Dear Sara,

I am planning to apply to Darden in Round1 this year for the Fall 2009 intake. My questions is:
I have worked in a major petrochemical company for 19 months. Though I loved the job I had to quit it because I was diagnosed with allergy to some chemicals. I'm really apprehensive about writing this reason in my application. Would a health problem considered as a negative in an application?

Dear Sara,

Thank you so much for taking time to answer our queries. I absolutely love the resources that Darden has to offer to its students.

I am applying to Darden in Round1 this year for the Fall 2009 intake. My questions are:

1. I will have 3+ years of work full-time experience in developing trading software for one of the top hedge funds in the world. In addition to this, I have 18 months of internship experience from four different companies. Will my internship experience add weight to my application to Darden?

2. I understand that you will be visiting India in December. Will the admission committee schedule an interview with me during that time, if I am shortlisted? If it is not possible for me to interview with you at that time then what are the alternatives?

Looking forward to your response.

Warm regards,
Ashwanth

Hi Sara,

Thanks for reply.

My school in India does not follow a GPA system, so how do I enter the International GPA in the application form.

thanks a lot

Dear Sara,

Thanks for taking time out to guide we all MBA aspirants.

1)I hav complete my graduation in 5 & 1/2 years in second class ,so my academics are not so good .
2) So will Darden School of Business allow such candidate to get admissin with such academics?

Thanks & Regards,
Sachin

Hi Sara ,
I believe that you are doing great .....

I am planning to go for MBA after 4+ yrs of working .I have done production enngineering from University of Mumbai, India & then joined Godrej as production planning and control engineer . Currently I am working with an organization leader in consulting .. as SAP Production planning and control consultant .
I have planned to give GMAT in Jan -2009.

Can you please update me the time line for the 1st round of application & total estimated expense for the full time course ... I will appreciate if you can advice me about my prospect of getting grant/aid for the curriculum...and I am bit tensed about the living the food expense .

Please suggest me your views , it will help me plan out the financial resources.


Thanks
Kaushik

Sara,

I had few queries:

1. I am intersted in having my own business,but before i start that i would like to work for atleast 3-4 years post MBA to get the global business exposure which will help me to deal and understand my business in a better way.
How does Darden help candidates like me who want to get into the Entrepreneurshippath after a period of time?
Do we have a specific Entrepreneurship course or do we have to take up courses amongst finance/marketing/operation etc which would help us out in those initial 3-4 yrs ?.

2. Currently i have 2.5 yrs work experience in one of the biggest IT companies in India.My acads arent too good but have a healthy work profile.i am planning to apply for 2010 batch and by then ill have 4 years of work exp with 1.5 yrs onsite experience too.
Do you think an onsite assignment leverages your profile in any way?
Do you think i would need more work experience to fit in a class which has average 5 years of work exp.I completely agree that one should apply and do MBA when he feels the need to but in case of a person like me who wants to be an entrepreneur I feel,the earlier the better.What do you suggest?

Thanks

Dear Amit,

Here you go:
1. Yes, family business experience, if full-time work experience, counts as work experience. (see above answer for if it was during school)

2. Please do not have a family member write your second recommendation. Instead look to someone else you worked with on projects at Infosys or a client/vendor of your family business.

3. I would definitely recommend that you apply now. The worst that can happen is that we tell you to reapply when you have more work experience and at least you'll have learned if you have any other weaknesses in your application (we'll tell you if you ask for feedback next summer). The best that can happen is that you'll get in and be able to come now!

Sara Neher

Yes my experience is full time. I will try to get reco from some of my client.

Thanks for your reply Sara. I will definitely apply this year Hopefully I do get through, otherwise I'd at least get pointed from you guys on areas where I can improve myself.

One more question. What does Darden expect from its prospective students ? I know this is a very broad question but would love to know what does Darden look for in general ..

Reg,
Amit

HI Sara,

I am from India, studied in an English medium primary and high school and graduated from Indian university where the medium of instruction was English.
My verbal score in GMAT was 44 and AWA 5.5.
90% of US schools including Stanford and other top schools do not require me to give TOEFL.
However, it seems that Darden requires TOEFL.
I would not like to spend additional money on TOEFL.
Can TOEFL be waived off??
thanks
saket

Darden does not require a TOEFL if you received an undergraduate degree where the medium of communication was in English. Also, you do not need a TOEFL waiver. You can just submit your application with only the GMAT. I look forward to seeing it.

