UPenn / Wharton MBA News

Get the latest MBA news from UPenn / Wharton.

Published: October 20, 2021

Ace Your MBA Interview: Clear Admit’s Interview Guides

The MBA interview—the nail-biting, stomach-churning, sleep-robbing component of the MBA application process that ties some applicants up in knots—is upon us. But there’s no reason to fret: not with Clear Admit’s in-depth Interview Guide Series as part of your arsenal. Providing expert advice and insider tips on what to expect and how to prepare, these guides are ready and waiting to help you conquer your jitters and ace your interview. The Clear Admit Interview Guides include first-hand interview accounts submitted by real applicants over the years through our Interview Archive. The Clear Admit team has Read more

Published: October 7, 2021

Wharton MBA Class of 2023 Achieves Long-Sought Milestone

See the Wharton MBA Class of 2024 profile here. The years-long effort to promote gender parity in the business leadership pipeline has paid off for The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, whose MBA Class of 2023 hit a historic milestone for the representation of women. The 897-member class also made records for GMAT score highs and LGBTQ representation. Keep reading for more details about the latest Wharton MBA class profile. Dean Erika James, who also has the distinction of being the first woman appointed to lead the school, announced in the school’s press Read more

Published: August 9, 2021

Wharton Welcomes MBA Class with a Milestone Majority of Women

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania reaches a pivotal milestone this fall: For the first time in its 140-year history, a majority of incoming MBA candidates will be women. The incoming class of 2023 MBA students will be comprised of nearly 52 percent women, representing a 10 percent increase over last year’s first-year students. “This landmark achievement demonstrates Wharton’s commitment to providing a diverse and representative community for our students,” Dean Erika James said in a statement. “As a female leader, I understand firsthand the significant impact that experiencing meaningful gender representation can have on women as Read more

Published: July 20, 2021

Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of The Wharton School

Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions at the Wharton School We are rolling along with our Admissions Director Q&A series and are thrilled to welcome Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions for The Wharton School. Blair has a rich history in higher education, working at Penn since 2008 and specifically in admissions at Wharton for nearly a decade. She has an undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University and a master’s degree from Penn’s Graduate School of Education, where she studied Early Decision programs at selective universities. In this interview, Blair talks about: The life of an MBA application at Read more

Published: June 30, 2021

Wharton Joins AltFinance, a $90M Investment in HBCUs

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is investing in the promise of alternative finance to bring diversity to the financial industry. The business school has partnered with Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, and Oaktree Capital Management to launch the $90 million AltFinance: Investing in Black Futures™, an initiative that will fund recruiting, training, and career opportunities at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) over the next ten years. The consortium of finance companies has established a non-profit, ALT Finance Corporation, to administer the program, with $3 million from each company pledged annually. This initiative is the Read more

Published: June 21, 2021

New DeFi Toolkit: Wharton Professor & World Economic Forum Collaboration

At the peak in May, over $80 billion in digital assets were locked into Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, applications (i.e., MyEtherWallet and BurnerWallet) generally as liquidity or collateral supporting various services. Due to this new phenomenon, DeFi became a major development in global finance. However, many policy makers and other individuals struggled to understand the details of this new development. Therefore, The World Economic Forum decided to partner with Professor Kevin Werbach from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania to create the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Policy-Maker Toolkit. Read more

Published: May 31, 2021

Real Humans of Merck: Drew Soloski, Wharton ’16, Project Manager, Global Project and Alliance Management – Oncology & Vaccines (Late Stage)

The Wharton MBA encourages students to develop an international mindset. From required global-focused core classes, international dual-degree programs, and global consulting opportunities, Wharton’s MBA students gain global perspectives. That’s what attracted Drew Soloski, Wharton MBA ‘16, to Wharton, where he pursued a joint degree program with the Lauder Institute that allowed him to study the Chinese language and travel the world — all while earning his business degree. Beyond allowing him to explore his international interests, earning his MBA helped fill in the necessary gaps for him to pivot Read more

Published: May 25, 2021

University of Pennsylvania Receives $5M Bitcoin Donation to Support Financial Innovation at Wharton

The University of Pennsylvania has received an anonymous $5 million bitcoin donation — the largest cryptocurrency gift the University has ever received — which will be used to support the intersection of finance and technology at The Wharton School. According to a University announcement, the bitcoin donation will support the growth of programs at Wharton’s Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance, which champions research, collaboration, and global impact in fintech. “This investment marks a new era and mode of giving to Read more

Published: May 18, 2021

MBA Essay Insight Events: Join Us On July 28!

