why wharton essays

Youth Program
Wharton Online

Why Wharton

Explore business and more, wharton is more than just a business school. you will take one quarter of your classes outside of wharton, in penn’s other 11 schools. our flexible program combines the study of business and arts and sciences with dynamic professors and hands-on experiences. when you follow your interests and gain knowledge of the leading edge of business practices, you can succeed in any career you choose., flexible curriculum.

You can customize the curriculum to pursue a minor , study abroad , earn another undergraduate degree, or get a jump-start on graduate school . You can enhance your education with courses and programs in anything from art history or music to chemistry or political science, following your interests and passions wherever they lead.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to make an impact in any field – in any part of the world. Start a business, manage a clothing brand, or even build a new car – with a degree from Wharton you can go wherever your path leads you and be more effective in the career you choose.

Top 10 reasons to come to Wharton

Why come to Wharton? Check out our top 10.

Innovative Learning

Learning at Wharton is not just academic. Our classes are challenging and intellectually rigorous, but at the same time, they’re collaborative and full of interaction. Our top professors customize their teaching method for each class, from seminars, case studies, and lectures to Wharton’s learning lab simulations , which help you experience what business situations are really like instead of just reading about them in a textbook. Manage a billion-dollar stock portfolio, participate in a fare war, allocate raises among employees, control a country’s fishing fleet, or prepare a marketing plan for a totally new product.

What’s the difference between a BS in Economics at Wharton and BA in Economics in a liberal arts program? Here’s how we are different .

Leadership Development

We’re serious about working together to achieve common goals. In fact, our team-based curriculum makes it difficult to succeed if you’re only in it for yourself. You’ll learn to lead and work in a team through a suite of leadership courses that spans all four years. Gain communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills and integrate knowledge for action across the curriculum.

The Leadership Journey

Leadership learning is integrated over four years throughout the Wharton experience. Here’s how it works .

Knowledge for Action

Wharton gives you the knowledge and skills to change the world. Learning continues outside the classroom when you apply valuable skills through teamwork, co-curricular activities, conferences, research, and club life. Try a Wharton Leadership Venture for hands-on experience, start your own business with Venture Lab , run a student conference, or study abroad. Spend your summer with an internship in a field that intrigues you, or solve a problem and find answers through a research program .

Individual Support and Career Services

You’re never on your own at Wharton. You can always find support for any problems that may come up while at Wharton. There are accessible professors, professional advisors, upperclassmen, and alumni to help you with anything from roommate troubles to questions about concentrations or careers. As a member of the wider campus community, you have access to all the resources that Penn has to offer — from integrated career services to the Weingarten Center to the Penn Women’s Center . Whatever your needs, there’s always someone ready and willing to help.

Innovative Classes Helped This Recent Wharton Grad Get the Most Out of Penn

Two native american undergraduates thrive at wharton and in business education.

Ryly Ziese, W'25 and Lauren McDonald, W'23 share their interests, experiences, and dreams for fellow Native Americans engaging in business education.

Student Profiles

Get the inside story from Wharton students.

2023-2024 Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Jun 13, 2023

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 77 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 2024 was 733 (slightly down from 740 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?

Writing any admission essay is a tough task, especially when trying to convey you have the right mix of characteristics Wharton is looking for.

According to Wharton, here is what they want to see in your admissions 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.”

More specifically, if applying to Wharton, you’ll need to answer the following questions.

Keep reading for a more in-depth look at how to turn this task into a standout essay!

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)

For many years, Wharton has maintained this rather traditional goals essay. This year is no different, though there have been very slight changes to the question’s wording. Rather than a more open-ended question, this year, you’re asked to specifically consider your past experience, short- and long-term goals, and how Wharton can help you achieve those goals. In short, everything we believe makes an outstanding goals essay!

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

Then, we suggest diving to your planning for Essay 1. Like most goals essays , we suggest you start your essay with a bit of context before revealing what you intend to do in your future career and how Wharton’s MBA can help you reach your professional goals.

This essay tends to work best when you focus on one or several stories that demonstrate your professional excellence, collaborative mindset, and commitment to your own leadership development.

In the Why Wharton section of your essay, identify two or three pillars you intend to work on during your MBA. Connect these in a meaningful way to Wharton, showing how this offering will bring you closer to your goals. This will require reflection and research into how the Wharton curriculum and program functions. You may want to use this type of structure:

PILLAR/Area for Improvement 1:

Wharton Offering:

How this impacts my goals:

PILLAR/Area for Improvement 2:

PILLAR/Area for Improvement 3:

COMMUNITY/PERSONAL REASONS (list any relevant points here):

*If you have also spoken with alumni or have visited the school and learned information about the program that is relevant to your growth targets , you should also add this as well.

However, try to avoid general statements about people you know who attended Wharton or about a campus visit. Only add this information plus your analysis of why what you learned is relevant to your goals if it enhances your argument.

We then suggest ending with a stellar conclusion sentence that ties your essay together and reinforces your thesis.

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 2023-2024 application cycle. You can start your online application here .

Real MBA Essays That Got People In

School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted

Get Access Now

98.9% Success Rate

With our expertise and 98.9% success rate in placing our consulting clients in at least one of their target schools, we can add more value to your application than you ever thought possible.

Recent Articles

Essay Editing Tips from the Pros: Preparing for Your MBA Journey

Mar 14, 2024

Importance of Essay Editing in MBA Applications Common Mistakes to Avoid in MBA Essays Strategies for Effective MBA Essay Editing Understanding the MBA Essay Requirements Key Elements of a Strong MBA Essay...

How to Use MBA Rankings Effectively to Find Your Perfect Fit

Feb 28, 2024

Understanding the Landscape of MBA Rankings What Does the Latest FT Ranking Show? Why Business School Rankings are Not Perfect Shifting The Paradigm With Personalization Beyond Numbers: Finding Your School Culture...

London Business School Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Feb 21, 2024

School and Program Overview Employment Information Is LBS Right for You? Academics at London Business School Networking and Extracurricular Activities What Makes LBS Special? LBS Resources To Help You Get Accepted...

