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WHARTON

also known as 
  • The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
  • The Wharton MBA Program

 

LATEST NEWS


THE WHARTON INTERVIEW

Vince's Tips on The Wharton Interview (updated February 2012)

As you probably heard, Wharton now conducts 30 minute behavioral event interviews.

PURPOSE
Check applicant's communication skills while gathering information not included in the written application

STRUCTURE
·      30 minutes
·      Your interviewer will begin by explaining that the interview is behavioral
·      For the next twenty minutes, she will ask 3 questions with follow-ups
·      Your interviewer will write extensive notes as you speak
·      At the end, there will be roughly 10 minutes for Q&A


GENERAL TOPICS
- resolve conflict in a team (the conflict can be w/ you or only between other members)
- coordinate w/o authority to do so
- introduce something new to a team
- persuade un-collaborative member to cooperate
 

 
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS GATHERED DURING ROUND ONE INTERVIEWS

INITIATIVE
1. Describe a situation when you introduced a new idea to a team.

LEADERSHIP
2. Describe a situation when you were not in a leadership position but had to coordinate activity of other members of your team. How did you do that? Did you experience any difficulties with any of your team members? How did you address those difficulties?
3. Tell me when you have ensured that a task has been completed, when others seemed less focused than you on completing it.
4. Explain a time when you persuaded others to your way of thinking, when at first they didn’t agree with your idea.

TEAMWORK
5. Describe a time when you worked towards an important goal and had to address conflict between two or more team members. (The interviewer specifically pointed that the question does not imply a conflict between me and my team member.)
6. Describe the time when you solved a conflict between any two members of your team.
7. Describe a time when you got an uncollaborative member committed to the team.

Information compiled from Vince's clients plus Adam's comments
(found at http://adam-markus.blogspot.com/2009/10/wharton-mba-admissions-interview.html; accessed 2010/11)

and Clear Admit
(found at http://www.clearadmit.com/wiki/index.php?title=WhartonInterview; accessed 2010/11)
 
 
 

DEADLINES

APPLICATION DEADLINES 2011-2012

MBA Program
  Application Deadline Decision Release Date
Round 1 October 3, 2011 December 20, 2011
Round 2 January 4, 2012 March 30, 2012
Round 3 March 5, 2012 May 8, 2012
 

MBA/MA–Lauder
  Application Deadline Decision Release Date
Round 1 October 3, 2011 December 20, 2011
Round 2 January 4, 2012 March 30, 2012
Note: MBA/MA–Lauder program applicants can only apply to one of the first two rounds. MBA submatriculation applicants can only apply for the third round.
To be considered for a round, you must submit a complete application by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of the deadline. If you submit an application earlier in a round, which we encourage, you will be able to confirm receipt via your Wharton online account. You will also have more time in which to schedule an interview (Interviews are by invitation only). Applications received after the deadline for Round 1 or 2 are rolled to the next round. No applications for Round 3 will be accepted after the deadline.
 
 
WHEN TO APPLY

General guidelines on when to apply are based on your application type.

  • First-time applicants. We strongly encourage you to apply in Round 1 or 2. The first two rounds have no significant difference in terms of level of rigor; the third round is more competitive as we will have selected a good portion of the class. However, there will be sufficient room in Round 3 for the strongest applicants.
  • Submatriculants. Wharton undergraduates only are considered submatriculants and should apply in Round 3 so that a more complete academic record is available.
  • Reapplicants. We strongly encourage you to apply in Round 1 or 2. For more information, visit Reapplication Procedures.
  • International applicants. We advise you to apply in Round 1 or 2 if you need to apply for a student visa in order to study in the U.S. For more information, please visit International Applicants.
  • Lauder applicants. Applications are accepted in Rounds 1 and 2 only, to meet the early program start date of May 7, 2012. International Lauder applicants who will need to obtain a visa to study in the U.S. are strongly encouraged to apply in Round 1. For more information, visit the Lauder Program.

(found at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/quick-facts-and-dates.cfm#deadlines; accessed 2011/08)
 
 

ESSAYS


Class of 2014 Essay Questions

The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself.  

