We often tell prospective Full-Time MBA candidates that you can’t fully capture the magic of the Darden MBA until you visit us on Grounds in Charlottesville. Our social channels and website paint a wonderful digital picture, but the picturesque environment at the University of Virginia (framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains) is truly special in person.
You’re invited to visit us on Grounds during any step on your Darden MBA journey, and we are excited to announce several ways to get to know our community this fall! We will continue to host virtual programming as well, because we know that not everyone is able to visit in person.
As a reminder, here are the 2025–26 Full-Time MBA application deadlines:
- Early Action: 4 September 2025
- Round 1: 1 October 2025
- Round 2: 7 January 2026
- Round 3: 1 April 2026
In-Person Admissions Engagements
There are three formal opportunities for prospective Full-Time MBA candidates to visit Darden on Grounds, all of which are eligible for an application fee waiver.
1. MBA Class Visit
The Darden MBA classroom utilizes the case method learning style. Instead of a lecture-based class, Darden professors lead students through a problem-solving discussion based on a business case. Before each class, Darden students meet with their learning teams to prepare the next day’s case.
When you attend an MBA Class Visit, you’ll be paired with a student host and have the opportunity to see the case method unfold firsthand! Listen as current MBA students share various perspectives and ideas, watch them get cold-called and use teamwork to arrive at a business decision.
After your class visit, Darden Admissions Committee members will be available during Second Coffee from 11:15 a.m. to noon to speak with you about any questions you may have about your experience and your Darden journey.
Schedule an MBA Class Visit here.
2. Friday Chat and Tour
A complement or alternative to the MBA Class Visit, Friday Chat and Tour events offer time with admissions committee members and a tour of Darden’s Grounds. Your day will start with a small group conversation with your fellow tour participants and admissions experts. Use this time to ask questions about the application, the classroom experience, Charlottesville or anything else that is on your mind.
The second half of the morning will consist of a tour — this is your chance to explore the facilities, get a feel for the campus environment and hear firsthand what it’s like to be part of the Darden community. Please note that since Full-Time MBA classes run Monday through Thursday, no class visits are offered on Fridays.
If you’re in town for the weekend, we recommend checking out one of the 400+ restaurants, 100+ hiking trails and nightly live music events in the Charlottesville area!
Register for a Friday Chat and Tour here.
3. Day With Darden
Join us on Grounds for Day With Darden, a two-day event for serious prospective students! On Sunday evening, you’ll attend a student panel and dinner with current MBA students, followed by a complementary one-night stay at the Forum Hotel.
The next morning, you will attend a class visit alongside a student host, hear directly from the Admissions Committee during an application insights panel, eat lunch with current students, learn about the high-touch support provided by the Career Center and explore our beautiful Grounds on a guided tour.
Check out the Day With Darden calendar and register for an event here.
Application Fee Waivers
There are many chances to receive an application fee waiver in the 2025–26 cycle (a $250 value), including attending one of the three admissions-sponsored events above. Following the event, your application fee waiver will be applied automatically, and you will receive an email confirmation that the fee waiver has been applied.
If you are unable to join us for one of these events and still wish to visit, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate drop-in appointments.