Ready to start your MBA Success?

2023-2024 Wharton MBA Essay Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Applicants

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, offers a highly sought-after MBA program. If you’re aspiring to join this elite institution, it’s crucial to understand the intricacies of their application process, particularly the essay section. In this article, we will delve into the Wharton MBA essay analysis for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, offering valuable insights and tips to help you stand out in this competitive landscape.

If you want to read more about the admission process check this blog out !

Understanding the Wharton MBA Application

Your Gateway to Excellence

Wharton’s MBA application process is renowned for its rigorous selection criteria. Here are the key elements of the application:

1. Personal Essay

Your Story Matters : The personal essay is your canvas to paint a picture of your unique journey, experiences, and aspirations. Be authentic and let your voice shine through.

2. Professional Essay

Showcase Your Achievements : The professional essay is where you can highlight your career accomplishments. Focus on your achievements, leadership roles, and impact.

3. Recommender Questions

Choose Wisely : Select recommenders who can provide meaningful insights into your abilities and character.

4. Academic Transcripts

Highlight Your Academic Prowess : Ensure your transcripts reflect your dedication to academic excellence.

The Wharton MBA Essays: Deconstructed

Introduction (1-2 paragraphs):

Start with a strong hook or a brief personal anecdote that connects to your career and educational journey.
Clearly state your short and long-term professional goals.
Mention your intention to use the Wharton MBA program as a pivotal step in achieving those goals.

Body (3-4 paragraphs): In this section, elaborate on your plans and how the Wharton MBA program aligns with them. Be sure to consider the following:

Past Experience : Discuss your relevant work experience and how it has shaped your career aspirations. Highlight specific achievements and skills you’ve gained.
Short-Term Goals : Clearly define your immediate post-MBA goals. Explain how these goals relate to your past experience and how they fit into your overall career plan.
Long-Term Goals : Describe your long-term career vision. Explain how your short-term goals are stepping stones towards your long-term objectives. This should demonstrate a logical and coherent career progression.
Wharton Resources : Discuss specific resources, programs, or opportunities at Wharton that will help you achieve your goals. Mention professors, courses, clubs, or any unique features of the Wharton program that align with your ambitions.
Why Wharton : Explain why you believe Wharton is the ideal place to pursue your MBA. Mention the school’s strengths, culture, or values that resonate with your goals and values. Show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely enthusiastic about the school.

Conclusion (1 paragraph): Sum up your essay by reiterating your commitment to achieving your goals and emphasizing how Wharton’s MBA program will be the catalyst for your success.

General Tips:

Be concise. You only have 500 words, so every sentence should serve a purpose.
Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.
Make sure your essay flows logically and coherently.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
Connect your narrative, goals, and reasons for choosing Wharton in a cohesive manner.
Tailor your essay to Wharton’s unique offerings and culture to show you’ve put thought into your application.

Remember that this essay is an opportunity to not only convey your career plans but also to demonstrate how Wharton’s program is an essential part of realizing those plans.

Essay 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)

The Wharton School’s Essay 2 prompt is a critical part of your application, as it asks you to reflect on your background (personal, professional, and academic) and outline your plan for making meaningful contributions to the Wharton community. This prompt is designed to assess not only your fit with Wharton but also your understanding of how you can contribute to the school’s culture and values.

Here’s how you can approach this essay:

Understanding Your Background: To respond effectively, you need to start by reflecting on your life experiences. Consider your personal, professional, and academic journey. What unique experiences, skills, or perspectives have you gained along the way? This is your opportunity to showcase what makes you stand out.
Research on Wharton: It’s crucial to understand Wharton’s values, culture, and community. What specific programs, clubs, or opportunities at Wharton align with your background and interests? Doing your homework on Wharton’s offerings will help you tailor your response.
Your Contribution Plan: In the essay, you should clearly outline how you plan to contribute to the Wharton community. This should be specific and realistic. What clubs or organizations will you join? How will you actively participate and add value? Are there particular academic or extracurricular initiatives you plan to lead or support?
Fit with Wharton: Demonstrate that you’ve thought deeply about why Wharton is the right place for you. Highlight the aspects of the program that align with your background and your goals. This helps the admissions committee see that you’re genuinely interested in their program.
Be Genuine and Personal: This essay is an opportunity to showcase your authentic self. Don’t just list achievements or generic qualities; share stories and personal anecdotes that highlight your unique qualities and experiences.
Conciseness and Clarity: Remember that you’re limited to 400 words. Make every word count. Avoid being too broad or too verbose. Instead, focus on a few key points that illustrate your potential impact on the Wharton community.
Proofread and Edit: Like any essay, it’s essential to proofread your response for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Sloppy writing can detract from the impact of your essay.

Here’s a sample structure for your response:

Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your background.

Body: Discuss your personal, professional, and academic experiences that have prepared you for a role in the Wharton community. Link these experiences to specific Wharton offerings and explain how they align with your goals.

Contribution Plan: Describe in detail how you plan to contribute to the Wharton community. Be specific about the clubs, programs, or initiatives you want to be a part of.

Conclusion: Summarize your key points, reiterate your enthusiasm for Wharton, and express your commitment to making meaningful contributions.

Remember that the goal is to create a well-rounded and authentic portrayal of yourself and your fit with Wharton. Be sure to tailor your response to the specific resources and opportunities that Wharton offers to its MBA students.

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)

The Wharton School’s MBA reapplicant essay prompt is an opportunity for you to demonstrate self-awareness, growth, and your commitment to the MBA program. In a limited 250-word space, you should aim to address the following key points:

Acknowledge the Past Application: Begin by acknowledging that you are a reapplicant. Briefly mention the previous application to set the context for your growth and reflection.
Self-Reflection: Discuss how you have reflected on your previous application and the feedback you received, if any. Highlight any specific areas or weaknesses you’ve identified, and explain how you’ve taken steps to address them.
Personal and Professional Growth: Share the ways in which you have grown since your last application. This could include professional achievements, promotions, new responsibilities, or personal development.
Academic and Extracurricular Updates: If you have pursued additional coursework or taken part in new extracurricular or volunteer activities, mention these here. Explain how these experiences have added value to your candidacy and helped you develop relevant skills.
Why Wharton: Conclude by reaffirming your interest in the Wharton School and how the changes and growth you’ve undergone make you an even stronger candidate for their program.

