We’re quickly approaching the 1 March deadline for Darden’s Full-Time MBA Round 3, and there are two more deadlines (1 April and 1 May) to submit your application and be considered for admission to the incoming Class of 2025! Darden recently announced rolling application review and decision release for Round 3 applicants. View the new schedule for Round 3 on our webpage.
A major perk to the new Round 3 “mini-deadlines”: The sooner applicants submit, the sooner they’ll receive a decision!
Today, we are tackling a few commonly asked questions we’ve been hearing from applicants about our final admissions deadlines.
- Is Round 3 too late to apply?
- Nope! We are very intentional about how we bring together the next class of Darden students, and we always ensure space for Round 3 candidates. If you are an international student, we especially recommend applying in the 1 March or 1 April deadlines due to visa considerations.
- Is there a benefit to applying at an earlier date (March vs May)?
- We want you to feel great about your application, so don’t rush to submit! Submit as soon as you feel confident with your total application package. It’s true that we will continue to fill the class during the three Round 3 deadlines, so it is likely to get increasingly competitive as we get closer to the end of the admissions cycle.
- Are there still scholarships available?
- Yes! However, as with all of our rounds, the merit scholarship process is competitive and there is no guarantee of an award. That said, we do anticipate being able to make merit scholarship awards in Round 3. For all merit-based scholarships, there is nothing extra you will need to do — the scholarship committee reviews all applications with merit eligibility in mind.
- What if I’m not sure about applying in Round 3 vs the next cycle?
- That’s a bit of a personal question, but we understand the dilemma! The MBA landscape is a constantly-evolving one, and if you are at a place in your professional growth where you are ready to see what a two-year MBA program (and the best alumni network around, in our humble opinion) can do for you, you may want to apply now to join the students in the Class of 2025, who will start class this August.
- If you’re not quite sure, you may want to consider applying now and going through the process as a test run. We will re-open our application for the Class of 2026 in late summer/early fall, and we often see reapplicants from Round 3 in those early rounds. They’ve had a unique chance to reflect on their goals and have been through the application process once already. We value our reapplicants!
- Are you still accepting test waivers?
- Indeed! We understand that a standardized test can be a barrier to applying, and is one of the most intimidating parts of the MBA application. To learn more about standardized test waivers, check out our application guidelines and FAQs on our web page for lots more details about what makes someone more likely to be granted a waiver, as well as how that can impact scholarship consideration.
- Are there any application fee waivers available?
- View the full list of eligible fee waivers on our FAQs webpage. Peace Corps, Teach for America, military service members, African citizens living in Africa and participants of partner organizations like Admit.Me, MLT MBA Prep and Forté MBALaunch members are a few of the most commonly awarded fee waivers. If you qualify for a fee waiver, it will be automatically applied to your application — no code required!
Interested in connecting with a member of the Admissions team?
Virtual Coffee Chats
We will offer virtual coffee chats through our 1 May deadline. These events are an easy way to ask questions about the admissions process and connect with other prospective students who are in a similar place in their business school journey. View coffee chat availability.
Admissions Workshops
Join a member of the Admissions Committee for an interactive application workshop. These events will help you gain insights into specific components of the application, such as demonstrating academic readiness, reviewing sample applications and diving into Round 3 with Q&A opportunities.
23 February | Register
Academic Readiness: Building Your Case Through the Application
9 March | Register
MBA Application Review Process: Take a Turn as AdCom
22 March | Register
Strategies for Approaching the Round 3 Application
13 April | Register
Strategies for Approaching the Round 3 Application
