Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants

I dont think mine was very creative, but it was very specific in regards to combining existing disciplines into a unique course. The course also ties heavily into my professional and personal goals. A buddy who proofread my essays said it was the strongest essay in my Wharton app, but who knows.

In my opinion, the essay topics are designed to get a deeper view of you. You as a candidate, what you bring to the classroom, and how deeply you have thought about your future. I think the originality of the topic matters less than the view this essay can provide of your skills, ideas, strengths, experience and values. The second most important part of this is how well do you really know Wharton. Pick a topic that gives them a view of you, just as much as it does of your ideas, and make sure to get to know the program so you can explain why your idea/experience is different and why it would be valuable to your classmates.

I think I would pick the one that is more representative of the actual question - which one you would create - keyword: you. As MBAgirl said, it's to get a deeper understanding of you.

Since I already applied in R1, I'll give you my example. I work in the theme park industry - in a seasonal park (we are closed half the year). My undergrad was in Business, but I never found a class that dealt with the challenges of running a seasonal operation. We hire and terminate a staff of two thousand every year (as well as train, promote, and evaluate them). We break down and rebuild much of the infrastructure annually. It brings with it a lot of difficult problems that I have only learned to deal with from my work experience. I talked about how I wanted to take a class in Seasonal Operation Management to learn how other seasonal businesses (ski industry, resorts, etc.) deal with the same problems. I gave some examples of problems I faced, how I dealt with them, and how they were different from management in other industries.

I agree with MBAgirl and uprightCitizen.. context and personalization would trump creativity - I would suggest you write about whichever topic is most relevant in your particular situation. I basically wrote on a topic I personally wanted to address during my MBA. Although I'm just worried that it might potentially already be covered through different elements of the MBA program - its difficult to say how unique the topic needs to be - guess I'll find out soon enough!

Having both qualities of creativity and substance will obviously help make your essay stand apart. Why don't you try to appeal to both qualities then?

If, on the other hand, you will sacrifice content just for the sake of creativity, then I suggest you rethink your strategy on attempting this question.

For me, my whole working life has been about risk management (in the context of financial bubbles, manias, etc.), but I added a spin to it and added something creative. My theme is also about "history never repeats, but it surely rhymes." I'm just going to leave it at there about my story, but you get my point...

"history never repeats, but it surely rhymes" - nice!

mark twain?

Very excellent insight guys, I appreciate it. I think I was approaching the question incorrectly, so I'm going to start a rewrite. This Wharton crowd is great, hahah

It's enjoyable being on these forums knowing that all these smart folks will be our classmates eventually (hopefully)!

Posted from my mobile device

are you guys on the west coast? it's the wee hours of the morning on the east

11 pm here

yup, west coast... checking work emails, and catching up on some late night reading (online of course).

Anyone expecting updates tomorrow? I'm wondering whether the online system will be updated and the email will follow

What a ridiculous Page 19. An utter waste of forum space and, what is infinitely more important, time!

There are two cardinal rules of partaking in a forum:

Rule #1: Respect the "Internets"
Rule #2: Don't forget Rule #1

Nothing better to do in this forum....just a waiting game til Friday at this point...

Yup, we're just filling the void. It beats staring at the same posts (f5 f5 f5 refresh refresh).

I feel you guys! Sorry for being rude :D

Oh, on a side note....Paul the Octopus died yesterday. I guess my sports betting career just came to a screeching halt. RIP Paul, you're my boy Paul!!!

Actually we were on topic, prepping for my Wharton new course essay on "The Microeconomics of Internet Flame Wars".