Application Requirements
Validity of Application Information
We expect that the information provided in, and for, an application will be valid and will accurately represent your qualifications for admission to the Darden School. If articles contained within the application are ascertained to contain invalid information or misrepresent your qualifications, sanctions will be taken, up to and including the revocation of the MBA degree.
The Online Application: Data
The Darden School MBA application begins with a request for demographic information, address, education, professional history, etc. The instructions are straightforward and self-explanatory. Return to Top
GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)
Applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The GMAT is offered only as a computer adaptive test in the U.S. Pearson VUE administers the GMAT, and Darden's Program Code is KC7-0X-86. We evaluate only GMAT results from tests taken prior to submission of the application. The highest score is used, but we do not combine scores from multiple tests. Scores are valid for five years. We do not require official test scores in order to process your application and get it to the Committee for review. You may self-report the scores directly into your online application. If offered admission, you will need to send official documents. However, offers of admission are not binding until official scores are received. If discrepancies are found between self-reported and official scores, the offer of admission will be withdrawn. Darden will also accept a GRE score in place of the GMAT. No approval is necessary—just apply with the GRE score. Return to Top
TOEFL
As much as 50% of a student's grade at Darden depends upon active oral participation in the classroom. The University of Virginia requires demonstrated English proficiency. The recommended way to demonstrate English proficiency is to submit a TOEFL score. Ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report your TOEFL score to Darden. Darden's ETS code is 5820. The department code is 02. For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage. Return to Top
Résumé
Please prepare a business résumé (as opposed to an academic c.v.) that includes your employment history in reverse chronological order, with titles, dates, and whether you worked part-time or full-time. As part of this résumé, also include a similar education history that includes dates and degrees, listed in reverse chronological order. The résumé should not be more than one page long. Return to Top
Essays
Use your best judgment in determining the appropriate length of your essays. The essay question fields are large enough for you to answer each question thoroughly. Use the essays to display your writing skills and tell us more about yourself. You will be asked to organize a persuasive argument to show us how you think about and approach business challenges. Emphasize those experiences, values, and goals that are most important and meaningful to you. Be sincere and be specific. Tell us what particular experiences and expertise you will bring to the mix. Click here for the application essays. Return to Top
Recommendations
We require two recommendations which address the questions asked on our Recommendation Form. Additional recommendations may be submitted, but they should offer additional and valuable insight. Generally, work-related recommendations are more valuable than academic-related recommendations. We prefer that recommenders with web access and an email address submit their recommendations electronically. After you have contacted the recommenders about providing the recommendation, complete the form on the Recommender's page of the online application and check the "Please email this person a recommendation request" beneath each recommender you wish us to contact. They will be sent an email message with instructions and a web address to go to in order to complete your recommendation. To submit paper-based recommendations, you should complete the form on the Recommender’s page using your own name per the instructions above. After receiving the link, you will then be able to print one copy for each recommender, having them follow the directions provided on the form. Return to Top
Interviews
An evaluative interview is conducted by invitation only after your application has been submitted and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Interviews play a critical role in our assessment of candidates and are required prior to acceptance into the program. An invitation to interview is a positive indicator no matter when you receive it. Candidates living in the U.S. must interview on the Darden Grounds with a member of the Admissions staff or Student Admissions Committee. Candidates living abroad are welcome to interview on the Darden Grounds, but are not expected to do so. International interviews are conducted by alumni or Admissions Committee members during recruiting trips. Return to Top
Transcripts
We do not require official transcripts in order to process your application and get it to the Committee for review. Applicants have two options for submitting a transcript. The first option is to scan the official or unofficial transcript as a PDF and upload it in the educational history section of the application. The second option is to mail us the transcript. If the applicant decides to mail the transcript instead of self-reporting the uploaded transcript on the application, we must receive it before the deadline. Our online system will not allow an applicant to submit an application without a transcript (either an uploaded scanned copy or the transcript received through the mail). Applicants who completed their education in a non-English-speaking institution will need to make arrangements to have their academic records translated and sent with the official transcript. All translations must be complete and literal versions of the original records. If offered admission, you will need to send official documents. If there are discrepancies between self-reported academic information and official transcripts, the offer of admission will be withdrawn. Offers of admission are not binding until academic records are verified. Return to Top
Residency/In-State Status
The Residency section of the application requests information related to verification of residency to establish in-state status for Virginia residents. Residency status is assigned by the Virginia Status Office at the University. Visit the Virginia Status Office at the University or call (434) 982-3391 if you need more information. Return to Top
Visa Information
While not a required part of the application, admitted international applicants are required to submit a supplemental Darden Request for Form I-20 outlining the financial resources available for their study in the United States. The Form I-20 must show that a student has the financial resources necessary for both years of study. Timely submission of the Darden Request for Form I-20 expedites issuance of the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa. An I-20 cannot be issued until the Darden Request for Form I-20, which can be downloaded from the Incoming Student Website, has been submitted. All I-20 documentation must be original; no photocopies or faxes are accepted. The completed Darden Request for Form I-20 and supporting documents should be express mailed to:
International Studies Office
Attention: Richard Tanson
University of Virginia
208 Minor Hall
P.O. Box 400165
Charlottesville, VA 22904
434-982-3010
http://www.virginia.edu/iso/issp/
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Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $200 must accompany the application. Online application fees must be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Credit card payments are processed through Darden's secure server using ViaKlix. Also, the application fee can be paid by check, money order or cashier's check. For application fee waiver information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage. Return to Top
Honor Code
Founded in 1842, the Honor System is one of the University’s most cherished institutions. Based on the principle that University students want to be trusted, the Honor System helps create and strengthen a school-wide community of trust. Students who enroll at the University benefit from the freedom and security provided by the Honor System; every student must agree to live by and support the spirit of honor. Applicants who are not prepared to embrace this freedom and accept this responsibility should not apply for admission. If you have further questions, please call the Committee at (434) 924-7602 or visit the Honor Committee webpage. Further information on the Honor System can be found in the Darden Record. Details of the background and operation of the Honor System are fully explained during Darden Orientation. Return to Top
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