UVA Darden School of Business MBA Admissions: Requirements, Deadlines, and Tips
UVA Darden Full-Time MBA application for the 2026-27 cycle: rounds, decision dates, requirements and interview format.
Application overview
The 2026-27 Darden Full-Time MBA application has six deadlines: Early Action, Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 in March, April and May 2027. Every round admits students to the class matriculating in August 2027. Early Action can be submitted as binding or non-binding. A minimum of two Admissions Committee members review each application across academics, professional experience and personal qualities. The application fee is $250, with reductions for attending qualifying Darden events and full waivers for applicants who meet specific criteria.
Application rounds
| Round | Application deadline | Interviews | Decision release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | 9 September 2026 | Limited open interviews | 28 October 2026 |
| Round 1 | 7 October 2026 | By invitation | 9 December 2026 |
| Round 2 | 7 January 2027 | By invitation | 17 March 2027 |
| Round 3 (March) | 1 March 2027 | By invitation | 2 April 2027 |
| Round 3 (April) | 1 April 2027 | By invitation | 5 May 2027 |
| Round 3 (May) | 1 May 2027 | By invitation | 28 May 2027 |
Application components
- One standardized test (GMAT previous or current edition, GRE, Executive Assessment, MCAT or LSAT) or an approved test waiver
- Unofficial transcripts for all degree-related coursework
- One recommendation (a second is optional)
- Two short answer questions, 200 words each
- Video essay: 90 seconds to answer a randomly generated question
- Resume
- Interview (required before admission)
- $250 application fee
Interview process
Interviews are required before admission and last up to 45 minutes. Interviews are anonymous: the interviewer has not read your application or resume. Admissions Committee members or Second Year students conduct them, and both carry equal weight. Early Action applicants can book open interviews from August through the end of September, first come, first served; in all other rounds interviews are by invitation after the application is reviewed. Interviews take place on Grounds, by Zoom, or in select cases off Grounds.
Key facts
- Application fee
- $250
- Tuition and fees
- $83,000-$88,240
- Total cost of attendance
- $118,196-$125,420
- English test
- Required if educated in a non-English-speaking institution
- Deferral
- Case by case
- Recommendations
- 1 required, 1 optional
Round timing
Darden states that fewer seats and less scholarship money are available with each passing deadline, and that most applicants have historically applied in Round 2. Early Action is the only round with open interview slots.