing faculty here. If you are passionate about learning and want the best class experience, Darden is definitely the place for you.

Q: When a situation came up where you needed to be fully present for your family (sick little one, etc), did you feel that you were able to voice that need to your classmates and/or professor? And if so, what was the response/support/accommodation like?

Sarah: My professors were always very understanding on the rare occasions when something unavoidable came up. I remember being worried early on about even revealing that I had kids, but no one ever made me feel like I was disadvantaged or faced different expectations because I was a mother. Professors were supportive while still challenging me to continue pushing myself and growing. My classmates were unbelievably supportive. When we moved to virtual classes in Spring of 2020, it was our first quarter of electives, which meant it was our first quarter of classes with people other than our 65 section-mates we’d gone through all of core with. Those months were disorienting and challenging for absolutely everyone in the midst of figuring out what virtual learning looked like, wondering how our internships would work, adapting to less than ideal work-from-home situations, and worrying about a global pandemic. My section-mates secretly raised funds from each other and our section faculty to send generous gift cards for kids’ activity subscription boxes to all of the parents in our section. My kids loved getting those boxes throughout lockdown, and I felt so supported and seen by my incredible classmates and professors

Kat: If you have a sick little one, Sarah in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) will contact your professors and help you get access to classes if you need. There is also a room at Darden with privacy booths to pump if needed, as well as a mini-fridge and changing table. It was a lifesaver. I had a key for all of the first semester to use it whenever I needed to pump between classes. The OSA is incredibly helpful if you bring your concerns to them.


Sarah Costa (MBA ’21) at graduation with daughter Alaia, son Ferran, and Learning Team classmate Talia Bronfin
Jess: We spent Q3 and Q4 of my first year in Germany with my in-laws. (Not intentionally – we actually went for the holidays and ended up staying because most of our classes were virtual due to COVID.) The six-hour time difference meant that one of my classes was at the same time as Teddy’s bedtime routine, which was really important for me to be a part of as much as I could. I contacted my professor about having to step away or at least be off-camera for certain parts of class, and he was very understanding, especially since he has an infant himself! Accommodations would definitely have needed to look different had we been in-person (and I’m sure I’ll run into those situations when we are in person next school year!), but I have felt completely comfortable initiating those dialogues when needed.

Q: How were you able to create a ‘mom’ community for yourself as a parent at Darden? How have your partners/children (if applicable) found community?

Sarah: The other mom in my class, Kat, and I started the Parents of Darden club (PoD). We knew parents in general and moms in particular would always be less represented at Darden, but we wanted to be sure that they were a visible part of the student population and that whatever recognition and resources each class of student parents gathered could be passed on to the next year’s group. We’re proud to have used some of our COVID downtime to get that organization established! It was more challenging for my partner to find community as a working dad, but living close to Darden in a housing complex (Huntington Village) where a lot of other Darden families lived helped a lot. It was a little built in community for our whole family, complete with playmates for our kids!

Kat: I was fortunate that Sarah Costa and I were in the same class. There were certain days when a case hit differently as a parent, or as a mom, and Sarah and I sought each other out on more than one occasion for a quick hug in the hall before class. When Jess reached out before her admission, I was so excited to get to talk with an incoming mom because I remembered all the feelings and fears I had during the admissions process. I think visibility is really important, because it is so hard to picture yourself achieving something when you don’t see anyone who looks like you succeeding. I would love to see a future Darden class full of moms, and I think the best way to ensure that is to show that it can be done, and that Darden is a great, inclusive community that will support you every step of the way.

Jess: We weren’t able to engage much with my Darden peers in-person last year because of COVID restrictions, but there is such a warm community of Darden parents and partners that we’ve been getting to know as restrictions have lifted. There are so many family friendly events and venues here in Charlottesville, and we are looking forward to making playdates and Darden family outings a big part of our experience next year!

Q: For moms or moms-to-be who are thinking about business school, what is your top advice for them?

Sarah: Talk a LOT with your partner beforehand about time management and expectations.  You know how busy you’ve heard first year will be? It really is that busy, but more so. It will get stressful for everyone, and you will reach your limits and push beyond them. Nothing can really prepare you for how hard it will be, but setting expectations and having those conversations ahead of time makes you much more resilient in the midst of those challenging months. Also, line up great childcare!

Kat: If you’ve decided that an MBA is the right next step, don’t wait. Life with kids is a beautiful chaos. It doesn’t slow down. If I had put it on hold for another year or two, I think it would have only been more difficult to make the change. Diving in and moving to Charlottesville is one of the best decisions our family has made. I would also say that childcare in Charlottesville is really great. There are great school options, and an excellent daycare (UVA Child Development Center Kindercare) associated with the university. If you are considering Darden, make sure to contact them early to get on the list for fall enrollment.

Jess: First, do not automatically write off an MBA as an option just because you are a mom! The ratio of dads to moms here at Darden (and most other business schools) is 15:1, at least. If there are so many dads here, you should realize that parenthood is not the limiting factor! It is, for many systemic reasons, the combination of parenthood and being a woman that is limiting. This status quo needs to change, and it can’t change without women who go for the opportunities they deserve! Do your homework and make sure you set yourself up for success in an MBA, but don’t say no to yourself before you even start.

Second, Reach out to Parents at Darden (PoD)! PoD was created by student parents in the class of 2021 to help parents connect and to advocate for policies and programs that will make Darden a top-choice for parents. In the next year, PoD will continue to connect with prospective students, provide a supportive community for parents, and sponsor events that bring the joy and energy of children into the Darden Community. If you are interested in getting matched with a Darden parent buddy, fill out this form and you can also feel free to reach out to parents@darden.virginia.edu with any questions. We are here for you and would love to welcome you to Darden!

Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat.
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Q&A with Network of Executive Women President Sarah Powell (Class of 2 [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   23 Jul 2021, 12:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Q&A with Network of Executive Women President Sarah Powell (Class of 2022)
The Network of Executive Women (NEW) is one of the longest-running Executive MBA student organizations, and we recently caught up with newly-elected NEW President Sarah Powell (Class of 2022) to about her background and what attracted her to her leadership role. Read on for more!

