Essay 1
What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? 
Word Limit: 100 words
Tips: 
When writing your Darden essay, imagine you’re talking to your future classmates not the Admissions Committee. Keep the tone friendly, real, and grounded. This isn’t the place to rehash your resume. Instead, highlight a personal trait that doesn’t show up in your LinkedIn headline maybe you stay calm when things fall apart, bring humor to tense moments, or quietly lift your team’s energy. Pick one quality that truly defines how you show up in a group, then back it up with a real story. Don’t say you’re collaborative show us that late-night deadline scramble where you carried the team without needing credit. Then tie it back to Darden. How will that trait play out in their classrooms, learning teams, or clubs? Finally, keep it tight. One story. One reflection. One clear insight. And for the love of all things real no brochure-speak. Just honest, human storytelling that makes people say, “I’d want this person on my team.”
 

Essay 2
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.
Word Limit: 300 words
Tips: 
Let’s get one thing straight Darden doesn’t want a diversity essay full of nice beliefs and vague intentions. They want to see what you’ve actually done to create inclusion at work, in school, or in your community. Think beyond the basics. Diversity isn’t just race or gender. It’s also about background, culture, age, values, even how people think. That gives you way more room to tell a story that’s real and personal. Start with the actions you’ve taken moments where you stood up, made space for someone, or challenged bias when it was easier to stay silent. Then shift to Darden: how will you bring that same energy there? Be specific. Which club would you join? What kind of events would you run? How will you make someone else feel seen? Also, don’t forget the “why.” What shaped your view on inclusion? Why does this matter to you beyond the essay prompt? Finally aim for balance. Roughly half your word count should cover your past actions, the other half should lay out your future plans at Darden. No fluff. Just a clear story of someone who doesn’t just say the right thing they do it.
 

Essay 3
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?
Word Limit: 200 words
Tips: 
Start with the “why.” Not the job title the story. What moment lit the fire for the career path you’re chasing? Give the reader a reason to care by showing what drives you on a personal level. Then get clear on your long-term goal not just “VC partner” or “C-suite,” but the impact you want to create. What shift do you want to spark in your industry or community? After that, lock in your short-term plan. What role, in what kind of company, right after the MBA will get you moving toward that bigger vision? Be specific. Think: function, industry, size, mission whatever makes your plan feel real, not recycled. Connect the dots between short and long-term: what skills, exposure, or networks will you gain in step one that make step two possible? And if space allows, say why Darden. Don’t list five random features focus on how the case method, leadership edge, or their career team ties into your plan. Bottom line: this isn’t a laundry list. It’s a clear, honest roadmap from why it matters to how you’ll make it happen.

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