It’s no secret that Darden graduates have bright futures, and Paul Clancy (Class of 2026) is pursuing a dual degree from UVA School of Medicine and UVA Darden to go up a few more watts. Read about his academic journey below!
Name: Paul Clancy
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Program/Graduation: MD/MBA 2026
Year: First Year (FY)
Hometown: South Lyon, MI
What did you do before Darden?
After graduating from Michigan State University in 2021, I went straight to UVA Medical School where I completed the first 3 years before coming to Darden. I guess you could say I’m a professional student!
Why dual-degree?/Why Darden?
Not only is Darden a world class education, but what impressed me most was the exceptional culture and sense of community abundant at Darden. Every time I stepped onto grounds the acceptance and welcome I felt was palpable. The Darden MBA will not only give me access to a vast alumni network and incredible resources, but I will learn business knowledge and concepts that I would be sorely lacking with just my MD.
What has been the highlight of your Darden experience so far?
Our first week of classes was crowned off with our first Darden Cup event, and it was great to see my fellow Section D classmates (Go Dragons!) put an amazing effort on the field. The sense of teamwork and inter-section rivalry was a really fun time — the Dragons are coming for the Cup this year!
What advice do you have for students who are considering a dual degree with Darden?
Despite my obvious love for Darden, a dual degree is a big decision. As I grappled with the decision to apply, talking to the admissions team (shoutout Merav!) and current students was really helpful and provided some much-needed clarity. It was also helpful to consider what future career paths I might follow, and what resources/abilities Darden could provide to help me achieve my goals.
What do you plan to do when you graduate?
While I’m going to pursue my residency in anesthesiology immediately after I graduate, I plan to use my Darden MBA later in my career in a combination of medical leadership/management and entrepreneurship. With all that Darden offers, the opportunities are endless and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
