(by Dave Hendrick for Darden Graduate School of Business)
In light of the disruption stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business has added additional flexibility for students applying for admission to the full-time MBA program for the Class of 2022.
Beginning immediately, the Darden School will transition to rolling admissions through 15 July 2020 for the final round of full-time MBA admissions. The application will remain open until this date to enable applicants to submit missing elements of their application. Additionally, given the suspension of standardized testing at many locations around the globe, the School will consider an expanded set of testing credentials, including undergraduate entrance exams.
“Our message to prospective students is one of caring and flexibility,” said Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke. “We know how stressful applying to business school can be in the best of times; in a time of unprecedented disruption, we stand ready to work with applicants to make this process as flexible as possible.”
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received, and students with completed applications should seek to submit materials by the original Round 3 deadline of 6 April.
For applicants considering Darden’s Executive MBA program, the School will continue to accept applications for the Executive MBA Class of 2022 through the end of June. The Future Year Scholars Program, Darden’s deferred admission program for top undergraduate students, has added an additional application deadline of 1 June. This is in addition to the existing 6 April and 1 August deadlines.
The Darden School already accepts multiple standardized tests, and will now accept undergraduate university entrance exam scores for consideration as part of the School’s longstanding holistic admissions process. If a prospective student has not taken the GMAT, GRE, LSAT or MCAT exams, the School now encourages Round 3 applicants to submit SAT, ACT or country-specific university entrance exam scores.
Additionally, applicants are encouraged to document all alternative evidence of strong academic merit and ability to thrive in Darden’s purposefully intense education experience. In addition to undergraduate GPA, the School’s Admissions Committee will consider the following examples of academic merit: certification programs, CPA, CFA and post-baccalaureate relevant coursework, among others.
If test centers reopen in the near future, applicants may submit a test score up until 15 July.
The school will also provide additional flexibility and time for writers of recommendations.
Applicants with a nearly complete application who may be missing a final element of the completed package are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The Admissions Committee will begin evaluating incomplete evaluations immediately, and hold final decisions until all requirements are submitted.
“These steps are compatible with the School’s holistic admissions process and enable us to show pragmatism, flexibility and compassion for our applicants while upholding our standards of demonstrated strong academic merit,” said Clarke.
All Round 3 interviews will be conducted via video, enabling the Admissions Committee to meet prospective students virtually while practicing safe social distancing.
The coronavirus pandemic has spawned a host of unforeseen questions and circumstances, and applicants are encouraged to email or schedule a conversation with an Admissions Committee member for with any additional questions or concerns.
The Admissions Committee will host an application tips webinar on Wednesday, April 15. Register here to join.
Considering UVA Darden for your MBA? Contact Natalie, Darden alumna, to learn more about her experience and the admissions process.
