Dan Lantz

Second Year Darden student Dan Lantz (Class of 2020) was an active undergrad at UVA. Lantz was involved in varsity lacrosse, Army ROTC and the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Though his path to the Army was always a clear one, he knew he’d have important decisions to make when it came to choosing a master’s program. Darden’s emphasis on developing a holistic set of management skills was especially appealing to Lantz, who is currently pursuing his MBA. 

Q: What did you do after graduating from UVA?  

A: I served as an active duty Army Infantry Officer for five years.  

Q: When you were a fourth year, were you considering an MBA or graduate program? 

A: I always knew I wanted some kind of advanced degree, but wasn’t sure what it would be. I had no idea what an MBA was at that time. It wasn’t until I was four years into the Army, working 60-plus-hour weeks, that I started applying and studying for the GMAT. Things would have been quite a bit easier had I set that course earlier.  

Q: What made you return to school for your MBA? 

A: After looking into different degree programs, an MBA seemed to offer the most flexibility and the most diverse career opportunities. I was at a natural transition point in my Army career to come back to school. Continuing on a leadership trajectory was a priority, but I also wanted to build technical skills and gain access to jobs that I would not have had right out of the military.  

Q: Why Darden? 

A: Admittedly, Darden was not on my radar when I started thinking about applying to business schools. Once I had made a trip back to Charlottesville, I realized how special this place is. There is so much more to this town than the few blocks off Rugby or the Corner where I spent most of my undergrad experience. Nearly a decade after I first stepped on Grounds as a first year, I’m still discovering new places, new people and new experiences.  

Q: Advice to UVA undergrads?

A: The most valuable assets that you will walk away from this University with are the people you meet and the relationships you make. UVA alumni, on average, tend to have a soft spot for Charlottesville and fellow Hoos. Get to know your classmates and professors. These are the people you will invariably lean on as you progress in your career.  

If an MBA is something you’re even remotely considering, make the most of your time as an undergrad. Study for the GMAT, get as much experience as you can developing leadership in the community. You'll never have more time in your career.