Interested in connecting with NEW members firsthand? Join Darden Admissions and the Network of Executive Women student organization next Wednesday, 28 July at 5:30 p.m. EDT for a women’s virtual networking event. After brief introductions, we will break into small groups for easy icebreaker questions and conversation. We hope to see you there!

Register for the Women’s Networking Event

Interested in the Part-Time MBA format? You are also encouraged to register for the session! Executive MBA students are a great resource for you as you learn more about juggling work, life and school as a working professional student. We also expect the Executive MBA student organizations will be an important source of community and connection for Part-Time MBA sutdents.

Additional Listening. Sarah and her fellow NEW leadership team member Hannah Poland (Class of 2022) recently joined us on The ExecMBA Podcast. During the wide-ranging conversation, Sarah and Hannah reflect upon their respective MBA journeys, what led them to Darden, the role NEW played in their MBA decisions and what led them to serve as student leaders.

And now our Q&A with Sarah Powell!

What is your background? What is your current role?


I have spent my entire career in media and tech focusing on advertising technology for TV.  I started on the agency side of the business and made the switch to the tech side about six years ago and have been privileged enough to work at some incredible companies that are pushing TV advertising planning, execution, and measurement to the next level.   I’m continuing this work in a new role that I am going to begin in late May leading product strategy for TV at Oracle.

How did you decide to pursue an MBA?

As I was advancing in my career, I was noticing the gaps in my experience and understood that I had a lot to learn in order to become the leader that I saw myself becoming one day.  For me, an MBA was an obvious choice, and the hardest part was figuring out when the timing was right.  Spoiler, the timing is never quite right so you just need to pull the trigger and do it!

What is the Network of Executive Women?

NEW is an organization for the EMBA program with a mission to advance the professional development and advancement of women in the Darden EMBA program.  We aim to create an inclusive environment that empowers women to reach their potential and keep growing in their careers during and beyond their time at Darden.

What has this organization meant to you during your time as a Darden student?

Having a network of likeminded women in my corner as I’ve been navigating this transition to Darden and now a new role has been invaluable.  Especially during Covid, knowing that there was that additional connection point, a network to reach out to with questions and draw strength from was so impactful for me.

What attracted to you serving as NEW President?

For me, the mission of NEW is both deeply personal and inspiring so I knew fairly early on that serving in a leadership role in the organization was something I wanted to do.  I was particularly drawn to the fact that NEW was an organization that can live on in a meaningful way for its members beyond their time in the EMBA program.  It was very exciting to me to be a part of an organization that has so much longevity and applicability for the women of the program throughout their lives and careers.

You are approaching the one year mark in the program – What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?

Being nearly a year in the impact this program has had on my life both personally and professionally have been incredible.  The opportunity to learn and immediately put those learnings into action has made me much more adaptable at work in a year where adaptability was the name of the game.  Additionally, the relationships that I have built over the last nine months, completely virtually up until very recently, have been an amazing lifeline through this experience.  I am truly humbled to be amongst the group of incredible professionals we have in the class of 2022.  I would say beyond that this program has challenged me about my own conception of my own abilities. I’ve been surprised at how I’ve been able to flex and grow in classes and topics that would have intimidated me prior to the program.  That confidence has made me feel more able to trust my abilities and take some chances at work that I may never have before.

 
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Q&A with Network of Executive Women President Sarah Powell (Class of 2 [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   23 Jul 2021, 12:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Q&A with Network of Executive Women President Sarah Powell (Class of 2022)
The Network of Executive Women (NEW) is one of the longest-running Executive MBA student organizations, and we recently caught up with newly-elected NEW President Sarah Powell (Class of 2022) to about her background and what attracted her to her leadership role. Read on for more!

Interested in connecting with NEW members firsthand? Join Darden Admissions and the Network of Executive Women student organization next Wednesday, 28 July at 5:30 p.m. EDT for a women’s virtual networking event. After brief introductions, we will break into small groups for easy icebreaker questions and conversation. We hope to see you there!

Register for the Women’s Networking Event

Interested in the Part-Time MBA format? You are also encouraged to register for the session! Executive MBA students are a great resource for you as you learn more about juggling work, life and school as a working professional student. We also expect the Executive MBA student organizations will be an important source of community and connection for Part-Time MBA sutdents.

Additional Listening. Sarah and her fellow NEW leadership team member Hannah Poland (Class of 2022) recently joined us on The ExecMBA Podcast. During the wide-ranging conversation, Sarah and Hannah reflect upon their respective MBA journeys, what led them to Darden, the role NEW played in their MBA decisions and what led them to serve as student leaders.

And now our Q&A with Sarah Powell!

What is your background? What is your current role?


I have spent my entire career in media and tech focusing on advertising technology for TV.  I started on the agency side of the business and made the switch to the tech side about six years ago and have been privileged enough to work at some incredible companies that are pushing TV advertising planning, execution, and measurement to the next level.   I’m continuing this work in a new role that I am going to begin in late May leading product strategy for TV at Oracle.

How did you decide to pursue an MBA?

As I was advancing in my career, I was noticing the gaps in my experience and understood that I had a lot to learn in order to become the leader that I saw myself becoming one day.  For me, an MBA was an obvious choice, and the hardest part was figuring out when the timing was right.  Spoiler, the timing is never quite right so you just need to pull the trigger and do it!

What is the Network of Executive Women?

NEW is an organization for the EMBA program with a mission to advance the professional development and advancement of women in the Darden EMBA program.  We aim to create an inclusive environment that empowers women to reach their potential and keep growing in their careers during and beyond their time at Darden.

What has this organization meant to you during your time as a Darden student?

Having a network of likeminded women in my corner as I’ve been navigating this transition to Darden and now a new role has been invaluable.  Especially during Covid, knowing that there was that additional connection point, a network to reach out to with questions and draw strength from was so impactful for me.

What attracted to you serving as NEW President?

For me, the mission of NEW is both deeply personal and inspiring so I knew fairly early on that serving in a leadership role in the organization was something I wanted to do.  I was particularly drawn to the fact that NEW was an organization that can live on in a meaningful way for its members beyond their time in the EMBA program.  It was very exciting to me to be a part of an organization that has so much longevity and applicability for the women of the program throughout their lives and careers.