We’re sure you’ve already heard that the application essays are a crucial component of the MBA application. So how can you ace this part of the admissions process? Get essay tips straight from admissions representatives at leading business schools during our upcoming MBA Essay Insight Event Series! We had our first two events on July 14th & July 21st and will be hosting one additional free online event – on July 28th @ 12 pm ET – to provide some insider advice to MBA applicants. Each session will start with a 60-minute roundtable panel, hosted by Clear Read more

Published: May 13, 2021

Wharton Venture Lab Announces Virtual Startup Challenge Winner

University of Pennsylvania students recently competed for $135,000 in prizes in The Wharton School’s 2021 Venture Lab Virtual Startup Challenge. The competition invited student teams from across the Penn community to present their start-up ideas. In response, Penn students from the Wharton School, The College of Arts and Sciences, The School of Engineering and Applied Science, Penn Carey Law, Perlman School of Medicine, and Penn Nursing submitted business plans. Out of 29 semi-finalists, eight finalists made their pitches at the final virtual event on April 30, 2021. Clear Admit’s co-founder, Eliot Ingram, attended the virtual event and Read more

Published: May 13, 2021

Fridays from the Frontline: How I Navigated Virtual Recruiting and Secured My Summer Internship

Current Wharton MBA student, Nancy Zhang MBA ’22, shares her journey through virtual recruiting to a summer internship in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. How I Navigated Virtual Recruiting and Secured My Summer Internship Nancy Zhang, Wharton MBA ’22© Matt Greenslade Nancy Zhang, WG’22, is interviewed by Sugirtha Stathis, Director of Student Programs and Communication, MBA Career Management Sugirtha Stathis: What did you do before coming to Wharton? What did you want to explore during your time in the MBA Program? Nancy Zhang: Prior to coming to Wharton, I spent five Read more

Published: May 4, 2021

Real Humans of Amgen: Angelinda Chen, Wharton ‘18, Global Marketing Manager, Oncology Pipeline

After walking away from Wharton’s prospective student presentation, Angelinda Chen immediately knew that the University of Pennsylvania’s business school could help translate her dreams into reality. From that day on, embarking on her MBA at Wharton enabled her to own her career in a meaningful way. Beyond Wharton’s interdisciplinary healthcare program, which provided Angelinda the perfect combination of strategy and healthcare-specific classes, she also had the opportunity to participate in an internship at Amgen. A biotechnology innovator since Read more

Published: April 22, 2021

May 5 & 12: MBA Application Overview Event Series

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 active and involved in your community, however you define it. You have the raw materials. So how do you put them together into a compelling MBA application? Join us for our Application Overview Event Series to get answers to just that question! We’re hosting two events next month – on May 5th & May 12th @ 12pm ET (both Wednesdays) – each with representatives from five leading business schools. We’ll start with 60-minute roundtable panel. Read more

Published: March 29, 2021

Real Humans of Nike: Margaret Souther, Wharton ’20, Manager of Global Member Growth, Lifecycle Strategy

Just do it! Nike’s mission is about doing everything possible to expand human potential, from innovating sports and creating sustainable products, all while striving to have a positive impact in communities. Nike has become one of the largest and most recognizable athletic brands on the planet; and as the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, it’s a first choice for many graduates across business schools. One alumna who gravitated toward this brand is Margaret Souther from The Wharton School. With a passion for sports and an appreciation of forward-thinking, Margaret Read more

Published: March 29, 2021

U.S. News 2022 Business School Rankings: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2022 Best Business Schools Rankings. Despite a rather tumultuous year in world events, this year’s results in the MBA rankings realm remain largely unchanged. Stanford Graduate School of Business ranked number one this year, no longer sharing the top spot with the Wharton School, which came in second. Stanford boasts the highest reported salary and full-time average undergraduate GPA and GMAT scores combined with the lowest acceptance rate. Chicago Booth remained at number three but is no longer tied with Kellogg, now ranked Read more

Published: March 19, 2021

The Wharton School & Deloitte Partner to Advance Inclusive Leadership

“What are the barriers to inclusive leadership?” The Wharton School recently announced a partnership with Deloitte, a consulting and advisory company, to research and resolve this pressing question. The school and firm plan to collaborate to gain a more nuanced understanding of effective sponsorship and mentorship of minorities. Their efforts will build on previous research conducted by Wharton Professor Stephanie Creary. Her research suggests that leaders may provide their racial minority direct reports with qualitatively different types of support. The partnership’s new research will survey managers from racial minority and majority groups. Additionally, they will conduct a field experiment Read more

Published: March 17, 2021

Wharton Professor Named Next Director of Cambridge Judge Business School

Professor Mauro F. Guillén of the Wharton School will assume the role of Director of Cambridge Judge Business School on September 1, 2021. He succeeds Professor Christoph Loch, who had a successful decade of service to the business school. Mauro Guillén, Wharton Professor & New Director of Cambridge Judge Professor Guillén has taught at Wharton since 1996. He held the Zandman Endowed Professorship in International Management. Between 2007 and 2019, he served as director of the Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies. Additionally, he is a trustee of the Royal Foundation of Spain and a Read more

Published: February 22, 2021

Clear Admit Event: Deferred Enrollment MBA Programs!

