Below you will find a list of companies that hired Darden graduates from the Class of 2012. You can also view the list of hiring companies by region or learn more about Darden’s recruiting opportunities around the world.

Answer: The GEMBA format includes both in-person international residencies and distance learning. The residencies occur at various locations around the world and the distance learning happens weekly. Students are categorized as full-time students, but are able to work full time while they earn their MBA. The program duration is 21 months.

Question: How does the visa application work for those living internationally?

Answer: The visas are a bit unusual because you are a student living in your home country, but you are required to travel for certain periods for classes. Some students try for a traditional F-1 that requires refiling for every residency period. A tourist visa may work because of the shortened time period and it meets the criteria. The University of Virginia’s international student center will work with you to see which visa is going to work best for you and meet the requirements for the state departments.

Question: How long is each international residency?

Answer: The international residencies currently last for two weeks. You will travel to six different locations throughout the course of two years.

Question: I was wondering if you know about when the dates will be released for Fall 2013 application deadlines and campus visits for the full-time MBA?

Answer: We have not set our application deadline yet. Those dates should come out this summer, usually late June. For class and campus visits, check back on our website periodically for updates. We’ll post our fall dates in late summer.

Question: What is the best day of the week to visit UVA Darden?

Answer: Monday – Thursday; there are very few classes on Fridays and you definitely should sit in on a class.

Question:  Can you elaborate a little about the July Fridays’ visiting program?

Answer:  I recommend Fridays in July for those who want to visit during a more relaxed time of year where you simply are learning more about the school. We will list dates and registration links on the Admissions Events web page soon.

]]> http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2013/05/15/admissions-qa-global-executive-mba-class-visits-next-years-application-cycle/feed/ 0 http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2013/05/14/the-role-of-water-in-business-and-sustainability/ http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2013/05/14/the-role-of-water-in-business-and-sustainability/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 15:56:13 +0000 Fareine Benz http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/?p=3004 Darden offers over 15 elective courses that solely or partially focus on sustainability and ethical leadership/decision-making. Three of these courses are tailored towards MBA students interested in learning more about how water impacts global business and sustainability around the world.

• Global Economies of Water: This cross-disciplinary course, debuting in the spring of 2014, will focus on sustainability through the lens of water and economics. Students will learn how globalization interacts with water availability, how water usage interlocks with sustainable development, how water can be managed more efficiently and if there is a role for water markets in business.
• Sustainable Innovation and Enterpreneurship: This course provides students with practical information on the growing frontier of innovation and entrepreneurial activity at the nexus of business and natural systems. Last fall, Professor Andy Larson invited Jon Freedman, global leader in government relations for GE Power and Water, and Francesca McCann, managing director for Global Water Strategies, to speak to the class about the state of the world’s water supply, future technologies that could increase water availability around the world, and opportunities to invest in water stocks and water-focused companies.
• Business and Sustainability: This course provides students with a comprehensive conceptual and applied understanding of the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing corporations on a global scale with primary emphasis on environmental sustainability. Students in the class explore the effectiveness of for-profit and non-profit partnerships in support of global sustainability, focusing on the progress made through the World Wildlife Fund and Coca-Cola in restoring several of the world’s most important river basins.

Learn more about these courses by reading the full article: “New Darden Classes, Cases and Connections Immerse MBA Students in H2O,” or visit the Darden Sustainability website to learn about sustainability courses, events, career opportunities and more in the MBA program.

Learn more about Darden’s Diversity 365 initiative by visiting our website.

To participate in this weekly chat, simply enter the chat room on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. (ET).

Question: Are all MBA for Executives applicants required to have 7 years of experience?

Answer: Typical EMBA candidates have over 10 years of professional experience, but we do consider people with less experience. Last year’s incoming class had an age range of 27 – 54. We look at applications on a case-by-case basis and would want to see everything else in your application before we can make a final decision.

Question: What should I focus on in my EMBA application if I have less than 7 years of experience?

Answer: Let us know as much as possible about your leadership and management experiences.

Question: Would you advise me to apply before the 15 May deadline as opposed to the last deadline on 15 June?  Is there a significant difference?

Answer: The earlier you can apply, the better.  I know the EMBA class is filling up.  There are also spaces available for our GEMBA class.

In the video below, Paco Contreras (MBA ‘03 ), director of product marketing at Microsoft Corporation, gives advice to students who are interested in pursuing a career in technology:

Advice to MBA Students Interested in Tech Careers

Interested in technology at Darden? Visit our Academic Specialty Areas webpage and click on the “Technology” tab to learn more about technology-related opportunities and to access a list of Darden Alumni Ambassadors who currently work in the technology industry.

You can also learn more about the job search process for students interested in careers in technology by watching MBA Career Search at Darden: Technology & West Coast Recruiting.

Admissions decisions for all Darden Round 3 applicants will be released on Wednesday, 8 May. You can view your official decision by logging into your Darden application status page.

Waitlisted? Watch Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions Sara Neher’s video blog from March 2012 for good advice on actions to take if you are placed on the waitlist.

