North America

Collaboration and teamwork are hallmarks of the Darden experience. Below are just a few examples of how experiential learning translates into meaningful opportunities to collaborate in teams with impact.

• Case methodology of instruction
• Area focus elective courses
• Industry focus elective courses
• Consulting Darden Business Projects
• Global Experiential Opportunities include Darden Worldwide Courses, Global Client Projects and Exchange Programs

Darden Student Association

The Darden Student Association (DSA) seeks to strengthen the fabric of the Darden Community; working to ensure that each student can realize their fullest Darden experience. The DSA represents Darden on the University Honor Committee, the University Judiciary Committee, the University Student Council, and the Graduate and Professional Council, and supports student groups including career clubs, affinity groups, and intramural sports. DSA seeks to represent all students of the residential MBA program.

Darden Military Association

The Darden Military Association (DMA) exists to assist members in leveraging former and current military experiences to enhance career opportunities within the private sector, build esprit de corps and camaraderie within the Darden Community and host lively leisure events. DMA is open to all members (both current and former) of U.S. and foreign militaries, their partners and any individual who is interested in embracing leadership issues or learning about the military.

Black Business Student Association

The Black Business Student Association (BBSA) is organized and focused on bringing together the past, resent, and future Darden African-American and African Diaspora communities. In that vein BBSA develops programs that promote academic excellence, provide safe environments for the discussion of issues around race and culture, support professional development, offer a forum for social activities, and opportunities for participation in community service. 

Graduate Women in Business

The Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) is an organization that serves to empower women to be the fullest expression of themselves by creating inclusive spaces to grow authentic connections, further gender equity and forge partnerships on and off grounds.

Advisory Groups

Darden has several advisory groups which provide a forum for dialogue, feedback and proactive initiative throughout the year in effort to continuously improve the student experience through collaboration between faculty, staff and students.

Global Food Festival

Each year, one of the biggest events at Darden is the annual Global Food Festival. This event is a celebration of global cultures at Darden, and means so much more than simply sharing food. In 2024, over 600 faculty, staff, students, friends and family members gathered in Flagler Court to celebrate the rich blend of cultures represented at Darden as students showcased a delightful array of culinary creations and captivating cultural performances from their home countries.Proudly sponsored by the student-led Global Business and Culture Club, the event highlighted Darden’s commitment to global diversity with international students constituting approximately one-third of the student body.

Venture Capital Conference

The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management has hosted Annual University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference (UVAVCC) on since 2024. The 2025 conference will feature market commentary from NVCA about trends in the Venture Capital industry. Panel sessions will cover topics such as Investing in AI and Opportunities in FinTech. New for 2025 will be workshops on Protecting Innovation & IP as well as an Introduction to Angel Investing. 

Partner Institutions

Darden has partnerships with numerious U.S.-based external organizations that offer resources and support to prospective MBA students. A short list of partnerships include the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, which is an independent and merit-based scholarship and fellowship program at the University of Virginia that annually awards the Jefferson Fellowships, the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, the Forté Foundation, Reaching Out MBA, Access MBA and others.

MBA Tour

Darden is regularly represented at MBA Tour events in North America, including in major metropolitan cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C. and more. Meeting with prospective students in-person and online is a key way to get to know more about the Darden School at a distance before planning your own visit to Charlottesville.

Alumni Networking and Faculty Visits

Darden faculty and senior leadership regularly take trips to South Asia, recently including Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. From leadership in the Dean's Staff to tenured faculty like Ed Freeman, Darden has shown up in the region for impact small and large. Opportunities to connect have ranged from small gathering coffee chats to case presentations led by faculty with a mix of alumni and prospective student audiences. Meeting with prospective students in-person and online is a key way to get to know more about the Darden School at a distance.

Darden School Foundation

The Darden School Foundation, an independent and nonprofit organization established in 1952, offers merit-based scholarships. These scholarships support students from around the world, enabling them to excel at Darden as students and beyond.

Merit Scholarships

Darden has a robust portfolio of merit scholarships. Consideration for merit scholarships takes place during the admissions process after your complete application has been submitted. No additional application is required. A variety of metrics and factors including academic ability, professional and personal achievements and potential to contribute to the community are considered.

Company Sponsorship

Darden welcomes employer-sponsored students from all industries and backgrounds. When student is sponsored, it acknowledges the student’s leadership, the time commitment the program requires and — most importantly — the significant value that the MBA provides for student and stakeholder(s) alike. Many companies have sponsorship programs to send students abroad for a degree.