Wharton MBA Application Guide
Advice on how to get selected for the Wharton MBA program
from the Former Head of Admissions at Wharton.
About The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton MBA is globally recognized for its strength in finance, analytics, and collaborative culture — making it one of the world’s most respected and sought-after business programs. Founded in 1881 at the University of Pennsylvania as the nation’s first collegiate business school, Wharton continues to set the standard for rigorous, data-driven management education. Each year, the program receives around 7,000 applications for a class of around 880 students, giving Wharton the highest acceptance rate among the HSW triad (around 20.5%, compared to 7% at Stanford and 10-14% at HBS).
The Wharton MBA Class profile reflects Wharton’s selectivity and reach: an average GMAT of 735, GRE scores of 163Q/162V, an average GPA of 3.7, and representation from 68 countries. Wharton attracts applicants from every industry and function, making it a top choice for those seeking both breadth and depth of community. The application process is famously “school-focused,” rewarding those who can clearly articulate their unique contributions to the Wharton community. Its unusual group interview format – the Team-Based Discussion – further emphasizes collaboration and cultural fit.
The insights on this page are just a glimpse of the expertise Fortuna delivers to every client. Our award-winning coaches – former Wharton admissions directors and MBA alumni – leverage their insider perspective to help you stand out (Meet the Team).
Why Choose Wharton?
Wharton’s unmatched scale, breadth, and culture of contribution have redefined business education for more than a century.
Beyond finance. While Wharton’s legacy is rooted in finance, its modern culture emphasizes humility, EQ, and impact. With a class of around 880, students represent a remarkable range of industries and ambitions – from AI to social enterprise to global startups. AdCom isn’t just asking about “specific, meaningful contributions” in your essays; they expect you to live them. They are also adept at sensing inauthentic claims. The community thrives on shared experiences, whether hosting dumpling dinners or organizing treks, and students are quick to support and celebrate each other’s wins.
A bicoastal advantage. Wharton’s San Francisco campus gives second-year MBAs a valuable West Coast foothold. Each fall, around 70 students spend a semester in the Bay Area, combining coursework with internships and networking in the heart of tech and venture capital. The smaller cohort deepens relationships with peers and professors alike, while alumni credit the experience with lasting ties and career springboards. Wharton is the only school with a true East-West Coast presence, making its brand resonate on both coasts.
The “Wharton Way.” Self-reliance is part of the DNA. From the team-based discussion interview to its global alumni network, Wharton attracts and develops “self-made” leaders who are ambitious yet approachable. You’ll find fewer legacy connections and more peers who embody curiosity, grit, and the drive to forge their own paths.
Wharton MBA Class of 2027 Profile
| Avg. GMAT | 735 |
| Avg. GRE | 162 Verbal, 163 Quant |
| Avg. Undergrad. GPA | 3.7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12 |
| Class Size | 888 |
| Ave. Age | ~28 |
| Avg. Work Experience | 5 years |
| International Students | 31% |
| Women | 47% |
| Tuition | $87,970 per year |
Curriculum Highlights
First Year (Core Curriculum): Required courses span leadership, finance, marketing, and operations. Small, diverse Learning Teams anchor collaboration and problem-solving.
Second Year (Electives & Majors): With 200+ electives and 21 majors, Wharton offers one of the most customizable MBA experiences. Students can design a pathway or specialize in fields from finance to healthcare or ESG. Cross-registration across Penn schools (Law, Engineering, Design, etc.) broadens options.
Global Opportunities: International exchanges and Global Modular Courses immerse students in diverse business ecosystems and prepare them to lead across cultures.
Leadership Ventures: Outdoor expeditions from the Rockies to Antarctica foster teamwork, risk-taking, and decision-making under pressure.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Venture Lab resources include accelerators, pitch competitions, and access to Philadelphia and San Francisco founder ecosystems.
Career Outcomes (Class of 2024)
| Median Base Salary | $175,000 |
| Salary Increase (source: FT Rankings) | 121% |
| Employment offered within 3 months of graduation | 99% |
| Post-MBA Industries | Consulting: 25% Private Equity/Buyouts/Other: 10% Venture Capital: 3% Investment Banking/Brokerage: 15% Technology: 14% Investment Management/Hedge Fund: 6% Other Financial Services: 6% Health Care: 5% Consumer Products/Retail: 3% Manufacturing/Energy: 3% Real Estate: 2% Media/Entertainment: 3% Social Impact: 3% Other: 2% |
UPenn MBA Careers:
While 69% of the class sought employment, 6% started their own company, and 13% were company sponsored/returning to their existing employer.
Wharton publishes a list of hiring organizations but does not specify the number hired by each company.
