wharton essay prompts

2024-2025 Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Jun 17, 2024

Who is Wharton looking for?
How should I answer Wharton essay questions?
Get into the Wharton MBA
Wharton Deadlines

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on July 10, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below.

In 1881, Joseph Wharton started the world’s first collegiate business school. In the more than 100 years since, Wharton has maintained its position as one of the world’s top destinations for talented business professionals.

With numerous opportunities (many of them overseas) to develop your leadership skills and build relationships with fellow students, Wharton offers a highly challenging yet highly collaborative approach to business education.

However, with increasing competition to join this innovative, collaboratively-minded university, it’s more difficult than ever to successfully apply to Wharton.

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Wharton admissions essays to stand out . We’ve rounded up our best tips and links to Wharton MBA sample essays to ensure you give your Haas application your best shot.

1. Who is Wharton looking for?

“Our mission is to develop leaders who act with a deeper understanding of themselves, their organizations, and their communities, and contribute positively to the growth of each.” Wharton Admissions

As one of the most consistently top-ranked business schools, Wharton has become almost synonymous with elite business education. With a strong focus on innovation and their unique Lauder dual-degree program in international studies and Health Care Major , it’s no surprise that Wharton is at the top of many applicants’ lists of dream schools.

Each year, Wharton selects just under 900 students from 70 countries to take part in its two-year program. Though there is no one “perfect” type of Wharton student, the university does favor high test scores. The median GMAT for the Class of 2025 was 728 (slightly down from 733 for last year’s class) and the average GRE score was 162 Quant, 162 Verbal.

Though often called a “finance factory,” Wharton builds a diverse class each year by looking beyond traditional investment banking professionals to fill its class. In fact, the number of Wharton post-MBA graduates breaking into industries like tech has only increased over the past few years. With the launch of Tangen Hall last year, that number is only likely to continue growing.

Beyond the numbers, Wharton tends to value students who demonstrate a collaborative personality, leadership potential, global mindset, and an ability to think outside the box and innovate.

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Wharton’s admissions essay questions.

2. How should I answer Wharton essay questions?

2.1. essay 1.

Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Before starting, you might want to review the tips the Wharton admissions committee gives on how to approach the essays.

In this essay, you have a big task. In around 500 words , you need to discuss:

Context for your goals
Your specific-post MBA goals and why you are pursuing them at this moment
Why you believe an MBA is necessary to reach these goals
How a Wharton MBA will help you reach these goals

Each of these elements must be included and must build off of each other.

First of all, many candidates think they do not need to specifically state their goals, or that it’s better to leave “their options open.” If you are applying to elite business schools, however, you must have and present absolute clarity about your goals.

TOP TIP : If you’re having trouble figuring out what your post-MBA goals are, we’ve prepared this post to help you decipher this essential part of the application process!

However, goals without context can be a little confusing to decipher or understand (or they can just seem a bit lackluster). For this reason, we suggest starting your essay with context.

For example, a client last year initially started his essay by saying:

“I want to become a Business Development Director at a Brazilian company.”

While interesting, it’s better to give a little bit of context to help these goals come to life. Check out the final version of the same essay’s introduction:

“In the 1970s, the phrase “think global, act local” came into use, suggesting that to have global impact, one must be active locally. With this mindset, I focused my career on Brazilian multinational companies to start creating global change at home. While at Company 1, I led a diverse global team, which showed me that clear communication is essential. I later accepted a finance position at a real estate company where I learned how new technologies can impact traditional local industries and that leaders must adapt to these trends to maintain competitiveness. Most recently, I joined Company 2 to participate in its daring globalization plan. At Company 2, I have learned how challenging it is to formulate effective global strategies to thrive in diverse markets. I have also developed management skills since becoming Financial Coordinator, learning how important establishing a culture of collaboration is to providing stability for organizations.

I now seek to take the next step to becoming a “global” leader by becoming Business Development Director at a Brazilian company pursuing globalization, giving me the experience to assume my long-term goal of CEO of one such company.”

Second, you should clearly demonstrate why you need an MBA.

An MBA is not a catch-all degree that serves a purpose for all career paths. As such, you need to demonstrate that the goals you have set for yourself require the additional training an MBA can provide.

Be thoughtful about this particular section. If you don’t need to improve in any meaningful way, you might be presenting the argument the admissions committee needs for why you can’t actually benefit from an MBA.

Furthermore, if you show fluffy or unsupported reasons you need to hone your skills, you’ll also likely see your application tossed aside in favor of an applicant who was able to clearly demonstrate how they plan to leverage their time at business school.

Third, add how Kellogg can specifically help you grow in the areas you’ve identified. Mentioning that you want to go to Kellogg because of its ranking will not cut it here.

Instead, show that you understand the unique offerings Wharton’s curriculum provides (I highly suggest you mention the pathway or major you’re interested in) and have done significant, thoughtful research into how the opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom can help you grow. If you have space, it’s also highly recommended that you mention how you can contribute to the community.

End with a winning conclusion statement that reinforces your personal brand and ties the whole essay together.

Need more guidance?

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of Wharton MBA essays that worked to get our clients admitted to help you plan out a winning Wharton essay.

Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join !

2.2. Essay 2

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)

For this essay, we highly suggest that you focus on multiple examples. In our experience over the years, 3 ways you plan to contribute tends to work best, though we have seen essays with 2 examples and 4 examples work in very special circumstances.

There are many different ways you can contribute to the Wharton community, so many different stories and “lessons” you can apply at Wharton are valid here.

For example, if you have worked extensively as part of an international team, highlighting a specific experience where diversity was the key to “winning the day” and showing how you would promote diversity while at Wharton could work very well.

Or, you might have a specific ability that has proven valuable in analyzing business challenges, might be an outstanding communicator, etc. There really are endless opportunities for this essay.

When telling your stories, make sure to use the STAR method to ensure you clearly demonstrate what happened, your role in the events, and what you learned. Then, link this lesson to specific resources and opportunities at Wharton, showing how you will improve the overall community.

To create an amazing essay, stay focused, do your research on Wharton, and choose your examples wisely. Showing you’re a leader and team player who fully understands the Wharton experience and who is prepared to contribute to the Wharton community is the key to success.

2.3. Reapplicant Essay

Required Essay for All Reapplicants: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected [on] and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)

We have written two extensive posts on how to approach reapplying to business school and on how to handle the reapplicant essay . Make sure to check them out!

2.4. Optional Essay

Optional Essay: Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider.

As with nearly all elite business schools, Wharton does not want to see a summary of your profile or a restatement of why you want to attend Wharton.

However, if you have extenuating circumstances that merit additional explanation (a good overview of what kind of circumstances quality can be found here ), make sure to explain them clearly and directly.

Looking for Wharton MBA essay examples? Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here .

3. Get into the Wharton MBA

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA essays is that candidates fail to tell compelling stories . This is important because if your stories are not compelling, they will not be persuasive. At the same time, they must be backed by strong examples that establish a track record of success and prove to the admissions committees why you belong at their school.

Striking this balance between content and creativity can be tough, however, as succeeding means not only choosing the right stories but ensuring they are told in an optimal manner.

This is why our iterative developmental feedback process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting helps you mold your message through the application of our storytelling expertise until it reflects exactly what makes your profile stand out and show fit with your target program.

Not only can you take advantage of our iterative feedback process through multiple edits – you can also benefit from it after a single review! If your budget is tight, our editors will be happy to help polish your text as much as possible and leave “bonus comments” so you can keep working on it on your own!

No matter how long we work with you, we will always ensure your essays shine . Sign up to work with our team of storytelling experts and get accepted.

4. Wharton Deadlines

The deadlines below apply to the 2024-2025 application cycle. You can start your online application here .

Wharton Round 1 Deadlines

Application Deadline : September 4, 2024

Interview Notification : October 24, 2024

Decisions Released : December 10, 2024

Wharton Round 2 Deadlines

Application Deadline : January 3, 2025

Interview Notification : February 19, 2025

Decisions Released : April 1, 2025

Wharton Round 3 Deadlines

Application Deadline : April 2, 2025

Interview Notification : April 18, 2025

Decisions Released : May 13, 2025

Wharton Deferred Admissions Deadlines

Application Deadline : April 23, 2025

Interview Notification : May 29, 2025

Decisions Released : July 1, 2025

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Wharton Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2024-2025

When you hear “Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,” the first thought that pops into your head might be “Finance!”—and understandably so, given the Wharton MBA program has been a leading institution in the subject of finance since the school was founded in 1881. But what you may not realize is how much of a powerhouse UPenn Wharton is in other business domains. Its marketing and customer analytics courses are cutting edge, while aspiring entrepreneurs will find loads of resources in Wharton’s new Tangen Hall, the largest student entrepreneurship hub in the world.

UPenn Wharton asks candidates to submit two essays as part of its application. As you will see once you examine the essay prompts (as we do in detail below), Wharton really wants to know two things: What can Wharton do for you, and what can you do for Wharton? To compose an effective response, you will need a strong grasp of Wharton’s offerings as well as which of those offerings will be most valuable for you. Though you should demonstrate in these essays that you have done your homework on the program, remember that the admissions committee ultimately uses the essays to learn more about you.

Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Wharton does us by favor sharing exactly what we would recommend for a career-oriented essay. In short, one of the easiest ways to approach this question is to present a brief overview of your relevant past experiences, share what you hope to do after business school, and then explain how Wharton will help get you from where you are now to where you want to go.

Your past: Do you have a defining professional experience from your past that you can share, perhaps something that clarifies how you became interested in your target career or reveals what motivated you to apply to business school? You might even highlight a story or vignette that relates to one or more of Wharton’s key values.
Your goals: Give the schools a sense of where hope to head after graduating from Wharton. Contrary to what you might hear from others, you do not need to be overly specific (though if you have clearly defined goals in mind, by all means, communicate them!). What is more important is that you have at least a general sense of where you are headed and that your plans make sense in the context of your past experiences.
Why Wharton: You should dedicate approximately one-half of the allotted word count to the “Why Wharton?” element. Before you begin working on your essays, do some in-depth research on the Wharton MBA experience and identify specific reasons the program appeals to you. For example, which classes are you excited to take? What will you major in? Which skills and experiences do you need to have to be able to achieve your career goals, and which offerings at Wharton will provide them? Which clubs will you join, and what role(s) will you play in them? Remember, Wharton wants to know specifically what you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA (not just any MBA program in general). Give Wharton every confidence that you can clearly imagine yourself on campus and that you fully understand why it is the right MBA program to help you advance toward your professional goals.
When researching Wharton, go beyond the school’s materials and website and also sign up for virtual classes and contact and speak with students and alumni. As you do your research, your goal is not to find the most unique or little-known classes or resources; instead, you want to identify several offerings that will enable you to close the gap between where you are now and where you want to go after business school.

Essay 2: 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)

While the school’s first question is about how Wharton can help you, this second one is about how you can help Wharton.

To start, let us share a potentially uncomfortable truth, but one you need to keep in mind with respect to this essay. All of the following contributions are incredibly valuable, but you should assume that many—even most—other Wharton applicants can offer them as well: analytical skills to help classmates who might struggle with some of the initial coursework (this scenario is actually extremely rare), a robust network, a willingness to help (other) international/LGBTQAI+/minority/etc. classmates get settled, and an interest in being an alumni mentor and/or interviewer. Does that mean that under no circumstances should you mention any of these? Of course not! But if you do, you absolutely must offer clear stories and reasons that substantiate why you are (or will be) especially adept at what you propose.
Regardless of what you choose to highlight, your essay should not end up being just a laundry list, in part because you do not have enough space to enumerate a large number of ideas, but more importantly, because this is about quality , not quantity. In your mere 400 words, you want to highlight two or three examples (not referenced in Essay 1) of how you will participate in the community—the Wharton community, the Penn community, and/or the Philadelphia community more broadly. How can you make an impact? Have you identified a gap in the school’s offerings that you could help fill or a way of improving something that is already available (innovation!)? Can you offer something relatively unique based on your personal experiences and background? What would you do, and what role would you take?
A key part of this essay question that applicants often overlook is the intro phrase: “Taking into consideration your background.” Wharton is asking not just about what you expect to do, but why . What is motivating you to participate in the activity you mention? How does it connect with your life experiences, good or bad? Of all the many things you could choose to be involved in at Wharton, what has prompted you to focus on this one?
And to set the record straight, you do not have to avoid getting personal or worry about being “basic.” The main thing is to be authentic. For example, if you are an expert skier or a wine connoisseur, stating that you plan to join the ski club or wine club is perfectly acceptable, but you need to then go a step further and explain what you specifically can bring to the table.

To summarize, the key with this essay is not just telling the admissions committee how you anticipate being involved as a Wharton student but also why doing so is important to you and what impact you will have.

More about Wharton:

We have added this section because too often, we hear candidates dismiss Wharton because they assume Wharton is either too competitive or too focused on finance. While Wharton is full of driven, ambitious students, so is every top business school; collaboration on campus is still pervasive. Likewise, Wharton’s finance curriculum is top-notch, but so is its prowess in marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship and more. See below for more thoughts on what Wharton is really about and what it seeks in applicants. These notes can be helpful as you consider what to write about in your essays.

At Wharton, collaboration is crucial to success. From its team-based admissions interviews to the structure of its learning teams, Wharton demonstrates again and again that working with others to achieve a mutual goal is held in high regard. With respect to its essays, highlighting teamwork examples can therefore be useful, but note that a team involves people in many different roles, and various types of leadership are valued. Do not feel you must present an example of professional success or a team you “led” to be able to submit an effective essay; examples that demonstrate other types of leadership, or other roles on a team, can be equally or even more effective. (Note: If you are not familiar with the McNulty Leadership Program and what it offers, quickly reviewing it would be worth your time.)

Wharton has tried hard to break free of its former reputation as mostly a “finance school,” and one of the ways it has succeeded is by embracing innovation , through its courses, venture conferences and competitions, and student body. Demonstrating that you have an interest in being innovative, or in engineering change in any form, can help convince Wharton that you will be a good fit with its program.

Your analytical skills can be communicated through your GMAT/GRE scores and your undergrad coursework and GPA, but if your skills are lacking—and even if they are not—your essays (and/or your resume) can offer additional avenues through which to show the admissions committee your analytical prowess. Wharton wants to see quantitative proficiency, so make sure to show evidence of such. Note that we are using the word “show” here intentionally; you want to include examples that effectively “show” the admissions committee that you possess these skills, not just tell the schools that you have them.

