{"id":20986,"date":"2013-10-06T08:39:51","date_gmt":"2013-10-06T15:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=20986"},"modified":"2013-10-06T04:49:02","modified_gmt":"2013-10-06T11:49:02","slug":"wharton-to-wall-street-a-thing-of-the-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wharton-to-wall-street-a-thing-of-the-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Wharton to Wall Street: A Thing of the Past?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wharton\"<\/a>You\u2019ve probably read the Wall Street Journal article, \u201cWhat\u2019s Wrong With Wharton<\/a>?\u201d that suggests that Wharton<\/a> has \u201clost its luster.\u201d I\u2019d like to share my thoughts on that, but first, here\u2019s a recap of the article: The article starts with some stats \u2013 first and foremost, that Wharton saw a 12% decrease in applications over the past four years, receiving fewer apps than Stanford GSB which has a class half the size of Wharton\u2019s. Wharton\u2019s defense: They\u2019re yield is up. They\u2019re doing a better job attracting the right candidates, more impressive candidates.<\/p>\n

The WSJ has a different take: As applicants\u2019 interests shift from finance<\/a> to entrepreneurship and technology, Wharton hasn\u2019t adapted quickly enough; it is considered \u201ca training ground for Wall Street titans.\u201d Since fewer students are heading toward Gordon Gecko-hood, Wharton has lost its luster. Even the historical Harvard\/Stanford\/Wharton \u2013frequently abbreviated as H\/S\/W \u2013 triumvirate may not reign anymore. This year, Harvard reported a 3.9% increase in application volume; Stanford saw a 5.8% gain.<\/p>\n

Another flaw that the WSJ highlights: the lack of continuity among the school\u2019s leadership, mainly, the fact that Wharton has had four admissions directors in the last ten years. (The admissions directors at Harvard and Stanford have each held their posts for much longer and have been involved in admissions at their respective schools for over 10 years each.)<\/p>\n

In a Poets & Quants<\/a> article in which I was quoted, John Byrne provides some additional stats worth reviewing: 97.8% of the class of 2013 Wharton graduates received job offers within three months of graduating (up from 95.5% last year) with a median base salary of $125,000 (up from $120,000 last year). Overall, Byrne says, \u201cthe school had one of the best placement records in the school\u2019s history.\u201d And he continues to say that this year\u2019s class is \u201carguably its best ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other points Byrne makes:<\/p>\n