REQUIRED QUESTION:

What are your professional objectives? (300 words)

RESPOND TO 2 OF THE FOLLOWING 3 QUESTIONS:
1. Reflect on a time when you turned down an opportunity. What was the thought process behind your decision? Would you make the same decision today? (600 words)

2. Discuss a time when you faced a challenging interpersonal experience. How did you navigate the situation and what did you learn from it? (600 words)

3. "Innovation is central to our culture at Wharton. It is a mentality that must encompass every aspect of the School - whether faculty research, teaching or alumni outreach." - Thomas S. Robertson, Dean, The Wharton School

Keeping this component of our culture in mind, discuss a time when you have been innovative in your personal or professional life. (600 words)
 
ADDITIONAL QUESTION FOR REAPPLICANTS:
All reapplicants to Wharton are required to complete the Optional Essay.  Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)

OPTIONAL SECTION FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)

(found at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/apply-to-wharton.cfm; accessed 2011/07)
 
 
General Advice from Wharton website   
 
Focus your energy on painting a concise, complete, and well-thought-out picture of who you truly are, rather than present what you think the Admissions Committee is looking for in response to essay questions. Use essays to elaborate your candidacy while answering the specific questions at hand within the suggested guidelines. It is important to answer all questions that we present, using good judgment with respect to length. We provide guidelines for word count that reflect our strong sense of how long an essay should be. We don't count words or expect you to list a word count, but if your essays are twice as long as the guidelines suggest, there may be a more concise way to address the question.
 
Candidates who have worked in nontraditional careers (or for companies that may not be as familiar to the Admissions Committee) will need to explain issues in a little more detail. If that's your situation, please feel free to write more while still using your good judgment. For more information about nontraditional backgrounds and careers at Wharton, please visit Nontraditional Students.
 
The optional essay is truly optional, and may be presented in one paragraph of 250 words or less. It should be used to highlight any inconsistencies your application may need to address, or you can use it to explain your choice of recommenders, if you believe they are not a traditional choice. We recommend that you don't skip over any issue that may present a concern to an evaluator.
 
If there is a potential issue (e.g., one poor semester/term at university within an otherwise impressive academic experience, a year out of your career to explore), explain its context, what you learned from the experience, as well as how it may affect your time at Wharton. If you do not explain the context, the Admissions Committee may make uninformed assumptions.
 
(found at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/preparing-a-successful-applica.cfm; accessed 2011/07)
 
 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 
Recommendation Instructions
 
Please answer the following questions in a separate document. Please also: 
Answer all of the questions in a single document. 
Single space your answers. 
Separate your answers by writing each question at the top of each response.
 
Recommendation Questions
 
  1. How long have you known the applicant and describe your relationship to the applicant? 
  2. Provide an example of constructive feedback you have provided to the applicant. How did the applicant receive this feedback and what efforts did the applicant make to address the concern? 
  3. Please provide an example of a time when the applicant was particularly successful at interacting with others in a team (employees, peers, managers, etc.); how was the applicant successful? How does the applicant compare to his/her peers in this dimension? 
  4. How has the applicant’s career progressed over the time that you have known him/her? How does this growth compare to his/her peer group? Please describe the peer group that you are comparing this applicant. 
  5. Provide any additional comments you think would assist the Admissions Committee in making its decision.
 
(found at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/preparing-a-successful-applica.cfm#rec; accessed 2011/08)
 
 
 
Instructions and Questions for Recommenders from Wharton's online application
 
 
We require two letters of recommendations from individuals who are well acquainted with your performance in a work setting, preferably from a current or former supervisor. 
 
The title or position of the evaluator is not as important as his/her ability to comment knowledgeably and specifically about you. Submit recommendations from people who can speak directly about your aptitudes and capabilities.
 
We require all recommendations to be submitted electronically.  After you have contacted them about providing you a recommendation, complete the form on the Recommendations page and answer yes to the question asking “Will this provider be submitting the letter of recommendation online?”  They will be sent an email with instructions and a Web address where they are to complete the recommendation.
 
The online recommendation asks the recommender to answer all of the questions in a single document and to submit it using the Upload Document button at the bottom of the page.
 
