UPDATE: The tips for the 2010 UVA Darden MBA Application are now available online. Please post questions or comments to the new post.

UVA Darden 2009 MBA Deadlines

              Application Due      Decisions Released
Round 1   Oct. 28, 2008        Jan. 30, 2008

Round 2   Jan. 7, 2009          Mar. 25, 2009

Round 3   Mar. 4, 2009          May 8, 2009

* Application Due By 11:59 PM (EST)

 

UVA Darden 2009 MBA Essay Questions

My comments are in red:

1)What pivotal choice(s) have you made in your life that have influenced your decision to pursue an MBA?  (500 words)

Think about a crossroad or a fork in the road of your life. You made a choice when you arrived at that pivotal point. The result led you down a path that has brought you to your computer this evening where you are preparing to apply to Darden's MBA program.  What were you options? Why did you choose that path? And how has that choice influenced your decision to obtain an MBA?

The best answers will show you in a leadership role and thinking strategically -- analyzing your options and then acting on your conclusions. Although the question doesn't limit you to one choice, it would be difficult in 500 words to do justice to two unrelated decisions.

2)From the following categories, describe the one that has taught you the most: a creative challenge, an ethical dilemma or an experience of failure.  Why?  (250 words) 

A lot to do in 250 words. Briefly present a snapshot of the situation and describe what you learned and why this particular event was so educational. Make sure that the essays complement each other. Don't discuss the same event in more than one essay.

3)Describe how you are a fit with the case study method.  (250 words)

Before you answer this question, please see Earning an MBA at Darden and The Case Method. If you can, talk to a Darden student or recent alum. Review student blogs, for example Case Method Learning and Case Method. Note the importance of individual preparation, combined with learning team discussion, and enhanced by classroom debate. Do you value the clash of multiple perspectives in pursuit of excellence? Can you present an example of you thriving in this kind of dynamic environment?

If you would like help with your Darden application, please consider Accepted's Darden MBA Packages or our MBA Essay Editing . 

School visits. They are time-consulting and expensive. And they contribute to global warming. 

Furthermore, Dee Leopold in The Director's Blog at HBS' web site makes clear that HBS does not weigh a visit as a factor in an admissions decision.  The Wharton adcom blog made a similar statement a few years ago. 

Is personally visiting the campuses of your target schools a waste of time and effort? Absolutely not.

I am not disputing Harvard's or Wharton's statements that they don't award brownie points for visiting. However,  whether or not  your target programs award brownie points, a visit does mean you will have a better chance of being admitted -- not because of imaginary points, but because you will be a better informed applicant. You will know more about the school and its culture. You will know more about why it appeals to you, why its style matches yours, and how it supports your goals.

As Dee suggestions in her post, to profit the most from your trip, visit when class is in session. Then take a tour, meet with students, participate in the info session, and attend a class. In short, take advantage of whatever is offered.

What if you simply can't visit your target schools?  If you live far away, don't worry about it. You still need to demonstrate a deep understanding of the school's culture and program, but the school won't hold your lack of visit against you. Even schools (e.g. Tuck and Darden ) that really value a visit as a sign of serious interest understand that international applicants can't necessarily come.  Other schools explicitly ask what you have done to learn about their program, for example Haas queries "What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program?"

What steps should you take on the road to an MBA acceptance?

• Scour the schools' web sites.
• Attend the many receptions and events held by the schools.
  
• Participate in MBA Tour events.
• Talk to current students and/or recent alumni.
• Read current student blogs to get a feel for campus life.

Here is a list of upcoming MBA Tour events in the US, but the Tour is international so check their website if you are outside the US.

September 2 : Chicago
September 4: Houston
September 6: New York
September 7: Washington, D.C.
September 9: Atlanta
September 11: Boston
September 13: San Francisco
September 14: Los Angeles