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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 25 Dec 2010, 15:01
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Questions are available on the applyyourself website. Also available on the admissions website in faqs probably.

Posted from my mobile device
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 00:44
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The essay question "describe a time when you turned down an opportunity" - can one consider leaving permanent position (where one has been working for a couple of years) in a bigger and known company to a joining a smaller startup with uncertain future as "turning down the opportunity"?


I guess the part "turning down" sounds like an event that happens after something was "presented". If one left status quo (a permanent job) for more risky job, then is that "turning down" the opportunity of stability?
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 03:06
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The essay question "describe a time when you turned down an opportunity" - can one consider leaving permanent position (where one has been working for a couple of years) in a bigger and known company to a joining a smaller startup with uncertain future as "turning down the opportunity"?


I guess the part "turning down" sounds like an event that happens after something was "presented". If one left status quo (a permanent job) for more risky job, then is that "turning down" the opportunity of stability?
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can someone clarify this?
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 03:17
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jk12
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The essay question "describe a time when you turned down an opportunity" - can one consider leaving permanent position (where one has been working for a couple of years) in a bigger and known company to a joining a smaller startup with uncertain future as "turning down the opportunity"?


I guess the part "turning down" sounds like an event that happens after something was "presented". If one left status quo (a permanent job) for more risky job, then is that "turning down" the opportunity of stability?


can someone clarify this?
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Technically, this doesn't sound like a turned down opportunity. It might sound more like a recycled Booth essay (the one about taking a risk). Perhaps, if you were up for an upcoming promotion or something you could write about that. For example, I left a big office to move to a smaller office and in doing so I turned down an opportunity to be lead the field team on a major engagement. Simply letting go wouldn't qualify as a turned down opportunity. I think ad com will not only be assessing your essays but also the extent to which you actually answer the questions they are asking. I would suggest being conservative and make sure you leave no doubt in the reader's mind that you are answering the question asked.
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 12:55
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The essay question "describe a time when you turned down an opportunity" - can one consider leaving permanent position (where one has been working for a couple of years) in a bigger and known company to a joining a smaller startup with uncertain future as "turning down the opportunity"?


I guess the part "turning down" sounds like an event that happens after something was "presented". If one left status quo (a permanent job) for more risky job, then is that "turning down" the opportunity of stability?


can someone clarify this?

Technically, this doesn't sound like a turned down opportunity. It might sound more like a recycled Booth essay (the one about taking a risk). Perhaps, if you were up for an upcoming promotion or something you could write about that. For example, I left a big office to move to a smaller office and in doing so I turned down an opportunity to be lead the field team on a major engagement. Simply letting go wouldn't qualify as a turned down opportunity. I think ad com will not only be assessing your essays but also the extent to which you actually answer the questions they are asking. I would suggest being conservative and make sure you leave no doubt in the reader's mind that you are answering the question asked.
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So: is leaving a due promotion soon in 2-3 months in the biggest company in the work-field to work in a startup in the same field with scarce resources a turning down of opportunity?
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 13:29
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How strict is Wharton on the word count? In the official website, it seems that they're lenient on that (i.e. ok to have 10% excess, but not double up the word count). How serious are they? I'm over 100 words for a 700 word essay... not sure how much I can cut down... Thanks!
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 13:31
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So: is leaving a due promotion soon in 2-3 months in the biggest company in the work-field to work in a startup in the same field with scarce resources a turning down of opportunity?
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Sounds reasonable to me... not sure about AdCom... But do you have any specific doubt on why this may not answer the question?
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 14:51
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So: is leaving a due promotion soon in 2-3 months in the biggest company in the work-field to work in a startup in the same field with scarce resources a turning down of opportunity?

