In January 2026, Darden School of Business is hosting 13 MBA-related events, comprising 7 virtual events and 6 in-person events. The month’s programming is balanced between application-focused virtual sessions and in-person opportunities that allow prospective students to engage directly with the Darden community through campus visits, coffee chats, and alumni networking.
Virtual Events
The virtual events focus primarily on application guidance and academic engagement. These include Full-Time MBA Ask Us Anything sessions on 6 January and 30 January, offering small-group forums to clarify application questions and understand the Darden experience. Application support is further reinforced through the Round 2 App Deadline Drop-In webinar on 6 January, and Full-Time MBA Overview sessions on 12 January and 27 January, designed for candidates early in the process. Faculty engagement is highlighted through Office Hours with Doug Thomas on 16 January, providing insight into teaching and the case method, while Full-Time MBA Virtual Chat with Student Leaders on 23 January offers a student-led perspective on life at Darden.
Related Research: Darden MBA Salary Trends vs. M7 Salary Trends vs Top 20 MBA Salary Trends
Essay Editing - Consult with Atul Jose (Essay Specialist, F1GMAT)
The skills that a writer/editor brings to the table are different from what a former admissions officer or a consultant who has limited writing skills brings
Review Skills # Writing Skills
Movie Critics # Movie Directors
For any questions about the service, email me, Atul Jose, at editor@f1gmat.com
As F1GMAT’s Lead Consultant and Essay Specialist, I will help you structure the essay by:
1) Incorporating your Personal Brand
I will help you find unique life experiences that would differentiate you from the highly competitive Darden MBA application pool.
2) Including Storytelling elements
I have developed a keen sense of storytelling from over a decade and a half of editing essays and writing essay examples for F1GMAT’s Essay Guides.
The skills that a writer/editor brings to the table are different from what a former admissions officer or a consultant who has limited writing skills brings
Review Skills # Writing Skills
Movie Critics # Movie Directors
It is easy to comment, but it is tough to structure the essay from the perspective of the applicant and turn the essay into a winning application essay.
3) Aligning with the Culture of the School
A big part of editing and guiding applicants is in educating them about the culture of the school
Some schools have very ‘specific’ traits that they are looking for in an applicant.
If you don’t highlight them and lean towards general leadership or cultural narratives, the essay won’t work.
I will guide you through the writing process.
I will also iteratively edit the essays without losing your original voice.
In-Person Events
The in-person events emphasize on-campus and regional engagement. Friday Chat and Tour sessions take place on 9 January, 16 January, and 23 January, each combining a small-group discussion with a campus tour led by the admissions team.
Download F1GMAT's Darden MBA Essay Guide
Essay 1: Community of Belonging: What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)
Essay 2: Inclusive Impact: 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)
Essay 3: 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)
Related Download: F1GMAT's Darden MBA Essay Guide
Darden also hosts Full-Time MBA Coffee Chats on 6 January in Lagos and 9 January in Hyderabad, allowing prospective students to connect informally with admissions representatives. The month concludes with Darden Alumni Networking on 22 January in Singapore, bringing together prospective applicants, alumni, and faculty for community-focused networking.
Recommended Read
| Date | Event | Description | Type of Event | Register |
06-Jan-26 | Full-Time Ask Us Anything | Prospective students can join this small-group, in-person session with a Darden Admissions Committee member to ask questions about the Full-Time MBA application, learn about the Darden experience, and network with fellow applicants. | Virtual |
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06-Jan-26 | [In-Person] Darden Full-Time MBA Coffee Chat: Lagos | Prospective MBA students can join admission representative from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business for an informal discussion in Lagos. This session offers insights into the Darden experience, including its emphasis on experiential learning, a close-knit community, and lasting professional relationships. | In-Person |
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06-Jan-26 | [Webinar] Round 2 App Deadline Drop-In | Prospective students can join this virtual drop-in webinar with Darden Admissions for last-minute guidance ahead of the Round 2 deadline. The flexible Q&A session offers applicants the opportunity to ask questions, hear common concerns, and receive tips on strengthening their application before submission. | Virtual |
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09-Jan-26 | Friday Chat and Tour | Prospective students can join Merav Frazier from the Admissions Committee for a small group chat and campus tour at Darden, gaining insights into the application process and the case method learning style. | In-Person |
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09-Jan-26 | [In-Person] Darden Full-Time MBA Coffee Chat: Hyderabad | Prospective MBA students can join admission representative from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business for an informal discussion in Hyderabad. This session offers insights into the Darden experience, including its emphasis on experiential learning, a close-knit community, and lasting professional relationships. | In-Person |
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12-Jan-26 | Full-Time MBA Overview | Prospective students can join this session to receive an overview of Darden’s Full-Time MBA Program, followed by a brief Q&A. It is designed for those who are early in their application process. | Virtual |
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16-Jan-26 | 'Office Hours' with Doug Thomas, Presented by Darden Ideas to Action | Prospective students can join this virtual office hours session with Professor Doug Thomas to learn about his background, teaching approach, and use of the case method at Darden. The session will also feature insights from his supply chain research and industry experience, followed by an interactive Q&A. | Virtual |
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16-Jan-26 | Friday Chat and Tour | Prospective students can join Merav Frazier from the Admissions Committee for a small group chat and campus tour at Darden, gaining insights into the application process and the case method learning style. | In-Person |
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22-Jan-26 | [In-Person] Darden Alumni Networking: Singapore | Prospective students can attend this in-person networking event in Singapore to connect with Darden alumni and faculty. Hosted by Assistant Professor Michael Albert, the informal gathering offers an opportunity to engage with the Darden community and learn more about the MBA experience in a relaxed setting. | In-Person |
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23-Jan-26 | Full-Time MBA Virtual Chat with Student Leaders | Prospective students are invited to join members of Darden’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) chapter for an informal Q&A session to learn about the case method and explore whether Darden is the right fit. | Virtual |
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23-Jan-26 | Friday Chat and Tour | Prospective students can join Merav Frazier from the Admissions Committee for a small group chat and campus tour at Darden, gaining insights into the application process and the case method learning style. | In-Person |
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27-Jan-26 | Full-Time MBA Overview | Prospective students can join this session to receive an overview of Darden’s Full-Time MBA Program, followed by a brief Q&A. It is designed for those who are early in their application process. | Virtual |
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30-Jan-26 | Full-Time MBA Ask Us Anything | Prospective students can join this small-group, in-person session with a Darden Admissions Committee member to ask questions about the Full-Time MBA application, learn about the Darden experience, and network with fellow applicants. | Virtual |
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