Here’s a sample response within the 250-word limit:

“Since my last application to the Wharton School, I have embarked on a journey of profound self-reflection and growth. The feedback I received from my previous application served as a catalyst for self-improvement, and I have taken significant steps to enhance my candidacy.

Professionally, I have been promoted to a senior management position at my current organization, leading a cross-functional team that has achieved record-breaking results in revenue growth. These experiences have not only bolstered my leadership skills but have also deepened my understanding of the dynamic business landscape.

In terms of academics, I pursued additional coursework in [abc] and data analytics, which I believe has better equipped me to thrive in Wharton’s rigorous academic environment. Moreover, I took on a leadership role in a non-profit organization, where I helped to [work done] to giving back to the community.

My journey of growth and self-discovery has reaffirmed my strong desire to be a part of Wharton’s transformative MBA program. I am excited to apply again and confident that the experiences and self-improvement I’ve undergone make me an even stronger candidate for Wharton.”

This is only a sample cue.

The optional essay for the Wharton School is a valuable opportunity to provide additional context, share personal insights, or address any aspects of your application that may require clarification or elaboration. Here’s a suggested structure and approach for your optional essay, keeping it within the 500-word limit:

Introduction (1-2 sentences):

Start with a clear and concise introduction that states your purpose for writing the optional essay.

Additional Information (2-3 paragraphs):

Use this section to share information about yourself that is not covered elsewhere in your application. This could include personal experiences, hobbies, passions, or unique qualities that make you stand out.
Explain why this information is important for the Admissions Committee to know. How does it add value to your application or provide a more complete picture of who you are as a candidate?

Extenuating Circumstances (if applicable, 2-3 paragraphs):

If you need to address any extenuating circumstances, such as gaps in work experience, a dip in academic performance, or concerns about your choice of recommenders, this is the place to do it.
Be honest and transparent about the situation. Explain the circumstances and the steps you’ve taken to address or overcome them.
Highlight any lessons learned or personal growth that resulted from these challenges.

Why Wharton (if relevant, 1-2 paragraphs):

If you have specific reasons for choosing Wharton and they haven’t been adequately covered in your main essay, you can briefly touch on them here. Be concise and clear about why Wharton is the right fit for your goals.

Conclusion (1-2 sentences):

Conclude your essay with a brief summary of the key points you’ve addressed in the optional essay.

Tips for Writing the Optional Essay:

Be concise: Stick to the word limit and keep your writing clear and to the point.
Focus on the positive: Even when addressing extenuating circumstances, emphasize how you’ve grown or what you’ve learned from the experience.
Be honest and authentic: The Admissions Committee values genuine self-reflection and authenticity.
Use this space wisely: Avoid repeating information from other parts of your application, and only share what adds value.
Proofread: Carefully review your essay for grammar and spelling errors to ensure it’s well-written and polished.

Remember, the optional essay is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your application or address any concerns, so use it thoughtfully to present yourself in the best possible light to the Admissions Committee at the Wharton School.

Crafting Compelling Essays

Your Path to Success

Now that we’ve outlined the components, let’s discuss how to craft compelling essays:

Be Authentic : Use your own voice and be honest in your storytelling. The admissions committee appreciates authenticity.
Show Impact : Demonstrate the impact you’ve made in your professional and personal life. Use real examples.
Research Wharton : Understand the unique features of Wharton and explain why you’re a great fit.
Edit and Proofread : Ensure your essays are free of errors and well-structured.

In conclusion, the Wharton MBA essay analysis for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle reveals that being true to yourself and effectively showcasing your achievements and aspirations is the key to a successful application. Take the time to create well-crafted essays that reflect your unique journey and ambitions. Incase you need any help with crafting your essays – Contact us at [email protected] or via phone at (+91) 8766202047 and (+91) 9990493487.

1. What are the key elements of a successful Wharton MBA application in 2023-2024?

Providing an overview of the application components and what Wharton looks for can be a valuable resource for applicants.

2. How can I make my Wharton MBA essays stand out in the competitive admissions process?

Offering practical tips on creating compelling essays that resonate with the admissions committee can help applicants set themselves apart.

3. What are the common mistakes to avoid when crafting Wharton MBA essays?

Discussing errors to steer clear of can guide applicants in refining their essays for better chances of success.

4. Is it advisable to hire a professional editor for my Wharton MBA essays?

Exploring the pros and cons of seeking professional editing services can be informative for candidates considering this option.

5. How does Wharton assess the fit of an applicant with their program, and why is it important to address in the essays?

Explaining how demonstrating a genuine connection with Wharton can enhance an application’s competitiveness is crucial information for prospective students.

Blog Categories:

Singapore and More
Study Abroad

WhatsApp us

MBA Admissions Officer Interviews
Part-Time MBA Admissions Officer Interviews
Student Profiles
Best GMAT Prep Courses 2024: Student
Browse Reviews
About the GMAT Focus Edition
Top 10 MBA Admissions Consulting Firms of 2024
About MBA Admissions Consulting
Scholarships

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.

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).

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!

Guest post by:

Vantage Point MBA

How To Answer The Wharton MBA Essays

October 4, 2021

The Wharton MBA essays may be short, but your answers are no less important than for Harvard and Stanford. The Wharton MBA essay questions just force you to fit everything that makes you a great MBA candidate in a much smaller space! There’s a lot to keep track of, so Angela Guido is here to break down what makes a great Wharton MBA essay answer, why, and guide you to writing awesome essays of your own.

#mbamondays #whartonMBA #whartonessays

Career Game Plan Videos

Why Your MBA Essays Need Strong Career Goals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxYxpZI0wcA&t=0s

How To Build An Authentic Career With Your MBA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIprRtgMEDE&t=0s

Prefer to read here’s the transcript:.

