UPDATE: This article was originally posted on January 27, 2020. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With its unique case study method and coursework that includes classes on cutting-edge topics such as analytics and machine learning, Darden is at the top of the list for candidates seeking to build successful careers in the modern economy.
However, after the school announced a STEM-eligible MBA specialization, competition to join Darden’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Darden interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview mock sequences to ensure you give your Darden interview your best shot.
How the Darden interview works
Making sure you shine during your Darden interview is no easy task.
Darden interviews are totally blind, meaning that the interviewer will not have had access to your essays or GMAT/GRE score.
During the interview, the interviewer is trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the Darden program, and if you are truly a good fit for Darden’s case study methodology.
If you are an Early Action applicant, you can schedule an interview without invitation during the Open Interview Period. This period takes place from August to September.
Source: Darden’s website
Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test just how collaborative you really are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions.
Our clients who have interviewed with Darden in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. Though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything.
Who will interview you?
Most of our clients have interviewed with a member of Darden’s admissions committee. However, it is possible that you will interview with a student. You can choose to interview on campus or online. The school states that no preference will be given to those who interview on campus.
Will the interviewer have read my application?
No. The Darden interview is blind, meaning your interviewer will not have had access to your essays, GMAT/GRE scores, university grades, or letters of recommendation.
As such, if you want to repeat some of the stories you used in your application, you can do so.
How long will the Darden interview last?
Usually the Darden interview usually lasts 30-45 minutes.
Who is Darden looking for?
Source: @dardenmba on Instagram
“Darden’s rigorous, purpose-driven education simulates the performance pressures of modern business, developing innovative leaders who not only navigate change — they spark it.” Darden Admissions
Every year, Darden selects a group of outstanding professionals to join its annual class of around 350 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Darden student, yet the average admitted student in the Class of 2025 had an average GMAT score of 716, a GRE of 321, and an average of 5.9 years of work experience.
Source: Darden’s website
Beyond the impressive scores, though, Darden is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT/GRE and university grades), Darden seeks candidates who influence classmates to become better people, cheer on others to achieve success, and genuinely care about others.
How can you prepare for your Darden interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, Darden interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Darden interviews.
SAMPLE DARDEN INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Darden interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview.
*Though Darden has traditionally had candidates run through a very long initial presentation, which includes questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why MBA,” and “Why Darden,” candidates who have recently completed the interview at Darden have stated that this format was not used*
STARTING UP QUESTIONS
- Tell me about yourself.
- Expect follow-up questions like Why did you choose your university? or Why did you choose to work in X industry?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- What are your backup plans in case your goals aren’t achievable?
- Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
- Why do you want an MBA?
- Why now?
- Why Darden?
- What other schools have you applied for? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
- What will you contribute to Darden?
- Have you visited campus? Spoken with alumni?
- Do you have any connections in Charlottesville?
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
- Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
- Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation
- At Darden, how would you handle a situation in which a member of your learning team was not contributing?
- What is your leadership style? Please give me an example.
- Tell me a leader you admire.
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- Tell me an example of when things didn’t work out as you planned.
- Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
- Tell me about a time you took a risk.
- Tell me about a time you helped someone achieve something.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
CLOSING
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you? / Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
- Questions for me?
We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.
We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview.
Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Darden, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”
The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop to interview success. Click to join!
If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the UVA Darden interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile.
What to do if you get a question you weren’t prepared for
Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared.
First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!
Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation.
If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation.
Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you.
Make sure you get into UVA Darden
You have stressed about every aspect of your MBA application, and now you are ready for your interview! With the right preparation, this can be your chance to shine and get a highly-coveted spot at an elite business school.
However, maybe you don’t know where to start in preparing, or maybe you tend to ramble on and lose focus during interviews. Maybe you’ve even downloaded sample questions and written out your answers. The problem is, when you try to apply these templates to your own story, it doesn’t quite work.
Our interview prep focuses on helping you determine how to present yourself during your MBA interview while using appropriate, impact-driven language without being artificial, or worse, robotic.
That’s the approach we used with our client Andre, who was admitted to UVA Darden. In his words:
“I had the opportunity to count on Ellin’s help during my entire MBA application process, which was the best decision I could have made, as it led to me being accepted Round 2 at my first choice school, Darden.
I think what helped me the most was her work in helping me find the school that “fit” my profile the best. Since the beginning, she made it clear for me which schools were a good match for me, and her ability to help me express myself in a clearer and more effective way was crucial to my success.
I had an excellent experience with Ellin and her work is unique in the consulting market. The clients she accepts for consulting have a huge advantage.”
Our individual approach is why 98.9% of our clients secure admissions to at least one of their target schools.
Want to put the Ellin Lolis advantage to work for you? Schedule your interview preparation with our team of interview experts today!
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
