Class Visits
The case method's success stems from the diverse range of backgrounds and views in the classroom. Class visits are a great way to experience the case method firsthand and to get to know Darden students, faculty and staff.
If you have submitted an application to Darden, please consider waiting to schedule a class visit until you have been invited to interview.
Due to spring break, there are no class visits available in March. Class visits will resume on 9 April.
View our Class Visit and Open House Calendar
Visit Day Activities
Lunch and Tour
A lunch and tour of the Darden Grounds with Second Year students is offered on days that class visits are available. Please let the visitation coordinator know that you would like to attend the lunch and tour when you check in on the day of the class visit. If you are not coming for a class visit and would like to know if a lunch and tour is available on the day of your visit, please e-mail admissionscoordinator@darden.virginia.edu.
Meet with Darden Staff & Faculty
Schedule a meeting with one or more of the following departments or Centers of Excellence by contacting them directly. Please introduce yourself as a prospective student when contacting staff and/or faculty member and try to set up the meetings well in advance of your visit.
- Career Development Center
The career consultants in the Darden Career Development Center would be happy to meet with you to answer any questions you may have about the recruiting process or about how Darden can help you reach your career goals. E-mail careerservices@darden.virginia.edu to schedule a meeting time.
- Financial Aid
If you have any questions about financial aid that were not answered on the Financial Aid website, please contact Amanda Mills at MillsA@darden.virginia.edu to set up an appointment.
- Darden Faculty
Darden faculty members are known for their high-level involvement with students. During your class visit, you will have the opportunity to meet a professor after the class. A full listing of Darden faculty is available.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Are you interested in starting your own company? Contact batten@darden.virginia.edu to learn more about the many entrepreneurship opportunities and resources available to MBA students.
Activities for Partners
Your partner (significant other) is welcome to join you on your visit to Darden. Due to limited space, however, we kindly ask partners to refrain from attending the class visit. For information on the Darden Partners Association (DPA) and contact information for current members, please visit the Darden Partners Association website. 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.
Take a Tour of the University of Virginia Grounds
Learn more about the University of Virginia by taking a tour of the Rotunda and the Lawn.
Explore Charlottesville
Recently ranked as the best place to live in America, Charlottesville offers the comfort of a small town, but with the culture and amenities of a much larger city. Recommended activities:
Sample Visit Day Schedules
View sample schedules for your visit to Darden.
Open Houses
Darden offers several open house programs throughout the year to invite you to experience the School as it is every day — open, engaging and proactive. Each event includes a full day of programming meant to give applicants an opportunity to assess their fit with Darden and the option of having dinner the evening before with students in our various Affinity Student Clubs. A typical Open House begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m. Open Houses include:
- Class Visit
- Career Development Center Information Session
- Financial Aid Information Session
- Student Life Panel
- Admissions Panel
- Lunch with Students
- Tour of the Darden Grounds
- End-of-Day Gathering hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
While prospective students interested in all three formats of Darden's MBA program are welcome to register for any Open House, please note that the below dates are focused on the full-time MBA. For our Executive MBA events, visit our MBA for Executives and Global MBA for Executives pages.
Open House Dates
Darden Open Houses will resume in the fall. To schedule a class visit this spring, please select the "Class Visit" tab located near the top of this page.
When you arrive on the day of the Open House, you will receive a personalized agenda with your class visit time. Partners are welcome to attend the Open Houses but will not be able to attend the class visit portion of the day. Please e-mail admissionscoordinator@darden.virginia.edu if you plan to bring a guest.
Fridays in July
Every summer, the Admissions Office hosts visitors to the Darden Grounds on several Fridays in July. You'll meet in Saunders Hall for lunch with the Admissions team, take a tour of the Darden Grounds and have the opportunity to speak with Admissions Committee members, students and faculty. Leave your suit at home and spend an afternoon learning more about the Darden experience from members of our community. Registration for Fridays in July will open up in the spring of each year.
If you are not able to join us for a "Fridays in July" event, we also welcome visitors on other weekdays throughout the summer. Those visiting can meet with a member of the Admissions Committee and go on a self-guided walking tour. If you have questions about visiting, please e-mail admissionscoordinator@darden.virginia.edu.
Visit Resources
Directions & Transportation
View maps, driving directions and transportation options on the Directions & Transportation page.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Learn more about what to do in Charlottesville during your visit by reviewing our Charlottesville webpage.
Inn at Darden
The Inn at Darden is a full-service hotel right on the Darden Grounds. It is a great place to stay during your visit to Charlottesville, Virginia. To receive a reduced room rate, please call +1-434-243-5000 to make your reservation and mention that you are a prospective student.
Darden iPhone App
The Darden iPhone app includes a walking tour of the School, as well as ideas for what to do during your visit to Charlottesville with content and suggestions provided by Darden students. The app is available on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. To download, text DARDEN to 88811 or visit the iTunes store. The app is also available on other smartphones by texting DARDEN to 88811.
Can't Visit?
Watch the Darden School Video Tour:
Or watch the Highlights of a Darden Case Study Class video:
Admissions representatives also travel to MBA forums and fairs during the fall and winter. Darden will host approximately 50 global prospective student receptions throughout this time. Information about these events will be posted on the Events & Receptions web page on an ongoing basis throughout the fall.