In the Harvard application, the admissions committee is judging your ability to think clearly and think for yourself. Stanford, on the other hand, is judging your self-knowledge, your awareness of your own values. I wonder what Warton is gauging in the application? Stay tuned to this MBA Monday to find out.

Hello, I'm Angela Guido , the founder of Career Protocol, and today I'm talking about the Wharton MBA application essays. The Wharton MBA application essays present a unique challenge, especially for those applicants who are also applying to Harvard and Stanford, where the questions are a lot more spacious and a lot more open-ended, and give you a lot more creative freedom to show the admissions committee who you really are. Just because the Wharton essays are much briefer and more circumscribed doesn't mean you don't have to show them who you are. It's still your job to make sure that the admissions committee of every school you apply to really understands who you are as a person. And Wharton poses a very unique challenge on that dimension because on the surface, they have exactly two essays. One is 500 words and the other is 400 words. They're both very concise and very well circumscribed. Question number one is “How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals?”, and question number two is “Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and or academic, how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?”. You see how both of these questions are really focused on your connection with Wharton. They wanna know how you see your life unfolding as a member of their community.

4 Tips On Answering the Wharton Essay Questions

So the first tip, when you're approaching the Wharton Essays is, number one, do a ton of research and do it before you even sit down to write the essays . You basically have to fall in love with this program before you can even begin to put together a decent set of essays. So get to know the school, the programs, the professors, the clubs, the extracurricular activities, figure out all the ways that you are going to grow and learn and contribute at Warton before you sit down to write. Get inspired by your life at Warton before you sit down to outline and create your essence. That's tip number one.
Tip number two is to think very carefully, both in a visionary way and in a strategic and tactical way about your future . I like to think that Harvard is again, really gauging critical and free thinking. Stanford is gauging values. Wharton is gauging your ability to envision and create a future. They're looking for futurists. Recently they've kind of rebranded the program and centering on innovation. They're trying to become known for being the most innovative program across the board of all MBA programs. So it's only natural that their questions are going to target your ability to project yourself into the future and show them that you can think strategically, tactically, credibly, but also innovatively about the future you're trying to create. So don't neglect your career game plan. We have a ton of videos on our channel about how to put together your career game plan, but that's going to be very core and essential to your Wharton applications. It is the centerpiece of essay one, and it even needs to make sense as you write essay two. You'll be talking about the activities, the contributions that you want to make that both leverage your past experiences and the future you're creating. So if you're planning to go into management consulting, for example, you might talk about the ways in which you're going to contribute to the Management Consulting Club in essay two. You want to be tactical but really focused on the future.
Tip number three is to not get so blinded by the future that you forget to include your past in the essays . So it's really tempting to just jump into essay one, talking about your career game plan and how Wharton is going to help you achieve that. And indeed, that is essential to answering that essay question. But they also give you the opportunity to address a little bit of where you've come from so far. They even say that in the supporting text, they say “You might consider past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton.”, and I really encourage you to make a very strategic choice between either essay one or essay two, and possibly both. If you've been applying to other schools, you've developed a set of stories that really define you. Those moments in your past experience that changed your values, or that helped you understand what really mattered to you, or that catapulted your growth in a major way because you are recovering from a huge setback or learning from experience. So if you've written any other essays, you've already probably cultivated your favorite stories, the three or four stories that are nearest and dear to your heart. So look for opportunities to include those in either essay one or essay two or both. So the future is the key to your Wharton essays, but your future is conditioned on who you are today, which is evidenced by who you've been in the past. So this is really going to take some wordsmithing because if you wrote the Harvard essay, as you probably know, I believe the Harvard essay has literally no limit as long as you're being concise and engaging, you can write as much as you want. In Wharton, you can only write 500 words. And you even have to copy and paste it into a text box, which cuts it off at 500 words. So you really, really have to be concise. So finding a way to include your favorite stories in those really tight word limits, it's just a completely different challenge from most of the other schools you're applying to. And Wharton does this because they're trying to understand how well you can make a case for your future, leveraging only critical details about your past experiences. If you think about what it means to be innovative, it's actually not based on the past, it's based on envisioning something new with just a little bit of tidbits of what you already know and where you've come from. So make sure that you're not omitting the chance to show your most important stories, to reveal aspects of who you are vis-à-vis showing who you've been through stories, but you're just going to have to be really concise about it, and you have to make sure that it flows really well together with everything else that you're saying in essay one and essay two. Wharton will not take kindly to copy and pasting a Kellogg essay and then tacking Warton on at the end, they will not like it if you just Frankenstein your Harvard essay into something that makes no sense, and then talk about your goals at Wharton. You really have to approach the Warton essays freshly and newly, with the intention of giving them what they really want, which is a sense of who you are and where you're going.
Final tip for the Wharton essay is to think very carefully about that optional essay . So unlike most schools, where they very clearly outline an optional essay that's meant only to address weaknesses, low GRE score, strange choice of recommenders, gap in employment, Wharton gives you the opportunity to address those aspects of your candidacy in the optional essay, but the way the optional essay is worded, it actually gives you space to say whatever you genuinely want to say. The wording says “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 admission committee.”. They then go on to say that you can also use it to address extenuating circumstances. So by this wording, they're signaling very clearly that if you want to use that extra essay to tell a story or to share your values, or to talk about an experience that isn't adequately covered in the essays or the resume. You have that space to do that. In our experience, about 20% to 25% of clients really actually need that extra space. There's something about them, something about their experience, that is so important to convey and it can't be captured in those brief two essays, that they really need that extra space to tell that story. But I want to advise you to be very judicious in thinking about that optional essay because most of you don't need it. Most of you will present an even stronger candidacy if you can show Wharton the key aspects of who you are in those two main essays and call it quits after that, because indeed, this is part of what they're gauging is, can you package yourself? Can you show a polished profile in a tight space? That's part of what they're looking for. But let's take, for example, a story of how you came to be who you are through a long series of events that shaped you. Or a really important extracurricular experience that just can't really fit because it's too big and too subtle to be crammed into the roughly 200 words or so you would have to talk about it in essay two, and you really need the space, because if you don't include that story, the admissions committee will not be able to make a fair decision on your candidacy because they're missing a key piece of information. If that's the case for you, then go ahead and use that optional essay to tell that story. But make sure that you write the story for Wharton. Don't copy and paste a Kellogg essay. Don't copy and paste “What matters most and why?” and cut it down a little bit. Really think about how do you need to tell your story to complement the other two essays that you've already written, to show that extra dimension of yourself to Wharton?

