DeMario Moore, Darden’s MBA Class of 2022
Age: 29
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Central Michigan University; Finance Major
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 7 years, Consulting & Product Management
Why business school? Why now?
I’ve had sporadic moments of pursuing business school since 2017. It was a long journey of self-reflection before I aligned on giving my all to the application process. My first in-person interaction with Darden was during the Diversity Conference last year. I was blown away by the tremendous support I received from the Consortium students, and the Associate Director of Diversity Recruitment, Marc Paulo. They reassured me that I belonged at Darden even when I doubted myself.
Why UVA Darden? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Darden was my top choice for three key reasons:
Career: Darden’s global recognition for General Management is unmatched and aligns perfectly with my long-term goal of leading an organization.
Class Size: Learning in a tight-knit community is a huge competitive advantage. With a smaller class size, it is much easier to build strong connections with both faculty and students.
Experiential Learning: Darden is one of the few schools that teach 100% of its courses via the case method. This is a powerful tool that promotes deep engagement and truly enables me to refine my leadership voice.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
After spending 7 years in consulting, I have developed a strong sense of managing ambiguity while being agile to drive strategic outcomes. This foundation has allowed me to raise the bar alongside my peers during class discussions.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
My guilty pleasure is watching reality tv while indulging in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. My go-to flavor is “The Tonight Dough.”
Post-MBA career interests?
I am currently pursuing opportunities in both General Management and Technology.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely apply for Darden’s Diversity Conference during the application process again. It was amazing seeing many People of Color (POC) on campus while also learning about key initiatives for embedding inclusion into Darden’s culture.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have prioritized writing essays much earlier in the process. I was extremely stressed about editing my essays before the application deadline. The sooner you can get your story on paper, the better. Having additional time to receive and incorporate feedback is extremely beneficial.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT was my biggest obstacle during the process. Long nights, mindfulness meditation, and tutoring helped me get through it. The network I developed with other prospective students was also valuable. The struggle of beating the GMAT/GRE helped us create beautiful bonds that I will cherish forever.
What is your initial impression of UVA Darden’s students/culture/community?
I’ve lived in Charlottesville for 3.5 months and I am overjoyed by the abundance of support I’ve received from faculty, students, and the broader UVA community. Servant leadership is built into Darden’s culture and I can count on this community to uplift me. This is extremely important when juggling classes and recruiting. My jam-packed weeks are usually balanced with extracurricular activities, such as my section mate’s popup tasting for a new coffee kombucha venture.
One thing you have learned about UVA Darden that has surprised you?
I was really surprised by Darden’s strong commitment to reducing the barriers students face when building connections with one another. This became evident to me when I sat in on my first “Darden Stories” session during orientation week and learned about Humans of Darden, an initiative focused on leveraging vulnerability to build deeper, genuine relationships amongst students. Witnessing my cohort courageously share their personal stories in a safe space was truly inspiring.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious about being the first class to navigate the full-time MBA experience in a hybrid learning environment. There are many challenges to overcome and a greater emphasis on mental health resources is needed to ensure the success of my class.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am incredibly excited about partnering with my classmates to compete in case competitions. I recently competed in a case competition sponsored by Bain and Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), an organization focused on increasing the influence of the LGBT+ community in business. Having the opportunity to learn from my peers while solving complex business problems is invigorating.