In an effort to create future leaders with a global mindset , Wharton prides itself on the diverse makeup of its student body, with members hailing from around the globe. Describing the experiences you have had across different regions and cultures, and explaining what you learned/gained from those experiences, can reveal your ability strengthen the student body.

Topics in this resource:

MBA Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance

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June 13, 2024

Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024-2025], Class Profile

Wharton has not changed its application essay questions for several seasons now. This is usually a sign that the admissions committee is happy with the kind of essays applicants are providing in response. Wharton asks candidates to share what they plan to do with their MBA in the short and long term and to discuss what they can contribute to the school’s community. The school’s optional essay then lets applicants address any issues with their profile, if needed.

Ready to get to work on your Wharton application? Read on.

Wharton application essay tips

The wharton mba team-based discussion.

Wharton application deadlines
Wharton class profile

Wharton Essay #1

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

This question is specifically asking you to reflect on your aspirations, accomplishments, and essentially, “Why Wharton?” It is future focused and exclusively professional. What do you want to do professionally that you can’t do now and that a Wharton MBA will enable you to do? What “soft” and “hard” skills do you hope to acquire at Wharton? How will a Wharton MBA (the education, credential, and experience), combined with your past experience and education, help you achieve your dreams?

Wharton Director of Admissions Blair Mannix explains:

“We want students to do self-reflection on why they want this degree. We want students to explore the pivot moment – when they decided they wanted to do this – and unpack the talent and treasure they can bring to the MBA. Spend the time and really think about the top three things you will get out of the program.”

As with most MBA goals questions , Wharton wants to see how you plan to connect your MBA education to your future aspirations. Keep in mind that Wharton has an incredibly rich curriculum with a wide variety of majors and courses available, both at Wharton and across Penn. How will you take advantage of its unique offerings to achieve your career goals?

To answer this question well, you need to have a sense of your next steps professionally and how you plan to use Wharton’s myriad resources to make it the perfect next stop on your professional journey. There are many ways you could structure your response. You might start with a pivotal experience that illustrates either what you seek to accomplish or how it shaped your short and long-term goals. Then explain why this experience – ideally, an accomplishment – is important to you and how it relates to the question. In doing so, make sure you specifically state how the Wharton experience is key to achieving your objectives.

Wharton Essay #2

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)

For this essay, start with the end in mind: How do you intend to contribute to the Wharton community?

To answer that question, research the cocurricular opportunities and pedagogical approach at Wharton. How will you add to the program and its community? Based on your experience, what difference do you intend to make? How will you participate and contribute?

Now decide on the aspects of your experience and background that have prepared you to have your intended impact. You can highlight achievements, challenges you’ve overcome , initiatives you’ve led, and teamwork situations, and that’s just for starters.

Brainstorm ideas and jot them down. Talk with friends and family and ask them what they think your personal strengths are and how they have seen you make an impact in your student or professional communities. What unique value-add do they think you can bring to a student community of professionals?

Remember to think about what is important to you, and not just your goals, but your values. Now you’re now ready to write. The MBA application process is nothing if not a journey of self-reflection!

Start this essay with the impactful experience from your past and analyze the lesson you learned from that accomplishment. Then bring it forward and apply it to your intended role at Wharton.

Alternatively, you can start with your intended impact at Wharton and then go back to your past experience. Regardless of how you structure your essay, you want Wharton to see you as a giver and contributor.

Wharton Reapplicant Essay

Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)

The name of the MBA reapplicant game is “Growth and Improvement.” Wharton is asking for reflection, and you need to provide it, while also showing how that reflection has led to action and advancement. Demonstrate to Wharton that you are a better candidate this time than last.

Wharton Optional Essay

Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (500 words)

“Addressing extenuating circumstances” means that you should describe the issues and situations in a straightforward way. Give the admissions committee context, and absolutely avoid giving excuses or deflecting blame. If possible, provide evidence that those circumstances were temporary and will not affect your performance.

Use this essay strategically. Admissions officers are reading many, many applications, so do not use the optional essay to superfluously expand on something you have already touched on in your other essays. Any aspect of your application that you think might raise a question mark for the admissions committee should be addressed clearly and succinctly here. Don’t make them guess. Alternatively, if you have some crucial aspect of your profile that you feel you need to convey (and have not shared in another essay or on your resume), this is a good place to do so.

If you are invited to participate in a Wharton MBA Team-Based Discussion, be sure to listen to this advice: What Is Wharton’s Team-Based MBA Interview Like? Tips From Director of Admissions Blair Mannix .

Wharton Application Deadlines

Round 1	September 4, 2024
Round 2	January 3, 2025
Round 3	April 2, 2025
Deferred Admissions Round	April 23, 2025

To be considered for a round, you must submit a completed application by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the deadline.

Source: Wharton website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Wharton directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Wharton Class Profile

Here is a look at the Wharton MBA Class of 2025 (data taken from the Wharton website ):

Applications: 6,194

Enrolled class: 874

LGBTQ+ students: 11%

U.S. race/ethnicity (Federal guidelines reporting):

Asian American: 21%
Black/African American: 9%
Hispanic/Latinx: 7%
Multi-race: 4%
Did not report: 1%
Native American: 0%

International students: 31%

Countries represented: 70

Average GMAT score: 728

Average GRE Quant score: 162

Average GRE Verbal score: 162

Average GPA (from students who attended universities with a 4.0 grading system): 3.6

Undergraduate major:

Humanities: 40%
Business: 27%

Interdisciplinary and dual degree programs (students):

Health Care Management: 73
Lauder MBA/MA: 70
Moelis Advance Access (Deferred Admission): 57
Carey JD/MBA: 16

Average years of work experience: 5

Range of years of work experience: 1-21

Previous Industry Experience:

Consulting: 27%
Private Equity/Venture Capital: 14%
Technology: 12%
Nonprofit/Government: 10%
Investment Banking: 9%
Financial Services: 7%
Health Care: 5%
Investment Management: 3%
Consumer Packaged Goods: 2%
Real Estate: 2%
Media/Entertainment: 1%

Is Wharton your target school?

Get started with your b-school research:

Which MBA Program Is Right for Me? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an MBA Program
M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

Once you have decided that Wharton is the place for you, Accepted can help you make your application stand out from the rest.

What’s New at Penn’s The Wharton School. And How to Get In , podcast Episode 440, an interview with Wharton Director of Admissions Blair Mannix
Applying to Wharton Lauder? Do Your Research! , podcast Episode 465, an interview with Kara Keenan Sweeney, former director of admissions marketing and financial aid at the Lauder Institute

Kara Keenan Sweeney has more than 15 years of experience in MBA admissions, having worked for some of the world’s top business school programs, including Columbia Business School, INSEAD, and The Lauder Institute’s joint degree MA/MBA program with The Wharton School and the MA/JD program with Penn Law at the University of Pennsylvania. Kara has guided, coached, and counseled thousands of MBA and EMBA applicants, reviewed innumerable applications, sat on admissions committees, and interviewed countless applicants, including while running Wharton’s Team-Based Discussions both virtually and in person. Want Kara to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources

What’s New at The Wharton School, an interview with Blair Mannix, Executive Director of Graduate Admissions at The Wharton School
Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for MBA Applicants
Accepted’s Business School Selectivity Index

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Wharton MBA Essay Questions & Tips

Applying to the Wharton MBA program ? If so, you’ve likely begun thinking about how to approach the Wharton MBA essay questions. You’ve come to the right place. Read on for the Wharton MBA essay questions and tips to ensure your responses are as strong as possible.

Wharton MBA Essay Questions

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (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)

Wharton MBA Essay Tips

The Wharton essay prompts are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and vice versa). As such, this application can be a good one to tackle early in the process. The deadlines are also early in each round, which lends additional credence to this approach.

While the Wharton essay questions read as fairly straightforward, don’t let them lead you down the path of writing bland essays. Run of the mill essays do nothing to help you stand out from the sea of applications Wharton receives. Additionally, despite the generous word count, you will absolutely need to be strategic about what you include – and don’t.

Your Career Goals Are the ‘Anchor’ For Essay One

Once you have defined and refined your career goals, you need to think backwards and forwards. By thinking backwards, we’re encouraging you to think about the formative experiences that led you to your post-MBA career goals. Perhaps in your work as a consultant you were staffed on a healthcare project that opened your eyes to how complex yet exciting the healthcare industry can be. This sparked your interest in shifting to a strategy role within a healthcare company where you can make a lasting impact on the industry and those it touches. Tell this story so the adcom can really feel your passion and the authenticity behind your goals.

By thinking forwards, we’re recommending that you think very specifically about the skills you need to build to be successful in your target career. Then, research and describe the unique elements of Wharton’s program that will help you to build them. If the examples you cite are offered by other business schools, they are not specific enough to make a compelling argument as to why Wharton will best position you for success. Getting this part right takes work and that is exactly why it matters.

Focus Essay Two on Being a ‘Giver’ Not a ‘Taker’

When it comes to the second essay, take a cue from what Wharton professor extraordinaire Adam Grant’s concept of ‘givers and takers’. Whereas the ‘why Wharton’ section of the first essay can cover what you will ‘take’ from the experience, this essay should focus on the ways in which you will be a ‘giver’ while at Wharton and even after graduation. A giver ‘…[looks] to help others by making an introduction, giving advice, providing mentoring, or sharing knowledge, without any strings attached.’

To be in a position to ‘give’, you need to have a unique knowledge base, personality trait, or past experience from which others will benefit. This is the crux of the essay. It is, first and foremost, the place to share what distinguishes you from other applicants. Because the first essay is so career focused, we urge clients to write about something personal here.

For example, a past client discussed how she would use the determination that had helped her overcome personal challenges to motivate her peers in Wharton Women in Business. She went on to describe a specific area of programming she would bring to the club that tied in with some of the personal challenges she had conquered. The essay was strategic, specific, and thoughtful (and it was successful in earning her an acceptance with full scholarship).

Structure Ideas

Note: In some cases, the topic noted under a single paragraph below may span two or even three paragraphs, but, topically, the below lays out a good flow.

For Essay 1, we recommend a structure somewhat like this:

P1: Directly and concisely share your short-term and long-term career goals P2: Share a story that explains the ‘why’ behind your goals P3-5: Describe 3ish key “things” you want to get out of the Wharton MBA to support those goals

For Essay 2, we recommend a structure somewhat like this:

P1: Introduce the ‘unique contribution’ you will bring to Wharton and preview how you will use it to benefit others P2: Share the ‘origin’ of this contribution (i.e., what experience or person/people helped you to develop it) P3: Forward-looking discussion of ~two specific ways you will leverage your ‘unique contribution’ to ‘give’ to the Wharton community while you are on campus or after you have graduated

We hope these frameworks and structure ideas are helpful as you work to differentiate yourself and demonstrate the amazing mark you are prepared to leave on the Wharton community.

If you’d like assistance with your Wharton essays or your broader MBA application strategy, click here to schedule an initial consultation!

Katie is a passionate mentor and coach, helping her clients craft a unique, compelling story by leveraging her experience as a corporate executive, alumni interviewer, and campus recruiter. Before completing her MBA at Kellogg, Katie spent five years in banking where she learned practical finance skills as well as how to operate in a demanding, high pressure environment. She pursued an MBA in order to transition to an industry role where she could utilize her finance knowledge to drive change within an organization. Post-MBA, she worked in finance and strategy for a leading CPG firm, progressing to an executive role leading the finance function for a $2B business segment. Her experience managing diverse teams led to a passion for developing others. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, she led her firm’s MBA recruiting efforts and served as an alumni admissions interviewer for Kellogg.

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2023-2024 Wharton MBA Essay Analysis and Tips

Admit expert.

July 5, 2023

The Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1881 through a donation from businessman and philanthropist Joseph Wharton, the school is the world’s oldest collegiate business school. It consistently ranks among the top business schools in the United States. With a global alumni network of over 94,000 graduates, the Wharton School offers its students unparalleled networking and career advancement opportunities. If you are looking for a top-ranked business school that can provide you with an excellent education and great career prospects, the Wharton School is the right choice for you.

What stands between you and a place in the Wharton class is the rigorous application process. In this process, essays are the most crucial aspect and in this article, we’ll provide helpful tips to make sure you write the best possible responses to the Wharton MBA essay prompts.

Wharton MBA essay

Your essays have a significant impact on how Wharton’s admissions committee views your MBA candidacy by allowing a deeper look into your values, experiences, and motivations. This information may make the writing process appear extremely intimidating, but don’t worry. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about Wharton MBA essays.

For the 2023 application season, Wharton will once again require applicants to submit the same two essays as last year. The word limit for all essays remains the same. However, while Wharton maintains its previous pattern of two required essays for its full-time MBA application process, applicants must exercise extreme caution when responding to these essays.

Because, even with strong profiles and 750+ GMAT scores, the school rejects several candidates every year, primarily due to their cookie-cutter approach and attempts to fit in too much in the limited space.

Candidates have 900 words to introduce themselves to the Wharton MBA program. Candidates may also submit an optional essay in order to provide additional information or explain extenuating circumstances. Reapplicants must submit an additional required essay.

Wharton MBA essay for 2024 intake

Essay 2: 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: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)

General tips for the Wharton Essay

Before you worry about word count, write everything out..

“How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals?” is a lofty question. The Admission Committee is asking you to write a 500-word essay bridging the last 4-10 years of your life to the goals of your next 30 years.

You’re probably thinking “How can I possibly convey everything important about myself and my career choices in only 500 words?”. Well, you can’t. However, you can cut it down to show only the highlights.

Connect the “Three Career Dots”

What have you done to date, what unique things do you already know, and what do you have still to learn? How can Wharton help you and how can you help the Wharton community? How does that all connect to your goals post-MBA?

This tip will also help you for Essay 2, “Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?”

Remember that you’re writing your essay for Wharton, not just any other MBA program. It is fairly simple to determine if you spend some time researching why the school is the right fit for you, how you can leverage its resources, and how it will transform you as a business leader. Wharton is distinctive, and your essay should reflect this.

MBA application deadlines 2023-2024

Application Deadline	Interview Invitations	Decisions
Round 1	September 6, 2023	October 24, 2023	December 14, 2023
Round 2	January 4, 2024	February 16, 2024	March 26, 2024
Round 3	April 2, 2024	April 19, 2024	May 13, 2024
Deferred Admissions Round	April 24, 2024	May 28, 2024	June 27, 2024

Wharton MBA essay analysis

The fundamental requirement of Essay 1 is that you have a clear idea of your career objectives. You should be aware of what you want to achieve and be able to describe in detail how Wharton will assist you in doing so. Listing numerous classes is a horrible strategy because it does not provide the admissions committee with enough information about your familiarity with the institution. Anyone can seek up a list of classes, and many universities offer parallel courses that might just as easily help you achieve your objectives.

