File under: Essential listening. Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke chats about the innovations for this year’s application, including essay optionality, the continuation of the test waiver pilot, and an update to the number of required recommendations. Dawna also shares her favorite tips and advice for Darden applicants, including the importance of approaching the application process with joy, excitement and pride in your accomplishments.

DeMario Moore (Class of 2022) and Jen Bundy (Class of 2022) are the newly elected Darden Student Association (DSA) President and Executive Vice President. We chat with DeMario and Jen about their background, how they decided to pursue an MBA and what led them to Darden. They also share more about drew them to DSA leadership as well as their vision for the DSA in the year ahead. We also discuss their best advice for prospective students, and why everyone should have a folder in their inbox title “Greatness.”

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the third installment of our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Dennie Kim. We talk with Kim about his background growing up in New York City, how he knew he wanted to be a teacher, what attracted him to healthcare and how COVID-19 has highlighted challenges and inequities in the US healthcare system. Kim also shares his advice for MBA students considering a career in healthcare.

This year, UVA Darden has three Consortium co-liaisons – Chisom Omenyinma (Class of 2022), Rafael “Rafa” Rivera (Class of 2022) and Sarah Rumps (Class of 2022). We talk with Chisom, Rafa and Sarah about how they decided to pursue an MBA, what attracted them to the Consortium liaison role and what their goals are for the year ahead. We also find time for a few time management tips, TV recommendations and, of course, pieces of advice for incoming Darden MBA students.