Almost all top Business Schools have cut down the number of essays and the word limit for each essay. Wharton has cut down the number of essays from three to two but the word limit remains the same – 500 words. So what has changed? Last year, the Admission committee had three questions addressing – professional goals, passion/extra-curricular and application of knowledge. This year the emphasis is on post-MBA goals (personal and professional) and contribution in Wharton MBA Class.
1. What do you aspire to achieve, personally and professionally, through the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
The first thing that bothers MBA aspirants is the word limit. Since the essay questions ask applicants to write about professional and personal aspirations, it becomes important to identify your aspirations that are relevant for MBA admissions. AdCom expects applicants to follow the word length guidelines but if it becomes impossible to answer the question comprehensively in 500 words, even after 2nd and 3rd iteration, include it in the essay. Make sure that the length does not go beyond 25-30% of the word limit suggested in the essay. The Wharton AdCom has clearly stated in their guidelines that they don’t count the words for the essay but as a rule of thumb complete the essay in one page.
To write how Wharton MBA can help you achieve your professional and personal goals, it is important that you do a thorough research about Wharton School. You should learn about the curriculum, professors, students club, alumni, entrepreneurial activities and other student initiatives, and gather a complete picture of the program.
Draw the “Where I am To Where I want to be” Chart
It is simple
Where I am
-> Successful Finance Professional (GPA, GMAT and other Achievements)
-> Social Contribution ( Ideas, Implementation, Team Building)
Where I want to be
-> Successful VC with X Company (Fund over N companies with a market cap of Y Dollars) (Professional)
-> Innovation, Thought Leadership, Humanitarian, Start Y Non-profit for Z (Personal)
Now go back to the Wharton MBA Program and review it again. What are the courses, activities, network and relationship that would help you achieve these goals? Conciseness and relevance are skills that you can master after re-writing and reviewing the essay several times and recognizing factors that define who you are and not what AdCom wants to hear.
Related: F1GMAT Essay Guide (174 pages PDF)
2. Academic engagement is an important element of the Wharton MBA experience. How do you see yourself contributing to our learning community? (500 words)
“Academic engagement is an important element of the Wharton MBA experience”
This first part of the question clearly defines the expectations. Wharton values applicants who can contribute and engage with the class, and introduce unique thoughts. So how do you go about convincing the AdCom?
Before you start convincing the AdCom, understand the learning community that Wharton is referring. The Wharton learning community is
a) A positive environment for learning where the participants are passionate about what they learn and how they impact the society
b) An Entrepreneurial culture where out of the box ideas are not discouraged
c) A disciplined environment where topics are discussed in detail, and experiences of the participants are an integral part of the discussion
d) Where the participants are offered the tools to develop leadership skills
Now you have an overview of the learning community.
How can you contribute in this environment maintaining the key characteristics of the learning community or improving it further? That is the real question. General vague answer will not suffice for this essay. Go into details of a course, the venture program or other student clubs where the contribution can be most impactful as a team player, and as a leader.
The team-based discussion introduced last year gives you idea on the type of leadership that Wharton Values – inclusive and positive. There is no place for Autocratic leadership, and that should be in the back of your mind when you explain your potential contribution in the learning community. An inclusive leader has awareness of personality types and is adept at managing conflicting points of views.
Download F1GMAT's Essay Guide (174 Pages PDF) and learn how to differentiate yourself from 1000s of competent applicants
FOR REAPPLICANTS
All applicants to Wharton are required to complete the Optional Essay. Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)
Download F1GMAT's Essay Guide that includes Wharton Essay Tips
OPTIONAL Question FOR All applicants
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)
This question should only be answered if you have any gaps in your employment or your grades are below average, which means your GMAT score is below the Middle 50% range of 660-770 or GPA is below the middle 80% range of the class: 3.0-3.9. If you are below the average, we recommend that you get expert help to present your application more effectively.