Although your work history is not specifically requested in the essay, it is nevertheless important to give a succinct overview of the key professional events that have sparked your desires and helped you to clearly define your aims. Describe the talents you have acquired so far in your career and the professional goals you have for the near and long term. After that, describe your current perspective and why getting an MBA at this point in your career will help you achieve your objectives. Here, you should show that you are aware of yourself and the talents you lack.

To properly answer this question, you must have professional direction and understand which of Wharton’s numerous resources make it the ideal next stop on your professional journey.

You could compose your response in a variety of ways. You may begin by describing a crucial experience that either exemplifies what you hope to achieve or affects your short- and long-term ambitions. Afterward, explain why this event, which was ideally a success, is significant to you and how it relates to the issue.

Include relevant details from your Wharton research and make sure to connect them to your objectives and core principles. For instance, you ought to discuss how Wharton’s distinctive educational possibilities, culture, extracurricular activities, clubs, and groups, rich and flexible curriculum, and experienced faculty may help you achieve your objectives. Be extremely clear about how a certain class or student organization relates to your desired job. Making your case for Wharton is what matters most.

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)

When this essay prompt was newly introduced, Wharton Director of Admissions, Blair Mannix , said, “Our main goal is to get to know you the best that we can, and the change to our second prompt was largely motivated by that desire. We hope to give applicants room to reflect on their unique backgrounds and think about what their value-add will be to the Wharton community. Applicants should remember that the admissions committee is looking for candidates who will contribute to all aspects of Wharton life.”

The admissions committee seeks candidates who will make an impact both while at Wharton and as alumni. This essay allows applicants to choose experiences from their personal, professional, and academic lives. As a result, this essay is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm and the impact you have had in these areas.

You can choose two or three most important instances from the past in which you created a significant impact on your organization or community. After that, describe how these encounters have equipped you to contribute to the Wharton community. Describe the difficulties you encountered and the solutions you came up with to have an impact. Additionally, you must discuss the lessons you took away from the event and then explain how the Wharton community might profit from your knowledge. Please be aware that any contribution should be based on your own professional, academic, and personal experiences. You can participate in a variety of ways, such as in the group project, in the classroom, or in any clubs or student organizations.

In essence, in this essay, you should consider how you can use your expertise and pertinent lessons to get involved in the Wharton community. You can provide a consistent and coherent image of your candidacy, as well as your professional and personal interests, by making a connection between your history and your projected future in the program. You’ll provide the adcom more justification for admitting you if you can be more specific about how you would contribute (by taking on a specific role in planning a specific annual event, for example).

Reapplicant essay

Reapplicants will want to provide a straightforward account of the particular efforts they’ve done to strengthen their applications since they last applied to Wharton given the limited word limit for this response.

Share information in this essay if you have improved your GMAT, received promotions, gained more clarity on your goals this time, taken new quantitative classes or certifications, or been involved in volunteer activities.

In short, Growth and Improvement is the name of the MBA reapplicant game. Wharton expects introspection, which you must provide, but you must also demonstrate how that reflection led to action and improvement. Demonstrate to Wharton that you are a stronger candidate this time around.

Optional Essay

“Addressing extenuating circumstances” implies that you should describe those circumstances clearly. Provide context to the admissions committee. Make no excuses or complaints. If possible, provide proof that those circumstances no longer exist and/or will not have an impact on your performance.

For example, you can explain a lower-than-average GMAT score, any grades below a C on your transcript, academic probation, or significant employment or education gap in this essay. Make sure your reason for providing context for a weakness in your profile is genuine in order to persuade the Ad Com that your low grades or employment gap occurred due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. Your response should be positive, direct, and fact-based, and should not sound as if you are making excuses for a flaw in your profile. Also, please explain in the optional statement if you are unable to obtain a recommendation letter from your current supervisor. Your flaws may also highlight a positive aspect of your personality.

For example, if you’re talking about your job gap, you could say that you did something productive during that time, such as traveling, volunteering, or dealing with a family medical emergency.

The opportunity to address any application-related irregularities, such as subpar academic achievement, gaps in your resume, or low test scores, is provided via the optional essay prompt. Use this essay to answer any remaining concerns a committee member may have about your application.

Essay Prompts 1 and 2 as well as a special reapplicant-only prompt must be answered by reapplicants at Wharton. Your past submissions might no longer be totally applicable because the writing prompts are subject to change every year. Reassessing the caliber of your previous writings is still an excellent idea even if the prompts haven’t changed.

Applicants to the Francis J. & William Polk Carey/JD MBA program “are strongly encouraged to answer the application essay questions in relation to the Carey JD/MBA Program rather than just the Wharton MBA Program.” Applicants to the Wharton/Lauder Institute Joint-Degree Program must answer one additional Lauder prompt.

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Wharton MBA Essay Questions & Tips

Wharton MBA Essay Questions

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (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)

Wharton MBA Essay Tips

Your Career Goals Are the ‘Anchor’ For Essay One

Focus Essay Two on Being a ‘Giver’ Not a ‘Taker’

Structure Ideas

Note: In some cases, the topic noted under a single paragraph below may span two or even three paragraphs, but, topically, the below lays out a good flow.

For Essay 1, we recommend a structure somewhat like this:

For Essay 2, we recommend a structure somewhat like this:

We hope these frameworks and structure ideas are helpful as you work to differentiate yourself and demonstrate the amazing mark you are prepared to leave on the Wharton community.

If you’d like assistance with your Wharton essays or your broader MBA application strategy, click here to schedule an initial consultation!

The post Wharton MBA Essay Questions & Tips appeared first on Vantage Point MBA .

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Published in MBA , Vantage Point MBA , Admission Consultants and Blog

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Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, wharton mba essays: tips & strategy.

By Judith Silverman Hodara

Wharton’s two required essays are designed to let the admissions committee get to know you on a personal and professional level.

First-time MBA applicants and re-applicants are required to complete both essays. The Admissions Committee wants to get 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. Below is my advice on how to respond to each required essay question, along with the overarching strategy to keep in mind for making a compelling case for your candidacy. (For a candid assessment of your chances of admission and to learn more about Fortuna’s MBA packages , sign up for a free consultation .)

First, a bit of context. As Wharton’s former head of Admissions, I can attest that Wharton is without a doubt team-based, but it’s also community based. With more than 900 students in any incoming class, the Wharton MBA experience is about being part of a much larger organism than your learning team or your cohort, and also discerning how your unique experiences will shape the experiences of many of your fellow students, the program, and the institution writ large. Wharton’s two required essay questions reflect these cultural values.

Decoding the Wharton MBA Essays

In essence, Wharton first essay question is asking what you’ll get out of Wharton, while the second question wants to know what Wharton will get in return. This is a big bottom line for admissions: What are the forces that shape who you are, and how do they shape the kind of leader and community member you will be? Successful essays reflect self-awareness and profound understanding of the community you’re hoping to join.

Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Wharton’s first question is straightforward, asking you to connect a persuasive career vision to how the Wharton MBA positions you to achieve your greatest aspirations. Wharton admissions officers want assurance that you can create a viable path to follow; understanding that while the actual industry and functions are variable, you should enter the program with a sense of purpose.

It also requires a deep understanding of Wharton’s values, culture and what makes it special. Without a nuanced appreciation of its distinctive community and program offerings – gained by thorough research, thoughtful networking and, whenever possible, a visit to campus – the admissions committee may not see you as a good fit. It’s key to acknowledge the specific things that stand out about the school and why they are important to you.

In referencing your past experience within what you “might consider,” Wharton is really looking to learn about what skills you have gained in your career thus far and how those will propel you into your MBA program. Using the Wharton MBA degree, what are your short and long-term career goals? The important thing here is to clearly identify your long-term goal and describe how your short-term goal will help get you there. You want to create a cohesive story so Wharton understands where you’ve been, where you’re going, and how they fit into your story.

What is it you want to do and how is Wharton going to get you there? For a question like this, the why behind the goal is as important as the goals themselves.

The first of Chicago Booth’s MBA essays poses a similar question, and my Fortuna colleague Bill Kooser (former Chicago Booth Associate Dean) offers this perspective: “Think of your long term goal in terms of impact — personal, organizational and social/community wide — not just in terms of a position or role. Why is this goal important to you? What led you to it?”

For a deeper dive and some great examples of short and long-term goals, view this article by Fortuna’s Heidi Hillis on How To Create MBA Goals: Long-Term Vs. Short Term-Career Vision .

Essay 2: 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)

Your history is really important to Wharton in this question, especially how it relates to the next steps of a Wharton education. The admissions officers want to understand your ‘origin story’ and how it informs the next steps of your leadership journey: what you envision doing while a student in Philadelphia and then as an alumnus of the school as you continue to make an impact on your wider community.

The specificity of this question’s wording signals that you should connect the dots for the admissions committee between where you are coming from and where you are heading. Unlike earlier iterations of this prompt, there is little room for ambiguity and also a lot of room for backstory. This essay question invites you to go deeper into clarifying how elements of your identity and background shape your awareness and why it matters going forward. Don’t just reinforce a link to how your background will “aid in my teamwork skills,”or how you’ve developed better communication skills. Rather, share specifics with your reader that go deeper into who you are, what makes you unique and what you stand to offer. The Admissions Committee wants specifics.

Do you have a background in community organizing that lends itself directly to such activities at Wharton? Does your choice of academic study, or family background, or culture influence what you have chosen to pursue professionally? In this question, Wharton is offering you a lot of leeway choosing what influence(s) to focus on. Get introspective and be discerning about what historical threads you choose to share and their significance, both for you and the future community with whom you hope to engage.

Let’s Get You In.

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA Admissions Directors and Officers from 18 of the top 20 business schools, including Wharton. With our unparalleled collective expertise, we are able to coach you to develop a clear vision of your goals for business school and beyond. We work closely with you throughout the application process and provide expert guidance at every stage to maximize your chances of admission to a top school.

Our free consultations are consistently rated as the best in the industry. To learn more about Fortuna and assess your chances of admission to Wharton and other top programs, request a free consultation .

Want More Advice?

Check out our team’s latest articles, videos, and analysis related to how to get into Wharton:

Wharton MBA Essay Tips: How to Tackle the New Question (blog w/ video)
What New Wharton Dean Erika James Means for the Wharton MBA (blog)
Acing the Wharton TBD (blog w/ video)
What is Wharton Looking For? Key Criteria & Qualities of the Ideal Candidate (video)
Personal MBA Experience: Insider Advice on the Wharton Business School (video)
Request a copy of Fortuna’s Insider Tips Report: Applying to the Wharton School

For a deeper dive on how to position a successful MBA application to Wharton, join our Wharton MBA Admissions Masterclass on Wed., June 29, at noon ET , a live strategy session and Q&A with Fortuna’s Wharton insiders and industry experts. This 50-minute webinar delves into essential, insider guidance and is also the chance to have your questions answered. View our 3-part Masterclass series and register now to reserve your place.

Updated Sept. 27, 2023

Fortuna Admissions Co-Founder & Director Judith Silverman Hodara is former head of Admissions at Wharton. If you’re looking for more advice and a personal, candid assessment of your chances, you can sign up now for a free consultation .

Posted on September 27, 2023

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How to Tackle the Wharton MBA Essays

September 20, 2022

Wharton MBA Essay Questions

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (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)

Wharton MBA Essay Tips

The Wharton essay prompts are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and vice versa). As such, this application can be a good one to tackle early in the process. The Wharton deadlines are also early in each round (September 7 th is the Round 1 deadline), which lends additional credence to this approach.

While the Wharton essay questions read as fairly straightforward, don’t let them lead you down the path of writing bland essays. Run of the mill essays do nothing to help you stand out from the sea of applications Wharton receives. To be precise, Wharton received 7,338 applications last year and only accepted 1,338 of those applicants. Additionally, despite the generous word count, you will absolutely need to be strategic about what you include – and don’t.

Essay 1 Should Be Grounded in Concrete Career Goals, a Solid ‘Why’, and a Thoughtful ‘How’

When it comes to the first essay, the critical thing to keep in mind is that all of your content should be ‘anchored’ by your short- and long-term career goals. If you haven’t given robust thought to these and done your due diligence to ensure they are sound, now is the time to do so. In short, your immediate post-MBA goal should be specific down to the title, function, and industry you will target – you may even include a few potential companies you would like to work for. Your long-term career goal can be higher level but should be ambitious and a reasonable follow on to your targeted post-MBA role.

Once you have shared your career goals, look to address the ‘past experience’ part of the essay prompt. What the Wharton adcom is looking for here is your ‘why’. Think about the formative experiences that led you to your post-MBA career goals. Perhaps in your work as a consultant you were staffed on a healthcare project that opened your eyes to how complex yet exciting the healthcare industry can be. This sparked your interest in shifting to a strategy role within a healthcare company where you can make a lasting impact on the industry and those it touches. Tell this story so the adcom can really feel your passion and the authenticity behind your goals.

After sharing the ‘why’ underlying your goals, shift focus to the ‘how’. While you likely bring a host of really impressive skills to the table, there are also inevitably gaps in your experience that you will need to close in order to achieve your ultimate career ambitions. Do an honest and detailed assessment of these gaps and then describe the unique elements of Wharton’s program that will help you to build them. If the examples you cite are offered by other business schools, they are not specific enough to make a compelling argument as to why Wharton will best position you for success. Getting this part right takes work and that is exactly why it matters.

Essay Two is All About Differentiating Yourself

When it comes to the second essay, take a cue from what Wharton professor extraordinaire Adam Grant’s concept of ‘givers and takers’ . Whereas the ‘why Wharton’ section of the first essay can cover what you will ‘take’ from the experience, this essay should focus on the ways in which you will be a ‘giver’ while at Wharton and even after graduation. A giver ‘…[looks] to help others by making an introduction, giving advice, providing mentoring, or sharing knowledge, without any strings attached.’

To be in a position to ‘give’, you need to have a unique knowledge base, personality trait, or past experience from which others will benefit. This is the crux of what you should share in this essay. It is, first and foremost, the place to share what distinguishes you from other applicants. Because the first essay is so career focused, we urge clients to write about something personal here, if possible.

To begin the essay, preview your ‘differentiator’ and why it will make you an asset to the Wharton community. This will likely entail telling a story from your past from which your ‘differentiator’ originated. Next, think to the future and share ~two concrete ways you will leverage your ‘differentiator’ to make an impact at Wharton. Perhaps you will bring a unique perspective to classroom discussions or leverage exemplary teambuilding skills to unite your cohort? The key is to communicate contributions that are specific, unique to you (i.e., every other applicant wouldn’t be equally as well positioned to make them) and demonstrate knowledge of Wharton.