Content and How to Prepare

In terms of the content of the questions, Yale this year is being a little bit more cloak and dagger. They're not giving you any insight into what the questions are. In years past, they've been everything ranging from behavioral questions to questions about active live, social, and political issues to sort of fun quirky questions like “If you could go back to any point in history, where would you go?”. They're trying to put you through a range of questions so that they can see how you think and how you communicate at a variety of different levels.

Kellogg is actually doing exactly the same thing, but they're being a bit more transparent about the questions that you're going to be asked this year. You're going to have three questions for your Kellogg video essays.

The first one is “ Please introduce yourself to the admissions committee .”. So, you're going to have a few seconds to prepare, then the camera will start filming. You will have 60 seconds to give your answer, and then the camera will shut off. So you want to make sure that you're ready to answer that question within 60 seconds and so don't plan an answer that's 90 seconds because it will just get cut off. So in this first question, it says, “Consider this your opportunity to share what you would want your future Kellogg classmates and our admissions committee to know about you. What makes you, you?”. I'm not even going to give you a lot of advice on this content because you should really just trust yourself. Keep it simple. Say just a few things. In 60 seconds, you can't say a lot of things. My best advice is not to memorize a script. Do not write it out fully, neither by hand, nor typing. Instead, plan three or four bullet points that you want to get across in that amount of time. The three or four most important things that you want to convey. Practice with that bulleted list spontaneously a few times, possibly chatting with a friend, possibly chatting with a friend on Zoom or on Skype, and then just be ready to improvise based on your rough outline in terms of whatever it is that you want to say about yourself to the admissions committee and your future classmates. So don't overthink it. Just keep it simple. Talk about yourself and improvise.
Second question, “ What path are you interested in pursuing, how will you get there and why is this program right for you? ”. So interestingly, Kellogg is putting their personal statement into a 60 second video essay format. This is really the only place in the application where they directly ask you: Why Kellogg? How are you going to use Kellogg to get ahead? Why is Kellogg the right fit for you? This is the only place where they asked that point blank. So this question is really, really important and you really want to prepare for this. 60 seconds is not a long time so again, you're going to be able to cover at most three or four bullet points. So do a little bit of research, come up with an answer that feels compelling and inspiring to you, include a discussion of your goals and why you're passionate about that, and then the rest is going to be about Kellogg. And so again, have a thoughtful answer here. Go beyond the basics, but don't memorize it. Improvise it. Have the points, practice, etc. I'm going to be a broken record on that one because so many people ignore this advice. They try to memorize it. And when you memorize something, you come across, not as you. You come across as just a little bit stilted, a little bit robotic, and neither of those looks are a good look for Kellogg. Kellogg is a really warm, vivacious, you know on average, extroverted community style. It's a student-led community. So all of the student groups, a lot of the career services even, are led by your peers. It's a group of people who love to be together, who love to collaborate. It's like a team spirit kind of place. Robots, stilted, awkwardness is not a good fit. So don't memorize. Again, just be yourself on camera improvising your well thought out answer to number two.
And then question number three is going to be a question about a challenge you've faced . This is almost certainly going to take the form of a behavioral question. Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge. Tell us about a time you faced a conflict in a team. Tell us about a time you got a negative piece of feedback and how you recovered. So, you're going to see this when we get into Interview week. That behavioral questions are huge in many MBA application interviews, and on average, to really do justice to a behavioral question, you need at least 2 minutes. Kellogg is only giving you 60 seconds here. So this is a question that, in our experience, is the hardest one for our clients to answer because they have to kind of cram quite a bit into a very small space. So, to prepare for this question – because you don't know how they're going to phrase it – it's really important that you not plan a specific answer, because if the framing of the question is different, you will be totally thrown off. You will have to quickly reframe the answer while you're talking or you'll give an answer that doesn't fit the question, which again reflects really badly on your communication skills. So think through two or three or four challenges that you faced in your career and then think about a couple of bullet points as it relates to each of those challenges. Those bullet points are: What was the situation? (You guys know the S.T.A.R framework.) What was the task in front of you? How did you overcome it? And then what was the happy ending? So just think through that and then for each of your challenges, make sure that you've got those details vividly in your mind and then improvise a few times to make sure that you're able to kind of tell the story within 60 seconds and then really show up for the video essay ready to improvise, because again, you don't know exactly how that question is going to be framed and a lot of what Kellogg really wants to see is how you're able to communicate when you're not fully prepared. That's going to give them a sense of your personality. So have fun with it. Smile. Enjoy the answer. The last thing you want to do is come across as a deer in headlights. That's not going to help you for Kellogg. Not a good look. And have fun with the answer.

Okay! See, I didn't get into Wharton. This is one of our longest MBA Mondays ever, because I'm not that great at being concise. I was waitlisted at Wharton, though. In fact, I'm still on the waitlist. It's like a joke among my whole community that I'm still just waiting to get off the Wharton waitlist. Okay, different story. Point is, those are your four tips. See, I even went over my usual three. Four tips for answering the Wharton essays. It's an amazing program. If you get invited to interview, you're in for a brand new, fascinating challenge with the team-based discussion. Wharton is truly trailblazing an innovative MBA application process so, you can do it! I'll see you next week.

Sign up for a free MBA strategy call right here:

Free strategy call.

