Evan Seale, Wharton MBA Class of 2020
Age: 31
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Military Academy, engineering management
Pre-MBA work experience: 8 years total. I spent 5 years in the Army as a field artillery officer serving in both conventional and special operations forces. I also spent 3 years working for a private equity firm focused on deal originations—sourcing investments for the firm.
Why business school? Why now?I wanted to broaden my network, enhance my hard skills in accounting, finance, etc. I also wanted a change of pace where I could travel and experience a new city.
Why Wharton? What factors figured most prominently in your decision of where to attend? Wharton is hyper-focused on using data and analytics to evaluate business problems, and it’s becoming increasingly important to analyze problems in this way. I wanted to achieve an MBA from an institution that would prepare me for the future. Wharton is hands down the best.
What do you think is your most valuable and differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? I believe the student body is the most valuable contribution—you have brilliant people coming from all over the world to work together. The lessons you learn from your classmates are arguably more valuable than the actual classes.
Fun-fact that didn’t get included in your application? I got to fly an AH-6 little bird helicopter (a tiny, special operations helicopter) with zero training.
Post-MBA career interests? I’m interested in entrepreneurship and private equity.
Advice to current prospective applicants? Take time to really think about why you want an MBA and which program best fits your style. Narrow down your list of schools, and focus really hard on the ones you are most interested in attending.
–One thing you would change or do differently? I would have focused on one or two school applications. I overextended myself with “safety” schools—this just distracted me from putting time and energy into the school I wanted to attend (Wharton).
–Part you would have skipped if you could- and what helped you get through it? The essays, which are incredibly stressful. I talked about my ideas with several people and got plenty of feedback.
What is your initial impression of Wharton’s students/culture/community? So far it’s been amazing. Everyone is accepting of one another and genuinely interested to learn about each other.
One thing about Wharton that has surprised you? Wharton is incredibly inclusive of partners, which is really cool for people with significant others.
Things that you are most anxious about in first year? I already feel that there are so many opportunities, clubs, people, etc. to meet and experience that I don’t have enough time. I don’t want to miss out on anything, so I am anxious about how I spend my time.
Things that you are most excited about in your first year? I am excited about the relationships I will make this first year.