We hope these tips ideas are helpful as you work to differentiate yourself and demonstrate the amazing mark you would leave on the Wharton community. If you’d like assistance with your Wharton essays or your broader MBA application strategy with Vantage Point MBA, click here to schedule an initial consultation!

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Vantage Point MBA

Wharton MBA Application Essays: Prompts & Expert Tips

Tips and tricks to writing a stand-out essay for your Wharton MBA application, including an overview of the questions, expert advice, and how to get started.

Posted May 9, 2024

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The essay portion of your business school application is arguably the most important part. It gives the admissions committee a personal look at the candidate and allows the candidate to present themself as an individual, rather than a set of numbers. The essays for the Wharton school emphasize one of its goals: to foster a symbiotic relationship between the students and the school. The essay questions are as follows:

1. How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words max.) 2. 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 max.)

You can also find them on the University of Pennsylvania’s website here . With these prompts, Wharton is asking how it will help you and how you will be able to help it. It recommends its applicants try and be succinct, honest, and self-reflective. It’s important to fully be yourself–your essays should not be applicable to anyone else.

Before you begin the writing process, start by structuring your essay. You don’t necessarily need all the parts of a formal piece of writing, such as a thesis statement or topic sentence, but you should make sure that your point is clear, everything is tied together and relevant, and the writing flows smoothly between body paragraphs.

The nature of the first essay requires applicants to have a very clear understanding of their goals, both personal and professional. In responding to this, Wharton wants to see that the applicants can clearly articulate the specific ways that the school will benefit them. This is not the place to list out the many classes you want to take; dig deeper and talk about the characteristics that are unique to Wharton. Options include professors that teach there, clubs and activities, or any unique development opportunities, among others.

On the flip side, the second essay is about explaining to Wharton how you will benefit them. The school emphasizes that the class size is small, so they want every MBA candidate to bring something to the table. The Wharton essays are often referred to as the “give and take” because you are trying to show what you will give to Wharton and what you will take.

With this essay, prove to Wharton that you will be an asset to the program. What do you bring that’s different than everyone else applying? This answer should be completely unique to you. Before you begin to write, research the program so that you have an idea of what the school wants. It will be difficult to argue that you’ll become an ROI for them if you don’t know what they’re looking for. Ideas may involve starting a new club or conference, or what you can bring to your cohorts.

MBA Essay Guide

Download our free MBA essay guide for school-specific deep-dives, examples, insider tips, and common mistakes

Wharton Essay Tips

1. answer the question.

When the topic is so broad and the word limit so low, it can be difficult to remain on-task. When you’re writing the essay, remember to step back and ask yourself whether you are actually answering the question. Are you explaining how you will benefit from Wharton or are you on a rant about everything you want to do with your life? This is why it’s important to start writing early. That way, you’ll have time to revise, get feedback, and read it from a fresh perspective multiple times before submission.

2. Do Research

The admissions committee will be able to tell if the applicant has spent time researching the school and the program. They want to know that you care about getting into Wharton specifically, and not just any MBA program. By supporting your thesis with well-researched facts, you’ll demonstrate an understanding of the program and present a more convincing argument to the AdCom. A full-time MBA is a commitment–show that you are ready for it by acknowledging what you’re getting into.

3. Be Yourself

As we’ve stated above, your essay should not be something that anyone else could have written. For the class of 2023, there were 7,338 applications. You need to show that you are different from the 7,337 other individuals vying for one of the coveted acceptances. Now, this also does not mean that you should grossly exaggerate any achievements or hobbies. Simply remain true to yourself as your write your application. Maybe you are an amateur beekeeper and this has helped you understand the power of working in a team, or you were scuba certified in Indonesia and want to make more affordable equipment. Whatever the case, be unique and be yourself.

4. Be Concise

You only have a combined 900 words to answer both essays, meaning your essay will likely need to go through several stages of edits. One alum on Wharton’s website recommends that you write out your essay, including everything that you’d like to say, without thinking about the word count. That way, you’ll be able to start to pare down the information to the highlights from the top-down. Every word in your essay should have a purpose–don’t go off on tangents or try and be verbose. Show off your writing skills by getting to the point and conveying the required information in a simple, understandable manner.

5. Don’t Restate Your Resume

Your essays should not be a rehashing of the information on your resume and the rest of your application. It’s commonly said that the essay portion should be where you “make visible the invisible.” This is your chance to write about something that can’t be found anywhere else in the application. The AdCom already has your resume, academic record, recommendations, and standardized test scores. What else is there to you beyond that? Whatever it is, write about that.

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A Wharton applicant begins drafting their Wharton MBA Essays

Everything You Need To Know About The Wharton MBA Essays

The Wharton MBA essays are an essential aspect of your application. By allowing a deeper look into your values, experiences, and motivations, your essay submissions significantly affect the way Wharton’s admissions committee views your MBA candidacy. This information can cause the writing process to seem extremely intimidating, but you don’t need to fret. This article outlines everything you need to know about the Wharton MBA essays.

What Are the Wharton MBA Essays?

Typically, there are two essay prompts in the Wharton MBA application, along with one optional prompt. There are also essays specifically for those applying to joint-degree programs and an additional essay for reapplicants.

The Wharton MBA essay prompts can change from year to year. However, you can find many of the same themes and ideas in the various essay questions. Here are some examples of past Wharton MBA essay prompts: ‍

What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)

This essay is pretty straightforward – How will Wharton benefit you?

How to Approach this Essay

Start by outlining specific short-term and long-term career goals, demonstrating a clear connection between these objectives and the Wharton MBA program. Highlight the program's unique features, emphasizing how these elements will contribute to your professional development.

Showcase a keen understanding of the skills and knowledge gaps you aim to address through the Wharton MBA, stressing the program's experiential learning opportunities and collaborative community. Conclude by explaining the long-term impact you envision, both on your career trajectory and your ability to make meaningful contributions to your chosen industry.

‍ 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)

This prompt might take a bit more thought. What qualities, experiences, or skills can you use to contribute to the Wharton School?

This prompt might take a bit more thought. What qualities, experiences, or skills can you use to contribute to the Wharton School? ‍

Begin by reflecting on specific aspects of your background that have shaped your perspectives and values. Identify key themes or experiences that highlight your commitment to diversity, collaboration, and innovation.

Be concrete in outlining your plans for active participation in cultural or affinity groups, as well as your contributions to student-led initiatives or clubs. Demonstrate an understanding of Wharton's community and how your skills and experiences will enhance it.

Whether it's through leadership in projects, workshops, or events, emphasize the tangible and specific ways you plan to contribute to the dynamic and collaborative environment at Wharton. Conclude by expressing a genuine enthusiasm for being an integral part of the Wharton community and contributing to its continued success and growth.

Essay 3 - Required Essay for all Reapplicants:

This essay is an excellent way for reapplicants to highlight any growth they have had since the previous application cycle.

When addressing changes and growth since a previous application, focus on key areas of improvement. Clearly outline any additional coursework you've pursued for skill enhancement and highlight the impact of changes in your professional role on your skills and perspectives.

Mention relevant extracurricular or volunteer engagements to showcase personal and societal contributions. Use concrete examples to illustrate growth and conclude by expressing ongoing enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing how these developments strengthen your candidacy.

Essay 4 - Optional Essay: ‍

While this essay is optional, it can be a good space to clear up any issues that the admissions committee could have with your candidacy.

As you can see, these essays are meant to be relatively brief yet provide personal insights into who you are as a person. Using these prompts as examples, this article will outline the best ways to approach your Wharton MBA essays.

When addressing this essay prompt, use space to provide unique insights not covered elsewhere in your application. If there are gaps or inconsistencies, address them transparently, emphasizing the lessons learned or steps taken to overcome challenges.

Use the opportunity to highlight distinctive strengths, experiences, or perspectives that contribute to your candidacy. Maintain a professional tone and focus on offering valuable information that enriches the admissions committee's understanding of your journey and qualifications.

Purpose of the Wharton MBA Essays

You can find the following statement on Wharton’s website regarding their MBA essays :

“The Admissions Committee is looking to understand more about you and your unique personality and how that can ultimately contribute to the Wharton community. We are a student-driven campus and need each and every MBA to bring something to the table.”

There are many essential pieces of information that you can glean from this statement about the purpose of the Wharton MBA essays.

1. The Wharton MBA essays allow the admissions committee to see your personality.

The admissions committee has your resume and test scores, meaning that they already know the basics of your education and experience on a professional level. Essays are a way for them to dig a bit deeper and learn about who you are as a person, the events that have impacted you, and the values that you have gained through your experiences.

2. The Wharton MBA essays portray what you can contribute to the community and how well you can collaborate with others.

Business school is a great place to strengthen your skills and further your career on an individual level. However, what ideas or experiences can you bring to Wharton that will benefit your classmates or the program as a whole? The essays show the admissions committee how you will serve as an addition to the Wharton MBA program.

3. The Wharton MBA essays portray your leadership capabilities.

By stating that they are a “student-driven campus,” the admissions committee shows that they are looking for people that can carry out plans and lead their classmates toward goals that will benefit the program overall. This statement also indicates that the committee is looking for individuals who can find problems and work to solve them, creating change effectively.

By keeping these ideas in mind, you can then begin crafting your own essays.

Top Tips for Crafting the Wharton MBA Essays

Now that you understand the primary purpose of the essays and the possible themes, here are some tips to help you determine how to craft your Wharton MBA Essays.

Wharton’s website outlines these three tips for writing your MBA essays:

1. Write out everything first, then worry about word count.

‍ The essays are pretty short, and when it comes to your career aspirations or your background, you might have a lot more to say than just 400 or 500 words. The short word count can make the writing process intimidating, as you might be constantly checking the word count and hesitating to write anything out in detail.

When writing your first draft, ignore the word count; just get your ideas out there. Then, once you’ve finished, start looking for areas to cut out or shorten. By doing this, you can get through the writing process while also ensuring that you include everything you want to portray.

2. Connect the “Three Career Dots.”

Wharton’s website outlines these “three career dots” as follows:

“What have you done to date, what unique things do you already know, and what do you have still to learn? How can Wharton help you and how can you help the Wharton community? How does that all connect to your goals post-MBA?”

Basically, in the Wharton MBA Essays, your past, present, and future should connect. What are some unique skills and experiences that you have gained through your studies or career that you can bring to Wharton’s MBA program? What do you hope to gain from Wharton, and how does that relate to your future career goals? By answering these questions, you can begin to paint a holistic picture of your hopes and aspirations for the Wharton MBA program. ‍

3. Be yourself.

‍ Writing these essays is a process that will already be difficult enough, and being anything but authentic will only make it more challenging. Don’t write what you think an admissions committee wants to hear; be true to yourself and your goals in your essays, and it will pay off in the long run.

Here are some additional tips for crafting your essays: ‍

1. Do your research.

Why are you applying to Wharton? What makes this school a suitable program for you? Which classes are you hoping to take, or which faculty members are you excited to meet? By being specific about Wharton’s program, you will show an admissions committee that you have extensively researched the program, know what you are getting into, and understand how Wharton can help you achieve your goals. ‍

2. Make sure you are answering the prompt.

‍ This tip might seem like a no-brainer, but it is a common mistake that many applicants make. Maybe there was an impactful experience in your career that made you want to pursue an MBA, or you have a unique background that you want to express in your essay.

These are important details about who you are , but are those experiences applicable to the essay prompts' specifications?

Sometimes, the most exciting or unique stories aren’t the most relevant. Everything in your essay should serve a purpose, and if you cannot relate that purpose to the question Wharton is asking, then it might be time to cut some things out.

3. Less storytelling, more concrete points. ‍

This tip relates to the previous one. You have a minimal amount of space in these essays, so make sure that every word has a purpose. Don’t fill your essay with a long story about the moment you decided to pursue an MBA or a detailed history of your childhood. If these events are important, you can briefly mention them, but try to focus on your skills, goals, and why Wharton is right for you.

Wharton MBA Essay Examples and What Made It Successful

The following is an excerpt from a successful Wharton MBA Essay written for the 1st previously mentioned example prompt.

Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA?

Introduction:.

Innovation in healthcare has historically existed in two spheres: the sophisticated yet aspirational, and the simple yet practical. I’ve experienced both sides of the coin; from developing AI for cancer detection and intensive care while at [University] to now dissecting commercially-successful healthcare businesses at [Company]. The bridge between aspiration and result in healthcare is fraught with well-known obstacles to innovation.

In this introduction, the writer brings up their past and present career experiences and explains how those experiences have shaped their understanding of the healthcare field. They also introduce an existing problem, thus setting up the rest of the essay for how they hope to solve this problem.

Body Paragraph 1:

My overarching goal is to bridge this gap and develop next-generation AI to mitigate physician and nurse burnout. By building and commercializing tools that reliably automate routine elements of patient care, I wish to create a more resource-efficient and outcome-centric global healthcare system. I’ve cultivated the raw engineering and business skills at [University], [Company], and [Company], and the Wharton MBA will equip me with the venture toolkit, network, and relevant healthcare entrepreneurship skills to succeed.

Strengths:‍

Having established the existing problems that the writer has observed in the healthcare field, they now drive the essay forward with how they hope to solve those issues. They also outline the skills they’ve learned through their past experiences and explain how the Wharton MBA will further develop those skills.

Body Paragraph 2:

Central to the lasting success of my MBA experience would be the Wharton community. The prospect of developing lifelong relationships and collaborating with accomplished peers through the cluster model inspires and excites me. I also look forward to mentorship opportunities from professors like Christian Terweisch. I often used his concept of innovation tournaments to drive collaboration at client organizations as a management consultant.

Here, the writer explains in detail how Wharton will help them to achieve their goals. By mentioning the cluster model and the mentorship opportunities that Wharton offers, the writer shows the admissions committee that they have done their research. Also, by naming professor Christian Terweisch, the writer further establishes that they understand how the Wharton MBA program, in particular, will assist them in pursuing their aspirations.

Conclusion:

Wharton startups such as Burrow and Harry’s have revolutionized numerous industries, transformed value chains, and changed millions of lives worldwide. Standing at this critical juncture in my career, I am excited to follow in their footsteps, realize my true potential, and build an organization that improves healthcare around the world. For that, I see no better platform than a Wharton MBA.

In this conclusion paragraph, the writer gives examples of successful products of the Wharton MBA program and how those startups specifically benefited the world. This connects to the writer’s previously mentioned goal of creating change in the healthcare field. The writer shows that they understand how Wharton can help them take the necessary steps in building their career.

