Located in beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia, the UVA Darden School of Business aims to "improve the world by inspiring responsible leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences." The program is known for its case-based learning method and keeps collaboration and teamwork at center stage. Darden continues to invite candidates to submit a test waiver request or submit a range of tests, including GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, Executive Assessment (EA), MCAT, and LSAT.
Application Deadlines
Round- Early Action
Application Deadline: September 7, 2023
Interviews: Limited Open Interviews
Decision Release: October 18, 2023
Round- 1
Application Deadline: October 4, 2023
Interviews: By Invitation
Decision Release: December 6, 2023
Round- 2
Application Deadline: January 4, 2024
Interviews: By Invitation
Decision Release: March 13, 2024
Round- 3
Application Deadline: April 3, 2024
Interviews: By Invitation
Decision Release: May 1, 2024
Essays
Like last year, Darden asks applicants to write three short essays covering a wide range of topics- teamwork, diversity and inclusion, and career goals. The three questions have been slightly tweaked this year. There is a slight change in word limits. The Introduction essay is reduced to 100 words, and the career goals essay is now 200 words instead of 100 words. The applicants have 600 words to showcase various facets of their candidacy to the admission committee.
From Darden Website:
For the 2023–24 application cycle, we will again feature short essay questions, which provide a broader platform for applicants to highlight their experiences through multi-dimensional narratives. These questions are a great opportunity for you to help the Darden Admissions Committee understand who you are and who you will be at Darden.
Here is our analysis of Darden's essay questions:
Essay #1: Community of Belonging: What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)
This question allows applicants to reveal what they would want their classmates to know about them. Given Darden’s emphasis on case-based learning methods and the importance of collaboration and teamwork, the admission committee wants to learn how well candidates will function in teams both in and outside the classroom. This question focuses on your association with classmates. Use this essay to shine a spotlight on your personal attributes – your passions and interests and what makes you "YOU'. Through relevant examples, showcase your teamwork skills, and personal and professional attributes that would make your classmates want to have you as their peer. Show them what you will bring to the table by sharing some stories/ anecdotes highlighting your unique attributes. You have the flexibility to choose both personal and professional experiences, but make sure to include elements that are NOT already there on your resume.
Essay #2: Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating an inclusive global community at Darden. (300 words)
Diversity and inclusion have become increasingly important to business schools in the current world. The essay prompt allows you to choose a personal or professional example. You must be working with people from different cultures, geographies, ethnicities, age groups, and skill sets at work. Look for an example of when you encouraged and accepted people who are different from you. Perhaps you went the extra mile to help an elderly member feel comfortable and safe during the pandemic by easing his workload or encouraging an introverted member to voice their views in the meeting. What conscious steps did you take to promote an inclusive environment?
Please make sure to elucidate only one story/ example. As always, we encourage you to follow the STAR method and explain what the situation was. (S) What needed to be done? (T) What action did you take? (A) and what was the result (R)? Also, share the thought process that drove you to your decision.
In the second part of the essay, explain how you would contribute to creating an inclusive environment in and outside of class at Darden. With the 300-word limit, you can allot approximately 150-200 words to detail your story and 100 words to explain your plans to foster inclusivity at Darden.
Essay #3: At this time, how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size, and/or mission, and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)
This is a fairly straightforward goals essay that asks applicants about their short-term goals, specifying industry, function, geography, company size, and mission. The candidates must also explain how their short-term plan aligns with their long-term vision.
Begin with elaborating on your post-MBA objectives, identify the position you hope to hold immediately after the MBA program, and specify a job title/ role, industry, function, and 1-2 organizations/ companies that interest you. Next, articulate your goal and explain why this goal is exciting and vital to you. It is crucial to ensure that your goals are ambitious as well as realistic. The schools want to know that the path you have chosen is attainable and the program has resources to aid you in reaching that goal. Provide a brief career history to showcase the skills and knowledge you possess, explaining how these will help you accomplish your goal in your chosen field.
Read our tips on avoiding common mistakes in crafting goals essay:
Avoid These 13 Mistakes in Goals Essay
When selecting examples for the above three essays, you want to maintain a balance between your personal and professional examples so that you can present your well-rounded personality to the admission committee.
Watch this video for Essay advice from Dawna Clarke
Make every word count and be as precise as you can. Please read the following blog to learn about 11 strategies to meet the word limits (the article also includes a video recording of the webinar we did on this subject):
11 Strategies to Meet the Strict Word Limits of MBA Essays
For more information about applying to Darden, please click here.
Free Resources
Overarching Essay Tips
MER Students Share Their Success Stories
Essay Analysis of Other Top Programs-2023-24
Case Studies
About (myEssayReview)
Poonam Tandon, the founder of MER (myEssayReview), is a Ph.D. in English with three decades of teaching experience in India and the US. Poonam launched myEssayReview (MER) in 2011 to provide highly personalized and dedicated consulting services to Business School applicants. A master storyteller, Poonam has helped hundreds of students worldwide gain admission into the top MBA, EMBA, and specialized Masters's programs in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. She is a full-time consultant and is passionate about her work. In her over four decades of professional career, she has reviewed 10,000+ essays written by native and non-native English speakers. Poonam is among the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club. Click here for her 141 143 reviews on the GMAT Club.
Do you have questions about your application for the 2023-24 application cycle? E-mail Poonam at [email protected] or sign up herefor a free consultation.
This blog was first published in myessayreview.