Sara Neher

HI Sara,

I am from India, studied in an English medium primary and high school and graduated from Indian university where the medium of instruction was English.
My verbal score in GMAT was 44 and AWA 5.5.
90% of US schools including Stanford and other top schools do not require me to give TOEFL.
However, it seems that Darden requires TOEFL.
I would not like to spend additional money on TOEFL.
Can TOEFL be waived off??
thanks
saket

Sara,

I am 23 yrs old. I have a degree in Electrical Engg. with an overall aggregate of 78%(not sure how to convert this to GPA) from a top 15 Indian Univ. I am yet to take up the GMAT.

Work Ex: I worked as a software engineer in one of the largest Indian IT companies, Infosys tech. Ltd. for 15 months. I quit Infosys to work in my family business(Industrial Suppliers) . I have been working in it since then (11 months now).

My questions :

1) Does Darden count family business as experience?
2) I can get one letter of recommendation from my Infosys Manager. I am not sure who I should approach for my second letter. Please guide.
3) Do you suggest me to apply with the work ex I have got or should I wait for a couple more years ? Though I would like to join in the 2009 intake.

Thanks,
Amit

Dear Amit,

Here you go:
1. Yes, family business experience, if full-time work experience, counts as work experience. (see above answer for if it was during school)
2. Please do not have a family member write your second recommendation. Instead look to someone else you worked with on projects at Infosys or a client/vendor of your family business.
3. I would definitely recommend that you apply now. The worst that can happen is that we tell you to reapply when you have more work experience and at least you'll have learned if you have any other weaknesses in your application (we'll tell you if you ask for feedback next summer). The best that can happen is that you'll get in and be able to come now!

Sara Neher

Hi Sara,

I wanted to know about the tie ups that Draden has with Technology companies in the Auto and Internet/Networking space. Also, I am specifically targetting program managment roles within such companies, in your opinion do you think Draden's program would be a good support to achieve this (I am currently working in technical roles). More specifically if you have any cases where people have made shifts from technical roles to more business operational roles within the technology space and what kind of shifts have they been, and where has the Draden MBA helped them.

Thanks

As a general management school, Darden has strong relationships across the board, including companies like Google, Microsoft, and Ford. In addition, almost 90% of our students change their industry or function or both from their pre-business school work experience. You would be very well-supported for a job transition from technical work to operational work. Support begins before school even starts with pre-matriculation programs specifically designed for incoming students who are planning to make just such a transition.

Sara Neher

Hi Sara,

I am looking forward to applying for Darden for next batch. I have few questions:

1) Regarding experience: I have 82 months diversified experience in five sectors (around 22 months experience in two slots (16+6) in my family business apart from additional 60 months in different professional organizations (for which I have proof like salary, experience letter etc.). For 22 month family business, I have experience certificate from my father who is the owner of the business). For the family business exp, Will experience certificate from my father suffice for the purpose of experience proof?

2) Secondly, does having very diversified & long experience pose any hindrance post MBA specifically during Job hunt in US.

3) How has been the placement scenario for MBA students from India in the last passing out class?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks in advance.

I'm so glad you'll be applying! Working for a family business can certainly be very valuable experience. I do not need any proof of employment for your application. If admitted, we will do a background check and it sounds like your father will be able to show proof of employment for you at that time.

The most challenging thing for you (and other posters with this situation) is that you should not have a family member submit a recommendation. We must have two recommendations from non-family members. For you, that might mean someone from earlier work experience, or it could be a client of your family business. Just don't ask your father to write your recommendation.

The age range of Darden students in the first-year class is 22-34. In the past, age has not made it easier or harder to get a job. As we go into the next few years of an uncertain economy, I don't know what it will be like in the future. In the past several years, international students have gotten jobs at the same rate as domestic students (with some of each group working internationally).