Overall, this essay incorporates all of the tips mentioned above. The writer briefly summarizes their past experiences, what they learned, and the issues they observed in the healthcare field.

Then, the writer links the past to the present, detailing how their experiences have contributed to their current goals. They then discuss the future, outlining how specific aspects of Wharton’s MBA program will help them achieve their career aspirations.

Each sentence has a purpose, and overall, the writer connects past, present, and future to concisely answer the prompt.

Essay 2: How do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?

As a Wharton MBA, I plan to seek opportunities that exploit my strengths contributing to team environments. First, I thrive in settings where I can leverage my broad knowledge base and strong analytical foundation to help solve problems across a number of functions. Similarly, my empathetic style of leadership has been effective in engaging a range of perspectives and voices towards a common goal. Both aspects position me uniquely to take on roles where I can bridge Wharton with the surrounding community.

In this introduction, the author talks about their strong skills and how they’ll use them to contribute to the community. The author mentions specific skills and sets up a scene of how effective their skills are.

Dance education is an initiative I’m highly motivated to support, as dance has been an amazing therapeutic outlet for me. The countless hours I’ve spent bhangra dance moves have been both highly meditative and endlessly entertaining. Dance is also perhaps the most powerful unifier of people I’ve ever experienced. All personal differences seem to wash away when people can join around their common love of dance. While at Wharton, I plan to combine my appreciation for performance and excitement to engage with the community by working with Wharton Dance Studio, which brings Wharton students together in a broad variety of styles and and cultures, for events such as the Wharton Dance Studio & India Club’s joint Bollywood Fusion Diwali Dance Workshop. Whether teaching, organizing live events for the community, or even taking the stage as a dancer myself, I am excited about the range of ways I can spread the joy of movement through the Wharton Dance Club.

Another area of personal interest where I intend to contribute meaningfully to the Wharton community is golf. I played golf extensively growing up, but talents lie less on the fairway and more in the front-office. For years, I have maintained an avid interest in the advanced analytics of golf as a scouting / decision-making tool, even going so far as to create my own statistical models. As a widget industry professional, I’ve become well-versed in the emerging technology companies advancing the applications of data analytics to the golf handicap industry.

In this body paragraph, the author uses personal anecdotes and connects it to how they have contributed to those interests. The author also explains how they plan on using those experiences and use them to contribute to the Wharton community.

Working with the Wharton Golf Club, I am eager to help lead the Wharton team competing at the MBA Masters tourney at Duke University and the annual Spring Scramble, and I would love to organize teams of Wharton golfers to work with inner-city Philadelphia high school and collegiate kids, helping to promote the adoption of advanced golf statistical handicapping to elevate athletic performance at the amateur level.

The author does a great job using their working experience at the Wharton Golf Club and explaining their dedication to helping the golf team succeed. The author also uses a specific example of how they’d support the community with this specific experience.

If you still have questions, check out these frequently asked questions.

1. Should I answer the optional Wharton MBA essay prompt?

The optional essay prompt is a great way to address any discrepancies you might have in your application, including poor academic performance, gaps in your resume, or low test scores. Use this essay to clear up any lingering questions that an admissions committee might have regarding your candidacy.

2. I’m reapplying to the Wharton MBA program; Do I have to answer essay prompts 1 and 2? Or can I resubmit my previous essays?

Wharton requires reapplicants to answer both essay prompts 1 and 2 and a prompt specifically for reapplicants. The writing prompts may change from year to year, so your previous submissions may not be entirely relevant anymore. If the prompts haven’t changed, it is still a good idea to reevaluate the quality of your past essays.

3. Is it okay to submit essays that I used for other applications if the prompts are similar?

Generally, you should avoid submitting the same essay that you’ve used for another school. You can use pieces from other essays you’ve written, but you need to make sure that you tailor your Wharton MBA essays explicitly to the Wharton MBA program.

Different programs have varying missions and values, so using the same essays for every application will not benefit your application.

4. What should I talk about in my Wharton MBA essays?

Generally, the purpose of essays is to “make the invisible visible,” meaning that they are a place to show the admissions committee a side of you that they cannot see anywhere else in your application. Rather than listing experiences that the admissions committee can already find in your resume, try to focus on things you’ve learned or your future goals.

5. If I’m applying to a joint-degree program at Wharton, do I have to write additional essays?

Those applying to the Francis J. & William Polk Carey/JD MBA program “are strongly encouraged to answer the application essay questions in relation to the Carey JD/MBA Program as opposed to only the Wharton MBA Program.” Those applying to the Wharton/Lauder Institute Joint-Degree Program must answer one additional Lauder prompt.

6. Can I write about my undergraduate experiences in the Wharton MBA essays?

Your undergraduate years were likely full of learning opportunities and growth, which is why briefly mentioning them could be insightful in your essays. However, don’t make them the focus of your essay, especially if you have several years of work experience.

Use your undergraduate experiences to establish where you came from and how much you’ve grown, and then connect them to your present motivations and future goals.

The Wharton MBA essays offer the admissions committee a brief glimpse into your personality and motivations. The writing process may seem intimidating at first, but just make sure to stay true to yourself and don’t focus on word count in your first draft. Then, in the editing process, you can evaluate areas to cut and refine, focus on connecting the past, present, and future, and highlight why you chose Wharton in particular.

By following these tips and tricks, you can craft an essay that genuinely portrays who you are and why you would be a great fit at the Wharton School of Business.

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Wharton MBA Essay Examples

Read these Wharton MBA essay examples for some inspiration when writing your own! The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania is considered one of the best MBA programs in the world , and getting accepted is tough. The Wharton MBA admissions essays are one way for you to give your application a boost and stand out. In this blog, we’ll look at how to write an MBA essay for Wharton School of Business, what the requirements are and some samples to help guide you.

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Article Contents 6 min read

How important is the mba essay for wharton.

Wharton School of Business is a part of the HSW trinity, along with Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business , and is considered one of the best MBA programs in the US and globally. Wharton’s reputation as a top business school and its relatively competitive admissions means it is challenging to get accepted. The acceptance rate at Wharton is around 12%, which is quite selective for an MBA program. Wharton also receives thousands of applications every admissions cycle. This means successful applicants need to not only have a strong application, but they also need to stand out from a pool of competitive applicants.

The Wharton MBA essays are one way to help distinguish your application, strengthen your candidacy and personalize your application. Wharton is looking for more than a high GPA, impressive GMAT scores and a stellar MBA resume . You need to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. You need to share why you want to pursue an MBA and how you will contribute to the MBA program at Wharton.

As you’re preparing to write your Wharton MBA essays, keep in mind the school’s mission and values. Your aim should be to demonstrate as much as possible how Wharton’s specific MBA program will contribute to your achieving your goals, how your experience and background will contribute to Wharton and why you have chosen Wharton, in particular, over other MBA programs. Wharton’s mission statement is:

“Our mission is to develop leaders who act with a deeper understanding of themselves, their organizations, and their communities, and contribute positively to the growth of each .”

As you can tell, leadership and self-awareness are important at Wharton. The admissions committee also wants to hear your genuine voice and perspective. Wharton highlights these three tips when it comes to writing your admissions essay:

Don’t worry about word count at first
Be yourself
Connect your ideas

For the first two tips, it’s a reminder to dig deep and self-reflect on your personal and professional decisions. Let your genuine voice shine through your essay. And as for the word count, worry about editing your essay later, or ask someone to proofread your work for you.

As for connecting your ideas, your essay should seamlessly connect ideas about where you are coming from or what you have already done, what you hope to learn or accomplish after your MBA, and lastly, why Wharton is the program that will help you do those things. It’s important to have a strong answer to the question “why Wharton?” and share which specific aspects or values of the school drew you in.

If you’re not sure where to start with writing your MBA essay, check out our Wharton MBA essay samples below, or look into an MBA essay writing service or MBA essay consultant to help you craft a stellar admissions essay.

An MBA personal statement is one of the common MBA requirements and acing the Wharton MBA essay questions is an important step. For the traditional MBA program at Wharton, there are 2 required essays, an optional essay, and a required essay for any reapplicants. Your essays are written in response to specific prompts set by the school. These questions ask you to share your motivations, experiences and career goals, beyond what can be found in your MBA extracurriculars or work experience.

The Wharton MBA essay prompts are:

This optional essay can be useful for applicants who have a gap or weakness in their application. For instance, if you need to know how to explain a low GPA in an MBA application or how to explain gaps in your MBA resume. Other applicants might use this optional essay to explain a period of unemployment if they are applying to an MBA while unemployed or have a major career change. ","label":"Optional Essay","title":"Optional Essay"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Check out these Wharton MBA essay examples to help spark some ideas for writing your own! Or read some Harvard MBA personal statements or Stanford MBA personal statement examples if you’re applying to the HWS trinity of MBA programs.

Wharton MBA Essay Example #1

Prompt: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words max)

Having worked in a dynamic corporate environment for several years, I have developed a solid foundation in strategy and leadership. However, to achieve my entrepreneurial goals of becoming an app developer serving international travelers and students abroad, I recognize the need for a more comprehensive skill set and a deeper understanding of global business practices. The Wharton MBA program provides the perfect platform to bridge these gaps and take my career to new heights.

The Wharton MBA program's commitment to social impact and entrepreneurship perfectly aligns with my aspirations. The access to the Wharton Social Impact Initiative and the extensive entrepreneurship resources will empower me to develop sustainable business models and effectively tackle social issues. The program's emphasis on ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility will further shape my understanding of the intersection between business and social impact, enabling me to drive change as a responsible leader in the corporate world. Furthermore, Wharton’s emphasis on experiential learning through real-world projects and case studies will enable me to develop practical problem-solving skills and a strategic mindset, which are crucial for effective decision-making in complex business scenarios.

Wharton’s extensive courses covering technology, analytics and finance will be essential for developing my understanding of the industry and provide me with practical, real-world skills I will need to achieve my goals. I am especially intrigued by the program’s courses on Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation, and Digital Marketing and e-Commerce, which is an area of my professional skillset I am keen to develop further.

Lastly, Wharton's strong network of alumni and industry connections will offer unparalleled opportunities for internships and networking, allowing me to gain hands-on experience and forge valuable relationships. As an aspiring entrepreneur, fostering these partnerships and collaborations are essential to my success and continued learning as I find new career paths.

By leveraging the Wharton resources, I am confident that I will emerge from the Wharton MBA program as a transformative leader, ready to make a positive impact and contribute meaningfully to both the business community and society at large.

Prompt: 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 max)

Drawing upon my diverse background encompassing personal, professional, and academic experiences, I am eager to contribute to the vibrant and dynamic Wharton community. The program has many unique and enticing student clubs and activities which have piqued my interest. By actively engaging in traditions such as Follies and student clubs like the Brewmasters' Guild, I aim to foster a sense of camaraderie, creativity, and innovation, while also leveraging my skills to enhance the Wharton experience for my fellow students.

I have cultivated a passion for performing arts throughout my life, and I believe that my background in theater and comedy will bring a unique perspective to the Wharton community. I plan to contribute to the Wharton Follies by utilizing my creative talents in writing, acting, and directing. I am a long-time participant of the Wildfire Improv Troupe in [city] and I have participated in the [city] Fringe Festival as a comedic actor, director and playwright for the past 6 years. By participating in Follies, I hope to entertain and engage my peers, creating a space for laughter and lightheartedness amidst the demanding academic environment. Through collaborations with fellow students, I aim to create memorable performances that celebrate the diverse talents within the Wharton community.

My professional experiences have fostered strong skills in event planning, organization, and team leadership. As a member of the Brewmasters' Guild at Wharton, I intend to utilize these skills to contribute to the community in a distinct way. By organizing and hosting beer tastings, workshops, and networking events, I seek to create a platform for students to explore the art and science of brewing while cultivating a sense of community. As Philadelphia is a hotspot for microbrewing and craft beer making, I am excited at the prospect of exploring what Wharton and the city have to offer my taste buds.

I am eager to see how my passions will blossom and add to the student community at Wharton, and how I might use my professional and extracurricular skillsets to enhance an already vibrant and exciting community.

Your Wharton MBA essay should share the highlights of your professional experience so far, why you want to pursue a Wharton MBA, what your future career goals are and why Wharton’s MBA program will help you achieve them. Your essay should be no more than 500 words.

To stand out in an MBA essay, it’s important to be genuine and allow your natural voice to come through. You should answer the prompt as directly and fully as you can, while remaining succinct and within the word count. Share specific career goals you have and concrete reasons why you chose the school you are applying to.

Wharton MBA has one of the lowest MBA acceptance rates in the US , as it is also considered one of the best MBA programs in the world and is highly selective. So, getting into Wharton MBA is quite challenging.

The Wharton MBA essays have a word count limit of 500 and 400 words for the required essays. The optional essay prompt has a word count limit of 500 words.

The Wharton MBA essays have fairly straightforward essay topics. They ask you to explain why you chose Wharton and what your future career goals are, and they want to know how you will meaningfully contribute to the Wharton MBA program.

Some of the biggest things Wharton looks for in its applicants is professional maturity and demonstrated leadership. This means no matter your career background, you should show a progression of professional development, responsibility and a variety of contributions to the workplace. What you’ve done for work or how many years of experience you have is less important than how and how much you contributed to your field.

Wharton has 2 required essays. The prompts are: “How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton” and “Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?”

Yes. Wharton receives thousands of applications every year, and your MBA personal statement or admissions essay is one of the best ways to distinguish yourself from all the other applicants. Your MBA essay also reveals important information about you and your goals that the Wharton admissions committee will want to know.

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Updates to the 2023-2024 Application

English Language Test:

International applicants 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 an English Language Test. We accept TOEFL iBT, PTE, and beginning this application cycle, IELTS.

If you earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction, the test may be waived.

Our Essay and Letters of Recommendation prompts remain the same. Our hope is for the essays to remain centered around you as the applicant, while still expressing thoughtful consideration of how the Wharton experience can best prepare you for your career goals. With the Letters of Recommendation prompts, our intention is to make them more accessible and fulfilling for your recommenders, regardless of the stage of life in which they have interacted with you as a candidate.

The application will open mid-July, and we eagerly anticipate learning more about you when you submit. If you have any questions, we invite you to join us at one of our in-person or virtual events this summer. You can always reach out to our office directly at [email protected] or by phone at 215-898-6183.

We look forward to supporting you on this exciting step in your career.

