Frequently Asked Questions: MBA Admissions
GENERAL PROGRAM QUESTIONS
What programs does Darden offer?
How can I learn more about the Darden MBA?
What are the Darden Centers of Excellence?
Darden is home to five Centers of Excellence, each concerned with a unique aspect of the business world:
What dual degree programs does Darden offer?
Can I begin the MBA Program in the spring?
Darden offers only fall admission.
Do you accept transfer credits?
No
If I am offered admission, can I defer my enrollment?
Please apply to the Darden School of Business in the year before you wish to enter the program. Deferrals requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but have only recently been granted for reasons related to military service or health issues. College seniors who have also been accepted into Teach for America’s program may defer admission until after their two years of service. In addition, some college seniors and recent college graduates may be offered deferred admission to attend in a subsequent year.
What organizations and resources are available for women and/or underrepresented minorities?
Are there special resources for the military?
Yes, please visit the Darden Military and Darden Military Association websites.
APPLICATION
Why should I create a profile with the Admissions Office?
Once you have
created a profile with Admissions and obtained a login account, you will be able to:
- Complete the online application
- Schedule a class visit
- Register for upcoming events and receptions
- Request a viewbook
What are the minimum requirements for the GMAT and GPA?
Darden has no minimum requirements for the GMAT or GPA. In 2009, the average GMAT was 701, with approximately 80 percent of our enrolled students scoring between 660 and 740. If you take the GMAT multiple times, Darden will consider your highest score when evaluating your application. For more information, view the Class Profile.
What are the application requirements?
Visit Application Requirements.
When should I apply, and what are the application deadlines?
Offers of admission are based on merit. There is no evaluative advantage to applying in an earlier deadline. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, however, it is best to apply by the earliest deadline possible. Visit the Financial Aid and Application Deadlines websites to learn more.
What if there isn't enough space for me to enter my information in some of the data fields? How strict are the length limitations for essay questions?
Some fields are deliberately restricted. With regard to the essays, applicants should respond to essay questions within the stated limits. With regard to the transcripts, if there is not enough room to accommodate all of your courses, you can upload, fax, mail, or email a copy of your transcript to our office. Please see the next question for the appropriate contact information.
Can I fax, mail, or email in my recommendations and/or transcripts?
Yes, but they must arrive in our office by the deadline:
- Mailing Address:
Darden School Admissions
100 Darden Blvd
Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Fax: 434-243-5033
- Email: darden@virginia.edu
Can I get supplemental recommendations?
Yes, but use discretion. Please limit supplemental recommendations to those individuals who can supply additional insight into your experience.
How will I know if Darden has received my recommendations?
Our online application is designed to allow your recommenders to submit their recommendations electronically. Once the recommendation has been submitted, you will receive a notification email.
My official test scores and transcripts will not reach Darden in time for the deadline. Will my application still be considered for that deadline?
We do not require official test scores and transcripts in order to process your application and get it to the Committee for review. You may self-report the scores and transcripts directly into your online application. If offered admission, you will need to send official documents. If you choose to send official documents in lieu of self-reporting on the online application, they must arrive in our office by the application deadline. For international students, attested transcript copies are considered official.
Does Darden accept the GRE in place of the GMAT?
Yes, no approval is necessary—just apply with your GRE score.
If I have already taken the GMAT, should I take the GRE?
No. If you have taken the GMAT, we will have access to that score. Taking both tests will not give you an evaluative advantage.
May I request an application fee waiver?
Waivers are only granted under extreme circumstances. To request an application fee waiver, please submit an email to darden@virginia.edu detailing your reasons. Please label the subject line “Fee Waiver Request.” Teach for America corps members and alumni, Peace Corps volunteers, and military members who have active duty experience within the last three years are eligible.
What are the application procedures for Darden's dual degree programs?
You will need to apply and gain admission to both Darden and the participating joint program. Visit Dual Degrees for more information.
If I applied before and was denied admission can I reapply next year?
Yes. You will need to submit a new application, but make sure to check the box that indicates you are a re-applicant. The Committee can use your previously submitted GMAT and TOEFL, if appropriate, and your academic transcripts. Though the Committee will review your previously submitted recommendations, you will be required to submit one new recommendation. You also have the option of supplying additional recommendations if you think they will provide a better picture of your recent accomplishments.
Do you give feedback on denied applications?
We will do our best to respond to feedback requests. Please contact your account manager
after June 1st:
- If your last name starts with:
How do you assess candidates for the Darden MBA?
A minimum of three members of the Admissions Committee will review and evaluate your application based on three broad areas: academics, professional experience, and personal qualities and characteristics. A balance in the three areas is valued, but there is no formula that ensures admission. Darden does not have any specific prerequisites, but accounting and statistics are recommended before matriculation. Visit Admissions Criteria for further details.
CLASS VISITS AND INTERVIEWS
What can I do during my visit to Darden?
The Visiting Darden webpage contains information on class visits and other recommended activities.
What should I do if the website says that no class visit slots are available?
