Wharton School of Business
(University of Pennsylvania)
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Program Length: 20 months
- Program cost: $167,748
- Average GMAT score: 728
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Average Work Experience: 5 years
Employment Reports (2022)
- Received an Offer: 98.70%
- Accepted an Offer: 96.20%
- Median Salary: $175,000
- Median Signing Bonus: $30,000
- Median Performance Bonus: $30,000
- % receiving Signing Bonus: 62%
RANKINGS
- #2 US News - Best Business Schools
- #1 USNews - Executive MBA
- #3 QS Global MBA Rankings 2023
CLASS OF 2024
- Total Applicants: 7,158
- Total Enrollment: 916
- Women: 41%
- Average GPA: 3.76
ABOUT
University of Wharton School of Business has the privilege of being the world’s first collegiate school of business. Wharton School of Business has continued to develop innovative teaching practices in order to keep up with global challenges and changes. Wharton has nearly 100,000 alumni spread across 153 countries. Students at Wharton learn what it means to tranform buisiness through vigerous entrepreneurial programs where they develop skills to start their own companies, disrupt industries, and propell economic growth.
At Wharton, decision making is reinvented. Students train to become future executive leaders as they learn how to investigate and act on the growth of digital data. Wharton teaches with an analytical approach wherein technology and business approaches are integrated to achieve knowledgable solutions. Being able to change the world means students learn how to make decisive decisions regarding the globes greatest challenges. Students become a part of a high-achieving and motivated teams in order to grow the skills necessary to change the world.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- Round 1: September 6th, 2023
- Round 2: January 4th, 2024
- Round 3: April 2nd, 2024
APPLICATION PROCESS
There are 3 rounds of applications at Wharton. However, it is recommended that first time applicants apply during the first two rounds. This is because the third round tends to be more limited and more competitive.
Candidates must provide background information including:
- Contact information
- Prior Conviction Information
- Family Information
- Professional Experience
- Academic Degrees (incl. High School)
- Date of Birth
Transcripts
To apply for the MBA program, you must provide transcripts for all academic work completed at the undergraduate level or higher, regardless of whether it was for credit or a degree. You have two options for submitting your transcripts:
1. Upload unofficial transcripts
2. Self-report grades using our Online Transcript Template
GMAT or GRE
Applicants can submit either GMAT or GRE scores. Submitted scores cannot be older than 5 years and they are allowed to be ‘self-submitted’ with the highest score listed first. However, upon an offer of admission, official scores must be submitted.
Foreign Language Requirement
Applicants whose native language is not English, or have not completed a degree from an institution where english is the language of instruction must take either the TOEFL or PTE test.
2 Recommendations
Recommendations are split up into two sections.
The first is where recommenders are supposed to select three characteristics from a list of 10 which best describe the applicant.
The second sections is there recommenders answer two free form questions, each about 300 words long. The two questions are: 1) Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success in the Wharton MBA classroom and 2) Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success throughout their career.
Two recommenders are required, each having the ability to speak to the applicants performance in a work-setting. It is recommended the recommenders be a current and former supervisor. Each recommendation is to be electronically submitted.
Essay Description
Wharton Essay Application questions are designed for the applicant to define themselves professionally and personally. Wharton encourages essays to be ‘introspective, candid and succinct’.
- What do you hope to gain professionally from Wharton MBA? (500 words)
- Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)
Required Essay for all Reapplicants: Here reapplicants can share with the admissions committee their reflections on the growth they have had since their last application and provide details on any relevant changes since their last application (250 words)
Optional Essay: Information that may be relevant but cannot be listed in other parts of the application can be shared during this optional essay. This can include explaining gaps in study or work experience, choice in recommenders, and inconsistent academic performance.
Resume
In the third step of the application process, applicants are required to upload a one-page resume highlighting their functional job skills, depth of experience, leadership, management abilities, and potential for growth. Emphasis is placed on learning experiences rather than the duration of work history.