Angela Guido

Student of Human Nature| Founder and Chief Education Officer of Career Protocol

Wharton 2023–2024 Essay Tips

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)

In just 500 words, you must discuss your career aspirations—giving sufficient context for why they are realistic for you—and illustrate how Wharton will help you pursue these goals by demonstrating a thorough understanding of what the school offers and a well-thought-out game plan for availing yourself of particular resources. To effectively do this and write a reasoned, nuanced essay, you must first familiarize yourself with Wharton’s various offerings, events, and extracurriculars and pinpoint those that truly pertain to you and the direction in which you hope to move. Go the extra mile in learning about the school—connect with multiple students and alumni, attend admissions events in your area, participate in the school’s webinars and other online/virtual offerings, read recent press releases from the program and any news stories about it published elsewhere, check out the Wharton School YouTube channel, and especially, visit the campus if at all possible. This will provide the kind of in-depth insight that you can use to show the admissions committee you are really serious about Wharton and are confident you belong there. Simply presenting a list of classes and clubs you think sound interesting will not suffice, and you must absolutely avoid vague, pandering statements about how great the school is. Your goal is to reveal clear connections between your aspirations, what you need to achieve them (e.g., skills, experience[s], connections, exposure), and what Wharton in particular can provide that will enable you to fill those gaps.

That said, take care to not talk exclusively about the Wharton side of this equation. The admissions committee wants to more fully understand the vision you have for your future career, how you have developed this vision, and why you believe it is feasible and fitting for you (with respect to your interests, work style, strengths, values, and/or other such factors). In a post from 2021 about the essay prompts (the same ones the program is using this season), Blair Mannix, Wharton’s director of admissions, noted, “We made slight revisions to Essay 1 to ensure that the question remained applicant-centered while still requiring applicants to think carefully and specifically about how they can maximize two years at Wharton to prepare for their future career goals” (emphasis ours). Connect the dots, so to speak, between what you are bringing to Wharton yourself as a student and what you feel Wharton will provide to complement and strengthen that to set you on the path to success.

Note that Wharton asks you to address only the professional aspect—not the professional and personal aspect—of your business school goals. This means you should focus solely on sharing your career-related stories and ambitions here and then use the other essay(s) to discuss non-work aspects of your life, thereby providing a more complete and well-rounded picture of yourself for the admissions committee.

In many ways, this prompt is asking for a traditional MBA personal statement. We therefore encourage you to download a free copy of the mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , in which we offer detailed advice on approaching and framing these kinds of topics, along with multiple illustrative examples.

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)

In a blog post posted when this prompt took on its current wording, Mannix explained, “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.” The breadth of this essay question allows you to provide a well-rounded impression of yourself for the admissions committee because you can discuss multiple aspects of or stories from your life and draw from any area (personal, professional, community related, and/or academic), thereby allowing you to highlight your strongest and most relevant options. However, the word count is fairly restrictive, so you need to be concise in doing so, without sacrificing effectiveness or thoroughness.

We recommend using approximately one-half of your allowed word count to describe your chosen experience(s) or quality(-ties), so that you have sufficient space in which to then explain how it (they) will enable you to contribute to the Wharton community in a meaningful way. Do your best to “show,” or really spell out, your story—rather than just flatly presenting or stating it—to give the admissions reader some perspective and context. You then need to demonstrate both self-awareness and, again, a thorough understanding of the Wharton MBA experience by drawing connections between this aspect of your background and what you can subsequently bring the school as a member of its community. For example, a past project might have given you some critical insights and skills you could now pass on to your classmates in a related class or club. Or maybe a personal challenge gave you an interesting new perspective on commitment, determination, or another valuable quality. What is most important in this essay is conveying how you envision applying the knowledge or attribute as a student in the Wharton program.

In addition to the suggestions we offered earlier for ways of better familiarizing yourself with Wharton, be sure to download a free copy of the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , which provides an in-depth look at the school’s academic program, unique offerings, social life, and other key characteristics.

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)

Thankfully, this essay is pretty straightforward. Whether you have improved your academic record, received a promotion, begun a new and exciting project, increased your community involvement, or taken on some sort of personal challenge, the key to success with this essay is conveying a very deliberate path of achievement. Wharton wants to know that you have been actively striving to improve yourself and your profile, and that you have seized opportunities during the time since you last applied to do so, because a Wharton MBA is vital to you. The responses to this essay question will vary greatly from one candidate to the next, because each person’s needs and experiences differ. We are more than happy to provide one-on-one assistance with this highly personal essay to ensure that your efforts are presented in the best light possible.

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)

With this prompt, Wharton is acknowledging that some candidates have aspects of their profiles that might need a little clarification. This essay is therefore your opportunity—if needed—to address any lingering questions that an admissions officer might have about your candidacy, such as a low GRE or GMAT score, a legal or disciplinary incident, or, of course, one of the extenuating circumstances the school suggests. However, keep in mind that by submitting an optional essay, you are requiring the already overtaxed admissions readers to do additional work on your application, so do not rush to fill this space just because you fear that not doing so will somehow count against you (it will not), and also avoid being overly verbose or sharing more information than is truly necessary just because you technically can. You must ensure that the admissions committee’s extra time and effort are truly warranted. If you feel you might have a valid reason for submitting this additional essay or are not sure if the issue you are considering would warrant doing so, we encourage you to download a free copy of our mbaMission Optional Essays Guid e , in which we offer detailed advice on when and how to take advantage of the optional essay, along with multiple sample essays.

Wharton MBA Essay Examples

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).

After transitioning from banking to private equity, I first found the faster pace and expanded scope startling, but ultimately invigorating. Shifting from agent to principal, I leapt into formulating a go-forward strategy for rewardify.com’s rapidly growing consumer data analytics business and explored a complex carveout for the payments division of a Dutch online bank. I had absolutely no experience with either industry, but all that really mattered was that I could quickly learn, adapt and contribute. Over the past two years, I have learned to appreciate the “messiness” of investing and the vast opportunities it offers to create value via ingenuity, collaboration and old-fashioned elbow grease. I plan to return to technology investing after I graduate, focusing on later-stage venture or growth equity in Seoul or Shanghai, where wired populaces are driving innovations in consumer tech. Meantime, I aspire to use my Wharton experience to “accelerate my acceleration” both personally and professionally, refining the hard and soft skills I need to thrive in my chosen industry.