You are approaching the one year mark in the program – What has been the impact of your Darden experience so far?

Being nearly a year in the impact this program has had on my life both personally and professionally have been incredible.  The opportunity to learn and immediately put those learnings into action has made me much more adaptable at work in a year where adaptability was the name of the game.  Additionally, the relationships that I have built over the last nine months, completely virtually up until very recently, have been an amazing lifeline through this experience.  I am truly humbled to be amongst the group of incredible professionals we have in the class of 2022.  I would say beyond that this program has challenged me about my own conception of my own abilities. I’ve been surprised at how I’ve been able to flex and grow in classes and topics that would have intimidated me prior to the program.  That confidence has made me feel more able to trust my abilities and take some chances at work that I may never have before.

 
The post Q&A with Network of Executive Women President Sarah Powell (Class of 2022) first appeared on Discover Darden.
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All About the Application: Tips for Re-Applicants [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   28 Jul 2021, 07:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: All About the Application: Tips for Re-Applicants
If you applied to one of Darden’s MBA programs (Full-Time MBA, Executive MBA, etc.) in the 2020-21 admissions cycle and are [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/reapplicant]planning to reapply[/url], we are thrilled to highlight a few tips for you as you approach this year’s application process. We tremendously value candidates who remain interested in our program across admissions cycles, and many of our current students applied to Darden a couple times before gaining admission.

[b]Upcoming Webinar[/b]

Join Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke and Director of Admissions Katherine Alford for a webinar specifically for re-applicants on 3 August. Submit questions in advance or bring them to the live session! [b][url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=68b2ecf0-f4db-4771-ab28-5b62c3d1115c]Sign up here.[/url][/b]

[b]Reapplicant Request Form[/b]

If you submitted an application in our 2020-2021 admissions cycle, can easily copy your application to the current admissions cycle. To request this action, please submit the [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/reapplicant]Reapplicant Request Form[/url].

While the reapplicant request form will give you a running start on your new application, you will need to answer any new questions, and we also recommend reviewing your prior responses to ensure they are still accurate.

[b]Timing[/b]

Although we generally encourage candidates to apply when they feel like they can put together a strong application, however, if you applied in one of our later rounds last year, we recommend targeting an earlier deadline this year.

By applying earlier, you will ensure you are submitting your materials at a time when we have more seats available. As we move from round to round, our class begins to shape and competition typically increases. In addition, for applicants for whom a scholarship decision will be an important part of their MBA decision, we generally have more scholarship money to award earlier in the cycle than later.  

[b]Strengthening Your Application[/b]

As a reapplicant, you will be asked a series of questions in the “Program Information” section of our application, including:

“What have you done to improve your candidacy since you last applied? (100 words)”

As we often note, one way to think about crafting an application is that you are building a case for your candidacy, and this case has both personal and professional dimensions. As a reapplicant, you have already been through our application process at least once, and you should take this opportunity to reflect upon this experience and overall outcome.

When you think about your application as our Admissions Committee will – holistically and objectively – what are the strengths of your application? What are those areas that you may want to strengthen?

Our Admissions Committee will expect you to have taken steps to strengthen your candidacy since you last applied, and it is better to take a little more time to finalize your materials so you can do this important work than rushing to apply early. The more thoughtful and reflective you can be through this process the better. You will ensure you are putting yourself in a position to submit your best possible application.

[b]New Recommendation[/b]

All re-applicants will also need to submit a new recommendation with their application materials.

We will still be able to access your prior recommendations, but you should think about how this new recommendation can provide our Admissions Committee with the most current view on who you are as an applicant right now.

[b]Did you know?[/b] You can choose a prior recommender as this new recommender, but they will need to submit a new recommendation – including a new ratings grid and responses to the question prompts.

[b]Interviews[/b]

Even if a reapplicant previously interviewed with Darden, a new interview would be required to be eligible for an offer of admission in the new cycle.

If you interviewed previously, as with the other aspects of the application process, we encourage you to reflect on this experience. If you are invited to interview again, is there anything you would do differently? While our interviews are conversational in nature, they are only 30-35 minutes in duration, and we find that practice and preparation can really pay dividends.

[b]Final Thoughts[/b]

As a reapplicant, you have already been through our application process at least once, and you have already done a lot of important work as you think about an MBA, Darden and your post-MBA goals. However, the more reflective and objective you can be as you approach reapplying, the more you can be sure you are giving yourself every chance to put together the strongest application possible.

Be sure to consult the [b][url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url][/b] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [b][url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url][/b]. And stay connected with us via social media: [b][url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url][/b], [b][url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url][/b], [b][url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url].[/b]
The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/07/28/all-about-the-application-tips-for-re-applicants/]All About the Application: Tips for Re-Applicants[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url].
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All About the Application: Tips for Re-Applicants [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   28 Jul 2021, 07:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: All About the Application: Tips for Re-Applicants
If you applied to one of Darden’s MBA programs (Full-Time MBA, Executive MBA, etc.) in the 2020-21 admissions cycle and are [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/reapplicant]planning to reapply[/url], we are thrilled to highlight a few tips for you as you approach this year’s application process. We tremendously value candidates who remain interested in our program across admissions cycles, and many of our current students applied to Darden a couple times before gaining admission.

[b]Upcoming Webinar[/b]

Join Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke and Director of Admissions Katherine Alford for a webinar specifically for re-applicants on 3 August. Submit questions in advance or bring them to the live session! [b][url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=68b2ecf0-f4db-4771-ab28-5b62c3d1115c]Sign up here.[/url][/b]

[b]Reapplicant Request Form[/b]

If you submitted an application in our 2020-2021 admissions cycle, can easily copy your application to the current admissions cycle. To request this action, please submit the [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/reapplicant]Reapplicant Request Form[/url].

While the reapplicant request form will give you a running start on your new application, you will need to answer any new questions, and we also recommend reviewing your prior responses to ensure they are still accurate.

