Meet Virginia Darden’s MBA Class of 2017

Behind the numbers, you’ll find class members whose stories would upend any notion of what an MBA should be. Lauren Bowden was a 100-ton master merchant mariner captain in the Virgin Islands before heading to Charlottesville. Maggie Gray evolved from an NYU art major who can speak Kishwahili to a digital marketing director who executed online branding initiatives. After earning a BFA in dance, Tiffany Lee climbed the ranks to become an associate for a billion-dollar private equity firm. Kyle Coleman spent five years with Teach For America, while Gabriel Legendy, a Princeton grad, returns to school after a 10-year absence – which included a stint as a captain with the Green Berets in Afghanistan.

Make no mistake: These students understood what they were signing up for with Darden. Jokingly referred to as the south’s answer to Harvard Business School, Darden is best known for having the heaviest core workload of any MBA program. Even more, the school is associated with the case method as much as Harvard–perhaps even more due to HBS’ addition of more experiential learning in its MBA experience. Late nights, long readings, and lively debates were exactly what many in the new class were seeking in an MBA program.

For Bowden, the case method brings everyone’s strengths into the open. “Given Darden’s approach to the case method, students learn from each other through the classroom and their learning teams. The case method allows for each student’s perspective to add to the overall learning experience for everyone.” What’s more, adds Lee, it provides practical application. “I wanted to go beyond the fundamentals of business and the case method allows for you to achieve this goal. Darden believes in an active learning approach and the case method immerses you in difficult, real time business situations.”

The ability to master cases also opens up bigger doors in Coleman’s opinion. “There seems to be a clear positive relationship between my ability to successfully work through cases and my ability to climb a c-Suite trajectory in my post-MBA career.” And he may be on to something. The 2014 class, for example, earned a 136,357 average starting salary and bonus. Over 20 years, Darden MBAs make $2,705,000 – a higher amount than Stern or Fuqua grads. Even more, the 2014 class’ enviable 93.4% three month placement rate was higher than programs like Stanford, MIT Sloan, and Columbia.

Another prominent feature of the Darden experience is its tight-knit community, a natural by-product of the school’s team-driven approach and the campus’ secluded location that, in places, resembles an 18th century plantation. And this collegial atmosphere is reflected in Darden consistently ranking high for its alumni network and student satisfaction. It’s a quality that the 2017 Class seized upon quickly.

Coleman noticed a welcoming difference right away. “When I first visited Darden, it felt like I came home for the first time. MBAs came up to me as I sat in-between programmed events just to learn more about me. When I shared my background, they texted their classmates with similar backgrounds to come meet with me too.”

Other 2017 Class members had a similar experience. “People genuinely want to help you succeed,” says Mark Schmid, previously a design engineer at Caterpillar, who observed that Darden students “seem to do everything together.” Gray, who plans to pursue to pursue social enterprise, changed her list of target schools after visiting the campus and interacting with students who had similar interests. “Through these conversations, I realized that my voice would to be heard at Darden.” Gray adds that the school’s interest in her also felt more sincere. “At most programs I visited, I felt that there was a sales approach for why “we” should want to go to their school. But at Darden I sensed that people sincerely wanted “me” to be part of the community.”

Alas, the Class of 2017’s goals are as varied as their backgrounds.  Knowing the Darden faculty’s reputation for anytime-anywhere access, Legendy hopes to find guidance. “I also want to form some meaningful and lasting relationships with faculty members. I would like to get to know them better, to hear their stories, and to take advantage of the opportunity to get some serious mentorship and advice in a non-classroom setting. As an undergrad, I felt the same way but I was too shy to actually execute. Now I have a second chance, and I won’t waste it.”

Others are very specific about what they hope to achieve. “I want to acquire the skills and network to help me achieve my long term goal of turning dance companies into profitable businesses,” Lee states. “And complete a triathlon with some of my fellow Darden classmates!”

For Gray, the benefit of the MBA experience is more about the journey than the end. “We all arrive at business school with a career achievement in mind, whether it’s a title, company or industry. Of course I want this dream job, but I also want to make sure that I use Darden’s resources to prepare myself for this opportunity. In other words, I’m not only asking “how do I get this position” but “how do I become the most effective person in this role”.”

To read profiles of incoming Darden students – along with their advice on tackling GMAT, applications, and interviews – click on the student links below. 

Lauren Bowden / Memphis, TN

Kyle Coleman / St. Louis, MO

Maggie Gray / New York City, NY

Tiffany Lee / Wayne, NJ 

Gabriel Legendy / New York City, NY

David Peña / Barranquilla, Colombia

Mark Schmid / Granville, OH

Barker Squire / Emporia, VA