2023 Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference
Date
Address
Women's Admissions Symposium
Friday, 27 October
The Women's Admissions Symposium will be beneficial for prospective MBA students interested in learning more about and getting to know the women at Darden, which is just one of many facets that represent Darden’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Diversity Conference
Saturday, 28 October and Sunday, 29 October
The Diversity Conference will be most beneficial for prospective MBA students interested in learning more about Darden’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion and commitment to incorporating those principles into our MBA experience.
Overview
New for 2023, Darden is pleased to host these two signature events in succession so that prospective MBA students and admitted Future Year Scholars in their deferral period can engage with current students, staff and faculty and experience much of what our community has to offer in areas that support our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
To accommodate as many participants as possible, we are excited to share that most of the programming for these events will be offered in a hybrid model. Attendees will be able to participate either in-person or virtually. The Diversity Conference application process has been streamlined so that only one application and essay is required for both/either events. When completing the application, simply indicate the events you would like to attend, and how you intend to participate (in-person or virtual).
Perks: Accepted applicants who choose to attend one or both events in person will have their accommodation covered by the Darden Admissions Office at the newly-opened Forum Hotel. Attendees will also receive application fee waivers and guaranteed admissions interviews.
Schedules and Details
The application to attend the 2023 Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference closed.
Both programs will feature:
Full case experience with Darden faculty, including case prep in learning teams led by current students
Sessions facilitated by leading faculty and staff, including:
- Celebrating and Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Darden
- Demystifying the Darden Application and Interview
- Financing and Scholarship Opportunities available through the Forte Foundation, ROMBA and Consortium
- Affinity club events and receptions
- Current student and alumni panels
Please view the Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference sample schedules below for programming highlights.
*Schedule subject to change
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*BONUS* Virtual Pre-Program
Virtual Pre-Program Session
Monday, 23 October 2023
Time (ET) Session 12 p.m. (Optional) Application Workshop with Darden Admissions 6 p.m. Welcome: Student Planning Committee 6:30 p.m. "Ask Me Anything" Student Panel 7:30 p.m. Dinner with Learning Teams All Monday programming will be virtual. Times/topics subject to change.
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Women's Admissions Symposium
Women's Admissions Symposium
Friday, 27 October 2023
Time (ET) Session 8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 9 a.m. Admissions Welcome 9:15 a.m. Keynote Speaker 10 a.m. Faculty Panel 10:45 a.m. Student Panel: Graduate Women in Business 11:45 a.m. Lunch 1:15 p.m. Learning Team Meetings 3:30 p.m. Case Discussion, Led by Darden Faculty (concurrent session) 2:45 p.m. Alumni Panel (concurrent session) 4 p.m. Tour of Darden Grounds (optional) 7 p.m. Evening Reception -
Diversity Conference
Diversity Conference
Saturday, 28 October 2023
Time (ET) Session 1 p.m. Tour of Darden Grounds (optional) 2:30 p.m. Dialogue With Darden Leadership 2:45 p.m. Faculty Panel 3:45 p.m. Mock Case Presentation 9 p.m. Affinity Club Social Event Sunday, 29 October 2023
Time (ET) Session 9:30 a.m. Affinity Club Brunch 11 a.m. DEI at Darden with Office of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 12 p.m. Career Concurrent Sessions (Industry Club Panels + Career Coach) 1:30 p.m. Alumni Panel 2:15 p.m. Closing Session 2:45 p.m. Tour of Darden Grounds (optional)
Virtual Pre-Program Session
Monday, 23 October 2023
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 12 p.m. | (Optional) Application Workshop with Darden Admissions |
| 6 p.m. | Welcome: Student Planning Committee |
| 6:30 p.m. | "Ask Me Anything" Student Panel |
| 7:30 p.m. | Dinner with Learning Teams |
All Monday programming will be virtual. Times/topics subject to change.
