7 Things You Need To Know About UVA Darden

You may already recognize the University of Virginia Darden School of Business as a top global business school whose mission is to inspire responsible business leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences, but did you know these seven things about UVA Darden?

The University of Virginia is the only university UNESCO World Heritage site in North America.

The University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is one of the most storied universities in the U.S. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. The city offers a bit of everything for everyone and is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, only a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C. Full-time MBA students are afforded the opportunity to take a break from the hustle of big city life while sacrificing none of the amenities. Students join a tight-knit community in a beautiful, natural environment as part of their education experience. Here’s how residents see Charlottesville.

100 percent of full-time MBA students receive a scholarship for a global course.

Dean Scott Beardsley believes that Darden is a school that can take someone from anywhere and help them go anywhere. The Batten Foundation Darden Worldwide Scholarship program sets Darden apart by covering the course fees for a global course for all students. Thanks in part to incredible fundraising strength in support of scholarships, Darden has been able to restructure its portfolio of scholarships to make the MBA program more accessible than ever. This year, Darden launched its Distinguished Scholars Program of merit and competitive scholarships and a new, need-based program called AccessDarden. Watch more from Dean Beardsley on the ROI of the Darden MBA.

Darden’s full-time MBA Class of 2019 achieved record-breaking numbers for career outcomes.

Darden’s Career Center starts working with students the summer before students’ First Year. That means from pre-matriculation to the moment they graduate, one-on-one, personalized career advising supports students on their career path. And because the Darden MBA offers a STEM designation, international students have additional support in achieving their career goals. The results speak for themselves: According to Darden’s most recently released data, new graduates earned an average base salary of $135,168 and an average signing bonus of $33,458, 97% of students received a job offer within three months post-graduation. Dig into the details with Darden’s full-time MBA Employment Report.

Cold calling and First Coffee go hand-in-hand for a top education experience inside and outside the classroom.

Darden is a school proud of its traditions and culture that unite alumni across generations. Ask anyone from any class about their first cold call, athletic exploits in pursuit of the Darden Cup or a meaningful encounter during First Coffee, to name a few. The learning experience at Darden is spontaneous yet deliberate, which means you need to be ready when your professor calls on you to share your thoughts on a case. Opportunities for serendipity extend beyond the classroom. Every morning, students, faculty and staff gather for a cup of coffee or tea. It is a place to share announcements, see your friends and meet new people. Legend has it that First Coffee started even before the first class at Darden was held in 1955. Even during a global pandemic, the Darden community finds ways to virtually connect for First Coffee and continue the tradition safely.

The bonds between faculty members and students are the strongest in graduate business education.

With top rankings of the MBA education experience (No. 1 in the U.S. for nine consecutive years, according to The Economist), faculty (No. 1 for three consecutive years, according to The Princeton Review) and student rating of faculty (No. 1 for three consecutive years, according to The Economist), the bonds between students and faculty at Darden are strong. Just hear what students say about P&Q’s 2019 MBA Professor the Year and one of the Best 40 Under 40 Professors, Lalin Anik, regarding their relationship with this beloved professor.

Student leadership is at the heart of the education experience at Darden.

Student self-governance, leadership roles across numerous student organizations, and opportunities to work alongside faculty and staff on critical projects ensure the diverse voices of students are always taken into account. A collaborative culture of caring makes Darden a special place where relationships matter and classmates cheer on each other’s successes. Leadership at Darden is committed to strengthening the community through empowering students’ diverse and global experiences. Listen to what Alexander, Alexandra and Chawit share about learning to be true leaders at Darden.

Darden added an ‘unofficial’ mascot to the community in 2020.

The official mascot of the University of Virginia is the Cavalier and the community also refers to itself as “the Wahoos.” However, Darden has an unofficial mascot of its own, welcomed in 2020: Lawnie. The young pup resides with Dean Beardsley at his home on the Lawn of the University of Virginia. A golden retriever and honorary student, Lawnie has brought a lot of joy to the Darden community during the unprecedented months of change brought about by the global pandemic. To learn more about the steps taken by Darden since early in the pandemic, we invite you to read this P&Q story. Bonus: the article includes a photo of Lawnie as a puppy!