Sounds reasonable to me... not sure about AdCom... But do you have any specific doubt on why this may not answer the question?
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the doubt, if you call it that, is that how is this thing validated by any other component of the application, or may be no validation needed (does the recommender has to say - oh no, were going to promote him but he left for adcom to believe it )
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 14:53
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the 1st optional question about course design asks only what the course would be - short answer would simply the name of the course right. Do we have to explain what the components of the course, course material, how is administration going to handle it, who will teach it etc?
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 14:54
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the doubt, if you call it that, is that how is this thing validated by any other component of the application, or may be no validation needed (does the recommender has to say - oh no, were going to promote him but he left for adcom to believe it )
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I guess that due promotion isn't really "an opportunity" until it's offerred to you... yea, for that, I agree with you on this "doubt"...
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 15:19
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the 1st optional question about course design asks only what the course would be - short answer would simply the name of the course right. Do we have to explain what the components of the course, course material, how is administration going to handle it, who will teach it etc?
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anyone knows about the above question?
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the doubt, if you call it that, is that how is this thing validated by any other component of the application, or may be no validation needed (does the recommender has to say - oh no, were going to promote him but he left for adcom to believe it )

I guess that due promotion isn't really "an opportunity" until it's offerred to you... yea, for that, I agree with you on this "doubt"...
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thanks
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 15:35
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the 1st optional question about course design asks only what the course would be - short answer would simply the name of the course right. Do we have to explain what the components of the course, course material, how is administration going to handle it, who will teach it etc?

anyone knows about the above question?
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I'm no expert, but think you should talk about the course content and components, in addition to the course name itself...
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How strict is Wharton on the word count? In the official website, it seems that they're lenient on that (i.e. ok to have 10% excess, but not double up the word count). How serious are they? I'm over 100 words for a 700 word essay... not sure how much I can cut down... Thanks!
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Any help?
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 15:39
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How strict is Wharton on the word count? In the official website, it seems that they're lenient on that (i.e. ok to have 10% excess, but not double up the word count). How serious are they? I'm over 100 words for a 700 word essay... not sure how much I can cut down... Thanks!

Any help?
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That's quite a bit over. I would definitely cut down. With 700 words, you really shouldn't need to go over by that much. I've been using the 5% rule and try to limit going over on at most 1 essay per application. No one is going to sit there and count your words but they will probably be able to notice an essay that runs over by 100 words.
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 15:43
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the 1st optional question about course design asks only what the course would be - short answer would simply the name of the course right. Do we have to explain what the components of the course, course material, how is administration going to handle it, who will teach it etc?

anyone knows about the above question?

I'm no expert, but think you should talk about the course content and components, in addition to the course name itself...
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thanks ounce.

from the question, it looks like one can talk about a hypothetical course that may be almost impossible to implement. For example a course that combine X and Y, where X and Y both require field trip, leaders in their respective fields to lecture.. does one have to explain how s/he will manage that
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 15:53
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from the question, it looks like one can talk about a hypothetical course that may be almost impossible to implement. For example a course that combine X and Y, where X and Y both require field trip, leaders in their respective fields to lecture.. does one have to explain how s/he will manage that
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You should keep the course realistic. For my essay, I actually thought about what I wanted to learn and what didn't already exist. I have a real need for the course that I suggested so hopefully when I go to Wharton, I can actually create that course.

Hope that helps!
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 18:07
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redjam

You should keep the course realistic. For my essay, I actually thought about what I wanted to learn and what didn't already exist. I have a real need for the course that I suggested so hopefully when I go to Wharton, I can actually create that course.

Hope that helps!
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Second that. Be realistic. My opinion: you don't need to nail down all the details about the course, but should keep it realistic. For example, if you want to plan a field trip, it is not so long that it impacts other on-campus courses... I think it's good idea to add details (such as who to teach, what specific course delivery method is) because it shows you know the course, the Wharton and most importantly, your need of the course.
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 18:09
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That's quite a bit over. I would definitely cut down. With 700 words, you really shouldn't need to go over by that much. I've been using the 5% rule and try to limit going over on at most 1 essay per application. No one is going to sit there and count your words but they will probably be able to notice an essay that runs over by 100 words.
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Thanks for the advice, redjam.
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Calling all Wharton 2011 Applicants 27 Dec 2010, 19:11
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redjam

That's quite a bit over. I would definitely cut down. With 700 words, you really shouldn't need to go over by that much. I've been using the 5% rule and try to limit going over on at most 1 essay per application. No one is going to sit there and count your words but they will probably be able to notice an essay that runs over by 100 words.

Thanks for the advice, redjam.
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ounce, looks like wharton does care about difference in word count of 100 words (as evident from some optional essays being of 700 word limit vs 600). So good idea to cut it a bit
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