As I assess my long-term needs, I recognize that to be a “full stack” partner to management teams, I must grow beyond the financial plain and develop my operations and marketing tool kit. Wharton’s Marketing and Operations Management Major is therefore ideal for me. Having an undergraduate degree in mathematics, I find myself guided largely by intuition in these areas and would take foundational classes like “Operations Strategy” and “Dynamic Marketing Strategy” to then extract the most from uniquely applicable advanced courses like “Contagious: How Products, Ideas, and Behaviors Catch On” and “Online Business Models and the Information-Based Firm.” Beyond Wharton’s vast course options, I find the opportunities to unify theory and practice to be incredibly compelling. The Startup Challenge would allow me to partner with an entrepreneur and engage in the entrepreneurial process, thereby making me a more operationally oriented and thoughtful investor. And a Global Modular Course, like “Global Supply Chain in China,” will provide invaluable insight into the world’s most vexing business issues, while enabling me to expand my industry-related network and form closer bonds with classmates.

I feel fortunate to have already witnessed firsthand the role my diverse and dynamic classmates will play in my education; I visited my cousin Tarek Masoud (W ’19) on campus just before the pandemic, and while there, I observed his “Managerial Decision Making” class and attended that week’s Pub. Both revealed a community that truly comes together to share ideas—and even laugh sometimes at the intensity of the past week. Being a part of this warm yet fervent community greatly appeals to me. An intensive Leadership Venture will allow me to work with peers to actively reflect on and hone my leadership style, and I look forward to the awesome commitment and teamwork that characterize the Learning Team experience. I will enter Wharton with an open mind, ready to listen, absorb, and share, knowing that by bringing the entirety of my energy to the experience, I can confidently embark on the next phase of my career.

The Next Step: Mastering Your Wharton Interview

Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. To help you attain this high level of preparedness, we offer our free Interview Guides . Download a complimentary copy of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Interview Guide today.

To learn more about the essays for other top business schools, visit our MBA Essay Tips and Examples Resources Page .

2023-2024 Business School Essays MBA Essay Tips University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Tags: business school essay free guides MBA application essays optional essay reapplicants Wharton

Upcoming Events

Mar 26, 2024 Your 2024 MBA Application Action Plan (Online)
Apr 25, 2024 Assessing Your MBA Profile (Online)

Upcoming Deadlines

Mar 25, 2024 Dartmouth Tuck (Round 3)
Mar 25, 2024 London Business School (Round 3)
Mar 26, 2024 Texas McCombs (Round 3)
Mar 26, 2024 Vanderbilt Owen (Round 4)
Mar 28, 2024 Berkeley Haas (Round 4)
Apr 1, 2024 Penn State Smeal (Round 4)
Apr 2, 2024 Penn Wharton (Round 3)
Apr 3, 2024 Columbia (Round 3)
Apr 3, 2024 Northwestern Kellogg (Round 3)
Apr 3, 2024 Virginia Darden (Round 3)
Apr 4, 2024 Chicago Booth (Round 3)
Apr 4, 2024 Michigan Ross (Round 3)
Apr 8, 2024 MIT Sloan (Round 3)
Apr 9, 2024 Stanford GSB (Round 3)
Apr 9, 2024 Yale SOM (Round 3)
Apr 10, 2024 Cornell Johnson (Round 3)
Apr 12, 2024 UCLA Anderson (Round 3)
Apr 15, 2024 USC Marshall (Round 3)
Apr 29, 2024 Toronto Rotman (Round 4)
Apr 29, 2024 UNC Kenan-Flagler (Round 4)
Apr 30, 2024 Georgetown McDonough (Round 4)

Click here to see the complete deadlines

2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips

Berkeley Haas School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
BU Questrom School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Cambridge Judge Business School Essay Tips and Examples
Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Chicago Booth School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Columbia Business School Essay Tips and Examples
Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management Essay and Examples
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Duke Fuqua School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Emory Goizueta Business School Essay Tips and Examples
Esade Essay Tips and Examples
Georgetown McDonough School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Harvard Business School 2+2 Deferred MBA Program Essay Analysis 2024
Harvard Business School Essay Tips and Examples
HEC Paris Essay Tips and Examples
HKUST Business School Essay Tips and Examples
IE Business School Essay Tips and Examples
IESE Business School Essay Tips and Examples
INSEAD Essay Tips and Examples
International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Essay Tips and Examples
Ivey Business School Essay Tips and Examples
London Business School Essay Tips and Examples
Michigan Ross School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
MIT Sloan School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
Northwestern Kellogg School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Essay Tips and Examples
NYU Stern School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Ohio Fisher College of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Oxford Saïd Business School Essay Tips and Examples
SMU Cox School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Stanford Graduate School of Business Application Essay Tips and Examples
Texas McCombs School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Essay Tips and Examples
Toronto Rotman School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
UCLA Anderson School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Essay Tips and Examples
USC Marshall School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
UVA Darden School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
UW Foster School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management Essay Analysis, 2023–2024
Villanova School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
Yale School of Management Essay Tips and Examples

Click here for the 2022–2023 MBA Essay Tips

MBA Program Updates

Berkeley-Haas
Boston University (Questrom)
Cambridge Judge Business School
Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
Columbia University (Columbia Business School)
Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
Cornell University (Johnson)
Dartmouth College (Tuck)
Duke University (Fuqua)
Emory University (Goizueta)
George Washington University (GWSB)
Georgetown University (McDonough)
Harvard University (Harvard Business School)
IE Business School
IESE Business School
Indian School of Business
Indiana University (Kelley)
Ivey Business School
London Business School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
New York University (Stern)
Northwestern University (Kellogg)
Notre Dame (Mendoza)
Ohio State University (Fisher College)
Oxford University (Saïd Business School)
Penn State Smeal College of Business
Rotman School of Management
Saïd Business School
Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business)
Stanford University (Stanford Graduate School of Business)
University of California Los Angeles (Anderson)
University of Cambridge (Judge)
University of Chicago (Booth)
University of London (London Business School)
University of Michigan (Ross)
University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
University of Southern California (Marshall)
University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)
University of Virginia (Darden)
Vanderbilt University (Owen)
Villanova School of Business
Yale University (School of Management)

Inspira Advantage

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:

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)

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: ‍

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.