Women's Admissions Symposium
Friday, 27 October 2023
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9 a.m. | Admissions Welcome |
| 9:15 a.m. | Keynote Speaker |
| 10 a.m. | Faculty Panel |
| 10:45 a.m. | Student Panel: Graduate Women in Business |
| 11:45 a.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15 p.m. | Learning Team Meetings |
| 3:30 p.m. | Case Discussion, Led by Darden Faculty (concurrent session) |
| 2:45 p.m. | Alumni Panel (concurrent session) |
| 4 p.m. | Tour of Darden Grounds (optional) |
| 7 p.m. | Evening Reception |
Diversity Conference
Saturday, 28 October 2023
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 1 p.m. | Tour of Darden Grounds (optional) |
| 2:30 p.m. | Dialogue With Darden Leadership |
| 2:45 p.m. | Faculty Panel |
| 3:45 p.m. | Mock Case Presentation |
| 9 p.m. | Affinity Club Social Event |
Sunday, 29 October 2023
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. | Affinity Club Brunch |
| 11 a.m. | DEI at Darden with Office of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| 12 p.m. | Career Concurrent Sessions (Industry Club Panels + Career Coach) |
| 1:30 p.m. | Alumni Panel |
| 2:15 p.m. | Closing Session |
| 2:45 p.m. | Tour of Darden Grounds (optional) |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I attend both programs?
Absolutely! We welcome applicants that are interested in attending both programs.
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Can I attend one program virtually and the other program in-person?
No, unfortunately due to logistical constraints, we require applicants to select whether they will attend programming all in-person or all virtually.
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Who is eligible to apply to the Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference?
We welcome all applicants and prospective students who are considering the Darden MBA to apply to attend the 2023 Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference.
Admitted Future Year Scholars in their deferral period will receive a separate communication regarding steps to register and information about the events.
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When are the application and RSVP deadlines?
We will review Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference applications in two different rounds to ensure that we notify you of your event participant status in a timely manner. Space for in-person programming is limited, so please plan to apply early!
Round 1 Application
Application Due: Monday, 21 August 2023
Application Decisions Released: Monday, 28 August 2023
Participant RSVPs Due: Monday, 4 September 2023
Round 2 Application
Application Due: Monday, 11 September 2023
Application Decisions Released: Monday, 18 September 2023
Participant RSVPs Due: Monday, 25 September 2023
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What happens after I submit my Women's Admissions Symposium and Diversity Conference application? When do I find out if I've been selected to attend?
You will receive an email confirming submission of your Women's Admissions Symposium and/or Diversity Conference application. For those who submit an application to attend one or both programs by 21 August, decisions will be shared on 28 August. For those who submit an application by 11 September, decisions will be shared on 18 September.
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How does the application fee waiver work?
For those who will submit a future application in the 2023-24 application cycle, a fee waiver will be automatically applied to your account upon registration for this event
For those who have already submitted an application, your refund will begin to be processed after you register for the conference.
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When will my guaranteed interview take place?
Your guaranteed interview will be applied to whichever round you submit your application for.
For example, if you submit a Round 1 application, you will be invited to interview once we begin extending the Round 1 interview invitations.
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If I am not approved to attend the conference, does that reflect negatively on my Darden MBA application?
No, it does not reflect negatively on your Darden application, and we look forward to connecting with you throughout the MBA process!
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I'm planning to apply through Consortium - what are my options?
If Darden is the only Consortium school to which you wish to apply, you may choose to apply through Darden's application process and then be referred to Consortium upon admissions. In the Additional Comments section of your application, be sure to note your desire to be referred to the Consortium should you be admitted to Darden. You will still be eligible to receive Consortium-related scholarships and fellowships.
If you plan to apply to multiple Consortium schools/programs, you will need to apply through the Consortium process. This process typically opens in mid-August, and features two application rounds. Please refer to our Consortium Application web page for more information. The pre-populated fields from your Diversity Conference application will not transfer to the Consortium application (which it does with a Darden application).
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I'm not planning to apply to Darden this year, but I would like to attend the conference - anything I should know?
No additional action is required. You are not obligated to complete your started MBA application.
2022 Diversity Conference Highlights