Best Regards,

MBA Resources

Wharton MBA Eligibility & Tips for a Successful Admit

MBA & Beyond Team

22/12/2023 | 1:45 pm

If you’re a student looking to study abroad and dreaming of joining the ranks of Wharton’s MBA program, you’re in the right place. Wharton isn’t just any business school; it’s a beacon of elite business education, synonymous with innovation and leadership. With a diverse mix of international studies and a strong focus on health care and technology, Wharton is often at the top of the list for many MBA aspirants. But what exactly is Wharton looking for in its candidates? Understanding Wharton MBA eligibility is crucial to crafting a successful application and making your dream a reality.

Let’s dive in. Wharton seeks individuals with an exceptional career trajectory, demonstrating skills in leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal relations. Don’t fret if your GMAT scores aren’t sky-high; Wharton has recently been diversifying its class profiles beyond just high test scores. This shift places a greater emphasis on your essays to showcase your character and unique experiences.

Wharton MBA Highlights :

All About Wharton’s MBA Program
Wharton MBA Class Profile
Wharton MBA Scholarships for International Students
Wharton MBA Eligibility
Wharton MBA Average GMAT & Admit Tips
Wharton MBA Essay Tips & Samples
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Tips

ESSAY TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Striking the right chord with your essays.

When it comes to writing those crucial essays, it’s like walking a tightrope. You need to be introspective, candid, and most importantly, succinct. Your essays are not just written responses; they are a window into your personality, your aspirations, and how you view the world.

Here’s a tip: Wharton loves compelling stories. If your essays don’t tell a story that’s both engaging and backed by strong examples, they might not resonate with the admissions committee. Think of your essays as a narrative of your journey – where you’ve been, where you want to go, and how Wharton is the bridge to get you there.

Essential Elements for a Compelling Wharton MBA Eligibility Essay

Introspection: Dive deep into your experiences and motivations.
Candidness: Be honest and authentic; don’t just tell them what you think they want to hear.
Conciseness: Be clear and to the point; every word counts.
Storytelling: Weave your experiences into a narrative that highlights your strengths and aspirations.

Remember, writing these essays is a journey of self-discovery. Take this opportunity to reflect on your path, your achievements, and how you can contribute to and benefit from the Wharton community.

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF EACH WHARTON MBA ELIGIBILITY ESSAY PROMPT

Essay 1: professional goals and wharton’s role.

Your Future Vision: Articulating Your Goals Wharton’s first essay prompt is your stage to showcase your future aspirations and how their MBA program fits into this puzzle. It’s all about connecting your past experiences, your future goals (both short and long-term), and Wharton’s unique resources to build a compelling narrative.

Key Points to Cover:

Past Experience: Reflect on your journey so far. How have your experiences shaped your career goals?
Future Goals: Be specific about your short-term and long-term ambitions. What are you aiming to achieve?
Wharton’s Role: How will Wharton’s MBA program help you get there? Highlight specific aspects of Wharton’s program that align with your goals.

ESSAY 2: CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WHARTON COMMUNITY

Showcasing Your Unique Value The second essay is your chance to demonstrate how you will enrich the Wharton community. Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions?

Aspects to Highlight:

Personal and Professional Experiences: Discuss experiences that have shaped you.
Your Contribution: How will these experiences enable you to contribute to Wharton? Think of specific clubs, initiatives, or interactions.

REAPPLICANT ESSAY

Showcasing Growth and Improvement If you’re reapplying, this essay is crucial. It’s about reflecting on your growth since your last application. What’s changed? What new experiences or insights do you bring to the table?

Focus Areas:

Reflection: Highlight your self-reflection process.
Growth: Discuss any new achievements or experiences.
Why Wharton Again: Reaffirm your interest in Wharton and how it aligns with your improved profile.

OPTIONAL ESSAY

The Extra Mile: Explaining Unique Circumstances The optional essay is a space to discuss anything not covered in other parts of your application. This can include explaining any gaps in your work experience, academic challenges, or other personal hurdles.

When to Use This Essay:

Want to pursue an MBA but not sure if your profile fits?

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Addressing Gaps: Be honest about any inconsistencies in your application.
Adding More to Your Story: If there’s something significant about your journey that hasn’t been covered, this is the place to do it.

BEYOND THE ESSAYS: OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Even though essays are a critical component of your Wharton application, there are other elements that play a vital role in painting a complete picture of who you are.

GMAT/GRE SCORES: MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS

While Wharton has been diversifying its class profiles beyond just high test scores, your GMAT or GRE scores are still important. They’re not the be-all and end-all, but they do matter. Here’s the twist: Wharton is looking for well-rounded individuals. So, if your scores aren’t stellar, your essays, recommendations, and interviews can compensate.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: THE UNSPOKEN STORYTELLERS

Your extracurricular activities can speak volumes about your leadership, teamwork, and other interpersonal skills. Whether you’re leading a community project, excelling in a sport, or involved in cultural activities, these experiences can strengthen your application and give the admissions committee a glimpse into your character and potential contributions to the Wharton community. Highlighting these activities while ensuring you meet Wharton MBA eligibility requirements can significantly enhance your chances of admission.

PREPARING FOR A WHARTON MBA: LONG-TERM VISION

Crafting a career pathway.

Wharton isn’t just a stepping stone; it’s a launchpad for your long-term career aspirations. How you plan to leverage the MBA in the long run is as important as your immediate post-MBA goals.

ENVISIONING YOUR FUTURE

Long-Term Goals: Think big. Where do you see yourself in 10, 15, or 20 years? How does a Wharton MBA fit into this vision?
Building a Network: Wharton’s global alumni network is a goldmine for career advancement. Plan how you’ll engage with this community to aid your long-term career strategy.
Specialized Learning: Identify specific courses and professors at Wharton that align with your long-term objectives. How will these elements of the Wharton MBA shape your future?

Remember, Wharton is looking for visionaries. Your application should reflect not just where you want to be right after the MBA, but where you aim to go in the distant future. Highlighting how you meet Wharton MBA eligibility criteria is essential, as it demonstrates your alignment with the program’s values and goals.

Conclusion: Crafting a Winning Application

Congratulations on making it this far! As you gear up to craft your Wharton MBA application, remember that it’s not just about showcasing your academic and professional achievements. It’s about telling your story, your aspirations, and how Wharton fits into this bigger picture. Be introspective, be genuine, and most importantly, be you. Your application should be a reflection of your unique journey and your vision for the future.

Embarking on the Wharton MBA journey is not just about earning a degree; it’s about joining a global community of leaders and changemakers. Use your application to express how you intend to contribute to this community and how Wharton will help you realize your long-term goals.

Best of luck on your journey to joining one of the world’s most prestigious MBA programs. Go forth and make your mark!

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Wharton MBA Application Deadlines and Wharton MBA Essay Tips: 2024-2025

Wharton MBA Program Deadlines and Essay Tips

The Wharton School has confirmed the 2024-2025 MBA application essays. Again, Wharton has decided to keep its first and second essay questions the same as the previous application cycles. Wharton has an additional required application essay for reapplicants along with an optional essay.

Below, please find this year’s deadlines along with Personal MBA Coach’s analysis of the Wharton MBA application essays.

The Upcoming Wharton MBA Application Deadlines Are As Follows:

Round 1: September 4, 2024

Round 2: January 3, 2025

Round 3: April 2, 2025

2024-2025 Wharton MBA Essays:

Founded by a Wharton MBA graduate, Personal MBA Coach is intimately familiar with the Wharton MBA program and the culture at Wharton. We advise candidates to think about each question differently, ensuring answers complement each other AND show readers multiple aspects of their candidacy. Watch this testimonial from a Wharton admit to find out how Personal MBA Coach can help you with your Wharton applications.

Wharton MBA Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

This is a fairly traditional goals essay (to find out more about MBA application essay types, read How to Write Winning MBA Essays ). With this first Wharton MBA essay question, you should discuss your specific short-term goals, but also think more broadly. Essay 1 allows you to reflect at a higher level on your aspirations. Think about where you see yourself in 10, 20 or even 30 years. Consider the path you will take to get there.

It is also expected that you touch upon your past successes, explaining how they are relevant to your future objectives. This question does not require you to walk through your entire resume, and candidates are advised not to do so. Instead, focus only on your past to establish what your key skills are as well as how and why you will succeed in the future.

Discuss classes you are particularly interested in or perhaps professors you are looking to study with, etc. Do not include a laundry list. Instead, carefully think through how each offering will allow you to fill in your skill and/or experience gaps. Be sure to show an understanding of Wharton’s culture here. Avoid writing vague statements and copying and pasting content from other MBA application essays.

Wharton MBA Essay 2: 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)

Essay 2 gives candidates the opportunity to share past accomplishments and detail potential contributions to the Wharton community. Think about what you have done beyond what is in your resume. Consider items you wish you had space within your resume to elaborate on. Ask yourself what makes you special.

This question gives you the freedom to consider talents, impressive extracurricular accomplishments and/or unique professional skills. We advise candidates to think broadly here about what makes them unique and how they have succeeded both professionally and personally in the past.

Then, consider how you might share these passions, experiences, and successes with your future peers. Tell the reader how you will improve and enrich the Wharton campus. Be sure to do your research on all that Wharton has to offer and to be specific on the contributions you will make. Is there a club you want to join? Perhaps there is a talent you want to share?

As with essay 1, avoid listing items. Instead, select a few unique areas where you will contribute and discuss the mark you hope to leave. Then, as you discuss the specific contributions you will make, tie these to the past experiences you have just brainstormed. A strong essay will cover multiple contributions that flow naturally from your personal story, your passions and your career goals.

Reapplicants should use the required additional essay to demonstrate growth. We advise candidates to review our tips for reapplicants before tackling this essay.

Looking for more information on Wharton’s MBA program? Check out our Wharton guide to find out what sets the program apart, get the latest class profile information, and more.

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Wharton Application

Intro sentences.

CAREER GOALS

STRENGTHS + WEAKNESSES

Wharton Program Overview

Wharton is the oldest business program in the country, founded by Joseph Wharton in 1881. The school is part of the University of Pennsylvania and consists of an MBA program, an undergraduate program, an executive program, and Wharton West in San Francisco. There are approximately 1600 full-time MBA students and the same number of undergraduate students.

Wharton’s acceptance rate is 24%, and the school is tied for 1st place in the 2024-2025 US News Best Business Schools rankings .

“Solid applicants across all dimensions with emphasis on strong performance in GMAT and professional experience is what Wharton seeks in its applicants,” shared Meghan, a former Wharton Admissions Officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team.

Contact us for an assessment of your Wharton MBA candidacy today. Here’s a snapshot of our Wharton expertise on the SBC admissions consulting team :

Wharton is well known for its excellent Finance program, and the Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Strategy, and Operations majors are also popular with students. The school follows a hybrid teaching model—some classes are case-based, others are lecture-based, and many combine both methods. The Wharton academic program focuses on skills and technical abilities. Even a marketing or strategy class will require “running the numbers,” and most students have strong quantitative backgrounds and skills.

Wharton is social, social, and more social. While all MBA programs include a strong networking element, Wharton’s large student body and Philadelphia location ensure endless socializing among the class. Many students come from and return to New York City. The city is a quick train ride away (about 60 to 90 minutes away), and students travel there frequently for recruiting and social purposes.

Admissions Stats

Here’s a snapshot of Wharton’s student class relative to Columbia Business School:


Average GMAT	728	730
GMAT Range	530-790*	610–790
Average GPA	3.6	3.5
Selectivity	24%*	22%*
Yield	57%*	56%*


Enrolled Class	874	900
Women	50%	44%
International	31%	47%
Minority	37%*	43%*

* Estimated. For Wharton, minority/students of color (including Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx and Indigenous students) are at about 37%. For Columbia, the 43% reflects underrepresented minority students.

Rounds & deadlines.

Search our MBA deadlines chart for updates on rounds and dates.

Wharton’s MBA Admissions Essays

Here are Wharton’s main required essay prompts; SBC’s essay tips for Wharton can be found here .

Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)

Essay 2: 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)

Wharton’s Admissions Tips

We asked the former Wharton Admissions Officers on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team to profile what Wharton seeks. Their consensus is:

Wharton is looking for proven work experience from employers spanning traditional or niche fields because it predicts recruit ability (aka “exit opportunities”) upon MBA completion. A strong resume marked by increasing career trajectory and quantitative proficiency is essential.

In the past, Wharton Admissions Director Blair Mannix has said, “The Admissions Committee is looking for candidates who will contribute to all aspects of Wharton life.” Beyond your credentials and experience, being an active part of the community during and after the program is important.

We asked the former Wharton Admissions Officers on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team what Wharton does not want. Their consensus is:

People who quit their jobs to focus on applying to business schools. Too much job jumping is also frowned upon.

Wharton’s Admissions Director Blair Mannix added this clarification, “We’re okay with people moving jobs, but we need to see the purpose of the move in their resume and essays. Longevity is important to us, but if a candidate has moved around because they’re looking to change industries or functions and are getting incremental experience with each role change, it is helpful to see where the applicant is going and why the MBA may be the key to their pivot.”

From the SBC Blog:

Check out this post, Wharton Applicants, Get SBC’s Inside Scoop , with advice from SBC consultant Anthony, a former associate director of MBA admissions at Wharton. He offers excellent insights into what it takes to make Wharton applicants shine. If you want to understand the school’s curriculum, culture, and admissions practices, take advantage of this deep dive.

Sample Wharton MBA Essays

Winning essays from our successful admits are new on the SBC site and can be found here:

Wharton Essay Examples

More wharton application tips.

View our extensive overview of how the application for Wharton varies from that of CBS here .

Wharton Key Statistics for the MBA Class of 2025 Applicants: 6,194 Enrolled Class: 874 Average GMAT: 728 Median GRE Verbal/Quant: 162/162 Undergraduate GPA: 3.6 Average Work Experience: 5 years Rolling Admissions: No Women: 50% International Students: 31% US Ethnic Minorities: 37% (Estimated) LGBTQ+ Students: 11% First Generation: 11%

Wharton Important Dates

Round 1 Deadline: September 4, 2024 Round 2 Deadline: January 3, 2025 Round 3 Deadline: April 2, 2025

Wharton Articles Wharton MBA Essay Tips When Numbers Aren’t Enough An Older Applicant MBA Advice from HBS, Wharton, and Tuck Wharton Business School Essay Tips Interview Advice for Wharton/ Is the MBA worth it? Here’s your checklist.

Learn About Our All-In Service

Meet the sbc consulting team.

(323) 934-3936 info@StacyBlackman.com

Latest Blog Post

Use these top tips to nail the new harvard mba essays.