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.

About Inspira Futures

Schedule a free consultation, you may also like.

How to Apply to Business School: The Definitive Guide

These Tips Can Make You Better At Networking During COVID

Wharton Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2023-2024

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

A Guide to the Wharton MBA Essays

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 January 9, 2024

Featuring Andy P. and Geri T.

Applying to Top MBA Programs as a Consultant

Wednesday, april 24.

11:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

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.

Enter your email in the form below to receive our FREE customizable MBA Checklist to help you stay organized throughout the application process.

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.

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.

Free trial!

From 92 top coaches

Access a library of videos, templates, and examples curated by Leland's top coaches.

Example essays.

Example Resumes

Application Prep

Video Courses

Where Can I Start?

Applying to Wharton? Get started today with these articles:

How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay
Wharton Interview Guide: The Team-Based Discussion
The Wharton School--MBA Program and Application Overview
Wharton Moelis Advance Access
Wharton MBA Application Deadlines (2023-2024)

If you prefer to get advice and help in a one-on-one setting, we’ve got some excellent Wharton coaches on Leland. Here are three of our highest-rated MBA admissions coaches and you can browse more here .

Browse hundreds of expert coaches

Leland coaches have helped thousands of people achieve their goals. A dedicated mentor can make all the difference.

Browse Related Articles

January 9, 2024

A Guide to the Columbia Business School Essays (2023-2024)

Coach Melanie E. walks you through each Columbia Business School essay prompt for the 2023-2024 cycle, breaking down what adcoms are looking for and offering expert advice on how to nail your responses.

March 1, 2024

UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Get ready to ace your UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA application with this comprehensive essay guide.

March 2, 2024

Georgetown McDonough MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Looking to ace your Georgetown McDonough MBA essays? Our comprehensive guide provides an overview, valuable tips, and real examples to help you craft compelling and impactful essays that will set you apart from the competition.

UW Foster MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Learn everything you need to know about writing impactful UW Foster MBA essays with our comprehensive guide.

March 12, 2024

The Ultimate M7 MBA Essay Guide

Everything you need to know to write a killer essay for your M7 MBA application, including prompts, deadlines, expert advice, coach recommendations, additional free resources, and more.

January 4, 2024

HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay Prompts & Tips (2024)

As of 2024, HBS has changed its deferred MBA essay prompts away from the traditional, "What else should we know about you?" to three smaller essays. Read more and nail your HBS 2+2 application here.

January 10, 2024

A Guide to the Booth Essays

Tips and tricks to help you write the best essays possible for the Booth MBA Application, including essay and application deadlines as well as Booth coach recommendations.

Berkeley Haas MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Looking to ace your Berkeley Haas MBA application essays? Our comprehensive guide provides an overview of the essay prompts, valuable tips, and real examples to help you craft compelling and impactful responses.

UVA Darden MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Crafting compelling UVA Darden MBA essays can be a game-changer for your application.

Duke Fuqua MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Discover everything you need to know about crafting standout MBA essays for Duke Fuqua.

February 8, 2024

Northwestern Kellogg Values – What Does the School Care About?

Explore the core values that drive the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management and learn what sets this prestigious institution apart.

Dartmouth Tuck MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Learn how to craft compelling essays for your Dartmouth Tuck MBA application with this comprehensive guide.

E-mail & Password
Notification Settings
Global Settings
Applicant profile
Update status
My GMAT info
--> My Education -->

Why Wharton

Top 10 reasons to come to Wharton

Innovative Learning

Leadership Development

The Leadership Journey

Knowledge for Action

Individual Support and Career Services

Innovative Classes Helped This Recent Wharton Grad Get the Most Out of Penn

Student Profiles

2023-2024 Wharton MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

1. Who is Wharton looking for?

2. How should I answer Wharton essay questions?

2.1. Essay 1

2.2. Essay 2

2.3. Reapplicant Essay

2.4. Optional Essay

3. Get into the Wharton MBA

4. Wharton Deadlines

Real MBA Essays That Got People In

98.9% Success Rate

Recent Articles

Essay Editing Tips from the Pros: Preparing for Your MBA Journey

How to Use MBA Rankings Effectively to Find Your Perfect Fit

London Business School Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Ready to start your MBA Success?

2023-2024 Wharton MBA Essay Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Applicants

Understanding the Wharton MBA Application

The Wharton MBA Essays: Deconstructed

Crafting Compelling Essays

Blog Categories:

How to Tackle the Wharton MBA Essays

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

How To Answer The Wharton MBA Essays

Table of Contents

4 Tips On Answering the Wharton Essay Questions

Content and How to Prepare

Sign up for a free MBA strategy call right here:

Angela Guido

Recent Posts

Wharton 2023–2024 Essay Tips

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)

Wharton MBA Essay Examples

The Next Step: Mastering Your Wharton Interview

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Deadlines

2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips

MBA Program Updates

Inspira Advantage

Everything You Need To Know About The Wharton MBA Essays

What Are the Wharton MBA Essays?

How to Approach this Essay

Essay 3 - Required Essay for all Reapplicants:

Essay 4 - Optional Essay: ‍

Purpose of the Wharton MBA Essays

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

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

3. The Wharton MBA essays portray your leadership capabilities.

Top Tips for Crafting the Wharton MBA Essays

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

2. Connect the “Three Career Dots.”

3. Be yourself.

1. Do your research.

2. Make sure you are answering the prompt.

3. Less storytelling, more concrete points. ‍

Wharton MBA Essay Examples and What Made It Successful

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

Body Paragraph 1:

Strengths:‍

Body Paragraph 2:

Conclusion:

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

About Inspira Futures

How to Apply to Business School: The Definitive Guide