Sara Neher

Dear Sara,

I had one more question. I was looking forward to attending an information session for Darden in India. But when I checked the international events schedule at the school's website, India was conspicuously missing from the list. Is it simply because that the schedule of the visiting team was too tight and they could not find suitable dates or
is Darden indifferent towards applicants from India? I have often found the information sessions of different schools useful to get a more personal feel about them.


warm regards,
kevin

Kevin,

Thanks for allowing me to clarify. We will certainly be visiting India this year. In fact, I am coming and it is my first visit. I am very excited. We are not coming until December so that we can come at the same time as our current students. We will have alumni, current students and two admissions representatives (me and Sandy Woodriff who specializes in India for our office). We have not yet finalized the dates, but expect to do so any day. We will be traveling to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore in mid-December. Keep checking our website for more information. Also, if you sign up to receive our newsletter or start an application you will be invited to the events by email.

Sara Neher

Dear Sara,

I am an international applicant form India. Is the TOEFL test waived for candidates who have done their undergraduation from a university where medium of communication was English?

regards,
kevin

Excellent - an easy question. Yes, a TOEFL is NOT required if your undergraduate degree was conducted in English. Also, you do not need a waiver. Just submit your application with the GMAT only. I look forward to it!

Sara Neher

Hi Sara,

I am looking forward to applying for Darden for next batch. I have few questions:

1) Regarding experience: I have 82 months diversified experience in five sectors (around 22 months experience in two slots (16+6) in my family business apart from additional 60 months in different professional organizations (for which I have proof like salary, experience letter etc.). For 22 month family business, I have experience certificate from my father who is the owner of the business). For the family business exp, Will experience certificate from my father suffice for the purpose of experience proof?

2) Secondly, does having very diversified & long experience pose any hindrance post MBA specifically during Job hunt in US.

3) How has been the placement scenario for MBA students from India in the last passing out class?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Sara,

I wanted to know about the tie ups that Draden has with Technology companies in the Auto and Internet/Networking space. Also, I am specifically targetting program managment roles within such companies, in your opinion do you think Draden's program would be a good support to achieve this (I am currently working in technical roles). More specifically if you have any cases where people have made shifts from technical roles to more business operational roles within the technology space and what kind of shifts have they been, and where has the Draden MBA helped them.

Thanks

Dear Sara,

I had one more question. I was looking forward to attending an information session for Darden in India. But when I checked the international events schedule at the school's website, India was conspicuously missing from the list. Is it simply because that the schedule of the visiting team was too tight and they could not find suitable dates or
is Darden indifferent towards applicants from India? I have often found the information sessions of different schools useful to get a more personal feel about them.


warm regards,
kevin

Dear Sara,

I am an international applicant form India. Is the TOEFL test waived for candidates who have done their undergraduation from a university where medium of communication was English?

regards,
kevin

Thank you very much for the first post! You have asked great questions and I will answer them separately:

1. The most important thing to think about when choosing recommenders is how well they know you and can write about your strengths and your leadership potential. We definitely want to hear from your current supervisor, so you've got that covered. For the second recommendation, definitely go with someone you have worked closely with as long as they are at least one level higher than you are. We would rather not see a peer recommendation for either of the two required essays. Also, if you had more work experience, I would expect an additional person who was a past supervisor or team leader, but in your case I think the recommender you describe would have something to add.

2. Darden does not count pre-graduation work experience as full-time work experience, so you should not include it in your count of months/years worked. However, we definitely want to hear about it. Please include it on your resume and if it was significant, or is a reason why you are applying, you can include it in an essay.

Good luck!

Sara Neher

Thanks for the prompt and lucid reply Sara.

Sara,

I am 23 yrs old. I have a degree in Electrical Engg. with an overall aggregate of 78%(not sure how to convert this to GPA) from a top 15 Indian Univ. I am yet to take up the GMAT.

Work Ex: I worked as a software engineer in one of the largest Indian IT companies, Infosys tech. Ltd. for 15 months. I quit Infosys to work in my family business(Industrial Suppliers) . I have been working in it since then (11 months now).

My questions :

1) Does Darden count family business as experience?
2) I can get one letter of recommendation from my Infosys Manager. I am not sure who I should approach for my second letter. Please guide.
3) Do you suggest me to apply with the work ex I have got or should I wait for a couple more years ? Though I would like to join in the 2009 intake.

Thanks,
Amit

Hi, Sara

I just wanted to know specific criteria required to get admission in Ahoy Darden School ,please guide me.&
How much near about financial aid required for it.