[b]Timing[/b]

Although we generally encourage candidates to apply when they feel like they can put together a strong application, however, if you applied in one of our later rounds last year, we recommend targeting an earlier deadline this year.

By applying earlier, you will ensure you are submitting your materials at a time when we have more seats available. As we move from round to round, our class begins to shape and competition typically increases. In addition, for applicants for whom a scholarship decision will be an important part of their MBA decision, we generally have more scholarship money to award earlier in the cycle than later.  

[b]Strengthening Your Application[/b]

As a reapplicant, you will be asked a series of questions in the “Program Information” section of our application, including:

“What have you done to improve your candidacy since you last applied? (100 words)”

As we often note, one way to think about crafting an application is that you are building a case for your candidacy, and this case has both personal and professional dimensions. As a reapplicant, you have already been through our application process at least once, and you should take this opportunity to reflect upon this experience and overall outcome.

When you think about your application as our Admissions Committee will – holistically and objectively – what are the strengths of your application? What are those areas that you may want to strengthen?

Our Admissions Committee will expect you to have taken steps to strengthen your candidacy since you last applied, and it is better to take a little more time to finalize your materials so you can do this important work than rushing to apply early. The more thoughtful and reflective you can be through this process the better. You will ensure you are putting yourself in a position to submit your best possible application.

[b]New Recommendation[/b]

All re-applicants will also need to submit a new recommendation with their application materials.

We will still be able to access your prior recommendations, but you should think about how this new recommendation can provide our Admissions Committee with the most current view on who you are as an applicant right now.

[b]Did you know?[/b] You can choose a prior recommender as this new recommender, but they will need to submit a new recommendation – including a new ratings grid and responses to the question prompts.

[b]Interviews[/b]

Even if a reapplicant previously interviewed with Darden, a new interview would be required to be eligible for an offer of admission in the new cycle.

If you interviewed previously, as with the other aspects of the application process, we encourage you to reflect on this experience. If you are invited to interview again, is there anything you would do differently? While our interviews are conversational in nature, they are only 30-35 minutes in duration, and we find that practice and preparation can really pay dividends.

[b]Final Thoughts[/b]

As a reapplicant, you have already been through our application process at least once, and you have already done a lot of important work as you think about an MBA, Darden and your post-MBA goals. However, the more reflective and objective you can be as you approach reapplying, the more you can be sure you are giving yourself every chance to put together the strongest application possible.

Be sure to consult the [b][url=https://news.darden.virginia.edu/]Latest News[/url][/b] regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on [b][url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url][/b]. And stay connected with us via social media: [b][url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url][/b], [b][url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url][/b], [b][url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url].[/b]
The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/07/28/all-about-the-application-tips-for-re-applicants/]All About the Application: Tips for Re-Applicants[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url].
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Early Action Open Interviews Now Available [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   03 Aug 2021, 07:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Early Action Open Interviews Now Available
A serious perk for Darden’s [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/early-action]Early Action[/url] applicants: You don’t have to wait to be invited for an interview. EA is the only round in which we offer open interviews. But act quickly!

We have [b][url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/portal/interview-earemote]limited open interview availability[/url][/b], and the Admissions team will release additional availability on a weekly basis, so check back often!

To schedule an EA interview, you must intend to apply by the Early Action deadline (9 September). All EA interviews must be scheduled by Friday 17 September. After that date all interviews will be by invitation only.

You still have several weeks to round up your materials and brainstorm your short-answer essay questions! Applicants will receive a decision by 20 October 2021 – and how nice would it be to head into the holiday season knowing exactly where you stand with your application status?

[b]Interview and Zoom Tips[/b]

[list]
[*]All interviews will be conducted virtually via Zoom. If you aren’t familiar with Zoom, practice using the platform and get familiar with the video and audio settings prior to your interview. [/*]
[*][url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2018/12/04/application-advice-dawna-clarke-shares-interview-tips/]Watch Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke’s short video[/url] on Darden’s approach to interviews[/*]
[*][url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=b424e6f2-e608-47c1-bd46-0049ca083138]Sign up for this Thursday’s webinar[/url], All About the Application: Interviews[/*]
[*][url=https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yb9fq-f02d9e]Check out Experience Darden podcast episode No. 81[/url], featuring “Your Darden Interview”[/*]
[/list]
[b]We’re Here to Help! Resources and Ways to Connect[/b]

Plus, don’t forget to check the Events page for plenty of ways to connect with Darden Admissions. Virtual coffee chats and online sessions featuring application tips, career insights and more are added regularly!

Upcoming events include:

[list]
[*]5 August | All About the Application: Interviews | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=b424e6f2-e608-47c1-bd46-0049ca083138]Register[/url][/*]
[*]10 August | All About the Application: Short Answer Questions | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=d0ceb475-ffb7-4ebc-9f0d-9c600d18d397]Register[/url][/*]
[*]31 August | Don’t Stress, You’ve Got This! Early Action Application Hotline | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=4b2427ab-e757-47d7-8c6c-302db67e397f]Register[/url][/*]
[*]21 September | 8 Great Things to Know About Charlottesville | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=9f8848a7-ff97-4d54-a19b-efd1b3489a05]Register [/url][/*]
[/list]
Learn about the Darden experience firsthand by [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/connect/student-ambassadors]contacting a student ambassador[/url]! Make the most of your conversation by [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2019/10/29/student-ambassadors/]viewing our advice[/url] for reaching out.

[b]Considering Consortium?[/b]

If you know Darden is your top choice, or the only Consortium school to which you wish to apply, Early Action is a great option instead of applying directly to the Consortium – plus you get the benefits of a guaranteed interview and maximized potential for admission and scholarship. Just check the box in the application that shares you’re interested in being referred to the Consortium. If you are admitted, we can then refer you to the Consortium for membership once their official application process closes in January. We hope you consider applying for our upcoming [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/events-receptions/diversity-conference/]Diversity Conference[/url] as well. The 2021 conference will take place virtually 5-7 November, and you can learn more about our Consortium community as well as how we support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Darden.

