Update: This article was originally posted on August 5, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
Wharton Business School is consistently one of the best business schools in the world, producing some of the best leaders and thinkers in the business world and beyond. Considering that Wharton offers one of the best-ranked MBAs out there, earning a spot at this school requires you to really stand out among the competition.
In this guide, we will go through how to get into Wharton Business School. While many applicants think that simply marketing themselves well is enough to gain admission, successful applicants are the ones who understand a) who Wharton is looking for, b) how Wharton’s MBA program, community, and opportunities fit their profile and goals, and c) how to prepare a Wharton-specific essay and interview. Read on for our expert advice on how to master these three things.
1. Understand who Wharton is looking for
(Photo courtesy of @whartonschool on Instagram)
“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, 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.
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.
So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of Wharton’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with innovation, globalism, and impact-oriented leadership.
2. Know Wharton’s program and how you can use it
The second thing you must do to get into Wharton is to know the MBA program and how it applies to your career goals. If you want to get into Wharton, you really need to show the admissions committee why it’s a good fit for you (and why you’re a good fit for the community too)!
While you will have to do your own research to find the specifics of what aligns specifically with your goals and profile, below we are highlighting some of the main aspects of Wharton’s MBA program so you can be informed about what makes it unique in comparison to other business schools.
Wharton’s excellence in finance and analytics
Wharton has a reputation as “the finance school.” This is because of the school’s rigorous curriculum focusing on these tops and the relevant data analysis that drives Wharton Finance. Learning is focused on data-driven decision making, which prepares pragmatic business leaders in a wide range of fields, even those beyond finance.
Like other MBA programs, students must take core courses and electives, but what makes Wharton unique is that students are required to choose a major to specialize in as well. This means that students finish their MBAs with an edge on what other students get from core business and finance fundamentals in core courses from other MBA programs.
Leadership development
Building leadership skills is a core focus of the Wharton MBA, as is illustrated by the wide range of leadership development opportunities. For example, the Center for Leadership and Change Management, which focuses on cutting-edge research and practical experience, is a key aspect of Wharton’s leadership program. Additionally, Leadership Ventures are a popular leadership offering and combine experiential learning and global exposure via activities like trekking and rock climbing.
Labs and research initiatives
Wharton has a number of labs and research initiatives that allow students to pursue projects in their particular areas of interest during their MBA studies.
With over 20 different areas of focus, Wharton’s research centers and initiatives serve as a hub for exchange and study where faculty, students, and members of the business community come together to address pressing global business challenges. Centers include the AI for Business initiative, the Sol C. Snider Entrepreneurial Research Center, and the Wharton Social Impact Initiative.
There are also multiple labs available to Wharton students. The Venture Lab offers five pathways for students and alumni interested in exploring ideas and projects related to entrepreneurship and innovation. For those interested in analytics, there are multiple labs available, including the ESG Analytics Lab and the Forensic Analytics Lab. There is also the Wharton Credibility Lab, which aims “to make open research irresistibly easy to use by providing online platforms that make it simple for authors to post, and for readers to find and understand the information that makes published research more credible.” Lastly, Wharton’s Behavioral Lab provides the resources for students and faculty to better understand behavioral aspects of business and society.
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3. Prepare a winning application
Last, but certainly not least, is knowing how to write an outstanding essay and prepare for a successful interview. Below are our top tips on succeeding at both of these key aspects of your Wharton application!
Write an outstanding essay
Your admissions essays are one of the most critical components of your Wharton application. They’re your chance to share your unique perspective, demonstrate your values, and show how you align with the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society. These essays aren’t just about recounting experiences. They’re about weaving a narrative that highlights who you are at your core and the impact you aim to create.
According to the Wharton’s admissions team, “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.”
That’s why we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to navigating Wharton’s MBA essay questions, complete with actionable advice and examples.
Remember that authenticity, reflection, and clarity are your most powerful tools as you approach this section of your application.
Prepare a winning interview
After you’ve submitted your application and essays, you must wait to see if you get an invitation to interview. If you do get to the interview phase of the Wharton application process, congratulations! This is an exceptional achievement.
Wharton’s interview process totally deviates from the process employed at other top business schools. This is because the school wants to test applicants’ ability to thrive in Wharton’s teamwork-focused environment.
Though the Team Based Discussion (TBD) might sound daunting, by preparing in advance and developing a clear game plan for your session, you can minimize your anxiety and ensure you perform at your best.
To kick off the actual session, each applicant will have one minute to present their ideas on a predetermined prompt. After each person presents, your group will then have 35 minutes to discuss ideas and come up with a final recommendation. The TBD will end with a small presentation that summarizes your group’s ideas.
After the TBD session ends, each group member will have a short one-on-one interview with the admissions team. The interview will last 10 minutes and will focus on your motivations for wanting to pursue the Wharton MBA.
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