Darden’s essays questions for 2019-20 are once again a series of small, multiple questions that allow the admissions team to peak into different aspects of your personality:
1. Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (200 words)
2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (200 words)
3. The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (50 words)
4. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you – personally, professionally, or both? (100 words)
5. What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and why? (150 words)
Read the Darden Admission Committee’s guidelines for the essays
Deadlines:
Early Action*: 03 September 2019
Round 1: 04 October 2019
Round 2: 06 January 2020
Round 3: 06 Apr. 2020
*- 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 two recommendations; both should preferably be work-related. More recommendations may be submitted if they offer new insight about you
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.