For the first time in over a decade, Harvard Business School updated its application essay requirement for the Class of 2027. Given its pinnacle position as the world’s most coveted MBA program, the change ... →

Youth Program
Wharton Online

Application Information

Admission to wharton global youth programs is highly selective..

Successful applicants typically demonstrate:

Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA , or equivalent ( minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA preferred for Leadership in the Business World and the Management and Technology Summer Institute.)
Thoughtful, well-written essays that express interest in the program content.
Recommendations that convey academic performance and potential.
An array of extracurricular activities and/or personal achievements that denote intellectual curiosity, ability to collaborate, initiative and ambition, or diversity of interests and ideas.

Applications are reviewed at various points throughout the admissions cycle. Please refer to the Application Deadlines chart for timeframes on admissions notifications. Students will receive an email notification once admissions decisions are available.

Application Deadlines

Application instructions, application requirements.

ON-CAMPUS SUMMER PROGRAMS	PRIORITY DEADLINE	DECISIONS RELEASED	FINAL DEADLINE	FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED
Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Essentials of Finance
Leadership in the Business World (LBW)	January 31, 2024	March 13, 2024	April 3, 2024*	April 24, 2024
Data Science Academy
Moneyball Academy
Product Design Academy
Management & Technology Institute (M&TSI)	February 1, 2024	April 10, 2024	April 1, 2024*	On a rolling basis

LOCATION-BASED SUMMER PROGRAMS	PRIORITY DEADLINE	DECISIONS RELEASED	FINAL DEADLINE	FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED
San Francisco, CA	January 31, 2024	March 13, 2024	April 3, 2024*	April 24, 2024
Cambridge, UK	January 31, 2024	March 13, 2024	April 3, 2024*	April 24, 2024

ONLINE PROGRAMS	PRIORITY DEADLINE	DECISIONS RELEASED	FINAL DEADLINE	FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED
Future of the Business World
Essentials of Leadership
Sports Business Academy	March 6, 2024	April 10, 2024	May 1, 2024*	On a rolling basis
Moneyball Academy: Training Camp
Moneyball Academy: Training Camp FLEX	N/A	N/A	May 1, 2024	On a rolling basis
Financial Decision Making	N/A	N/A	May 1, 2024	On a rolling basis

Priority Deadline = greater chance of admission into preferred session dates; notified of admissions decisions earlier; programs likely to fill during the priority period. International applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to apply by the priority deadline.

Final Deadline = allows more time to work on application, but fewer spaces remain in program; preferred program and/or session dates may be filled.

*If space remains in a specific program/session, applications will be accepted through the final deadline. If programs/sessions fill, the application will be closed and new applications will no longer be considered.

Applications and supporting materials should be submitted electronically through the online application system by the stated application deadlines. Early application by the priority deadline is strongly encouraged. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials have been received and applications are complete. Applicants may apply to more than one program; a new application is required for each program.

Applicants may use generative AI programs (e.g., tools like ChatGPT) to help generate ideas and brainstorm. However, the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, or incomplete, and is not a compelling substitute for independent thought and lived experiences. Applicants may not submit any work generated by an AI program as their own; it should be cited like any other reference material (with due consideration for the quality of the reference.) Any plagiarism or other form of cheating will be grounds for denial.

Please note: Wharton Global Youth contracts Summer Discovery to support administrative needs, including application processing and inquiries. However, the application platform is hosted by The Wharton School and all application reviews are conducted by the Wharton Global Youth Admissions Committee, in conjunction with Wharton faculty and staff.

Participation in Wharton’s high school programs does not guarantee admission into Penn.

The following components are required for application to Wharton Global Youth programs. All applications and supporting materials must be received by the application deadline.

Transcripts

High school transcripts and/or grade reports are required for application. Please upload an unofficial copy directly into the online application system. At least two marking periods of grades are required for review. If two marking periods are not available on your current high school transcripts, we recommend uploading a copy of 8th grade transcripts as well. If you would like to submit additional grades as they become available, you may email supplementary application materials to [email protected] before the application deadline.

Recommendation

A recommendation completed by a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or advisor is required for application. All programs require 1 recommendation; M&TSI, Moneyball Academy, and the Sports Business Academy require 2 recommendations. Please enter the contact information for your recommender(s) directly into the application system and they will be notified to upload a letter or to complete a series of questions relevant to your academic performance and potential. Additional recommendation letters may be emailed to [email protected] .

On-Campus Summer Programs

Essentials of Entrepreneurship: 1 required
Essentials of Finance: 1 required
Leadership in the Business World (LBW): 1 required
Data Science Academy: 1 required
Moneyball Academy: 2 required
Management & Technology Institute (M&TSI): 2 letters required

Location-Based Programs

San Francisco, CA: 1 required
Cambridge, UK: 1 required

Online Programs

Future of the Business World (FBW): 1 required
Essentials of Leadership: 1 required
Sports Business Academy: 2 required
Moneyball Academy: Training Camp: 2 required
Moneyball Academy: Training Camp FLEX: no requirement

Essay/Short Answer Prompts

Short essay requirements provide an opportunity for the Wharton Global Youth admissions committee to learn more about you. They are also a way to evaluate your writing skills and your ability to directly respond to a given prompt. We value quality and thoughtfulness over quantity.

VIEW THE 2024 ESSAY PROMPTS HERE

English proficiency scores.

Non-native English speakers should submit test scores to verify English language proficiency. If the student attends a high school where the primary language of instruction is English, this requirement is automatically waived. If submitting test scores, please note the admissions committee prefers TOEFL or IELTS scores, when available. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission is 100 (iBT.) The minimum IELTS score required is a 7. If TOEFL or IELTS scores are not available, applicants may submit Duolingo, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores as an alternate. The minimum Duolingo score required is 130. To submit, please upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the online application.

Standardized Test Scores (Optional)

The submission of standardized test scores is optional. If you have score reports you wish to share you may upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the online application. Score reports should include your name.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required for each application submitted. This is payable by credit card directly through the application system. If applying through a community-based organization or scholarship agency, please visit the Costs & Aid page to see if you might be eligible for an application fee waiver.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call +1.516.414.5555 .

Stay Updated

Please sign me up for program updates and other learning opportunities.

Youth Program
Wharton Online

Wharton Stories

Wharton emba admissions directors share tips on writing strong essays.

“Take time to be thoughtful and be yourself. We want to really get to know you through these essays,” advised Admissions Director Barbara Craft.

“I have already made this paper too long, for which I must crave pardon, not having now time to make it shorter.”

Applicants to Wharton’s EMBA program can probably relate to this famous Ben Franklin quote. After all, we are asking you to be thoughtful and condense a lot of important information about yourself into three short essays .

The key is taking the time to reflect on the questions. Don’t miss the opportunity to think about how you want to frame your personal and professional experience and how this program can help your future career.

Philadelphia Admissions Director Diane Sharp advises applicants to start the essay writing process early. “The questions are posted in advance to give you plenty of time to draft and rework answers before submitting your application. We want to see thoughtful essays, and it takes time to figure out what you want to say and how to convey that in the framework of the essays.”

Just as important as giving yourself time is ensuring that the essays reflect the real you. “Being honest in your responses and staying true to who you are as a candidate is essential,” said San Francisco Admissions Director Barbara Craft .

This is when asking a colleague or friend for help is useful. “Have someone who knows you well read your essays and then ask them if the essays sound like you,” she advised.

And ask that same person – or perhaps another friend or colleague – to help proofread your final drafts. “There is no excuse for essays with grammar errors and typos,” said Barbara.

Diane noted that another pitfall to avoid is plagiarism. “The number one reason to deny an application based on an essay is plagiarism,” noted Diane. “We run plagiarism checks on all essays and expect professionalism.”

If you are ready to start your application, here are tips for tackling each specific essay, including one that is new this year.

The First Essay

The first question asks about your career objectives and how this program will help you achieve your goals.

“We want to see that you have thought about your career and how this program will add value. We want to make sure you have done your due diligence both on our program and why it is the right fit for you and your goals,” said Diane.

She added that applicants should focus on where they currently are in their career and what they would do with an MBA. “Your plans may change, but we want to make sure you have been thoughtful about this program and why you want to come here now.”

The Second Essay

The second essay is new to the application this year and relates to diversity and inclusion. Applicants are asked what intentional steps they have taken or would recommend to support an equitable and inclusive environment at work or elsewhere. The prompt suggests that applicants take a moment to learn how the University of Pennsylvania endeavors to make everyone feel welcome: Diversity at Wharton .

Diane said, “Not everyone has the same experiences in this area. Some applicants may choose to write about a personal situation or professional experience. Others may opt to describe a more general way they have made an impact or been an ally in diversity and inclusion. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and everyone’s perspective adds value and enhances the learning environment.”

Barbara noted, “What is most important is to be authentic and thoughtful about how you embrace diversity and inclusion in your life. There is no perfect answer, and it’s OK if the question makes you realize that you’d like to do more in this area.”

The Third Essay

The final required essay asks applicants to explain how this program will fit into their lives. Applicants need to describe their plan for handling the additional demands on their time, as EMBA students spend approximately 20 hours per week outside of the program studying for class.

“We want to see that you’ve been mindfully planning for this program. That you have talked to your stakeholders and are really thinking about how you will carve out time to dedicate to this program and your personal and professional growth,” said Barbara.

Diane added, “Being enrolled in the program means candidates will need to realign responsibilities, as it requires a substantial commitment of your time and resources.”

The Optional Essay

The optional essay is an opportunity to share information that may be missing in other parts of the application.

Diane explained, “This essay is truly optional. Don’t feel compelled to use this space unless you have something to share that can’t be conveyed in another part of the application, such as circumstances that impacted your undergraduate academic performance.”

The Bottom Line

“The biggest piece of advice for all of the essays is to take time to be thoughtful and be yourself,” said Barbara. “We want to really get to know you through these essays. So, make sure they are in your voice, give strong examples, and tell us about you instead of what you think we want to hear.”

— By Meghan Laska

Posted: October 18, 2021

Admissions and Applying

EMBA Program

Wharton MBA Program for Executives

Barbara Craft

Admissions Director Wharton MBA Program for Executives, San Francisco

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Packing for your summer holiday? Take these books published in 2024

The best titles of the year to date.

A woman reading a book in a pool shaped like a book

Biography and memoir

Ian Fleming: The Complete Man. By Nicholas Shakespeare. Harper; 864 pages; $35. Harvill Secker; £30

The most comprehensive biography of James Bond’s creator documents his patriotism and notable contributions to Britain’s war effort, but it does not make him likeable.

Maurice and Maralyn: An Extraordinary True Story of Love, Shipwreck and Survival. By Sophie Elmhirst. Chatto & Windus; 272 pages; £18.99

A deeply reported story of a couple stranded at sea for almost four months in 1973. Never sentimental and perfectly paced, this book tells the best sort of love story: a true one.

Metamorphoses: In Search of Franz Kafka. By Karolina Watroba. Pegasus; 256 pages; $29.95. Profile Books; £18.99

A biography of Franz Kafka’s afterlife , which considers how the writer metamorphosed from a sickly lawyer to global literary icon.

Monet: The Restless Vision. By Jackie Wullschläger. Penguin; 576 pages; £35. To be published in America by Knopf in September; $45

The first account in English of the celebrated artist’s work and private life , written sympathetically and with skill. The Monet who emerges is a contradictory, difficult man. His most lasting relationship—in art and in life—was with water.

Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family and Social Class. By Rob Henderson. Gallery Books; 336 pages; $28.99. Swift Press; £16.99

At once a fascinating memoir and an analysis of the “luxury beliefs” gripping American elites. A graduate of Yale targets the stupidity of what now passes for orthodoxy, but he does so without penning an angry culture-war screed.

Culture and arts

All that Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud and Fine Art. By Orlando Whitfield. Pantheon; 336 pages; $29. Profile Books; £20

A student-turned-gallery employee sees the secretive art market up close and witnesses the spectacular rise and fall of a wheeler-dealer, Inigo Philbrick, who was convicted of perpetrating the largest art fraud in American history. This is “Liar’s Poker” for the art world.

Everest, Inc: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World. By Will Cockrell. Gallery Books; 352 pages; $29.99 and £20

Mountaineering has gone mainstream. A journalist describes how climbing Mount Everest, once a feat of staggering bravery, endurance and skill, is now the extreme sport du jour . But that does not mean it is safe. More people are reaching the summit, but more are dying en route, too.

Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See. By Bianca Bosker. Viking; 384 pages; $29. Allen & Unwin; £20

A journalist who once wrote about wine tries to better understand what makes the secretive art world tick. She works at galleries, a painter’s studio and a museum to chronicle the whims of collectors and art-world insiders; her account is written with humour and verve.

Reading Genesis. By Marilynne Robinson. Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 352 pages; $29. Virago; £25

One of America’s greatest living novelists analyses the first book of the Bible. The result is a lesson in careful close reading and, at times, a sermon. Ms Robinson balances profound pessimism about human nature—Ms Robinson is an avowed Calvinist—with confidence in a loving God.

The Eastern Front. By Nick Lloyd. W.W. Norton; 672 pages; $42. Viking; £30

A superb history of the Eastern Front in the first world war. Apart from the heroism and resilience of the ordinary soldiers, this is a story of vainglory, cynicism, incompetence and callousness.

Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life. By Jason Roberts. Random House; 432 pages; $35. Riverrun; £25

A tale of scientific rivalry and the race to categorise all life on Earth. Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon never met. But by the middle of the 18th century both were famous—and at loggerheads. Thanks to its surprising twists and turns, this book is an unnaturally good read.

A History of the World in 12 Shipwrecks. By David Gibbins. St Martin’s Press; 304 pages; $32. W&N; £25

A series of essays on shipwrecks , written by a maritime archaeologist. Together they paint a picture of how people—from sailors in Britain in 2500 bc , to Muslims in the ninth century and British merchant mariners in the 20th—pushed the borders of their known worlds.

How the World Made the West: A 4,000-Year History. By Josephine Quinn. Random House; 592 pages; $38. Bloomsbury; £30

A professor of ancient history romps through 4,000 years, demolishing the fusty notion that something called Western civilisation stands somehow alone, or that it descends directly from ancient Greece and Rome. With a wealth of detail, she shows that “civilisations” are instead complex, ever-changing mosaics.

Impossible Monsters: Dinosaurs, Darwin, and the Battle Between Science and Religion. By Michael Taylor. Liveright; 496 pages; $32.99. Bodley Head; £25

An intellectual revolution began in 1811 when Mary Anning, a 12-year-old living in south-west England, excavated the first fossil of a marine reptile, the Ichthyosaurus . This splendid history of discovery tells a much-told tale better than it has been told before.

Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter. By Ian Mortimer. Bodley Head; 256 pages; £22

An account of a profoundly misunderstood period, which shows that the Middle Ages were not marked by violence and superstition. Instead, huge steps in social and economic progress were made, and the foundations of the modern world were laid.

Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World. By David Van Reybrouck. W.W. Norton; 656 pages; $32.50. Bodley Head; £30

From remote Asian islands to Dutch nursing homes, a Belgian archaeologist and historian has tracked down eyewitnesses to Indonesia’s colonial period, producing the definitive account of a neglected epoch.

Smoke and Ashes: Opium’s Hidden Histories. By Amitav Ghosh. Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 416 pages; $32. John Murray; £22

A gripping account of profits, power and powerlessness wrought by drugs. The opium poppy looks delicate and innocuous. But the author angrily points the finger at multinational companies whose success is tied to the opium trade.

Why War? By Richard Overy. W.W. Norton; 304 pages; $27.99. Pelican; £22

Humans have engaged in warfare throughout their existence. They are not going to change now. A respected British historian probes nearly 100 years of scientific and historical scholarship attempting to understand the mechanisms that have embedded warfare throughout humans’ time on Earth.

The Wide Wide Sea. By Hampton Sides. Doubleday; 432 pages; $35. Michael Joseph; £25

The riveting tale of Captain James Cook’s final, fatal voyage. This book strikes the balance between justified admiration for the explorer’s seamanship and a legitimate resentment of the colonialism that followed indigenous peoples’ first contact with Europeans.

Venice: The Remarkable History of the Lagoon City. By Dennis Romano. Oxford University Press; 800 pages; $41.95 and £31.99

From 16th-century spies to rising sea levels, this monumental account of Venice reveals its elusive origins and precarious future. Clear, entertaining, yet academically rigorous.

Hard by a Great Forest. By Leo Vardiashvili. Riverhead Books; 352 pages; $29. Bloomsbury; £16.99

A man returns to Georgia after two decades in exile, then disappears. His son sets off in pursuit. This book takes the form of a thrilling, madcap scavenger hunt but is also a poignant meditation on the country’s troubled history.

A Heart in Winter. By Kevin Barry. Doubleday; 256 pages; $28. Canongate; £16.99

The story of two lovers who meet in a boomtown in Montana in the 1890s. Their escapades reflect the two sacred tenets of the Western: a reverence for the landscape and an awareness of its brutality.

Help Wanted. By Adelle Waldman. W.W. Norton; 288 pages; $28.99. Serpent’s Tail; £16.99

A lively yarn about the employees of a big-box store in upstate New York. The pride of characters who expertly stack boxes is real but fragile. It is threatened by greedy employers, monopolistic e-retailers and the prospect of automation, which looms ominously.

James. By Percival Everett. Doubleday; 320 pages; $28. To be published in Britain by Mantle in April; £20

Told from Jim’s perspective, Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” feels startling and new. This literary retelling has a dark twist and action-packed scenes of revenge that read like they are destined for re-enactment on the big screen.

Mania. By Lionel Shriver. Harper; 288 pages; $30. Borough Press; £22

Transformed by ideological extremism, America is the novel’s setting and subject. Here everyone is smart and anyone who feels differently is a bigot. The themes —of society’s quick pivots and friendships’ poisoning by the culture wars—are slightly (but not unbelievably) absurd.

The Road to the Country. By Chigozie Obioma. Hogarth; 384 pages; $29. Hutchinson Heinemann; £16.99

This novel sheds light on a dark period in Nigeria’s history: the civil war of 1967-70 . It captures the country’s fault lines in both language and form and warns of what happens when nation-building fails.

Politics and current affairs

Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World. By Anne Applebaum. Doubleday; 224 pages; $27. Allen Lane; £20

The author made her name with “Gulag”, a Pulitzer-prizewinning history of the Soviet Union’s prison camps. Her new book is shorter and more urgent . Today’s strongmen typically crave little besides power itself and the loot it brings. They have spun a network of mutual support.

Counter-Intelligence: What the Secret World Can Teach Us About Problem-solving and Creativity. By Robert Hannigan. HarperCollins; 336 pages; £25

Diversity, equity and inclusion is associated with woke pseudoscience and corporate flimflam. But this engaging book by the former director of GCHQ , Britain’s signals-intelligence service, is a compelling corrective to that view . Codebreaking requires people who think in different, original and unusual ways.

How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive. By Marcel Dirsus. John Murray; 304 pages; £22. To be published in America in January; $29

Between 1946 and 2010 69% of autocrats were jailed, killed or forced into exile when they lost power. A political scientist considers how other dictators seek to avoid such a fate . Will the techniques that toppled despots of old still work in an age of mass surveillance?

World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century. By Dmitri Alperovitch and Garrett Graff. PublicAffairs; 400 pages; $32.50 and £25

A how-to manual for managing America’s rivalry with China. This book is both a useful layman’s introduction to the world’s most pressing geopolitical issue and a collection of sensible recommendations.

Health, science and technology

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. By Jonathan Haidt. Penguin Press; 400 pages; $30. Allen Lane; £25

An eminent social psychologist looks at the “great rewiring of childhood” owing to smartphones and social media. At once compassionate in tone and data-rich in approach , this makes for a gripping read for parents of adolescents.

The Balanced Brain: The Science of Mental Health. By Camilla Nord. Princeton University Press; 304 pages; $29.95. Allen Lane; £25

An enlightening round-up of what scientists know about the workings of the brain, and how they know it. Beware “neurobollocks”, it warns: catchy stories that pin a mental disorder on one chemical or brain region.

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI . By Ethan Mollick. Portfolio; 256 pages; $30. WH Allen; £16.99

Generative AI will dramatically change white-collar jobs. A professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School explains how—and provides useful tips on how to harness it.

Dark Wire: The Incredible True Story of the Largest Sting Operation Ever. By Joseph Cox. PublicAffairs; 352 pages; $32 and £25

In 2018 the FBI launched Operation Trojan Shield . It established Anom, an encrypted messaging app, soon used by criminals to communicate and strategise about murders, drug deals and more. The tale of the largest law-enforcement sting operation in history.

Tits Up. By Sarah Thornton. W.W. Norton; 336 pages; $28.99. Bluebird; £20

The author’s experience of a double mastectomy and reconstruction set off a four-year quest to seek “the multifarious meanings and uses of breasts”. She peeks into places where women’s chests are revered, including strip clubs, and offers fun flashes of art and history. You will not look at breasts in the same way again.

Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality. By Venki Ramakrishnan. William Morrow; 320 pages; $32.50. Hodder Press; £25

A Nobel-prizewinning biologist explores strategies to arrest the decay of body and mind. Can humans learn the secrets of longevity from the hydra, a tiny aquatic creature capable of indefinite self-renewal? Scientists are trying. ■

All titles on this list were published in America or Britain in 2024.

More from Culture

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Gaelic football and hurling are loved by millions across the island. And nobody gets paid

Plenty of words have no clear origin

A new book investigating strange etymologies reads like a detective story

Taking on the global brotherhood of despots

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Why American sports teams switch cities so often

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Shallow thinking about water imperils the planet

Two new books warn of battles over ocean management and freshwater supply

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MBA Application Requirements: How to Apply
Below you will find full details on prerequisites, application fees, essay topics, GRE/GMAT test scores, references and other details you'll need to satisfy the Wharton MBA Admission requirements. ... You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words) Essay 2: Taking into ...
Wharton Essay Examples & Tips, 2024-2025
The Wharton School Essay Tips and Examples. As a pair, the prompts for the two required application essays for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania essentially ask candidates to describe a kind of give-and-take with respect to their engagement with the MBA program. For Essay 1, you must discuss what Wharton can do for you, and ...
Wharton MBA Essays & Analysis 2024-2025
The following essay topic analysis examines the Wharton MBA essays for the 2024-2025 admissions season. You can also review essay topic analyses for other leading MBA programs as well as general Essay Tips to further aid you in developing your admissions essays. Wharton MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2024-2025 Essay 1
Wharton MBA Essay Example & Tips
2024-2025 Wharton MBA Essay Tips + An Example. Originally published on July 13, 2023. Updated on July 3, 2024. The Wharton MBA essay prompts are confirmed for 2024-2025 and they remain unchanged from last year. The questions are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and ...
2024-2025 Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays
To create an amazing essay, stay focused, do your research on Wharton, and choose your examples wisely. Showing you're a leader and team player who fully understands the Wharton experience and who is prepared to contribute to the Wharton community is the key to success. 2.3. Reapplicant Essay.
Wharton Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2024-2025
Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words) Wharton does us by favor sharing exactly what we would recommend for a career-oriented essay.
Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024-2025], Class Profile
Wharton Class Profile. Here is a look at the Wharton MBA Class of 2025 (data taken from the Wharton website ): Applications: 6,194. Enrolled class: 874. Women: 50%. LGBTQ+ students: 11%. U.S. race/ethnicity (Federal guidelines reporting): International students: 31%. Countries represented: 70.
Wharton MBA Essay Questions and Tips
Wharton MBA Essay Tips. The Wharton essay prompts are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and vice versa). As such, this application can be a good one to tackle early in the process. The deadlines are also early in each round, which lends additional credence to this approach.
2023-2024 Wharton MBA Essay Analysis and Tips
Admit Expert. MBA Essay Tips. July 5, 2023. The Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1881 through a donation from businessman and philanthropist Joseph Wharton, the school is the world's oldest collegiate business school.
Wharton MBA Essay Questions & Tips
Wharton MBA Essay Tips. The Wharton essay prompts are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and vice versa). As such, this application can be a good one to tackle early in the process. The deadlines are also early in each round, which lends additional credence to this approach.
Wharton MBA Essays: Tips & Strategy
Wharton's two required essays are designed to let the admissions committee get to know you on a personal and professional level. First-time MBA applicants and re-applicants are required to complete both essays. ... Unlike earlier iterations of this prompt, there is little room for ambiguity and also a lot of room for backstory. ...
How to Tackle the Wharton MBA Essays
The Wharton essay prompts are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and vice versa). As such, this application can be a good one to tackle early in the process. The Wharton deadlines are also early in each round (September 7 th is the Round 1 deadline), which lends ...
Wharton MBA Application Essays: Prompts & Expert Tips
Essay 2. On the flip side, the second essay is about explaining to Wharton how you will benefit them. The school emphasizes that the class size is small, so they want every MBA candidate to bring something to the table. The Wharton essays are often referred to as the "give and take" because you are trying to show what you will give to ...
Everything You Need To Know About The Wharton MBA Essays
Typically, there are two essay prompts in the Wharton MBA application, along with one optional prompt. There are also essays specifically for those applying to joint-degree programs and an additional essay for reapplicants. The Wharton MBA essay prompts can change from year to year. However, you can find many of the same themes and ideas in the ...
Wharton School of Business MBA Essay Examples
For the traditional MBA program at Wharton, there are 2 required essays, an optional essay, and a required essay for any reapplicants. Your essays are written in response to specific prompts set by the school. These questions ask you to share your motivations, experiences and career goals, beyond what can be found in your MBA extracurriculars ...
Tuesday Tips: Wharton MBA Essay Tips 2024-2025
This essay prompt reflects that Wharton has always been very career-goal-oriented. "They are acutely interested in what your short-term and long-term career plans are," says a recent SBC client who was admitted to Wharton. This career goals question focuses on why Wharton is the right fit for you.
Updates to the 2023-2024 Application
Our Essay and Letters of Recommendation prompts remain the same. Our hope is for the essays to remain centered around you as the applicant, while still expressing thoughtful consideration of how the Wharton experience can best prepare you for your career goals. ... You can always reach out to our office directly at [email protected] ...
3 Tips for Writing Your MBA Admissions Essay
Wharton is unique and your essay should reflect that. 3. Be Yourself. The Admissions Committee is looking to understand more about you and your unique personality and how that can ultimately contribute to the Wharton community. We are a student-driven campus and need each and every MBA to bring something to the table.
Wharton MBA Eligibility & Tips for a Successful Admit
Your Future Vision: Articulating Your Goals Wharton's first essay prompt is your stage to showcase your future aspirations and how their MBA program fits into this puzzle. It's all about connecting your past experiences, your future goals (both short and long-term), and Wharton's unique resources to build a compelling narrative.
Wharton MBA Application Deadlines & Essay Tips: 2024-2025
The Upcoming Wharton MBA Application Deadlines Are As Follows: Round 1: September 4, 2024 Round 2: January 3, 2025 Round 3: April 2, 2025 2024-2025 Wharton MBA Essays: Founded by a Wharton MBA graduate, Personal MBA Coach is intimately familiar with the Wharton MBA program and the culture at Wharton. We advise candidates to think about each question differently, ensuring answers complement ...
Wharton Application
Here are Wharton's main required essay prompts; SBC's essay tips for Wharton can be found here. Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words) Essay 2: Taking into consideration your background - personal, professional, and/or academic - how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to ...
Application Information
Short essay requirements provide an opportunity for the Wharton Global Youth admissions committee to learn more about you. They are also a way to evaluate your writing skills and your ability to directly respond to a given prompt. We value quality and thoughtfulness over quantity. VIEW THE 2024 ESSAY PROMPTS HERE
Wharton EMBA Admissions Directors Share Tips on Writing Strong Essays
Applicants to Wharton's EMBA program can probably relate to this famous Ben Franklin quote. ... The prompt suggests that applicants take a moment to learn how the University of Pennsylvania endeavors to make everyone feel welcome: ... The optional essay is an opportunity to share information that may be missing in other parts of the application.
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of The Wharton School
Learn more about MBA admissions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in this Admissions Director Q&A. The Leading Independent Resource for Top-tier MBA Candidates. ... There are instances in which applicants may try to reconfigure their responses from other essay prompts, and they ultimately do not share with us their ...
Packing for your summer holiday? Take these books published in 2024
A professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School explains how—and provides useful tips on how to harness it. Dark Wire: The Incredible True Story of the Largest Sting Operation Ever.

2024-2025 Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

1. Who is Wharton looking for?

2. How should I answer Wharton essay questions?

2.2. Essay 2

2.3. Reapplicant Essay

2.4. Optional Essay

3. Get into the Wharton MBA

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Wharton Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2024-2025

Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Essay 2: 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)

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Wharton’s two required essays are designed to let the admissions committee get to know you on a personal and professional level.

Decoding the Wharton MBA Essays

Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Essay 2: 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)

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MBA Essay Guide

Wharton Essay Tips

2. Do Research