UVA Darden / Duke Fuqua / Stern

Any alumni from these schools that can share their experiences?

Ultimately my goal is to go MBB, all 3 firms recruit from these schools. I know NYU is more of a banking school though. Darden seems to have a great consulting group to join.

Just wanted some insight into the programs from an insider’s perspective if anybody out there has something to add.

I haven’t actually applied yet, likely applying “Early action” or first round 2022 for 2023 school year, full time.

Thanks

 

I am applying for Darden/Duke in 2022 as well for Early Action. Aiming for Consulting/Tech. Currently studying for the GMAT. I am leaning towards Darden because of my low GPA in undergrad, and as they are a friendly school for veterans. Darden also has a high ROI compared to some of the top programs, given their low cost. 

Good article from couple of days ago from P&Q on top employers. Darden is on page 4.

https://poetsandquants.com/2021/07/18/top-mba-employers-at-24-leading-u-s-business-schools/

I will let the alumni share their perspective on the program. Interested as well.

 

First off, thanks for your service brother.

And yeah I’m actually leaning towards Darden as my number one pick rn, (I also am lacking on the gpa side I have a 3.21 undergrad)

Not sure what your profile or gpa actually are but I’m figuring I have to clear at least 730 on the gmat for Darden given my gpa and have a less traditional background.

Check out their consulting program focus it looks awesome.

They also seem to be the most conservative of the 3 schools and have a good culture where I’d fit in well.

 

Thanks for the support mate!

I am close to your GPA. 3.16 - non-target terrible school, went for finance. 

1 year in Ops think of (think: MS/GS/JPM).

2 years in Finance in aerospace/defense (think: Lockheed/Raytheon/Northrop/Boeing)

and about to transition to tier 2 consulting. 

6 years in Army Guard. Will be 26 when I apply. 

Hoping to get 700-710 at a minimum to go for EA. 730 for Round 1. Since I have heard that EAs have higher chance of being accepted, lower chance of scholarship as the school knows they are your top choice. Duke would be my second choice as they are also lenient on GPA.

 

Darden alum here. Fantastic experience. MBB are consistently top employers and looking at the stats that just came out for the Class of 2021, McKinsey and BCG were the top two employers for the entire class (https://news.darden.virginia.edu/2021/09/27/historic-highs-in-salaries-…). I didn't do consulting but had plenty of friends who did. What do you want to know?

 

That's awesome, congrats on that man. How would you describe the overall culture at darden? What're the personalities generally like of the class there or at least when you were there? Also, how intellectual is the environment? I'm an outgoing conservative type of guy with a very intellectual mind that enjoys critical thinking, theory, and collaborating with others. Definitely a true consultant at heart. And just overall anything you'd like to add about your experience. Appreciate it !

 
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How would you describe the overall culture at Darden? What're the personalities generally like of the class there or at least when you were there?

It's a very work hard / play hard culture. Darden's reputation is that it's an academic grind and it lives up to that reputation, provided that you buy into it - and nearly everyone does. The faculty do a great job early on of emphasizing coming to class prepared and so at least first year, most people come to class having read all three cases (one for each class that day). It means you might actually learn something in business school and not just have a two-year vacation (gasp)! Obviously this is the only MBA program I've attended but judging from the others I visited when I was applying (including H/W/S, Kellogg, Booth, and Tuck), first-year students at Darden come to class much better prepared and have a much better classroom experience than in any comparable program. That said, it's a very collaborative environment. There are of course exceptions to the rule but in general, Darden students are not sharp-elbowed and try to help their classmates learn, get better at recruiting, etc. When recruiting season rolls around, people were really good at working together to drill technicals or practice cases or whatever else. The learning team is not unique to Darden but is definitely a feature of the culture and is one of many tools the school puts to use early to try to instill this culture of preparedness and collaboration into the student body. Despite the fact that your MBA grades don't matter in most cases for recruiting, Darden students still get pretty stressed about grades, in large part because of this culture.

Also, how intellectual is the environment? I'm an outgoing conservative type of guy with a very intellectual mind that enjoys critical thinking, theory, and collaborating with others.

I don't think any MBA program is all that intellectual. Most students are there to have some fun, get a job, and get paid. Since Darden is 100% case method, there's theory taught but it's through practical application. There's plenty of critical thinking that goes along with that but you really have to be comfortable with case method and talking through things out loud. It can be very polarizing. People who aren't outgoing really don't like the amount of emphasis that is placed on class participation.

I assume when you say you're a conservative-type of guy you mean in terms of politics? Darden is likely one of the more conservative schools within the T15 but it has students from every end of the political spectrum. Mostly, politics stayed out of things, but there was a conversation that was starting while I was there about how to make the school more welcoming to diverse students etc. That said, one black student in my class once observed to me "It's tough to make this place more welcoming when it looks like a plantation." Take that for what you will. Conversations about diversity, race, privilege, etc. are happening on every campus everywhere in America. It may be happening a little more at Darden because of the Unite the Right rally and resulting violence in Charlottesville, which really shook many parts of the community.

And just overall anything you'd like to add about your experience.

It was great. I actually learned a lot (the faculty is the best group of in-classroom instructors I've experienced anywhere) and the case method really worked for me. I made some great friends. I got the job that I wanted on the other side. Charlottesville is a great place to spend a couple of years if you like college towns and enjoy hiking and drinking at vineyards as two of your primary leisure activities. I could have gone to an M7 school and paid full price but at the end of the day, Darden threw a ton of scholarship money at me (full disclosure) and I thought that everything about the school seemed great, I'd rather not have huge loans hanging over my head, and I could probably still get the job I wanted even without the vaunted WSO-perceived prestige of going to HWS. I would make the same decision today if I had the chance to do it over.

 

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