Is a Deferred Enrollment MBA Program for you? Full-time MBA programs traditionally require several years of full-time work experience. But deferred enrollment MBA programs allow candidates to apply – and secure a seat in a future class – during their senior years of college. What makes someone a good fit for this kind of program? And what are schools looking for in applicants? Hear directly from five leading programs on these important topics! In this 45-minute panel event, we spoke with representatives from five leading MBA programs to learn about their deferred enrollment opportunities. Specifically, we covered: Program structures Read more

Published: February 21, 2021

Episode 149: Wire Taps—Special Guest: Reddit r/MBA Moderator

We have a special podcast episode of Wire Taps this week! We are excited to welcome Reddit r/MBA moderator Highlyasian, who joins our hosts Graham Richmond and Alex Brown in dishing out MBA admissions advice. See which profiles from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire they discuss below, then tune in. The first applicant needs to push for a high GMAT score: An accepted applicant is having trouble choosing between MIT and Wharton: Happy listening! Be sure to post to MBA ApplyWire or MBA DecisionWire if you’d like Read more

Published: February 21, 2021

The Wharton School, Walmart & More Research Increasing Vaccine Adoption

Walmart, two regional health systems, and multiple partners within the University of Pennsylvania conducted research into increasing vaccine adoption. The Behavior Change for Good Initiative (BCFG) at the Wharton School and the School of Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, released their findings last week. The two mega-research studies revealed simple communications proved most effective. Specifically, reminding individuals a flu shot was “waiting” or “reserved” for them boosted vaccination rates by up to 11%. Researchers hope this information could help encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. “Telling a person the flu shot is ‘reserved for you’ suggests that Read more

Published: February 7, 2021

Episode 147: Wire Taps—Is It Crazy to Turn Down HBS?

As applicants and candidates alike make their way through Round 2, our admissions experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, continue to share MBA admissions advice in our latest podcast episode of Wire Taps. See which profiles from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire they discuss below, then tune in. The first applicant is a veteran looking to progress in consulting: Another applicant likely faces some tough competition: Finally, the third profiled candidate wanted to check on his choices: Happy listening! Be sure to post to MBA ApplyWire or Read more

Published: January 31, 2021

Episode 146: Wire Taps—MIT Sloan or Wharton for Tech?

Our resident admissions experts, Alex Brown and Graham Richmond, weigh in on MBA application strategies and school choices in our latest podcast episode of Wire Taps. See which profiles from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire they discuss below, then tune in. The first applicant is in private equity: Another applicant has a solid background and is looking ahead to next year: Finally, the third profiled candidate faces a tough choice: Happy listening! Be sure to post to MBA ApplyWire or MBA DecisionWire if you’d like Graham and Read more

Published: December 29, 2020

Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Like all interviews this year, my team-based discussion was hosted on Zoom by two second-year Wharton students. As everyone logged onto the platform, we introduced ourselves and kept some light chatter. Once the interview officially kicked off, the two second-year students kept their video on and watched us carry out the TBD. The prompt was based on creating a new type of engagement program, and was a very easy discussion. Interviewees took turns introducing their prompt, and we came up with basically a mix and match of everyone’s ideas in the end. We also had to present, which we were Read more

Published: December 17, 2020

Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Second-Year Student

The first interview was a team based discussion with 5 other applicants. There were 75% men and 25% women, myself included. The question discussed was how to plan the inauguration of a new building on the UPenn campus. What surprised me was that some candidates were completely silent and some completely dominated the conversation repeating unnecessary information. What also surprised me was how quickly we as a group made a consensus around the action plan for the prompt. The proctors watching did not intervene at all. My second interview was a phone call from a second-year student. The only question Read more

Published: December 15, 2020

Wharton MBA & Lauder Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Post-TBD, I had a 15-minute 1-on-1 interview with an Admissions Fellow in a separate Zoom link. It was very straightforward with only 2 questions: “Why MBA at Wharton?” and “What questions do you have for me?” For Lauder, it was a 30-minute Zoom call with another Admissions Fellow that was more conversational and less structured than the TBD. I was asked about my work background, international experience, career goals and motivation to pursue the dual-degree versus just Wharton by itself. Read more

< 1 … 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 … > 25

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

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.

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

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

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.

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).

View or Submit Entries

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!

View or Submit Entries

Live
Wire