Ready to get started or complete your application?[url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/apply/] Apply now![/url]

Check out faculty thought leadership published on [b][url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url][/b]. And stay connected with us via social media: [b][url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url][/b], [b][url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url][/b], [b][url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url][/b]
The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/08/03/darden-admissions-announces-early-action-open-interview-availability/]Early Action Open Interviews Now Available[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url].
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Early Action Open Interviews Now Available [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   03 Aug 2021, 07:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Early Action Open Interviews Now Available
A serious perk for Darden’s [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/apply/early-action]Early Action[/url] applicants: You don’t have to wait to be invited for an interview. EA is the only round in which we offer open interviews. But act quickly!

We have [b][url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/portal/interview-earemote]limited open interview availability[/url][/b], and the Admissions team will release additional availability on a weekly basis, so check back often!

To schedule an EA interview, you must intend to apply by the Early Action deadline (9 September). All EA interviews must be scheduled by Friday 17 September. After that date all interviews will be by invitation only.

You still have several weeks to round up your materials and brainstorm your short-answer essay questions! Applicants will receive a decision by 20 October 2021 – and how nice would it be to head into the holiday season knowing exactly where you stand with your application status?

[b]Interview and Zoom Tips[/b]

[list]
[*]All interviews will be conducted virtually via Zoom. If you aren’t familiar with Zoom, practice using the platform and get familiar with the video and audio settings prior to your interview. [/*]
[*][url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2018/12/04/application-advice-dawna-clarke-shares-interview-tips/]Watch Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke’s short video[/url] on Darden’s approach to interviews[/*]
[*][url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=b424e6f2-e608-47c1-bd46-0049ca083138]Sign up for this Thursday’s webinar[/url], All About the Application: Interviews[/*]
[*][url=https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yb9fq-f02d9e]Check out Experience Darden podcast episode No. 81[/url], featuring “Your Darden Interview”[/*]
[/list]
[b]We’re Here to Help! Resources and Ways to Connect[/b]

Plus, don’t forget to check the Events page for plenty of ways to connect with Darden Admissions. Virtual coffee chats and online sessions featuring application tips, career insights and more are added regularly!

Upcoming events include:

[list]
[*]5 August | All About the Application: Interviews | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=b424e6f2-e608-47c1-bd46-0049ca083138]Register[/url][/*]
[*]10 August | All About the Application: Short Answer Questions | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=d0ceb475-ffb7-4ebc-9f0d-9c600d18d397]Register[/url][/*]
[*]31 August | Don’t Stress, You’ve Got This! Early Action Application Hotline | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=4b2427ab-e757-47d7-8c6c-302db67e397f]Register[/url][/*]
[*]21 September | 8 Great Things to Know About Charlottesville | [url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/register/?id=9f8848a7-ff97-4d54-a19b-efd1b3489a05]Register [/url][/*]
[/list]
Learn about the Darden experience firsthand by [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/connect/student-ambassadors]contacting a student ambassador[/url]! Make the most of your conversation by [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2019/10/29/student-ambassadors/]viewing our advice[/url] for reaching out.

[b]Considering Consortium?[/b]

If you know Darden is your top choice, or the only Consortium school to which you wish to apply, Early Action is a great option instead of applying directly to the Consortium – plus you get the benefits of a guaranteed interview and maximized potential for admission and scholarship. Just check the box in the application that shares you’re interested in being referred to the Consortium. If you are admitted, we can then refer you to the Consortium for membership once their official application process closes in January. We hope you consider applying for our upcoming [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/events-receptions/diversity-conference/]Diversity Conference[/url] as well. The 2021 conference will take place virtually 5-7 November, and you can learn more about our Consortium community as well as how we support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Darden.

Ready to get started or complete your application?[url=https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/apply/] Apply now![/url]

Check out faculty thought leadership published on [b][url=https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/]Ideas to Action[/url][/b]. And stay connected with us via social media: [b][url=https://www.facebook.com/DardenMBA]Facebook[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/dardenmba/]Instagram[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19605]LinkedIn[/url][/b], [b][url=https://twitter.com/DardenMBA]Twitter[/url][/b], [b][url=https://brand.darden.virginia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/qrcode_for_gh_23920314812f_860.jpg]WeChat[/url][/b]
The post [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2021/08/03/darden-admissions-announces-early-action-open-interview-availability/]Early Action Open Interviews Now Available[/url] first appeared on [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/]Discover Darden[/url].
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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Standing Tall: A Son Reflects on His Father’s Legacy, 20 Years Later ( [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   04 Aug 2021, 11:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Standing Tall: A Son Reflects on His Father’s Legacy, 20 Years Later (UVA Today)
Full story originally published in UVA Today.

By Caroline Newman

Andrew Friedman, his son recalls, was the life of the party, the “linchpin” in the many social circles that spun around him, a man who built close friendships at every stage of life – from his home in Long Island, New York, to his college days at George Washington University, to his work in New York City – and kept up those friendships to form a big, vibrant community.

“People gravitated to him, and together with our mom, he taught us what it means to give back, to pay it forward, enjoy every day to the fullest and make the most out of life,” said Dan Friedman, a 2019 graduate of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. “He was the best dad – our rock, our mentor, our coach.”

When Andrew perished at the World Trade Center in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the big, vibrant community he created showed up for his family – his wife, Lisa, and their 11-year-old twin boys, Dan and Mike. Police had to direct traffic for miles around the Long Island synagogue where Andrew’s memorial service was held, as thousands came to mourn and support his family.

Although the days between the attacks and that memorial service are a blur, a few things still stand out to Dan Friedman. He remembers giving his father’s eulogy, a boy standing before that huge crowd. It was, he said, “one of the hardest things I have ever done.”


Andrew Friedman’s name is engraved on the memorial at the World Trade Center site. (Photo courtesy Dan Friedman)
He also remembers vividly the day of the attacks. Both father and sons were in new environments. Andrew Friedman had just started a new job two weeks earlier at Carr Futures, a brokerage firm with offices on the 92nd floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center. Dan and Mike had just started their second week of middle school, navigating a new school building and environment.

