UVA Darden School of Business Future Year Scholars Program

Darden’s Future Year Scholars Program was developed to encourage students to consider an MBA earlier in their lives while giving them the freedom to explore career options and position the MBA as a step in constructing their professional path. Future Year Scholars report choosing the program to have greater flexibility while, simultaneously, preparing more pointedly for their MBA experience.

Students who graduate between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 are eligible to apply in Spring/Summer 2024 (even if they begin full-time employment after their graduation). Students who are in a full-time master’s program who have not held a full-time work position and will graduate during this time are also eligible to apply.

Students admitted to the Future Year Scholars Program come from a wide range of academic backgrounds and embark on a broad gamut of professional pursuits in their first years of work. Among the Darden Future Year Scholars currently in their deferment period, two-thirds come from non-business backgrounds and are engaged in roles from consulting to non-profit work. During the deferment period, students admitted to the program can avail themselves of resources at Darden including a mentor and career services; no job offer or decision on deferment length is required at admission.

UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Application Process

Applicants to the deferred program follow broadly the same application process as the UVA Darden full-time MBA applicants.

UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Essay Questions:

• Community Of Belonging: What Would You Want Your Classmates To Know About You That Is Not On Your Resume? (100 Words)
• Inclusive Leadership: Please Describe A Tangible Example That Illuminates Your Experience Promoting An Inclusive Environment And What You Would Bring To Creating A Welcoming, Global Community At Darden. (300 Words)
• Careers With Purpose: At This Time How Would You Describe Your Short-Term, Post-MBA Goal In Terms Of Industry, Function, Geography, Company Size And/Or Mission And How Does It Align With The Long-Term Vision You Have For Your Career? (200 Words)

If you need help with your Future Year Scholars program essays, read Personal MBA Coach’s tips on how to tackle the full-time UVA Darden essays, which have the same prompts.

If you are looking for deferred MBA program consulting, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our Deferred MBA Packages.