Wharton 2013 - Calling All Applicants

Guys, this can be a "Why Wharton?" question for some applicants, but it does not have to be. The right approach is to start with defining the message that you want to deliver to the adcom, and then map the key aspects of that message out to the essay topics.

Remember that you are up against a very experienced and sophisticated admissions consulting army here. Just answering questions and filling forms won't get you in the door at Wharton, you need to have a clear, well organized sales pitch, and that is only one part of a broader application strategy which includes much more than just writing essays.

Does anyone else feel that Questions 1 and 2 are really the same, or at least they can be answered very similarly? If I have free time, no matter how much, I'm usually pursuing a hobby (starting my business), which is what I'd choose to do as an extracurricular (Entrepreneurship Club). Is that too narrow minded?

Also, curious to hear other people's interpretation of Question 3. What do you consider "knowledge"? If, as a consultant, I come up with an insight through analysis and then implement it? Can knowledge be interpreted more broadly??

Thanks!

Read the question a little more and check the website where they talk about "Knowledge for Action." They expand on the definition.

Knowledge for Action is part of Wharton's new branding strategy. It's not a random essay question. It's a deliberate bait for you to write about how you fit in with this new brand. (HBS did the same rebranding last year when they launched the "Reimagining the MBA" initiative.)

Check out the website: https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/about/knowledge-for-action.cfm

Approximately half your essay should focus on Knowledge: how did you develop your Insight? what did you Research? how did you Analyze the data? what counterpoints did you Consider? who did you Debate your analysis with to arrive at your conclusion?

If you are a consultant, yes, the insights you develop can be considered Knowledge. But, don't just pick something that's purely academic / cerebral, ie just crunching a massive Access database to find a correlation is a weak example.

The other half of your essay should focus on the Action (duh!): this is the critical element! Most clients don't go deep enough into this part. This is your opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills: how did you Promote your idea? how did you get Buy-In on senior leadership? how did you Convince others? how did you Address push-back / resistance? how did you Motivate others to support your idea?


https://www.mbaadcom.com

Could anyone share the link to the list of co-curricular activities and extra-curricular activities? I am unable to find a mention of the same on the website apart from the ones mentioned in the discussions- which I think cannot be considered a formal list of activities.

https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/leader ... /index.cfm
https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/student-life/index.cfm

These are both major sections of the Wharton site...

Thanks, Stupandaus...this was helpful

3. "Knowledge for Action draws upon the great qualities that have always been evident at Wharton: rigorous research, dynamic thinking, and thoughtful leadership." - Thomas S. Robertson, Dean, The Wharton School

Tell us about a time when you put knowledge into action. (500 words)


My view on this is that the knowledge does not need to be academic at all, rather can be one, for the lack of better word, chanced upon. For example, credible information - which when verified is knowledge - that could have affected your business/your team/your client adversely, and how you reacted to it, would also be an example of knowledge in action. In such cases, research would not be a part of the process, but more on how you strategized a back up plan.

1. Select a Wharton MBA course, co-curricular opportunity or extra-curricular engagement that you are interested in. Tell us why you chose this activity and how it connects to your interests. (500 words)

For this essay, I would NOT write Why Wharton, but Why X at Wharton. The questions very specifically narrows it down to ONE activity ("Select a Wharton ...") so if you go gaga over Wharton then the adcom may take that as you being oversmart (writing about X+ Y +Z rather than only X) + an inability to answer questions specifically. Choosing and writing about one of the clubs (not the professional - eg: consulting - ones, but personal - eg: follies/comedy - or social etc. clubs) would make for a good essay (https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/student-life/clubs.cfm)

Hope this is helpful

Another query on the essays...this time on:

How will the Wharton MBA help you achieve your professional objectives? (400 words)

My take is that it is a combination of 'Why Wharton?', 'Why MBA?' and 'short-term & long-term goals' questions all tucked into one...

Would like to know if anyone has a different perception on the same...

The essence of this question is HOW wharton will help you. So my recommendation is to state your short term goals, why you need them, and how short term goals will help in long term goals. Limit this to 150 words. use the remaining 250 words to answer why MBA (maybe 50 words) and the rest on why Wharton. Given the word limit, be highly specific.

Hi guys...

I just wanted to know if it would be any problem if i skip the "knowledge into action" essay and answer the other two? Will it be held against me if I don't answer an essay related to their brand?

Thanks

Not at all

Agreed. Wharton gives you the option to pick whichever two of the three options you want to write. If there was a preferred option or combination, they wouldn't have given a choice to begin with.

Hi

does somebody know if we have to request that GMAC sends our official score report? Or is the official report only needed when you matriculate and the adcom will work with what you have filled out in the application form?

Hope someone can shed some light in here.

Thanks & Best & Good luck to all

Official report only when you matricualte.

Thanks for the input

One other thing that I find intimidating is the "Job Duties" description with about 1600 words space. What is Wharton looking here for? I dont want to repeat my resume.
Can we write somehow an essay about our accomplishments?

Hope some alumn or anyone related to wharton can help!
thanks