We recently shared an update about plans for the start of school with our Executive MBA admitted students, and we wanted to provide some of the key takeaways for prospective Executive MBA students considering our last application deadline — 25 June — to join the Class of 2022 enrolling this August.
View UVA President Jim Ryan’s recent update about University plans.
Darden’s Executive MBA program has one remaining application deadline: 25 June. If you plan to apply during this final round, view Director of Admissions Brett Twitty’s recent App Tips webinar for insights about our Executive MBA application process.
Start of School Update
Orientation (16 August), and LR 1 (17-21 August) will be delivered virtually for all students. Consistent with President Ryan’s and Dean Beardsley’s messages about plans for the fall, we anticipate moving to some in-person instruction in Quarter 1 (September/October), with hybrid and virtual options available.
COVID-19 remains an evolving situation, and your health and safety are our top priorities. Any student who wishes to remain studying virtually will continue to have that option, even as we introduce in-person classes.
Decision-Making Process
Executive MBA faculty and staff spent the last two months evaluating potential models for Leadership Residency 1 and Quarter 1. The group considered in-person and virtual options, weighing a host of factors that would prioritize health and safety and provide students with an exceptional start to their MBA journey at Darden. This extensive analysis also incorporated UVA’s latest guidance around group size, COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, social distancing and mask wearing.
There are a number of unique considerations for our Executive MBA program as a working professional program based in the Washington, D.C., area.
We felt it was important to pursue an approach that provides a sense of shared enterprise and common academic experience across the student cohort as students take their first steps in the program.
We know from past experience how important it is for students to feel like they are part of a whole at this early juncture, and this principle guided our decision-making as we charted plans for the start of school.
Social and Co-Curricular Activities
We know students are eager to meet each other in-person, and we will find ways to build community over the summer and into the fall. .
We also know students were looking forward to spending time in Charlottesville during the inaugural Leadership Residency, and we will ensure there are opportunities to enjoy this experience as soon as it is safe to do so. Leadership Residency 2 (April 2022), the program’s concluding weeklong academic activity, also takes place in Charlottesville.
Darden is committed to providing students with a world-class educational experience — whether in-person or virtually — but like any successful endeavor, this requires a partnership across many stakeholders including faculty, staff and, most importantly, students. This spirit of collective enterprise has always been a key Darden value, but perhaps never more relevant than in this moment.
Have questions? Our Executive MBA Admissions team is here to help — ExecMBA@darden.virginia.edu. No question too small!
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