University of Virginia Darden MBA Mock Interview
Practice 30 Darden MBA interview questions covering case method, leadership, and fit for the world's top case-based program.
Question 5 of 30
Describe an undergraduate experience that helped shape you.
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Karrie Day is a certified career coach and strategist with a passion for helping her clients define and reach their professional goals. She offers career advancement services such as brand development, resume writing and critiques, job search strategies,
There is one thing you can count on during a UVA Darden MBA program interview. They want to know your story. Candidates report being asked about their childhood, undergrad programs, and professional background. The admissions committee wants to get to know you by learning about your journey. They want to know why you made the decisions you made and how the path you took shaped you. Specifically, this question helps your interviewer learn more about you and your behavior as it pertains to an educational setting.
Karrie Day is a certified career coach and strategist with a passion for helping her clients define and reach their professional goals. She offers career advancement services such as brand development, resume writing and critiques, job search strategies,
Your answer to this question can go in a number of acceptable directions. The goal is simply to share a story that demonstrates your ability to grow. Your ability to change and adapt in an educational setting speaks directly to your ability to thrive at UVA Darden. Consider discussing any of the following:
- A challenge you overcame
- Cultural growth
- A powerful experience with a faculty member
- A class you loved
- Learning to stay balanced in a stressful setting
Karrie Day is a certified career coach and strategist with a passion for helping her clients define and reach their professional goals. She offers career advancement services such as brand development, resume writing and critiques, job search strategies,
"I was an officer in a professional development group specific to my major during my junior and senior years. We invited alumni and representatives from large enterprises to speak to our group and help prepare us for our next steps. Working with these individuals helped me gain insight into my various career path options and what it would be like to be a part of the culture of the companies I was interested in.
I was struggling to decide if I wanted o become a consultant or if I wanted to work to support the operations of a specific company. Each of the paths has pros and cons and it was difficult to gain the insight I needed. Several alumni and company representatives offered their time and advice on the subject. They helped me to become more clear about what I wanted professionally and what types of working environment would best support my working style. Their advice helped steer me to the right path for me and I will always be grateful to them for their service. As a result, I have taken opportunities to pay it forward. I regularly mentor undergrad students through my company's internship program and I am excited to have similar opportunities to work with the talented individuals here at UVA Darden to help shape my next path forward."
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