Darden 2012 - Calling All Applicants

U.S. News & World Report released its 2013 ranking of the Best Graduate Schools today. In the Business School category, the Darden School ranked at No. 13 — the same position it held in last year’s ranking. Darden’s standing improved in key ways and categories:
Overall score. Darden’s overall ranking score rose from 77 to 81. The schools in the Top 10 range from 84 to 100.

Average GMAT. Darden’s average GMAT score increased from 699 to 701.

Specialty rankings. In the specialty rankings, rated by business school deans and MBA program directors, Darden rose in two categories:
• Two places in the management category to No. 6.
• Two places in the entrepreneurship category to No. 12.
Recruiting-related rankings. Darden did very well and occupies a place in the Top 10 for recruiting results:
• The average starting salary and bonus jumped from $119,278 to $127,595.
• The percentage of graduates employed at graduation rose from 69 percent to 83 percent.
• The percentage of graduates employed three months after graduation climbed from 82.7 percent to 92.3 percent. Darden is No. 3 in this category, tied with Harvard, which spotlights the successful efforts of our Career Development Center.
For its survey, U.S. News evaluates ratings from deans, administrators and recruiters and analyzes quantitative data collected from schools. The survey does not measure the student experience — a key differentiator and value for Darden. Bloomberg Businessweek rates Darden’s learning environment No. 1 in student satisfaction and The Economist calls it the world’s best education experience. If we consider this omission, Darden fared quite well in the U.S. News survey.

I know Darden is known for being picky about choosing applicants, and many times I heard
they really want people who have the best "fit" to their program.

What kind of "fit" are they really looking for??

Has anyone tried calling the admissions office? I tried several times yesterday but couldn't reach them.

Advises please.

You've got to fit the student and school culture. Are you a domestic applicant? Best bet is to email and speak with several students. Ask them about their experiences, whatever you have in mind. That's how I really got to understand Darden's culture.

For those who have interviewed, I was wondering if you had received a response to your "thank you" note from your interviewer. I didn't get one and was wondering if I should take that as a sign.

Thanks!

It appears that based on the thread count, the interest in Darden this year is significantly lower than it was last year??? This thread is just at 45 pages now whereas at this time last year the count was approaching 70. Is it that people are staying away from the forums or focusing on other schools this year? I'd love to hear what you guys think..

I think its just less people are active on this thread. Maybe more lurkers are people are not asking the same question 20 times this year. I do not think less pages equates directly to less interest and thus less applicants

It appears that based on the thread count, the interest in Darden this year is significantly lower than it was last year??? This thread is just at 45 pages now whereas at this time last year the count was approaching 70. Is it that people are staying away from the forums or focusing on other schools this year? I'd love to hear what you guys think..