The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is thrilled to announce that the 2024–25 Future Year Scholars Program (FYSP) application is live!
With a first deadline set for April 2025, we hope this post will help you plan ahead and organize your application materials. But first things first, some context:
WHAT IS THE FUTURE YEAR SCHOLARS PROGRAM?
Darden’s deferred enrollment program offers exceptional undergraduate students the opportunity to gain admission to a top MBA program before entering the workforce. Future Year Scholars are incredibly dedicated to and passionate about their futures, and they are better prepared to excel in the case method classroom environment after gaining work experience.
Prospective Future Year Scholars must complete two to five years of work experience before returning to Darden to begin the MBA, which means that Scholars admitted in this cycle will likely be members of the Classes of 2028–2033!
AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
There is a short window of eligibility for the FYSP application: bachelor’s degree students in their final year of study and masters students that have not held full-time work positions may apply. This applies to students who will graduate between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY?
There are two deadlines for the FYSP: Round 1 is 7 April 2025 (12 June decision release) and Round 2 is 4 August 2025 (1 September decision release). Plan to apply when you feel you can put together your strongest application.
There is no advantage to applying to one round instead of the other in the eyes of the Admissions Committee. All applications will be reviewed equitably. However, you might want to consider the following scenarios:
If you are an undergraduate student graduating in the spring of 2025 and you apply in Round 1, you will know if you are accepted to the FYSP quickly following graduation. If you wait to apply in Round 2, you likely won’t be trying to manage school work and the application at the same time. Most applications for the program are submitted in Round 1.
Additionally, there is a waitlist process for Round 1 applicants, potentially giving you time to strengthen your application over the summer, while there is no waitlist process in Round 2.
It’s up to you!
WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED TO SUBMIT TO APPLY?
The FYSP application is considered complete once you have submitted a standardized test score, resume, transcript, essay and two letters of recommendation. Start thinking about who you might want to ask to be your recommenders!
WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
- Schedule a FYSP coffee chat with Darden Admissions to ask any questions you may have
- Attend a class visit On Grounds in Charlottesville or virtual event
- Start an application here
