Urgent: Wharton Reapplication - Essays rewrite or not?

Question

Hi Everyone,

I am a reapplicant to Wharton. I applied last year, did the interview and got rejected. When reapplying this year I found that rather that having a new application, Wharton kept my new application which I am supposed to work with it. This is great news for me but I am wondering if that means I should provide new essays in addition to the “Reapplicant Essay” or should I keep my old essays and work on the “Reapplicant Essay only.” I humbly ask for help from an expert or someone who had a similar situation like me in the past.

Thank you very much in advance.

MBADecoder · Answer

Going by Wharton's essay questions- goals and contribution - I am sure you will have new updates in a year's time. If I were in your shoes, I would take a very hard look at my previous years' essays and rewrite them, working upon any weaknesses I might have left there. 
 
If your goals have changed over the past year- you will have a fresh goals essay to write. If they have not, you should still try to present them in a more compelling manner- that can include more clarity in the goals, better connecting of dots between the past experience and the future goals, and better understanding of how the MBA will help you. YOu can infact also show how you used the additional year to research the Wharton MBA at a deeper level and are fully aware of its benefits.

Contribution essay- same goes here. More research about the MBA program will lead to better awareness on how you can contribute. Also, you may have figured out additional ways in which you can contribute.

I hope you are also updating/reworking your resume and your recommendations.

Admissionado · Answer

MYQ :

I agree with the previous poster. You should take the opportunity to rewrite. Perhaps you learned new things about the school and yourself that you can now add on to your past application?

While it's always tough as a re-applicant, sometimes it can be an advantage if you're able to show you are very passionate about the school and did in fact write good essays for your previous application.

Last year was abnormally challenging, so it probably won't be nearly as difficult to show Wharton (or any other school) that you're still committed to them and stayed engaged.

-Admissionado

ARINGO · Answer

We recommend to revisit your essays. This is one area that might need significant improvement and the one is which can easily be improved (in comparison with a GPA that was set several years ago, or a GMAT score you can’t seem to overcome). When checking essays - ensure that you are sending out the message correctly and clearly. The essays are the best way to highlight all the aspects of your profile- personal, professional, etc. So if you think it needs a major revamp, write it from start again. For more tips for reapplicants, please visit: https://www.aringo.com/reapplying-for-t ... rams-tips/

3Storms · Answer

First stay within the lines of what Wharton is asking you to do (there's no point not following their guidance, otherwise you'll just be that person who they declined last year and isn't following their requests this year -- not a great recipe for a successful reapplication).

If they're giving you an opportunity to revisit your essays, then do it. Being a good MBA candidate is about your ability to absorb, learn and grow. They're looking to see how you've progressed over the last year and what productive efforts you've made to become a better candidate.

Urgent: Wharton Reapplication - Essays rewrite or not?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards