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UPenn / Wharton MBA News

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Published: June 15, 2023
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we’re catching up with essay tips and deadlines for schools that have released info thus far for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Columbia Business School Harvard Business School Stanford GSB Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled Read more
Published: May 7, 2023
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & Decisions, May 8-12, 2023
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Late Rounds Continue Late admissions rounds continue with additional deadlines and decision releases. Wednesday, May 10, UPenn / Wharton, Northwestern / Kellogg and Emory / Goizueta are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Thursday, May 11, Texas / McCombs has its Round 4 deadline. Berkeley / Haas is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Friday, May 12, Cornell / Johnson has its initial notification deadline for its April round. IESE is scheduled to release Read more
Published: April 27, 2023
Upcoming Virtual Event Series: MBA Application Overview
You’ve got your grades and (maybe) your test scores. You’ve put in the time and effort at work, and have accomplishments and skills to show for it. You’re also active and involved in your community. You have the raw materials. So how do you put them together into a compelling MBA application? Join us for our MBA Application Overview Event Series to get answers to just that question! We’re hosting four events – on consecutive Wednesdays in May – May 3rd, May 10th, May 17th & May 24th, all @ 12pm ET – each with representatives from up to five Read more
Published: April 27, 2023
Real Humans of Pfizer: Megha Motgi, Wharton MBA ’21, Senior Manager
In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Megha Motgi explains the vital role The Wharton School played in shifting her career within healthcare. Read on for her insights into Wharton’s prestigious Health Care Management program and what recruitment was like with Pfizer. Megha Motgi, Wharton MBA ’21, Senior Manager at Pfizer Age: 31 Hometown: Dallas, TX Undergraduate Institution and Major: Georgetown University (School of Foreign Service), Science, Technology, and International Affairs Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if applicable): The Wharton School, 2021, Read more
Published: April 23, 2023
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines, Decisions & Interview Invites, April 24-28, 2023
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 3 continues. Round 3 continues, and several leading programs also have deadlines for their deferred enrollment programs. Monday, April 24, UNC / Kenan-Flagler is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Wednesday, April 26, UPenn / Wharton and Northwestern / Kellogg have their deferred enrollment admissions deadlines. Thursday, April 27, Harvard has its deferred enrollment admissions deadline. London Business School is scheduled to release its Round 3 interview invites. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit  Read more
Published: April 18, 2023
How to Get into the Wharton MBA Program
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is consistently at the top of best business school rankings. Its prestigious MBA program is notoriously competitive, with acceptance rates between 18 and 21 percent. An MBA from Wharton represents leadership skills, the ability to collaborate, intellectual curiosity, and a global business mindset to potential employers and clients. If those are your assets and you want an MBA that promises an elite business career, you need to know how to get into the Wharton MBA program. What is Wharton Looking for in an Read more
Published: April 9, 2023
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & Interview Invites, April 10-14, 2023
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 3 application deadlines continue. Round 2 decisions have wrapped, Rounds 3 and 4 continue. Tuesday, April 11, Stanford GSB, Chicago / Booth, MIT / Sloan and Yale SOM have their Round 3 application deadlines. Cornell / Johnson has its April round application deadline. Wednesday, April 12, UCLA / Anderson has its Round 3 application deadline. Duke / Fuqua is scheduled to release its Round 4 interview invites. Thursday, April 13, UPenn / Wharton is scheduled Read more
Published: March 26, 2023
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & Decisions, March 27-31, 2023
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 2 final decisions are coming. Round 2 decisions continue to roll out, Round 3 application deadlines are also beginning. Monday, March 27, Dartmouth / Tuck and London Business School have their Round 3 application deadlines. Tuesday, March 28, Northwestern / Kellogg is scheduled to release its Round 2 decisions. Texas / McCombs has their Round 3 application deadline. Duke / Fuqua has its Round 4 application deadline. Wednesday, March 29, Harvard is scheduled to release Read more
Published: March 21, 2023
Real Humans of Google: Jamie Ulrich, Wharton MBA ’22, AI Consultant
Sometimes the desire to attend business school isn’t about the success in the end, but rather the academic setting in which you build your skills. Such was the case with our featured Real Humans: Alumni Jamie Ulrich, who pursued an MBA at The Wharton School and earned the skill set and experience necessary to join one of the world’s most influential software companies in the cutting-edge field of AI. Read on for his story. Jamie Ulrich, Wharton MBA ’22, AI Consultant at Google Age: 29 Hometown: Narberth, PA Read more
Published: March 19, 2023
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & Decisions, March 20-24, 2023
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 2 final decisions are coming. Round 2 decisions are starting to roll out, Round 3 application deadlines are also beginning. Monday, March 20, IESE is scheduled to release its Round 2 decisions. Tuesday, March 21, Georgetown / McDonough is scheduled to release its Round 2 decisions. Wednesday, March 22, UCLA / Anderson is scheduled to release its Round 2 decisions. Emory / Goizueta has its Round 3 application deadline. Oxford / Saïd has its Stage Read more
Published: March 14, 2023
‘Big Tech’ Jobs & Careers Remain Popular with MBA Graduates
Take a closer look at MBA graduates’ tech industry jobs placement overall and at Big Tech firms for the full-time MBA Classes of 2018 to 2022. Despite a recent decline in tech industry hiring, the technology sector continues to be a popular choice for MBA graduates because it provides them with the chance to impact a domain with a big influence on everyday life. For example, a project manager role in tech offers MBA graduates an opportunity to manage and launch the latest consumer tech brands. In addition, the top MBA programs have a strong track record Read more
Published: March 12, 2023
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Joined Zoom room 10 minutes before interview time, but was only admitted at interview time. Had around 5 minutes to chat to other interviewees, before the 2 second-year students gave us instructions. We gave our 60-second pitch (no timer on screen), then the 25 minute timer for discussion began. Lastly, we had our 5-minute presentation. After, we got given the interview order. (3 per interviewer) We waited and chatted in the room until it was our turn, then joined the breakout room with the interviewer. Interviewer asked why MBA and why Wharton. Read more
Published: March 12, 2023
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom
Interview consists of two sections: Team-Based Discussion (30mins) and 1:1 Interview (10 mins), with instructions given by Adcom taking an additional 10 mins. Team Based Discussion: Group of 5-6 students that spend: -Quick intro about yourself, current company, intended major at Wharton -1 minute pitch on TBD prompt, which the Adcom will decide the order -25 minute group discussion on the prompt -5 minute group presentation 1:1 Interview: -Follows the same order as the Adcom outlined at the beginning for the 1 minute pitch -Why MBA and Why Wharton in one question (10 Read more
Published: March 8, 2023
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Virtual
After the TBD I had a 10 minute one-on-one interview. The adcom asked just 3 questions. Why MBA? Why Wharton? What other clubs and activities do you plan to join? Then I had time to ask her questions. Read more
Published: March 6, 2023
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Students / Zoom
Invited to interview 17FEB (scheduled via portal; confirmation along with details and prompt sent same-day) Completed the Virtual Team-Based Discussion (VTBD) on 28FEB with two Second-Year facilitators and 5 other (6 total) applicants. Joined 12 minutes prior to start-time (tested A/V); was allowed into the meeting at exactly 10-minutes prior. Facilitators A/V was off, but they were in the room. Myself and fellow applicants began informal introductions, small-talk [recommend structured intros – name, location, pre-MBA industry, post-MBA goals, any other interesting facts]. Facilitators took over at start time (joined with A/V) and asked for brief introductions (name, current employer, Read more
Published: February 14, 2023
From B-School to MBB: Consulting Jobs Placement at Leading MBA Programs
MBA graduates continue to seek out management consulting jobs for the opportunity to provide strategic advice to business leaders operating large companies. Jobs at leading strategy consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain and BCG (MBB) are particularly coveted by business school students because these firms often provide a fast track to senior positions in large corporations. In addition, M7 business schools such as Kellogg have a particularly strong track record of MBB job placement. Management Consulting Job Placement for the MBA Class of 2022 All of the top MBA programs provide their MBA graduates with the opportunity to pursue a Read more
Published: February 12, 2023
The Week Ahead: MBA Interview Invitations, February 13-17, 2023
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 2 is underway. Interview invites continue to roll out for Round 2 candidates. We are expecting to hear from MIT / Sloan in the next several days. Friday, February 17, UPenn / Wharton is scheduled to release its Round 2 interview invites. How Clear Admit+ and “The Wires” Can Help Subscribe to Clear Admit+ for comprehensive guidance on all aspects of the admissions process in an easily digestible series of video lessons, data tools, and digital Read more
Published: February 1, 2023
M7 Business Schools Dominate in Venture Capital and Private Equity Fields
MBA graduates continue to be drawn to finance jobs due to the lucrative compensation packages, the chance to work on high-profile deals at investment banks, and the opportunity to invest in the next billion-dollar company at a venture capital or private equity firm. As we will see below regarding the MBA Class of 2022, the top MBA programs really deliver on finance industry placement and can accelerate finance careers. In particular, M7 business schools dominate in the buy-side job placements for venture capital, private equity, and investment management. In this analysis, we review MBA Class of 2022 Read more
Published: January 31, 2023
Real Humans of Wharton’s MBA Class of 2024
We are excited to introduce six new members of the Wharton MBA Class of 2024 in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students. Out of 6,319 applicants, 877 students ultimately matriculated at Wharton in August of 2022. Half of the new class are women and 35 percent are international. U.S. minority students also comprise 35 percent of the class, with 23 percent identifying as Asian American, 7 percent Black/African America, and 5 percent Hispanic/Latinx. This year eight percent of the students identify as LGBTQ+. During their undergraduate years, 35 percent of new Wharton students Read more
Published: January 30, 2023
Episode 274: Tips for the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD)
In this special edition of the podcast, your hosts Alex Brown and Graham Richmond break down Wharton’s group interview – known as the Team Based Discussion (TBD) – and offer a wealth of tips and background to help applicants ace it. Alex and Graham, who both formerly worked in admissions at Wharton, set out to tell you everything you need to know to be successful in your Wharton TBD. They’ll discuss: The history of the TBD Why Wharton uses it How to prepare for it How to perform in it What this year’s TBD prompt is and how to Read more
Published: January 26, 2023
MBA Real Humans: Students – LIVE Webinar Winter 2023
The Clear Admit Real Humans: Students Series spotlights current students of the top MBA programs. Each of the student share their current MBA experiences and what they did after they were accepted to the MBA programs. Join us at 8 pm ET on Wednesday, February 22nd to learn about: 1. How do you pick a school? 2. How do you prepare? 3. How do you leave your place of employment? 4. Should you seek a pre-MBA internship? All of this and more! Register below to join this session – we hope to see you there! Read more
Published: January 18, 2023
2019-2022 MBA Job Placement Trends: The Rise and Fall of Tech and the Return to Consulting and Finance
In our previous article, we highlighted the decline in tech industry jobs accepted and the increase in consulting jobs accepted from the Class of 2021 to the Class of 2022 among leading full-time MBA programs. To place this observation into a larger context, we dug into the last four years of MBA career report data to see larger trends in tech, consulting and finance industry job placement. From the Class of 2019 to the Class of 2021, there was an increase in tech jobs accepted across most top MBA programs as tech industry firms grew and successfully Read more
Published: January 17, 2023
Tech Jobs are in Decline at Top MBA Programs. Is This the Canary in the Coal Mine for MBA Hiring?
MBA Class of 2022 graduates were clearly impacted by the softening in the technology sector in 2022 after the pandemic-fueled growth in tech industry jobs in 2020 and 2021. Compared to the Class of 2021, Class of 2022 graduates were offered fewer jobs in the technology industry, leading many graduates in search of other options. Fortunately, consulting firms increased hiring for the Class of 2022 to help offset the decline in tech industry hiring.  Will this growth in consulting jobs last or is the decline in tech jobs an early sign of an overall MBA job market Read more
Published: January 4, 2023
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.
In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and board, program fees, books and supplies, health insurance, transportation and other expenses, have been added to provide the total cost of an MBA in the U.S. by year. Most business schools provide a breakdown of the expenses, which are posted under the financial aid or admissions section of their websites. Schools also typically take the total cost of attendance into account Read more
Published: January 2, 2023
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student & Adcom / Zoom
I interviewed at Wharton on November 13th, 2022 via Zoom. The interview consisted of two parts – a 60 minute Team Based Discussion (TBD) along with a 10 minute 1:1 interview with a second-year Wharton MBA student. There were 5 other students in my virtual interview in a common Zoom room – everyone was quite friendly and eager for the interview. Each of us participated in the Team-Based Discussion Prompt (pitch an international trip + cultural immersion offering for a new Wharton Global Curriculum). We were given 60 seconds to provide initial thoughts and then were given an additional 30 Read more
UPenn / Wharton
Image of UPenn / Wharton
CLASS SIZE: 866
Women: 47%
MEAN GMAT: 732
MEAN GPA: 3.7
Livewire Decisionwire Interview Reports Essay Topic Analysis MBA Admissions Deadlines View Full Profile