Thanks & Regards,
Sachin Deshmukh

Dear Sachin,

We offer many types of financial aid, including scholarships and loan packages. The best place to learn more is our website. Here is the link to the financial aid page:


Financial Aid Home

Sara Neher

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/19786-pagalguy-com-exclusive-interview-darden.html



1. If a person who is working in a rural IT start up firm and taking manager responsibility in less experience. Does he MATTER or NOT?. Does his rural experience counts in your selection process or not?

2. As you said,

May I know which will be given more stress during selection, FAMILIARITY OF WORK EXPERIENCE or THE KIND OF WORK EXPERIENCE the person has gone through?

Thank you for your time taken:happy:

Thank you for your post. Darden has no preference for urban vs. rural work - both can be extremely valuable experiences that will add to our classroom experience. We are definitely looking at the quality of the experience. If you are concerned that we might not be familiar with your company or type of work, you should ask your recommenders to also help explain it to us. The most important quality I am looking for is leadership, and it can be found in many places in an application. I look forward to learning more about it.

Sara Neher

Hi Sara,

Thanks for taking out time to help prospective students with their applications.
I am in the process of finalizing my essays. My brief profile is 750/3.5(Engineering from top 10)/2 years work ex/Finance. I have two questions for you.

1) Darden asks for two recommendations. I am a young career applicant and will have only 26 months of Post Bachelors work ex by September 09. Till now, I have worked under an assistant manager who has consented to recommend me. Since I do not have any other direct supervisor, can I ask for recommendation from a manager from another service line who has worked with me on a corporate social responsibility initiative and has seen me lead a group of 200 volunteers?

2) Does Darden count pre-graduation full time work ex too? Before going to college I worked for 1 year on my family business and would like the admission committee to know about this too.

Thank you very much for the first post! You have asked great questions and I will answer them separately:

1. The most important thing to think about when choosing recommenders is how well they know you and can write about your strengths and your leadership potential. We definitely want to hear from your current supervisor, so you've got that covered. For the second recommendation, definitely go with someone you have worked closely with as long as they are at least one level higher than you are. We would rather not see a peer recommendation for either of the two required essays. Also, if you had more work experience, I would expect an additional person who was a past supervisor or team leader, but in your case I think the recommender you describe would have something to add.

2. Darden does not count pre-graduation work experience as full-time work experience, so you should not include it in your count of months/years worked. However, we definitely want to hear about it. Please include it on your resume and if it was significant, or is a reason why you are applying, you can include it in an essay.

Good luck!

Sara Neher

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/19786-pagalguy-com-exclusive-interview-darden.html

How much does the brand name of the company where the applicant has worked matter to Darden? Do you value big-name company work experience more?

Top tier work experience and rapid career progression are important, as indicated above. Big-name companies
often offer more opportunities for high quality work experience, especially outside of the home country, but are not the only option. Also, we are very familiar with the type of work done at larger companies. Applicants with non-traditional paths should expect to explain their work experience more thoroughly.

1. If a person who is working in a rural IT start up firm and taking manager responsibility in less experience. Does he MATTER or NOT?. Does his rural experience counts in your selection process or not?

2. As you said,

we are very familiar with the type of work done at larger companies.

May I know which will be given more stress during selection, FAMILIARITY OF WORK EXPERIENCE or THE KIND OF WORK EXPERIENCE the person has gone through?

Thank you for your time taken:happy:

Hi, Sara

I just wanted to know specific criteria required to get admission in Ahoy Darden School ,please guide me.&
How much near about financial aid required for it.





Thanks & Regards,
Sachin Deshmukh

Hi Sara,

Thanks for taking out time to help prospective students with their applications.
I am in the process of finalizing my essays. My brief profile is 750/3.5(Engineering from top 10)/2 years work ex/Finance. I have two questions for you.

1) Darden asks for two recommendations. I am a young career applicant and will have only 26 months of Post Bachelors work ex by September 09. Till now, I have worked under an assistant manager who has consented to recommend me. Since I do not have any other direct supervisor, can I ask for recommendation from a manager from another service line who has worked with me on a corporate social responsibility initiative and has seen me lead a group of 200 volunteers?

2) Does Darden count pre-graduation full time work ex too? Before going to college I worked for 1 year on my family business and would like the admission committee to know about this too.