Darden 2012 - Calling All Applicants

I completed my interview on campus this week. While the school speaks for itself, I was really impressed with how well organized the day was for prospective students. It's not shocking Darden has one of the best ranked B-School administrations.

In addition, I was impressed with how welcoming and helpful everyone was, even those outside the formal recruitment circle. After completing my activities at Darden, I wanted to check out the Rotunda and was offered a ride by a stranger. After I decided to walk and explore campus, when I got lost and asked some for directions, the person was an alum that also worked in the alumni career services center and talked to me for 10 minutes about the school.

It was really an enjoyable trip. Darden showed well. Hopefully I did as well during my interview.

P.S. my "task" before class was to name 2 truths and 1 falsehood about myself and have the crowd guess. Luckily, the suggestion of a "dance off" was vetoed.

If you leave Charlottesville by 5:00 PM you should be fine. Realistically, you could probably leave a little later, but you don't want to push it. There's a modest amount of traffic getting out of Cville, but it thins out after Ruckersville. From there, it's pretty clear sailing until you hit Gainesville where you connect with I-64, which leads you toward Dulles. Once on 64, you're going toward DC instead of out of it so it's a reverse commute that isn't all that bad. Of course, all it takes is a couple of wrecks and then it slows to a glacial pace. You just need to factor in that you're dropping a car. Security at Dulles isn't that bad, but could be better.

Follow up question: On the way to Charlottesville, are there any toll fees and whatnot?

When you rent a car they always ask whether you want the e-toll gadget. I know some highways/roads in the US do not have toll booths all together and require these gadgets. Please don't think I am a control freak, it's just that I paid almost $300 in toll fee penalties last December for not knowing this.

Follow up question: On the way to Charlottesville, are there any toll fees and whatnot?

When you rent a car they always ask whether you want the e-toll gadget. I know some highways/roads in the US do not have toll booths all together and require these gadgets. Please don't think I am a control freak, it's just that I paid almost $300 in toll fee penalties last December for not knowing this.

Hello all!
I got an interview invite today!
M/Indian

I tried to schedule but can't find any available dates at all!!! I have been invited for a skype interview. Did anyone else face this issue? I suppose I'll wait another day and if I still am not able to will call the school.

Also, is there any difference (w.r.t. the interest they have in the candidate) b/w a skype/alumni interview? I am from India so those are the only 2 options I suppose.

Hi srjaidev,

Did you receive an option between alumni or skype interview? I'm an Indian applicant too and I was told that an alum would contact me in the next 10 days.

My opinion is that the alum interview is much better than the skype one since you can connect on a personal level. The skype interview is much more mill-of-the-run thing if you know what I mean (P.S. - only heard from other sources, haven't actually given one). So I would prefer an alum interview for sure.

- V

I did not get a choice. I would choose the in-person alumnus interview too had I had the choice because there won't be any problems like poor network or power fluctuations, but then if I am able to create a good impression, then I have the advantage of the adcom being right there during the discussion of my candidacy.

I suppose it's skype interview for Bangalore folks while it is alumnus interview for Mumbai folks.

All the best, V! Hope we get to see each other at Charlottesville this summer

Hi srjaidev,

Did you receive an option between alumni or skype interview? I'm an Indian applicant too and I was told that an alum would contact me in the next 10 days.

My opinion is that the alum interview is much better than the skype one since you can connect on a personal level. The skype interview is much more mill-of-the-run thing if you know what I mean (P.S. - only heard from other sources, haven't actually given one). So I would prefer an alum interview for sure.

- V

Considering Darden's essay this year, it leaves a lot to be said/done in the interviews I feel.