MBA Applywire

7
November 14, 2024 6:29am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Georgetown / McDonough, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting, Capital Project Development (Renewable Energy/CCS)
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Commercial Banking, Family Business, Entrepreneurship
GMAT: 664
GPA: 2.9
Years of Work Experience: 7
Notes:

Pakistani male, looking to get into the financial services industry short term, and long-term make a significant contribution to the family business or pursue entrepreneurship. Studied engineering from UT Austin for undergrad followed by three jobs (roughly 2 years each) and a nine month break in between job 2 and 3. Planning to take the GMAT again in 3 weeks to offset GPA. Goal score is 695. Mitigating circumstances around GPA are just illness and general family/self issues but doubt they will be very convincing.
7
November 13, 2024 11:52am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Georgetown / McDonough, Michigan / Ross, UNC Kenan-Flagler, USC / Marshall
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Real Estate Development Analyst and Acquisitions Project Manager
Post-MBA Target Industry: Private Equity, Family Business, Entrepreneurship Companies: Other
GPA: 3.44
Years of Work Experience: 3
12
November 13, 2024 3:41am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cambridge / Judge, Columbia, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, UCLA Anderson, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Pharmaceutical
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Pharmaceutical Companies: AT Kearney , Bain , BCG , McKinsey , Other , Amgen , Astra Zeneca , Johnson & Johnson , Merck , Novartis , Pfizer , Roche
GRE: 329
GPA: 3.1
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: Tokyo
Post MBA Location: US
5
November 12, 2024 5:15pm ET
Applying: Columbia, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Investment Banking
Post-MBA Target Industry: Technology, Consumer Goods, Entrepreneurship Companies: Amazon , Google , IBM , Microsoft , 3M , Anheuser Busch InBev , LVMH , Mondelez
GPA: 3.6
Years of Work Experience: 2
Location: New York
Post MBA Location: New York
Notes:

I would like to attend a top business school to launch my career as a strong business leader. I am a senior dual major in Information Technology and Business Analytics. I'm involved in greek life at my school and also have founded and quickly grown my school's Finance Club. I will begin my career in investment banking but would like to gain admission to a deferred admission MBA track before I join the workforce.
6
November 12, 2024 3:30pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Dartmouth / Tuck, IESE, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Financial services
Post-MBA Target Industry: Private Equity, Entrepreneurship Companies: Carlyle Group , TPG , KKR
GMAT: 645
GPA: 7/10
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: Latam
Post MBA Location: USA
Notes:

I have been working in financial services for the past 5 years. I have been promoted in my current job (private credit).

I have been active in volunteering roles throughout my life, especially from grad school and then while working (blood drives, low income kids, and people with different abilities).

I am a father (and provider of my family) which has shaped and inspired my main post MBA goal which is to focus on early childhood development. Alternative is to continue in private markets.

Concerned about low GPA (7.4/10). Not mitigating circumstances; however, I have two bachelor degrees: one in math and one in finance (both heavily quantitative), and both from the top business school in my country.

I got a 645 in my first try at the GMAT FE; will take another shot to try and raise my score to 665-675.

Eager to hear about school selection (my top choices are Yale and Kellogg).
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MBA LiveWire

November 14, 2024 10:03pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 14, 2024
Program Type: One Year Program
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: United States
November 14, 2024 9:12pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 14, 2024
GPA: 3.98
GMAT: 740
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

Interview - 10/15, offer via phone call - 11/14, official offer expected 11/15 on portal
November 14, 2024 8:01pm ET
Rejected at NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via portal November 14, 2024
GPA: 3.52
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Non Profit / Social Impact
Application Location: Southeast Asia
Note:

rejected with no interview invite
November 14, 2024 7:50pm ET
Interview Invite to UCLA Anderson
Round: Round 1
Received via email on November 12, 2024
GRE: 327
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

Consortium Round 1 applicant
November 14, 2024 5:36pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 14, 2024
GPA: 3.48
GRE: 332
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: New York, NY
Note:

Applied 9/16, interviewed 10/10. Just got the call at 4:50 pm ET. They said they would follow up with the official letter of acceptance and scholarship information tomorrow, 11/15. Couldn't be more excited!
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