Verify that you have filled out the class visit registration form. Please note that slots may be full for the day that you are looking at, and class visits are not available during exams, reading days, holidays, or on days with planned programming at Darden.
What are the best days to attend a class?
Class visits are more readily available Monday through Thursday while class is in session.
How do I schedule a class visit?
To schedule a class visit, you will first need to fill out a short registration form, and then schedule a visit from the available slots.
May I bring a guest/partner to a class visit?
Your partner (significant other) is welcome to join you on your visit to Darden. However, due to limited space, we kindly ask partners to refrain from attending the class visit. Visit the Darden Partners Association (DPA) website for information about the club and their activities, as well as contact information for current members. The DPA helps new members make a smooth transition to Charlottesville and business school life through hospitality, job networking, family resources, community service, and social events.
How do I cancel or reschedule my class visit?
Please go back to the website and reschedule your appointment. If you are within 48 hours of your scheduled visit, please contact the Visitation Coordinator at (800) UVA-MBA1 or (434) 924-7281 or by email at admissionscoordinator@darden.virginia.edu.
Is an interview required?
Interviews play a critical role in our assessment of candidates and are required prior to acceptance into the program. An evaluative interview is conducted by invitation only after your application has been submitted and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. 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 traveling overseas. Interview notification can take place at any time up until the decision release date for the deadline in which you have applied and may not necessarily fall during the designated interview periods. For important Admissions deadlines, visit Application Deadlines.
What do I need to do to schedule a Consortium interview?
You may request a Consortium interview at Darden according to the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management’s guidelines and within the organization’s stated deadlines. To request a Consortium interview please e-mail admissionscoordinator@darden.virginia.edu.
FINANCIAL AID
What is the cost of the full-time MBA program?
The estimated 2009-2010 tuition and required fees are $43,500 for Virginians and $48,500 for residents of other states and countries.
Who is considered for merit scholarships?
All students offered admission are considered. Merit scholarships are offered at the end of each round of admissions decisions. Please visit the Financial Aid website for more information.
What loan programs are available?
Federal Loans
The Federal Stafford Loan Program makes available $20,500 per year to each graduate student who is a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Please file all the requirements listed in Application Procedures checklist.
Supplementary Loans
Federal Graduate PLUS loan (for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only)
When will my loan funds be available?
Semester rebate checks will arrive 10 business days following your completion of Final Registration, in mid-September and mid-January.
Where can I find more information about financial aid?
The Financial Aid website.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
How can I learn about application information specific to international applicants?
Visit International Applicant Information.
TOEFL
Darden’s MBA Program is built upon an immersive learning experience that requires public speaking, group discussion, and active class participation. To succeed, students must possess a highly developed proficiency in written and oral English.
How are English abilities assessed?
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or TOEFL iBT (internet Based Test)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Written and oral communication
Is the TOEFL required (even if I attended a school where the medium of instruction was English)?
- Candidates who received their bachelor's degree from a university where the medium of instruction was English are not required to take the TOEFL (i.e., they are exempt).
- Candidates who received their bachelor's degree from a university where the medium of instruction was not English are required to take the TOEFL.
- Candidates who received a master's or Ph.D. degree from a university where the medium of instruction was English are strongly encouraged to submit the TOEFL.
What is the minimum acceptable TOEFL score? Do you keep scores submitted in prior years?
We do not have a minimum requirement, but the average TOEFL is 100. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.
I earned an undergraduate degree that required only three years of study. Am I eligible to apply to Darden?
Yes
How can I contact students from my country/region of the world, and how can I learn more about the international community at Darden?
Does Darden offer financial aid to international students?
Yes. There are several two-year, merit-based scholarships available to international students, some of which are specific to a region. Visit the following web pages for more information about financial aid for international students:
STUDENT LIFE
What is a typical day like for a First Year student?
- 8:00 am – 9:25 am First Class
- 9:25 am – 10:00 am First Coffee
- 10:00 am – 11:25 am Second Class
- 11:25 am – 11:45 am Break
- 11:45 am – 1:10 pm Third Class
- 1:10 pm – 2:40 pm Lunch, school events/activities, meetings, company briefings, etc.
- 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Learning Team (this is the typical meeting period; times vary by team)
Where can I learn more about your employment statistics and companies which recruit at Darden?
What resources are available for my partner to find employment and to learn more about Charlottesville?
Visit the Darden Partners Association website.
Where can I find out more information about housing?
Visit Housing or Charlottesville, VA.
WORK EXPERIENCE
How much work experience do you need?
Although we have no minimum requirements, the average is four years and the range is one to ten years.
I do not have an undergraduate business degree nor do I work in a "business" functional area. Am I eligible for admission?
Yes, typically fewer than 50% of our students were undergraduate business majors. Darden students come from a variety of settings, including non-profit, government, entrepreneurial/start-ups, as well as traditional business settings. To find out more about our entering class, visit the MBA Class Profile.
Do internships and cooperative education count as work experience?
No, but they still may be considered valuable experience.