Darden School of Business
(University of Virginia)
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Program Length: 2 years
- Program Cost: $157,600
- Average GMAT score: 720
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Average Work Experience: 5 years
Employment Reports (2022)
- Received an Offer: 98%
- Median Salary: $157,090
- Median Signing Bonus: $34,749
RANKINGS
- #17 Financial Times 2023 MBA Ranking
- #14 US News - Best Business Schools
- #57 QS Global MBA Rankings 2023
CLASS OF 2024
- Total Enrollment: 352
- Women: 37%
- Average GPA: 3.5
ABOUT
With such uncertain times, the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia is proud to help its students become leaders who call for catalyze global business and welcome social transformation. Students are Darden emerged in an academic environment that reflects the pressures and dynamics of the professional world. Making graduates of Darden strong candidates for their future careers who are comfortable navigating and creating change.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- Round 1: October 4th, 2023
- Round 2: January 4th, 2023
- Round 3: April 3rd, 2024
APPLICATION PROCESS
Transcripts
For the application process, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. These can be transcripts issued directly to applicants, either in the form of a PDF download or a scanned document uploaded with the application. Official transcripts, sent directly from the institution, will be required if the applicant is admitted. If the applicant studied at a non-English-speaking institution, translated academic records must also be submitted with the official transcript. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application, but official transcripts will be needed upon acceptance and before enrollment at Darden.
GMAT or GRE
Darden School of Business accepts various standardized tests such as GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, Executive Assessment (EA), MCAT, and LSAT. Applicants are encouraged to choose the test that aligns best with their strengths and career goals. Self-reported scores are acceptable for the application, but official score reports must be sent directly from GMAC, ETS, or Pearson VUE to the Darden Admissions office. Candidates must report all valid scores, excluding cancelled or expired ones. The school provides specific codes for different tests, and test waivers are available on a case-by-case basis, evaluated considering academic and professional achievements. Standardized tests are just one aspect of the comprehensive evaluation process.
Recommendation
As part of the application process, one recommendation is mandatory. If desired, candidates may submit a second recommendation. However, it is important that this additional recommender provides fresh insights into your candidacy.
Essay Description
For the 2023-24 application cycle, the Darden School of Business has introduced short essay questions that allow applicants to present their experiences in multi-dimensional narratives. These questions serve as an opportunity for candidates to provide insights beyond their resumes and help the Admissions Committee understand their personalities and potential at Darden:
1. Community of Belonging (100 words):
Share something about yourself that is not included in your resume, giving your future classmates a glimpse into your personality and experiences.
2. Inclusive Impact (300 words):
Describe a specific example highlighting your efforts in promoting inclusivity. Explain how this experience demonstrates your ability to create a welcoming, global community, emphasizing what you would bring to Darden in terms of fostering inclusivity.
3. Careers With Purpose (200 words):
Outline your short-term post-MBA goals in terms of industry, function, geography, company size, and mission. Explain how these goals align with your long-term career vision.
Darden emphasizes that there are no predetermined or “right” answers to these questions. The focus is on understanding the applicant’s voice, perspective, experiences, and writing ability. Authenticity and genuine responses are valued, and candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their qualities through stories rather than mere statements.
Resume
Resumes should be one page in length. Successful applicants submit resumes which highlight their leadership and positive impact.
Application Fee
All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $250.
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
Global and Domestic learning Opporutunities
At Darden students are able to leave the classroom and experience the world. Both globally and domestically, students can learn and grow from unique eperiencews which strengthen thei knowledge and build their connections. Globally, Students have access to 80 different countries where they can strengthen their knowledge of international business. Various global experiences include: Global Immersion Courses, Exchange Programs, Global Client Courses.
Consulting Darden Business Projects (DBPs)
DBPs gives students the opporunity to work in groups of 3 to 6 to work with a coprorate client in a real world scenario. During the DBPs, students will:
Develop a business Plan
Perform Market Anaylsis
Create a financial Forecast
Working with a supervisor, the teams will present their final project to their client.
STUDENT LIFE
Students at Darden build their networks and grow their portfolios through a whole host of student-led clubs. These unique opportunities is perfect for a student looking to branch out from their studies and integrate their passions with like-minded individuals. Darden can boast that it is the ONLY university unesco world heritage site in North America as well as being ranked the best place to live in the US by cities and rated. with over 100 miles of hiking trails and over 1000 live music events its not hard to see why Darden is so well loved by its student and faculty community.
MBA PROGRAM OVERVIEW
First Year
The first three quarters are comprised of the same courses so that all incoming students have similar baseline knowledge. These courses are all either case studies, simulations or experiential exercises. During the first year, students are also given the opportunity to participate in various events which help them build their networks and grow their portfolio.
Fall Semester
- Leadership Communication
- Global Economies and Markets
- Financial Management and Policies
- Accounting for Managers
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Leading Organizations
Second Year
During their second year, students are given the opportunity to sharped their skills and refine their interests. With an array of electives to choose from, the second year at Darden is designed to teach students how to manage in the world while navigating different cultures, global environments and business.
Grading Scale
The Darden School of Business typically uses a standard letter grade system, ranging from A (4.0) to F (0.0), to evaluate students’ academic performance.
FEATURED PROFESSORS
Geroge (Yiorgos) Allayannis
Professor Allayannis is the Robert F. Bruner Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at Darden. He specializes in Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Financial Institutions, FinTech, and International Finance. He has worked extensively both in the academic and professional fields, having worked as a director of Citigroup’s Global Financial Strategy Group in the Investment Banking Division from 2005 to 2007. He teaches numerous courses, including First Year Finance and elective courses in valuation and financial institutions and markets. He received his MBA from the University of Massachusetts and his Ph.D. from New York University
Susan Chaplinsky
Professor Chaplilnsky is the Tipton R. Snavely Professor of Business Administration. She specializes in Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Capital Raising, Investment Banking and Valuation. She is well published, having her works appear in the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Business and Financial Management. She has worked at Northwestern University and Michigan Ross School of Business. Her Ph.D. is in business economics from the University of Chicago.