Darden Graduate School of Business Administration

University of Virginia-Main Campus, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration History

University of Virginia, founded in 1819, is a public, coeducational institution. The 3500-acre campus is located in a small town 120 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 20,397.

The Darden Graduate School of Business Administration was founded in 1954 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. The basic educational approach is built around the case method of instruction. The Darden Experience involves daily, discussion-based learning in which students are active collaborators in their business education. The program also involves a firm grounding in principled behavior. Students take on the challenge of integrating ethical business decision-making.

University of Virginia-Main Campus, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration Academics

The Darden offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA for Executives) as well as a doctoral program in finance, marketing, operations management, and ethics, and a joint degree in business and law (MBA/JD); in East Asian studies, government, foreign affairs, and public administration (MBA/MA); in engineering (MBA/ME); and in nursing (MBA/MSN); and an MBA/PhD in 4 years. Other programs include cross-registration with the School of Law, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; foreign exchange with 16 countries; summer internships; and joint research with faculty at other institutions. The strongest areas of study are consulting, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, and marketing and ethics. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus including Darden’s 50th Anniversary Speaker Series. Faculty and student clubs also host visiting speakers each semester.

Required courses include:

• Accounting for Managers
• Business Ethics
• Decision Analysis
• Financial Management and Policies
• Global Economics and Markets
• Leading Organizations
• Management Communication
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Strategic Thinking and Action

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 2 years; maximum, varies.

There are 67 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 97% hold a doctorate; there are 25 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 55.

University of Virginia-Main Campus, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The business library is particularly strong in all areas of business. Students have access to a number of standard databases and networks including ABI/Inform Global, Career Search, Business Index ASAP, LexisNexis Academic, Lexis/Nexis Statistical, EconLit, Source OECD, Stat-USA, Forrester Research, and Factiva. All Darden students have access to University of Virginia’s 14 libraries, including the main library and the University of Virginia Alderman Library.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of over 120 databases available for business and general research, network connections for laptops available at over 1,000 locations, wireless networking available for UVA/Darden affiliated members, 21 computer workstations, and a Bloomberg workstation.

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the most recent graduating class was $95,706. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include personalized career counseling, starting with self-assessment and covering all aspects o a job search; a comprehensive web site dedicated to all phases of career planning, including job and resume posting service; network connections; and special events, including semi-annual Career Transitions Workshops for alumni who are thinking about or are in the midst of a career change as well as workshops to assist those returning to the workforce. Placement is available through Career Services Center. Ninety-four percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a Student Health Form and record of immunization, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. There are several two-year, merit-based scholarships available to international students. Some are specific to a region.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long plus exam days. Graduate programs are offered during the day only and weekends.

University of Virginia-Main Campus, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 1823; 741 were accepted; 335 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.27; average GMAT score was 677. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited through the Lead Summer Business Institute, Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, Black Business Student Forum, Darden African Business Organization, Hispanic American Network@Darden, National Black MBA, National Hispanic MBA, Consortium Receptions,Darden Receptions, and a “Discover Darden” event.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $140, 2 letters of recommendation, and 4 essays; interview required. Students are notified of the admissions decision 6 to 8 weeks after submission of the completed application. Check with Darden Admissions at www.dard. For application deadlines.

University of Virginia-Main Campus, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration Financial Aid

About 73% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $34,514 annually; maximum $80,000. Stipends and programs available for minority students include corporate minority and consortium fellowships. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, the previous year’s tax return, and the Darden Scholarship Application are required. April 28 is requested deadline for need-based grant consideration and application of Federal loans on titution bill mailed in July.

On-campus room and board costs approximately $9459; books and supplies, $2577; personal expenses, $4464, for an estimated annual total of $51,000 for in-state residents and $56,000 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in limited on-campus accommodations, but off-campus housing is plentiful and comparable in cost and varies in style. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Virginia-Main Campus, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 99% have had an average of 61 months of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from th Mid-Atlantic states (44%). Twenty-six percent are women, 14% are minorities, and 27% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 22 to 40. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 18% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 33%, business; 19%, engineering; 17%, social sciences; 16%, economics; 8%, liberal arts; and 4%, math and science. In 2006, 303 graduate business degrees were awarded.