How are my chances at Darden?

Non-target state school - can't rely on school name Bachelor - Accounting - 3.2 GPA Master - Accounting - 3.25 GPA CPA GMAT - 720 Big 4 Advisory (3 years) - Performance Improvement - Performed process improvement and system implementation engagements; heavy regulatory remediation in the early years My only so-called extracurricular - Leader of a local church ministry - similar experiences in undergrad

I obviously want to go to the best school possible, but I specifically want to know what my chances are for Darden. My sister lives in that town, and this keeps me relatively close to my family/gf so this would be an ideal location for me.

So how does my profile compare, and more importantly... how can I improve? Thank you all for your input.

11 Comments
 
Best Response

You have a shot albeit not a great one is say maybe 25%. Your GPA is low and it's not in engineering/physics or a well known school. Not the kiss of death, but not a plus either. GMAT is fine, well within range. Your work experience is decidedly meh, have you been promoted? The schools are well aware the difference between advisory and consulting, so that is another minus. ECs are ok, but nothing to write home about.

The issue with your profile is you don't stand out. Your GPA, GMAT and ECs are all in line to maybe a little below average. The work experience is the same thing, although I'd say below average. To stand out retake the GMAT if you can crack a 750 or get a promotion or move into a cool client role.

 

I'd guess your chance of getting into Darden or a comparable b-school (ex. UCLA , USC, Michigan, NYU) is quite high. I'd recommend applying to at least 3 schools however. Business school admissions are very unpredictable.

 
"masterg"

I'd guess your chance of getting into Darden or a comparable b-school (ex. UCLA , USC, Michigan, NYU) is quite high. I'd recommend applying to at least 3 schools however. Business school admissions are very unpredictable.

lmao must be a Marshall grad; haven't seen a single person ever place USC on the same tier as Darden/Stern/Ross. Very sly...

 

Ea sequi pariatur nemo quo facilis fugiat. Officia dicta voluptas qui et. Molestiae maiores optio a praesentium sint incidunt sequi. Rerum itaque architecto nostrum autem reprehenderit facere voluptatem aut.

Aspernatur possimus rerum enim. Quasi dicta deserunt corporis. Rerum laudantium accusamus laborum voluptatibus eos quasi omnis. Est expedita blanditiis vitae laborum. Sit eum fugiat quam voluptate repellendus facilis sit. Numquam exercitationem et voluptas culpa impedit sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”