In addition to the questions below we also ask the recommenders to fill out a grid that appraises some of your attributes. It is important that this be completed as well, so please make sure that your recommender receives and submits the online form.
 
Ask them to 
  • Answer all of the questions in a single document
  • Single space their answers
  • Separate their answers by writing each question at the top of each response
 
It is possible that, after having selected your recommenders, there is a reason to alter this selection. If the selected recommender has not begun their recommendation, you can delete them and assign another recommender. 
 
If both recommenders have begun their recommendation contact Bonny Wilson at wilsonb@wharton.upenn.edu or Charicha Ford at fordc@wharton.upenn.edu for assistance.
 
(found in Wharton's online application; registration required)
 
 
General Advice on Recommendation Letters from Wharton's website   
 
Beyond your personal essays, the Admissions Committee would like to learn about you from two independent people who know you well. We prefer recommendations from people who can speak directly about your aptitude for, or accomplishments in, leadership and management. Thus, work-related recommendations are more valuable than academic ones.
 
Select the two people who really know you and your work, who you believe can best address the questions asked, not the two most important people you know. If a Wharton graduate happens to be one of those two people, he or she may be able to use his or her understanding of Wharton to describe how you will fit into the Wharton culture. Please don't seek out alumni who aren't truly qualified to write about you.
 
Recommendations should address the range of questions asked on our Recommendation Form and provide details, depth, and insight. Please make sure your recommenders understand that an effective recommendation is more than checking the right boxes and writing a couple of sentences. If the recommender believes that you are a good team player, he or she should present an example or two that illustrates that point. Useful recommendation letters are usually two to three pages long. You may want to brief your recommenders beforehand so they understand the competitive nature of the admissions process in which you are engaging.
 
Applicants working in family businesses, entrepreneurial environments, or other nontraditional environments will need to be more creative in terms of choosing recommenders (and perhaps use the optional essay to allow us to understand how you made your choices). You may consider clients, mentors, or those that you have worked with in the community.
 
(found at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/preparing-a-successful-applica.cfm#rec; accessed 2011/08)

 

 
 

THE NUMBERS

 
Entering Full-Time MBA Students: 845 Students
16.8% accepted = 7th most selective program*
71.4% yield = 7th highest yield rate*
6,832 applicants
1,145 accepted 
817 enrolled
*among 50 US MBA programs with lowest admit rate
(found at http://poetsandquants.com/2011/04/22/the-50-most-selective-mba-programs-in-the-u-s; accessed 2011/08) 
 
Range of GMAT Scores: 560 to 790
Median GMAT: 720
GMAT Range (mid-80%): 
 
Lowest 10% GMAT range among admitted students: 540
(found at http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/blogs/mba_admissions/archives/2011/08/gmat_how_low_is_too_low_for_top_b-schools.html;
accessed 2011/08)
 
Average GPA:

Average Age: 28
Average Work Experience: 48 Months
% Students who are Women: 45%
% Students who are International: 36%
% Students who are US Ethnic Minorities: 33%

Rankings
Bloomberg Businessweek: 3
U.S. News & World Report: 4
Financial Times: 1
 
Tuition & Fees: 

Employment
Median Base Salary: $110,000
Median Signing Bonus: $20,000
% Receiving Signing Bonus: 67.9%
Median Year-End Bonus: $25,000
% Receiving Year-End Bonus: 16.4%
(found at http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school/the-wharton-school-university-of-pennsylvania/a/info; accessed 2011/07)
 
Average 2010 GPA: 3.5
(found at http://www.accepted.com/mba/Wharton.aspx; accessed 2011/07)
Official Wharton Class of 2013 Profile (as of June 2011)
Median Work Experience 4
% of class with 3 or fewer years 22%
Countries Represented 73
Undergrad Major     
Humanities/Social Science 43%
Business 29%
Engineering/Math/Science 25%
Other 3%
Previous Industry Experience**     
Consulting 22%
Private Equity/Venture Capital 16%
Investment Banking 14%
Government/Military/Non-Profit 12%
Consumer Products/Health Care/Bio Tech/Retail 9%
Investment Management 7%
Tech/Internet/E-Commerce 5%
Other Financial Services 5%
Media & Entertainment 4%
Other 6%
** Based on predominant experience pre-Wharton

