Prior to business school I worked at a hedge fund but knew I wanted to get into management and operations. High priority for me was getting into the best school I could and Wharton was my #1 choice. Why over H/S and others? It came down to people; of all the alumni from the schools I knew, I got along best with Wharton people and my 3 years did not disappoint.
I'm getting in, best advice is to find someone with 3 characteristics who can help you: they've been through the MBA process successfully, they know you well, and they are candid. If you don't have someone like that in your life then hit on as many as possible. Do your best and forget the rest!
I got an internship and accepted full time with an MBB but had a lot of other unique opportunities in management, startups, and finance. Wharton will be great for 99% of people. The only place it came up a bit short on career oops was in PE and HF, but I believe it would have been the same for all programs given the ad IOC nature of hiring. For anything blue chip, Wharton is great, plus the San Francisco center is an amazing opportunity for those interested in the bay.
Biggest complaint is that the classes are run by academics as opposed to practitioners and the classes feel to academic. I wish the curriculum were more practical.
Socially, the school does a TON to facilitate friendships and invests a lot in the class.
Overall a great program a very happy with my investment and the prospects it is providing me.
Overall BSchool experience (4.0)
Schools contribution (5.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)
Student body, diversity
Alumni Network
Brand/Ranking
Consulting
Finance
Marketing
Investment Banking
Entrepreneurship
Curriculum, Classes, Professors