“Around second period, there was a knock on the door and the principal asked to see me outside. No one really knew what was going on. He told me that a plane had hit my dad’s building, but that he was fine,” Friedman said. “I kind of went about my day, we really didn’t have much exposure to the news. Toward the end of the day, I got called into the office and my friend’s mom is waiting for me, to pick me up for a playdate. I did not think much of it at the time, but I know now that my mom was trying to distract me, to keep me away from the house while she figured things out.”

The days that followed run together, Dan said, as the family tried to determine what had happened to Andrew. However, another memory stands out. A grief counselor advised Lisa to let the boys join the healing and repair work going on in their city. So, on Friday, Sept. 14, she took the twins to various fire stations and hospitals, where they handed out supplies, including clean, dry socks, to first responders dealing with the aftermath of the attacks.

Helping those who were saving lives and putting the city back together eased his pain a bit, Dan said, and the feeling stuck with him for a long time. In fact, that day – and the socks they handed out – inspired the company that Dan now runs with his brother and mother, Tall Order.


Tall Order makes colorful socks for taller customers – with part of the proceeds going to nonprofits that help grieving families. (Photo courtesy Tall Order)
Launched in 2017, Tall Order was born out of the brothers’ desire to give back to those who had given so much to them – a “tall order,” if you will – and their undeniable need for socks that fit. Like their 6-foot-5 father, both Dan and Mike Friedman are tall men, 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-11, respectively. Finding fun, colorful and comfortable socks proved a problem – until it sparked an idea.

“After a few years in corporate America, both of us were really getting frustrated by not being able to give back as much as we wanted. We always knew in the back of our minds that we had to do something to pay back those who helped us during our toughest time,” Dan Friedman said. “We knew we wanted to start some sort of company to help give back, but the idea for the actual product didn’t come until we saw all of our friends personalizing their outfits with fun socks that we could never find at big-and-tall stores. It reminded us of handing out socks to the first responders that day, and an idea was born.”

Now, Tall Order sells a wide variety of socks for men, sizes 9-20. Ten percent of the company’s earnings go to nonprofits that help grieving families, including Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit formed in 2001to assist kids who lost parents in the attacks. The organization helped children access grief counseling and ran various programs for them in the years after 9/11.

Another organization that Tall Order supports, the FealGood Foundation, assists first responders who were left with significant medical issues after responding to the terrorist attacks, including cancer, lung disease and heart disease. Construction supervisor John Feal started the organization after he was injured while overseeing demolition at Ground Zero.

Over the past year, Feal and others have faced a new challenge: COVID-19. Many 9/11 first responders are more vulnerable to COVID-19 because of the lung damage they sustained 20 years ago. Feal himself contracted the virus and has since recovered.

To support these first responders, the Tall Order team launched a limited edition FealGood Foundation Sock, featuring silhouettes of firefighters, police officers and other first responders. All proceeds from sales of that sock go to the FealGood Foundation.

“We are so proud to support them,” Dan Friedman said.

Tall Order led Friedman to Darden. The family decided that Mike and Lisa would continue to work on the business full-time while Dan pursued an MBA that could help the family keep building the company.

“I learned a lot at Darden, from soft leadership skills such as managing a team, communication and networking to specific subject matter, especially finance, operations, branding and marketing,” Dan Friedman said. “I use the tactical leadership skills I learned at Darden daily.”

He especially liked the case method, used in Darden classes to help students work through real-world business examples and find solutions. “It gave me a different way to approach a problem,” he said.


Dan Friedman, left, with his brother Mike at Dan’s Darden School of Business graduation. (Photo courtesy Dan Friedman)
Those problem-solving skills got a workout this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed many of the markets and pop-up shops Tall Order relies on for sales.

“I think my dad would be so proud that we are still so close as a family, not only in business, but in life,” Dan said. “We are holding onto his values, giving back, paying it forward and living every day to the fullest. We stay in touch with his friends, and I think he would just be so happy about what we are doing and the people we have become.”

Read the full story here.
The post Standing Tall: A Son Reflects on His Father’s Legacy, 20 Years Later (UVA Today) first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Standing Tall: A Son Reflects on His Father’s Legacy, 20 Years Later ( [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   04 Aug 2021, 11:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Standing Tall: A Son Reflects on His Father’s Legacy, 20 Years Later (UVA Today)
Full story originally published in UVA Today.

By Caroline Newman

Andrew Friedman, his son recalls, was the life of the party, the “linchpin” in the many social circles that spun around him, a man who built close friendships at every stage of life – from his home in Long Island, New York, to his college days at George Washington University, to his work in New York City – and kept up those friendships to form a big, vibrant community.

“People gravitated to him, and together with our mom, he taught us what it means to give back, to pay it forward, enjoy every day to the fullest and make the most out of life,” said Dan Friedman, a 2019 graduate of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. “He was the best dad – our rock, our mentor, our coach.”

When Andrew perished at the World Trade Center in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the big, vibrant community he created showed up for his family – his wife, Lisa, and their 11-year-old twin boys, Dan and Mike. Police had to direct traffic for miles around the Long Island synagogue where Andrew’s memorial service was held, as thousands came to mourn and support his family.

Although the days between the attacks and that memorial service are a blur, a few things still stand out to Dan Friedman. He remembers giving his father’s eulogy, a boy standing before that huge crowd. It was, he said, “one of the hardest things I have ever done.”


Andrew Friedman’s name is engraved on the memorial at the World Trade Center site. (Photo courtesy Dan Friedman)
He also remembers vividly the day of the attacks. Both father and sons were in new environments. Andrew Friedman had just started a new job two weeks earlier at Carr Futures, a brokerage firm with offices on the 92nd floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center. Dan and Mike had just started their second week of middle school, navigating a new school building and environment.

“Around second period, there was a knock on the door and the principal asked to see me outside. No one really knew what was going on. He told me that a plane had hit my dad’s building, but that he was fine,” Friedman said. “I kind of went about my day, we really didn’t have much exposure to the news. Toward the end of the day, I got called into the office and my friend’s mom is waiting for me, to pick me up for a playdate. I did not think much of it at the time, but I know now that my mom was trying to distract me, to keep me away from the house while she figured things out.”