(found at http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/student-life/class-profile.cfm; accessed 2011/07)
 
# of Japanese entering Class of 2013: 6
(source: Vince's admitted clients)
 

 

PROFILE

Wharton has just announced a new MBA curriculum that promises life-long education to MBA graduates, along with more leadership and communication experiences. The basic program will still about an intensive core in general management, plus the depth of 18 majors and breadth of nearly 200 electives. The school’s month long pre-term session includes a two-day off-campus retreat where students begin the process of learning to lead in a team environment. The first year’s focus is an intensive core curriculum that students complete together in learning teams of six. The core gives students the foundation of broad management skills that are applicable to any industry.
 
During the summer months between the first and second years, students are busy with internships, career treks, and volunteer projects around the world. When they return, the second year curriculum offers flexibility to follow personal interests and career goals. Students select from a wide range of majors and electives that help to develop one or more areas of expertise.
 
 
MBA Program Consideration Set: 
 
Stretch Schools: Harvard, Stanford

Match Schools: Chicago, Columbia, Dartmouth, Northwestern’s Kellogg School

Safety Schools: MIT Sloan, Berkeley, Duke, Virginia, New York University, Michigan, Yale
 
(found at http://poetsandquants.com/2010/12/09/the-wharton-school; accessed 2011/08)
 

 

CRITERIA

WHARTON ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
 
Preparing a Successful Application

If Wharton seems like the right place for you, we encourage you to apply. While your application is reviewed multiple times in detail, there is no simple formula for success in the admissions process. A successful application combines substance, presentation, and good timing. It should tell your own story and make each element of your application as strong as possible. The application includes four main sections, which together give us a picture of you as a person, student, and professional.

    * Academic Profile
    * Essays
    * Recommendations
    * Resume

In any given year, approximately three-quarters of candidates are admissible based on academic factors alone. However, given that the matriculating class represents only around 10% of the total applicant pool, your academic profile, though important, is not the only factor we consider. While there is no set profile for admitted students, we value diversity in both professional and personal experiences. These factors, in addition to your personal qualities, are what make your application stand out.
Academic Profile

We evaluate academic profiles looking for the ability to handle the Wharton MBA curriculum. Because the curriculum is quite rigorous, we must ensure that every admitted candidate can manage the workload successfully, with time left over to explore opportunities offered outside the classroom.

Measures of academic ability include undergraduate/ baccalaureate preparation, advanced degrees, post-graduate diplomas, certificates or other coursework, as well as standardized test scores and other credentials (e.g., CPA, CFA).

There are no specific majors or courses required for the MBA. However, a strong grounding in quantitative areas is important. Calculus and statistics are excellent foundation courses for an MBA.

Undergraduate/Baccalaureate Preparation: Your performance and preparation are considered based on the factors that led you to choose your school, the competitive level of your school, the curriculum you chose, and academic trends on your transcript.

Your intellectual curiosity may be demonstrated by the electives taken outside your major. Your grade point average (GPA), class division and/or class rank is weighed against other demands on your time, such as working while in school and/or heavy involvement in extracurricular activities. Note: Not all universities award GPAs, class division, or class rank. Applicants should not calculate any of these items if they are not reported by their universities.

Additional Academic Work: All additional academic work is relevant, including continuing education credits, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees in related and unrelated fields. If you didn't perform at a high level in some of your undergraduate classes, additional coursework may show stronger academic motivation and ability. If you don't have an analytic or mathematical undergraduate background, taking calculus, statistics, or other business-related quantitative classes may bolster your preparation.

Test Scores: The General Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are additional parts of the academic profile.


GMAT/GRE

The total GMAT and/or GRE score, as well as each section of the test, is evaluated. There are no minimum cut-off scores. If you're disappointed with your test score and believe that with additional preparation you could improve your score, then we encourage you to retake the test.
TOEFL

A complete command of the English language, including proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking is essential for success in Wharton's MBA program. All international applicants for the MBA Program whose native language (language first learned and spoken at home) is not English, or who did not complete a degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction, are required to take the TOEFL in addition to the GMAT.

