Wharton’s Essay questions for the 2019-20 admission cycle are:
Mandatory Questions:
1. What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
2. Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere in your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (400 words)
Optional /Reapplicant’s Question:
3. The third question is optional for first-time applicants and its mandatory for reapplicants. The question is
For Reapplicants: Explain how you have reflected on the previous decision about your application, and discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)*
For First-time applicants: Use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)
Deadlines: Round 1: 17 September 2019 Round 2: 7 January 2020 Round 3: 1 April 2020
Other Application Components:
Recommendations: Wharton requires two recommendations from individuals who know your performance in a work setting, preferably your current or former supervisors.
Recommendation questions are: 1. Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success in the Wharton MBA classroom. (Word count: 300) 2. Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success throughout their career. (Word count: 300)
Resume: Submit a one page resume that illustrates your “your functional job skills, breadth and depth of experience, demonstrated leadership and management skills, and your potential for growth”
Interview: Interviews are by invitation only. The Wharton interview comprises a team-based discussion (TBD), which is a 35-minute exercise where you work with another 4-5 fellow interviewees to find the outcome of a question given much before the TBD.
Reapplications: Reapplicants have to submit a new application along with the reapplicant essay (mentioned above).