The days that followed run together, Dan said, as the family tried to determine what had happened to Andrew. However, another memory stands out. A grief counselor advised Lisa to let the boys join the healing and repair work going on in their city. So, on Friday, Sept. 14, she took the twins to various fire stations and hospitals, where they handed out supplies, including clean, dry socks, to first responders dealing with the aftermath of the attacks.

Helping those who were saving lives and putting the city back together eased his pain a bit, Dan said, and the feeling stuck with him for a long time. In fact, that day – and the socks they handed out – inspired the company that Dan now runs with his brother and mother, Tall Order.


Tall Order makes colorful socks for taller customers – with part of the proceeds going to nonprofits that help grieving families. (Photo courtesy Tall Order)
Launched in 2017, Tall Order was born out of the brothers’ desire to give back to those who had given so much to them – a “tall order,” if you will – and their undeniable need for socks that fit. Like their 6-foot-5 father, both Dan and Mike Friedman are tall men, 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-11, respectively. Finding fun, colorful and comfortable socks proved a problem – until it sparked an idea.

“After a few years in corporate America, both of us were really getting frustrated by not being able to give back as much as we wanted. We always knew in the back of our minds that we had to do something to pay back those who helped us during our toughest time,” Dan Friedman said. “We knew we wanted to start some sort of company to help give back, but the idea for the actual product didn’t come until we saw all of our friends personalizing their outfits with fun socks that we could never find at big-and-tall stores. It reminded us of handing out socks to the first responders that day, and an idea was born.”

Now, Tall Order sells a wide variety of socks for men, sizes 9-20. Ten percent of the company’s earnings go to nonprofits that help grieving families, including Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit formed in 2001to assist kids who lost parents in the attacks. The organization helped children access grief counseling and ran various programs for them in the years after 9/11.

Another organization that Tall Order supports, the FealGood Foundation, assists first responders who were left with significant medical issues after responding to the terrorist attacks, including cancer, lung disease and heart disease. Construction supervisor John Feal started the organization after he was injured while overseeing demolition at Ground Zero.

Over the past year, Feal and others have faced a new challenge: COVID-19. Many 9/11 first responders are more vulnerable to COVID-19 because of the lung damage they sustained 20 years ago. Feal himself contracted the virus and has since recovered.

To support these first responders, the Tall Order team launched a limited edition FealGood Foundation Sock, featuring silhouettes of firefighters, police officers and other first responders. All proceeds from sales of that sock go to the FealGood Foundation.

“We are so proud to support them,” Dan Friedman said.

Tall Order led Friedman to Darden. The family decided that Mike and Lisa would continue to work on the business full-time while Dan pursued an MBA that could help the family keep building the company.

“I learned a lot at Darden, from soft leadership skills such as managing a team, communication and networking to specific subject matter, especially finance, operations, branding and marketing,” Dan Friedman said. “I use the tactical leadership skills I learned at Darden daily.”

He especially liked the case method, used in Darden classes to help students work through real-world business examples and find solutions. “It gave me a different way to approach a problem,” he said.


Dan Friedman, left, with his brother Mike at Dan’s Darden School of Business graduation. (Photo courtesy Dan Friedman)
Those problem-solving skills got a workout this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed many of the markets and pop-up shops Tall Order relies on for sales.

“I think my dad would be so proud that we are still so close as a family, not only in business, but in life,” Dan said. “We are holding onto his values, giving back, paying it forward and living every day to the fullest. We stay in touch with his friends, and I think he would just be so happy about what we are doing and the people we have become.”

Read the full story here.
The post Standing Tall: A Son Reflects on His Father’s Legacy, 20 Years Later (UVA Today) first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Marine Corps to MBA: “Don’t Be Afraid of Making the Leap” [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   05 Aug 2021, 10:00
FROM Darden Admissions Blog: Marine Corps to MBA: “Don’t Be Afraid of Making the Leap”
We are thrilled to feature a Q&A with Kate Bishop (Class of 2022). Bishop was a Field Artillery Officer in the US Marine Corp, working with cannons


Kate Bishop (Class of 2022)
on a daily basis. She was stationed in Twentynine Palms, California, and also did a deployment to Darwin, Australia.

Veterans, active-duty military and international service members make up approximately 7-8% of each Full-Time MBA class. As a public university, UVA Darden is one of the few Top 10 MBA programs where veterans can benefit from the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Darden Military Association (DMA) also plays an active role in helping students and their partners make the transition from public to private.

Learn more by joining one of our upcoming events hosted by the DMA:


Q: How did you decide that business school was the next step? What skills/gaps were you hoping to fill by pursuing your MBA?

A: When I was getting ready to get out of the Marines, I essentially had the “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up” moment all over again. I had a bunch of interests, but no clear direction. I knew I wanted to go back to school but kept bouncing between the idea of law school or a different grad school. The thing about the MBA program that appealed to me was that it was very open-ended. It seemed like it gave you resources and support to go after the new career you wanted, but also gave you the time to figure out if that was actually the best new career for you and explore other options.

I also spoke to a friend about her career in consulting, and the idea of a career where I didn’t have to do or be just one thing really appealed to me. So, I applied to Darden with the objective of using the MBA experience to get into management consulting.

Q: How did you land on Darden as your best fit?

A: I knew I wanted to come home to Virginia to be close to my family during school after being away for so much time, so location was a big factor. I also love trail running, hiking, and general outdoor adventure, and the Charlottesville area has so much of that. The thing that really sold me though was how supportive and uplifting everyone was. There was no sense of the zero-sum here. Everyone seemed eager to succeed but also to see their peers succeed. After each conversation with an admission counselor or student during the application process, I felt more excited and positive about the possibilities in front of me. I knew I wanted to be in an environment that made me feel like that on a daily basis.

Q: Could you share a little more about Darden Military Association and the community of veterans at Darden?

A: The support has been amazing. Hands down, DMA got me through consulting recruiting. So many Second Years took the time to run cases with me, answer my questions, and just generally help me through the stress. They helped me put my resume in plain English and convey my accomplishments during my time in the Marines when I was falling into the trap of speaking in military jargon that’s meaningless to most people. This sounds like a small thing but learning to talk about my accomplishments in a way that let my interviewers fully understand the context and outcomes was a game changer for my interviews. The club has so many resources and always seems to be working to add more. It’s a fantastic group of people.

