The University of Virginia Darden of School of Business’ Future Year Scholars Program application is officially live for the 2025–26 cycle!
The Future Year Scholars Program (FYSP) is Darden’s deferred enrollment MBA program. If you are admitted to the program, you will work two to five years in your chosen field before coming to Darden to complete your MBA.
This is a great chance for young, business-minded professionals to explore their interests and take risks in their early career with the guarantee of furthering their education at a top U.S. business school.
And did we mention it is free to apply to the FYSP? There is no application fee!
FYSP Eligibility
Darden’s deferred enrollment program is designed for bachelor’s degree students in their final year of study and full-time master’s students without full-time work experience. Those who graduate between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026 are invited to apply, even if they begin full-time employment after graduation. 
FYSP Application Deadlines
There are two FYSP application deadlines during the 2025–26 cycle. Please apply to whichever one makes the most sense to your timeline — applications will be weighed equally in both rounds!
- 22 April 2026
- 15 July 2026
Application Materials
The following elements are required for the FYSP application:
- Transcripts for all degree-related coursework (unofficial is fine for the application; you must submit official transcripts before matriculation)
- Standardized test score
- Resume
- Two recommendations
- Short answer questions
View details about each application section on our “Application Guidelines” webpage.
Next Steps
To learn more about the Darden MBA and the FYSP, visit our website.
There are members of the Darden Admissions team who are dedicated to the FYSP. If you’ve done your own research and would like to speak to a member of our team, schedule a chat here.
Ready to apply? Head to the “Application Management” webpage.
