MBA Decoder

Deadlines:
Early Action: 5 September, 2024
Round 1: 2 October, 2024
Round 3: 7 January, 2025
Round 4: 2 April, 2025

Darden’s essays questions are a series of small, multiple questions that allow the admissions team to understand “who you are and who you will be at Darden”:

Essay 1: Community of Belonging: What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)

Essay 2: Inclusive Impact: Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating a welcoming, global community at Darden. (300 words)

Essay 3: Careers With Purpose: 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)

*- the Early application round at Darden is non-binding. That means, you do not have to withdraw your applications from other business schools if you get an admit a Darden

Other Application components:

Resume: 
A professional resume that covers your professional history, educational details, and extracurricular interests in one single page

Recommendations:
Darden requires ONE recommendations; both should preferably be work-related. More recommendations may be submitted but use your discretion whether they offer new insights about you. Recommendation questions are:

  1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization.
  2. How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?
  3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.

Interview:
Darden has an open interview period from mid-July until end of September. Applicants who apply in Early application deadline, need not wait for an interview invite. They can, on their initiative, schedule an interview. Applicants applying to Round 1, 2 or 3 can interview only on invitation. Applicants living in the US must visit campus.

Reapplications:
Reapplicants have to submit a new application.

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