Q: Advice for vets considering making the jump from public to private?

A: Don’t be afraid of making a big leap. If you’re a vet, you’ve already succeeded in at least one experience of being thrown into a totally new environment and adapting to it. You have an extremely valuable skillset, and probably don’t even realize the extent of it. I find a lot of vets downplay skills like public speaking, decision making under pressure and being proactive and instead focus on what they don’t know. The former skills are much harder and take more time to develop and have set you up to be successful in whatever you decide to do.

Q: Any advice for women vets specifically?


A: Join the Graduate Women in Business and attend their events!

Q: Favorite memory/experience from your first year?

A: The builds I did with Building Goodness in April. The DMA house for the spring build belonged to this wonderful man who worked with us while telling stories, and we ended up working on it over a few weekends since it needed some extensive repair. Mary Swan (Class of 2022) and I found out the YouTube is a great source of knowledge on things like how to apply stucco, and I felt like I was really giving back to the community in a way that I hadn’t made time for since college.

Q: What’s something that surprised you about Darden that you didn’t expect?

A: How student-driven the classes are. I knew it was case method, but still didn’t expect it to truly be driven by us as students. The professors really let students drive the discussions, and that means I’ve learned from my classmates as well as my professors.

Q: What do you love most about Charlottesville/Virginia?

A: The outdoors! If I have time, I can drive into the Shenandoah National Park to run/hike, but there are also so many trails within 15-20 minutes (and right behind Darden) that it’s always easy to get out into nature, even during the stressful recruiting season.

Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat
The post Marine Corps to MBA: "Don't Be Afraid of Making the Leap" first appeared on Discover Darden.
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Marine Corps to MBA: “Don’t Be Afraid of Making the Leap” [#permalink] UVA Darden MBA Admissions and Related Blogs!   05 Aug 2021, 10:01
FROM Darden EMBA Blog: Marine Corps to MBA: “Don’t Be Afraid of Making the Leap”
We are thrilled to feature a Q&A with Kate Bishop (Class of 2022). Bishop was a Field Artillery Officer in the US Marine Corp, working with cannons


Kate Bishop (Class of 2022)
on a daily basis. She was stationed in Twentynine Palms, California, and also did a deployment to Darwin, Australia.

Veterans, active-duty military and international service members make up approximately 7-8% of each Full-Time MBA class. As a public university, UVA Darden is one of the few Top 10 MBA programs where veterans can benefit from the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Darden Military Association (DMA) also plays an active role in helping students and their partners make the transition from public to private.

Learn more by joining one of our upcoming events hosted by the DMA:


Q: How did you decide that business school was the next step? What skills/gaps were you hoping to fill by pursuing your MBA?

A: When I was getting ready to get out of the Marines, I essentially had the “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up” moment all over again. I had a bunch of interests, but no clear direction. I knew I wanted to go back to school but kept bouncing between the idea of law school or a different grad school. The thing about the MBA program that appealed to me was that it was very open-ended. It seemed like it gave you resources and support to go after the new career you wanted, but also gave you the time to figure out if that was actually the best new career for you and explore other options.

I also spoke to a friend about her career in consulting, and the idea of a career where I didn’t have to do or be just one thing really appealed to me. So, I applied to Darden with the objective of using the MBA experience to get into management consulting.

Q: How did you land on Darden as your best fit?

A: I knew I wanted to come home to Virginia to be close to my family during school after being away for so much time, so location was a big factor. I also love trail running, hiking, and general outdoor adventure, and the Charlottesville area has so much of that. The thing that really sold me though was how supportive and uplifting everyone was. There was no sense of the zero-sum here. Everyone seemed eager to succeed but also to see their peers succeed. After each conversation with an admission counselor or student during the application process, I felt more excited and positive about the possibilities in front of me. I knew I wanted to be in an environment that made me feel like that on a daily basis.

Q: Could you share a little more about Darden Military Association and the community of veterans at Darden?

A: The support has been amazing. Hands down, DMA got me through consulting recruiting. So many Second Years took the time to run cases with me, answer my questions, and just generally help me through the stress. They helped me put my resume in plain English and convey my accomplishments during my time in the Marines when I was falling into the trap of speaking in military jargon that’s meaningless to most people. This sounds like a small thing but learning to talk about my accomplishments in a way that let my interviewers fully understand the context and outcomes was a game changer for my interviews. The club has so many resources and always seems to be working to add more. It’s a fantastic group of people.

Q: Advice for vets considering making the jump from public to private?

A: Don’t be afraid of making a big leap. If you’re a vet, you’ve already succeeded in at least one experience of being thrown into a totally new environment and adapting to it. You have an extremely valuable skillset, and probably don’t even realize the extent of it. I find a lot of vets downplay skills like public speaking, decision making under pressure and being proactive and instead focus on what they don’t know. The former skills are much harder and take more time to develop and have set you up to be successful in whatever you decide to do.

Q: Any advice for women vets specifically?


A: Join the Graduate Women in Business and attend their events!

Q: Favorite memory/experience from your first year?

A: The builds I did with Building Goodness in April. The DMA house for the spring build belonged to this wonderful man who worked with us while telling stories, and we ended up working on it over a few weekends since it needed some extensive repair. Mary Swan (Class of 2022) and I found out the YouTube is a great source of knowledge on things like how to apply stucco, and I felt like I was really giving back to the community in a way that I hadn’t made time for since college.

Q: What’s something that surprised you about Darden that you didn’t expect?

A: How student-driven the classes are. I knew it was case method, but still didn’t expect it to truly be driven by us as students. The professors really let students drive the discussions, and that means I’ve learned from my classmates as well as my professors.

Q: What do you love most about Charlottesville/Virginia?

A: The outdoors! If I have time, I can drive into the Shenandoah National Park to run/hike, but there are also so many trails within 15-20 minutes (and right behind Darden) that it’s always easy to get out into nature, even during the stressful recruiting season.

Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat
The post Marine Corps to MBA: "Don't Be Afraid of Making the Leap" first appeared on Discover Darden.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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