Not Admitted? Darden welcomes students to reapply in the 2013-14 application season. You can request a feedback appointment beginning in June to discuss your application with a member of the admissions committee and receive advice on how to improve your candidacy to the Darden School. We will update the Darden Admissions & MBA Blog with additional information on how to request a feedback appointment later this month.

All prospective students are welcome to attend the following events:

• Friday, 10 May, 1:00p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Darden Global Economic Forum (open to the public)
• Friday, 10 May, 5:00p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Admissions/Alumni Networking Reception (please register)
• Saturday, 11 May, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: GEMBA Class Visit, Round Table and Lunch (please register)

Darden’s Global Leadership Forum will take place in conjunction with the Global MBA for Executives (GEMBA) Class of 2014 residency in China.

Darden’s executive MBA students earn the same degree as the full-time MBA students, and all are taught through the case method by the same top-ranked faculty. The difference is in the format — using a combination of in-person residencies and distance learning courses, GEMBA and EMBA’s flexible schedule enables students to earn their MBA degree in 21 months while they work full time. Learn more about GEMBA’s international residencies and EMBA’s monthly weekend residencies on our website.

Whether you’re interested in obtaining a promotion in your current company, switching careers or starting a new business, Darden’s executive MBA formats can help you advance your career.

For additional information on the EMBA and GEMBA formats of the Darden MBA, contact ExecMBA@darden.virginia.edu.

]]> http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2013/05/01/earn-a-darden-mba-while-you-work-full-time/feed/ 0 http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2013/04/25/what-to-do-around-charlottesville/ http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2013/04/25/what-to-do-around-charlottesville/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:15:37 +0000 Fareine Benz http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/?p=2975 In today’s post, members of the First Year Student Admissions Committee recommend their favorite spots in and around Charlottesville. Whether it’s dining out, wine tasting, attending concerts, hiking or touring historical landmarks, there is never a shortage of things to do in Charlottesville.

	“My favorite bars are Michael’s Bistro, The Virginian, and SkyBar. My favorite places to grab something to eat are definitely Mas, Citizen Burger Bar, Revolutionary Soup, MotoPhoCo, and Bellair Market.”- Katie Koopman
	“There is excellent Italian place at the Downtown Mall called Bella’s, or you could check out a tapas restaurant, Mas. On the other hand, a game of golf at Birdwood Golf Course is just 5 minutes from Darden.”- Djordie Minic
	“One word…Wineries! (King Family, Trump, Blenheim in particular). Also, there are tons of parks for families and Carter Mountain Orchard is a great local spot right near Monticello.”- Matt Sullivan
	“There are some great outdoors activities here: hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, walking the Saunders-Monticello trail, picnicking or reading in the UVa gardens. In the summer, I love to head to the Pavilion on the Downtown Mall for the weekly “Fridays After Five” free concerts.”- Colleen Arthur
	“For a bite to eat, I’d recommend Citizen Burger, Positively 4th, Blue Moon Diner, or Mono Loco. For a weekend activity, my favorite thing to do is run on the Rivanna Trail and then grab a few drinks a SkyBar later that night.”- Kat Baronowski
	“I like to study at Greenberry’s Café. When it comes time for brunch, check out Blue Grass Grill or West Main. And, as a former New Yorker, I like to admire my closet space.”- Angie Alam
	“Check out Taste of China for some authentic Chinese food. I love to go apple picking, too.”- Yue Zhu
	“Grabbing lunch or dinner with friends at Feast, Continental Divide or Ten is one of my favorite things to do.”- Allie Czerepak
	“I love biking or walking the Rivanna Trail and salsa-dancing at Escafe.”- Tayo Shodiya
	“There is great live music at the Jefferson Theater and some great wineries in the area (Pippin Hill and Veritas especially).”- Emily Yee
	“I have to go with the food: Feast Market, Revolution Soup, Positively 4th, Ivy Inn, Ace Biscuit and Barbeque, Belmont BBQ.”- Jon Payne
	“I love close/quick hikes at Ivy Creek Natural Area, hitting up Cville Coffee, getting Arch’s gooey brownie froyo topping, visiting Castle Hill for some hard cider, and learning some history at Monticello.  For places to eat, definitely check out THE FLAT!!! (crepe shack on the Downtown Mall), The Virginian (mac and cheese!), Boylan and Citizen Burger (homemade veggie burgers!), and The Southern (live music).”- Genie Ko
	“Taking advantage of living in central Virginia: Carter Mountain Orchard, Skyline Drive, and Blue Ridge Mountains hiking.”- Scott Poitevent
	“Go eat at Royal Indian. It is the best Indian food I’ve eaten in the US and I’ve lived here for 9 years and tried more than 100 Indian restaurants.”- Rohan Poojara
	“Taking a drive out to Crozet to Crozet Pizza (amazing Pizza) and relaxing by the lake at Mint Springs Valley Park.”- Bryan Furman

Learn more about Charlottesville and the surrounding area on the Darden website.