Other Credentials: Professional certifications such as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), or MSE are considered as parts of your academic profile.


Resume

We evaluate demonstrated experience and/or potential therefore please upload a one page resume in Word. What we evaluate is not a function of the number of years you have been in the work place, but what you have learned. We consider skills acquired, breadth and depth of experience, leadership and/or management skills as well as potential for growth.
 
 
 
 

FAQ

Please read the Wharton MBA Admissions FAQs for useful tips ▸  http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/faqs.cfm
 
FAQ highlights 
 
 
 

LINKS

Need help with school research? Please check Vince's Wharton links ▸ http://j.mp/WharLinks
 
Link highlights
▸

The Wharton Weekly

Published by Vince Ricci


▸
 

TESTIMONIALS

Wharton MBA Class of 2009

Vince was the best guy I met in my application processes. He is always rigorous and supportive. Best of all, he provides order-made counseling for each client. In my case, he bridged the gap between my subjective view and the objective perceptions from MBA admission officers.

Actually, my first draft was horrible. He tried to find my core message and helped me to make the main idea visible and vivid. After that first draft, he was always besides me.

I know it was a hard process because my background was entertainment. It was challenging to persuade MBA admissions with only my uniqueness. He explored the latest news related to my industry and challenged me every time with those perspectives. Through this comprehensive process, I could deepen my essay highlighting both uniqueness and solid business aspects.

Finally, I got four interview offers out of five top schools I applied to. Vince not only guided me to get admitted but also granted me the opportunity to build my analytical foundation, which I am now developing at Wharton.

Wharton MBA Class of 2009

I would describe Vince not as a counselor, certainly not as an editor, but as the best partner in preparing the application materials. One of his strengths lies in his ability to suggest creative ideas.

Whenever I had trouble coming up with ideas in writing essays, he always helped me by suggesting several different approaches to essay questions, with deep understanding of his clients and an objective view about how each approach would be interpreted by admissions officers. Also, his advice greatly improved my essay in tone, clarity and conciseness.

Finally, it was really fun to work with him. During the busiest days before deadlines, I would meet him once a week. Though the process of writing and re-writing essays was arduous, I enjoyed meeting and discussing with him. Our relaxed but very stimulating discussions always gave me new ideas and motivation to improve my essays further.

Vinceは、単なるカウンセ ラー、いわんやエッセイエディターなどではなく、MBAアプリケーション準備におけるベストパートナーだと思います。彼の強 みの一つは、クリエイティブなアイディアを提案する能力です。私がエッセイを書く上でアイディアに困ったとき、彼はいつもいくつかのアプローチを提案して くれました。彼の提案はクライアントである私自身に関する深い理解と、アドミッションオフィサーにはどう映るか、という客観的な視点に基づく、適切かつ示 唆に富むものばかりでした。また、彼のアドバイスにより、エッセイのトーンや明瞭さ、簡潔さを大幅に改善することができました。最後に、彼のアドバイスを 受けながらアプリケーション準備を進めていく過程はとても楽しいものでした。最も忙しい時期には週に1度Vinceに会っていたのですが、彼とのディス カッションはリラックスしつつも刺激に富む有意義な時間で、エッセイの質をより高めようという意欲とアイディアをいつも与えてくれました。

 

 

-Updated by Vince on 18 Nov 2011

 
  • I am a graduate admissions consultant who works with clients worldwide.
  • If you would like to arrange an initial consultation, please complete my intake form.
 

Results

 
 
Vince's Comprehensive
Clients admitted per school
since 2007-2008 

3   @ Berkeley Haas
10 @ Chicago Booth
6   @ Columbia
6   @ HBS
6   @ INSEAD
13 @ Kellogg
8   @ Tuck
6   @ UCLA Anderson
10 @ Wharton


Full list here

Testimonials

 

 

"Preparing admissions essays for MBA programs can be a lonely process, involving much introspection and contemplation. Throughout this process, Vince was an invaluable partner to me, providing objective and professional advice that was critical to my success; ultimately, I gained admissions to 5 top programs in the US, including HBS, Wharton and Northwestern’s JD-MBA program."

Harvard Business School Class of 2012

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