Tuesday Tips: Darden MBA Essay Tips for 2023-2024

Darden MBA Essay Tips

Are you applying to the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business this year? Make sure to read on for tips to learn more about what Darden is looking for.  In these Darden MBA essay tips, we focus on leadership and a sense of passion and purpose. In all of these essays, you will want to communicate who you are and what motivates you. Also, consider both your career and your personal life in your essays. The restrictive word counts can be challenging, so stay focused and precise in your responses.

How should you highlight personal qualities in these brief essays? First, consider that leadership is crucial to future Darden MBAs. Also, teamwork is essential at Darden, a school with a small, tight-knit community. The case study method is the primary teaching method, similar to Harvard Business School. Engaging with the case method requires the ability to communicate clearly and bring your perspective to the conversation.

Curious about your chances of getting into UVA Darden? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. 

Darden MBA Essay Tips

For the 2023–24 application cycle, Darden will again feature short essay questions that provide a broader platform for applicants to highlight their experiences through multi-dimensional narratives. These questions are a great opportunity for you to help the Darden Admissions Committee understand who you are and who you will be at Darden.

Essay 1: Community of Belonging

What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)

At Darden, your classmates are crucial to your learning. You will be assigned a team of diverse classmates to meet before class and discuss your case assignments. The purpose of these discussions is to ensure that all of you are prepared to participate in the class discussion. Ideally, your classmates are part of a supportive community.

This essay allows you to introduce yourself to the Darden community. What should your classmates know about your background? What diverse perspective will you bring to the learning environment? Perhaps you have unique professional experiences that will be new to the class.

You may be from an underrepresented region of the world, or you have a compelling personal background. In just a few words, describe what you think will set you apart from your peers and be interesting for the class to know about you. Learn more about your potential classmates by talking to a student ambassador or reviewing Darden’s MBA Student Stories.

Darden MBA essay tips

Essay 2: Inclusive Impact

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 focuses specifically on diversity and inclusion. Therefore, you should consider your record of engagement with diverse identities and communities in your example. Past experience is a great predictor of future performance, and specific examples provide the most insight into your behavior.

If you have not spent a significant amount of time outside your own country or culture, look at college or work. Many people live and work with diverse groups at university or the workplace, which can be a good source of inspiration.

For example, perhaps you started a mentoring program or funded internships for underrepresented employees. It’s possible only your department or company felt the impact of that action. However, it shows your values and allows you to discuss how you would significantly affect change at Darden.

In addition, you may have found that you learned about yourself as well. Perhaps in your advocacy, you learned a more nuanced approach to a community or people. Or, you may have discovered your own blind spots and biases. Self-reflection is welcome in this question.

Don’t miss B-Schooled Podcast Episode #115: Spotlight on Darden

As you write, make sure you place your story in historical context and navigate power dynamics effectively. In that case, reading resources like the HBR collection on racism in the workplace may be useful.

Finally, Darden wants to know how you will bring your advocacy to the MBA program. Consider what you have learned about yourself and how to advocate for a diverse team. How will your unique background contribute to inclusion for everyone?

Darden MBA essay tips

Essay 3: Careers With Purpose

At this time how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)

This question focuses on your short-term career goal. However, it also asks in the context of your overall long-term career vision. Your career goals should fit seamlessly into your personal story.

Do not get intimidated by career goals questions if you are still exploring what you want to do with your life. Darden offers intensive career counseling, and you will have an opportunity to explore many career paths in school. Simply put, the essay question seeks to understand why you are pursuing this path and what you hope to get out of it.

The goal is to gain insight into how you think and plan and what motivates your career decisions. If you are inspired by what you have experienced as a leader and as someone who positively impacts others, that inspiration should be part of your career aspirations. Darden will help you refine your goals and learn the skills you need.

We hope these Darden MBA essay tips help you draft impactful essays that will make your candidacy shine. Please visit the admissions page at UVA Darden School of Business for more information about the program.

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Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume. Contact us today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

With deadlines around the corner, you may be interested in the world-famous SBC Flight Test. Once a full set of application materials for your initial school have been drafted, but not finalized, the application will be sent to a former admissions committee member for a one-time review, adcomm style. You’ll have the benefit of a true admissions committee review while still having the ability to tinker and change.  You will receive written feedback within two business days after submitting.

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