These short questions featured in Darden’s EMBA application generate a conversation of sorts. The Q&A becomes a dialogue between you and the adcom, almost like an interview. The conversation these questions produce encompasses Darden’s perspective and values and reveals how you view and align with them. This dialogue approach exemplifies and facilitates the website’s point that the adcom wants to get to know you through these mini-essays. I would add – they want to know you and how well you understand and fit with Darden.

Darden Executive MBA 2022-23 Short Answer Questions

Darden EMBA short answer question #1

Given that you will be forming lifelong connections with your classmates that extend beyond the classroom, what is important for your classmates to know about you that is not on your resumé? (200 words)

By asking you to consider your future Darden classmates, the adcom can gauge how well you understand and connect with both these prospective peers, and, by extension, the culture and values of the program, critical point for a program that is small and close-knit. It would be helpful therefore to show clear awareness of this peer audience.

And “not on your resume” indicates you should focus on non-work experiences or influences. The key to making this essay shine is to root the message in actual experience – and clarify what that experience says about you that is relevant to your Darden EMBA peers.

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Darden EMBA short answer question #2

The University of Virginia promotes an inclusive and welcoming environment that embraces the full spectrum of human attributes, perspectives, and disciplines. Diversity stands with ethics, integrity, and academic excellence, as a cornerstone of University culture. Review the University of Virginia’s Commitment to Diversity.

Consistent with this ethos, the Darden School of Business seeks to improve the world by developing and inspiring responsible global leaders. We are committed to developing the School’s ability to leverage our global diversity — the multitude of different experiences and backgrounds among our stakeholders from around the world — to achieve excellence in business education in today’s complex marketplace. We do so in the service of our mission, adhering to an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe all key stakeholders – students, faculty, staff, alumni – play a critical role in cultivating an inclusive environment, and every action – whether big or small – in service of this goal is important.

Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating a welcoming, global community at Darden. (300 words)

This question calls for a straightforward story presenting a time when you concretely facilitated and/or created and/or supported and/or built an inclusive environment. Since the first essay will focus largely on non-work experience, it would be ideal to use an example for this essay that occurred at work, ideally relatively recently. This approach will allow the essay to do double duty: portray you both functioning at a high level within a significant role and also taking actions that align with Darden’s diversity values. This essay is also an opportunity to showcase your leadership impact with the right example. And that impact should be concrete (that word “tangible” should be constantly on the radar as you consider topics and draft the essay).

Darden EMBA short answer question #3

At this time, how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA career goal and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)

For your short-term goal, give the facts: what position(s), company or types of company, industry, location, expected scope of accountability. And for your long-term vision, summarize what you hope to achieve in terms of external impact; what you hope your footprint will be – this should be shorter and less-detailed than your post-MBA goal. Explain how your short-term goal prepares you for the longer-term career vision, both in practical terms and consistency of purpose.

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UVA Darden Executive MBA 2022-23 remaining application deadlines

Application deadline*	Decisions released
10 Jan. 2023	27 Jan. 2023
10 Feb. 2023	24 Feb. 2023
10 Mar. 2023	31 Mar. 2023
10 Apr. 2023	28 Apr. 2023
10 May 2023	26 May 2023
10 June 2023	23 June 2023
25 June 2023	7 July 2023

*Note: At UVA Darden, we offer monthly deadlines – from August through April – and we will continue to accept applications until the class fills. Each deadline functions as a discrete round – with a target interview period, decision release date and deposit deadline. All deadlines are focused on our class starting in August. 

Which deadline is right for you? Our general advice is to apply as soon as you feel like you can put together a strong application. With each passing deadline, fewer seats in our class will be available, and we will have less scholarship money to award. Most applicants will apply between October and March. However, we have monthly deadlines to provide you maximum flexibility.

Source: Darden EMBA website

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Related Resources:

• School-Specific Executive MBA Essay Tips
• Ace the EMBA: Expert Advice for the Rising Executive, a free guide
• EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants