University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business

At the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, you’ll find world-class master teachers — arguably the best collection of teaching talent of any business school. The University of Virginia was founded in Charlottesville by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, and Darden was later established in 1955. The school’s mission is to improve the world by inspiring responsible leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences.

Darden’s MBA is a true student-centered experience, with a collaborative environment intended to instill deep learning experience and emotional engagement with peers and faculty. Darden’s main campus in Charlottesville is home to the Full-Time MBA program, with most of their degree programs at UVA Darden DC Metro in Arlington, Virginia.

Academics & Programs

Darden has an enrollment of 352 full-time MBAs in this year’s Class of 2025 – with deliberately small class sizes to make sure the students receive personalized attention. The Darden educational experience, named the best education experience in the U.S. by The Economist for ten years in a row, is best described as high-engagement learning with deliberate yet spontaneous collaborative experiences.

Every class, students analyze ambiguous situations, devising strategies and confronting alternative perspectives, learning about new industries and functions, and absorbing the best practices, from transforming cultures to entering markets to building technology infrastructures.

Make no mistake about it, not only is the program highly engaging but it’s also intensive, sometimes called “high touch, high tone, high octane.” Darden’s first year is equatable to boot camp – they throw more work at MBA students than most other schools by far. In contrast to a lecture-based approach to education, Darden class time is spent discussing an array of case studies regarding actual business problems and potential solutions, all in an environment of mutual support. Darden attracts students who want to be active participants in their education, not passive bystanders.

In the first three quarters of their first year, all Darden students take the same core curriculum, earning a solid foundation in global business and leadership. Beginning the fourth quarter of the first year and throughout the second year, students can customize their experience by choosing from a wide range of elective courses as they explore new ideas and focus on potential specializations. All full-time MBA students take an internship between the first and second year.

The program is ideal for students who don’t wish to limit themselves to a specific concentration but still want the opportunity to specialize. Darden’s curriculum offers a rock-solid foundation with near endless customization on top, meaning students can explore different facets of business without being pegged to just one discipline.

Darden’s application features a series of short essays related to the School’s core values, including questions related to diversity and inclusion, leadership and collaboration. Uniquely, applicants can choose their preferred essays.

Outside of the Darden classroom, students have ample opportunities for growth and networking. They offer more than 100 clubs and organizations where students can hold leadership positions each year to put their skills to the test. Engaging with the global workforce is critical to the Darden experience, and every full-time MBA can take one Darden Worldwide Course and receive a scholarship covering all or most of the program fee. Also, the school’s Global Consulting Projects involve small teams of students in providing consulting services to an international company while working closely with Darden faculty.

Darden students graduate prepared for a lifetime of meaningful work, and recent classes have set records for compensation while starting new careers at top companies.

“Darden did a fantastic job not only preparing us academically but also in pushing us to realize the full value of our most important and most limited resource – time. The nature of the program is such that you must prioritize where to balance schoolwork, networking, and recruiting to do all of them successfully. As any leader can attest, learning where and when to say no – where and when to confirm your priorities – is a crucial skill. Darden facilitates learning that skill in a way that has prepared me to successfully set priorities in my own life now beyond school. Additionally, Darden’s focus on conscientious leadership is, in my opinion, such a critical feature of the curriculum, as the world’s problems have become increasingly complex with implications for human lives at the end of every decision,” says past MBA Tre Tennyson.

Why Students Chose Darden

“I could spend all day talking about this – the school’s unique installations, impressive average post-MBA salary, student-led initiatives, and Charlottesville. I’ll highlight the community, which embraced me from day one. Embarking on a career transition as an international student, I knew the journey wouldn’t be easy and really wanted to have that support network. Also, I sought a place where my wife would feel as welcome as myself – and, for all that, I couldn’t have chosen somewhere better than Darden.” Fernando Matheus Duarte Casarotti (‘24)

“One of the key aspects as I was choosing a business school was a close-knit community. I felt that I would be best able to foster deep connections with my classmates away from a busy city where folks could disappear to on the weekends. Charlottesville would provide a certain level of seclusion for our cohort while also offering numerous vineyards and breweries, scenic views, and plenty of other options for stress relief.” Alyssa Tulabut (‘24)

“Darden’s commitment to creating transformational experiences for its students was important. Darden allows every student to participate in one Darden Worldwide Course (international trek) at no additional fee through its new Batten Foundation Darden Worldwide Scholarship program. This opportunity was very attractive to me given my prior background at a global institution and goal to become an international business leader. Additionally, this commitment was evident during my conversations with current students and alumni. Darden’s heightened focus on its community through events such as the Darden Cup, First Coffee, and support for student-driven organizations leads to strong relationships, unforgettable memories, and enhanced personal growth for its community members.” Devin Waddell (‘24)

“I chose my undergraduate and graduate programs based on the same criterion: a phenomenal education experience. The Economist has ranked Darden #1 for Education Experience ten years in a row. High median starting salaries (and therefore traditional school rankings) weren’t a factor in my decision-making process because they largely don’t apply to the sectors I am most interested in: international development and education. Instead, the primary factors in my decision-making process were: 1) ample opportunity for faculty mentorship; 2) ample opportunity for academic crossover (Partnership for Leaders in Education, Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy); 3) location – can’t wait to be OUT of the city!” Else Droof (‘24)

“I was sold on Darden as soon as I heard that professors and students gather each morning for coffee together, a tradition called ‘First Coffee.’ I’m a New York City native, and love the energy, pace, and competitiveness that’s become a part of my DNA. For my MBA experience, though, I was looking for a true community filled with care and encouragement. As Corey Spera (Darden ’22) generously shared with me during my application process, ‘Don’t underestimate the power of Darden’s structures in building community.’ First Coffee is part of Darden’s larger emphasis on building supportive and transformative structures that foster togetherness. Each step of the Darden experience comes with a team – a Learning Team, a Section – that builds lasting relationships and deepens each of our experiences.” Yonah Greenstein (‘24)