Applicants should scan only relevant sections of the resume, excluding pictures, graphics, and unnecessary text. The scanned document must be saved as a .pdf file without password protection or macros. The file size should not exceed 10 MB. It’s crucial for scanned documents to be clearly legible, as illegible submissions will not be accepted, potentially causing delays in the application evaluation process.
Interview
Carey JD/MBA interviews are granted by invitation only. If you are invited to interview, you are required to complete the Wharton Team Based Discussion as well as a Carey JD/MBA interview.
Application Fee
The application fee for Wharton’s MBA program is $275 and non-refundable. It can be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).
Antoine’s Experience: 770 on the GMAT and Wharton MBA
Check out more testimonials HERE!
“The best thing is that every session isn’t scripted, it is catered to me and my needs and adjusted based on the skills that I have and the progression that I am making. If my tutors realize that I am having difficulties with a problem they readjust the plan to make sure that I am successful.”
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
Learning Teams
Wharton’s Learning Teams model is that the pinnacle of students leadership experience. Based on real-world experience, individuals learn to function within a team in order to learn how to successfully function in persuasive, rather than positional, leadership roles. Each team is made up of 5 or 6 MBA students which are first formed during the pre-term. The Learning Teams are not self selected and so are made up of a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, interests, and careers. The Learning Team model encourages trial and error, risk taking, and idea generation and its success had been emulated by other business schools nationwide.
Leadership Ventures
Students can partake in leadership building and boundary-pushing experiences. These ventures include Expeditions, Intensives and Workshops. Expeditions take adventerous students on trips across the globe. Students spend 6-10 days in places that require high physical intensity and can include: Antarctica, the Atacama Destert, the Andes Mountains, and more. Each trek takes place during either winter or spring break and so do not interupt the MBA program schedule. Intensives range from 1-3 days and place participants in new and challenging environments. These courses are also high in phsyical intensity and include either working in a Firefighting Simulation (FDNY Intensive) or a Military Simulation (Quantico Military Intensive). Workshops take place over 1-3 days and are less intensive than the Intensives and Expeditions. Workships nevertheless engage and develop participants leadership skills. They also allow students to stay closer to home while still learning new leadership methodologies and techniques.
STUDENT LIFE
Each student can create a unique student experience. Students can choose from a broad array of courses, student clubs, leadership opportunities, and other means of personal growth. Student Life Fellows and the Student Life Associate Director are assigned to new incoming students are in place to provide advice and encourage participation in school opportunities.
To help create lasting connections and friendships, incoming students are incorporated into a Cluster. Each cluster is composed of 210 students. Events such as football tournaments, suppers and quizzes are put on to build cluster relationships and help students feel comfortable in their new MBA life.
MBA PROGRAM OVERVIEW
First Year
The first year at Wharton begins with 6 core classes that will provide a basis for students to succeed during their studies. In addition, students can select courses from the flexible core list. Because of the flexibility of the first year, students have more choices in their elective curriculum. Thus, students can utilize this flexibility to prepare themselves for internships, global experiences, business ventures, or other interests.
The MBA core curriculum extends over a quarter or semester in length and offers students introductions to traditional management disciplines. First year students attend 3.25 fixed core credit units and a portion of the overal 6.25 flexible core credit units needed for graduation. Students are assigned to a learning team, a group of 5 or 6 students, with wich they attend core courses together and work together on projects.
Core Requirements
- Foundations of Teamwork and Leadership
- Marketing: Marketing Management
- Microeconomics for Managers
- Advanced Microeconomics for Managers
- Regression Analysis for Managers Management
- Communication: Speaking and Writing
Second Year
During their second year, Wharton MBA students take the rest of their core classes in addition to elective classes. Students are also allowed to team up with faculty and businesses for support on student projects and assignments.
Grading Scale
The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania uses a standard grading scale with grade points ranging from 4.0 (A+) to 0.0 (F) for their courses. This grading scale is similar to the common system used in many educational institutions in the United States. However, it’s important to note that grading policies may change over time, so students should refer to the official Wharton School website or consult with school officials for the most current information on their grading system and policies.