However recruiters that hired three or more graduates for full-time employment or internships include Accenture Strategy, Activision Blizzard, Adobe Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev, Apollo Global Management, Alchemist Ventures, Alvarez & Marsal, Amazon, American Express, Author Health, Bain & Company, Bank of America, Bonterra, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), BlackRock, Blackstone Group LP, Brookfield Asset Management, Capital One, Causeway Capital Management LLC, Centerview Partners, Cisco Systems, Inc., Citi, DaVita, DC Advisory, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Duolingo, Estee Lauder Companies, Evercore, Emerson Collective, EY-Parthenon, Fidelity, Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Genentech, GoHealth Urgent Care, Goldman Sachs & Company, Google, Guggenheim Partners, Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Humana, J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Jefferies, KAUST Investment Management Company, Kearney, KKR & Co., Lincoln International, Lazard, LLC, LLR Partners, Microsoft, Moelis & Company, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, National Basketball Association, Nike, Nvidia, NextEra Energy, Pacific Lake Partners, Partners Group, PayPal, PIMCO, PJT Partners, Robinhood, REDF, Salesforce, Samsung Global Strategy Group, SandboxAQ, ServiceNow, Shore Capital Partners, StepStone Group, Strategy&, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, SVPGlobal, T. Rowe Price, TikTok, Trive Capital, Uber, Verkada, Vanguard, Visa, Welltower, Walmart (incl. eCommerce).
Wharton MBA Admissions Process & How To Get Into Wharton
Applying to Wharton means navigating every element of the process: online form, resume, recommendations, essays, and the unique team-based interview. With over 7,000 applicants for around 880 seats, nothing can be glossed over. AdCom looks for evidence of leadership, impact, and collaboration – and scrutinizes how you’ll show up in the classroom and community. Below is our guidance on each stage of the Wharton application.
1. Resume
Wharton values measurable impact and leadership potential. Beyond promotions and results, AdCom notices patterns – your “superpowers.” Maybe you’ve mentored interns with standout success rates, spearheaded a cost-saving initiative, or left a process in place that outlives your tenure. Highlight concrete outcomes and formative experiences (cross-cultural work, study abroad, or distinctive passions) that show how you’ll enrich the class. For a deeper dive, view Expert MBA Resume Tips in this article by Fotuna’s Jody Keating.
2. Recommendations
Wharton has recently reduced the number of required recommendations from two to one and will now use the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation, which is already in use at many peer schools. It has also updated the recommender assessment that accompanies the letter, allowing recommenders to evaluate your strengths across a broad range of competencies. View this article for a deeper dive on How to Secure the Best MBA Letters of Recommendation.
3. Essays
The Wharton MBA essays are a test of alignment: how clearly you can connect your goals to what Wharton offers and the impact you’re ready to make there. Essay 1 has been restructured into two short-answer questions, allowing candidates to focus exclusively on their professional goals. Essay 2 remains a long-form response but has been refined to center on the impact you’ll bring to the Wharton community, rather than how you’ll spend your time while in the program.
Essay 1 – Two short-form questions:
What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 words)
What are your career goals for the first three to five years after completing your MBA, and how will those build towards your long-term professional goals? (150 words)
Essay 2 – Long-form essay:
Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to add meaningful value to the Wharton community? (350 words)
Anchor your contributions across personal, professional, and academic dimensions, and link each to clubs, initiatives, or the Philadelphia community. AdCom expects to see legwork and authenticity. For more strategic and tactical advice, see Fortuna’s Wharton MBA Essays: Tips and Strategy. And to maximize your Wharton MBA admissions odds, see Fortuna’s All-Inclusive MBA Package.
4. Online Application
Don’t overthink or underthink. Keep achievements focused on college and beyond (skip high school), but don’t forget meaningful recognitions such as workplace awards. Remember Wharton’s evaluation lens: academic success, leadership, collaboration, culture fit, and clear goals. For a deep dive with two of Fortuna’s Wharton experts, view our Wharton MasterClass.
5. Interview
Wharton’s Team-Based Discussion (TBD) is a distinctive hallmark of the school’s admissions process. You’ll join 4–6 other candidates online to develop and pitch a solution under time pressure, observed by AdCom, followed by a brief 10-minute one-on-one. It’s less about your pitch and more about how you listen, build, and collaborate. Preparation is key – especially practicing the dynamics of teamwork in a simulated setting. You can sign up for a comprehensive simulation experience ahead of your Wharton TBD with Fortuna Co-Founder and former head of Wharton Admissions, Judith Silverman Hodara.
View Judith’s article for a deep dive on Wharton TBD Tips & Strategy, and check out this video with Fortuna’s Michel Belden and Caroline Diarte Edwards.
Expert Application Advice from Fortuna Coaches
1. Demonstrate Your Team Orientation
Wharton is deeply collaborative and built around clusters, cohorts, and learning teams. You may work with 15+ groups over your two years, gaining practice leading through teamwork. Admissions looks for candidates who thrive in these settings – not lone wolves. If your style comes across as closed off or overly top-down, it can hurt your chances.
2. Balance Your Personal & Professional Profile
Wharton evaluates you holistically. Your job title alone doesn’t define what you’ll contribute. Wharton MBA essays that highlight passions and commitments outside the office – from community service to creative pursuits – help round out your profile. The most compelling applications showcase not only your professional achievements but also the full complexity of who you are beyond your resume.
3. Show Genuine Interest in Wharton
With 200+ electives, world-class faculty, and a vibrant student life, Wharton offers almost limitless opportunities. Be specific: name professors, courses, or clubs that align with your career vision, and show how you’ll plug into and enrich the community. Wharton is looking for difference-makers with high EQ who will both lead and engage.
4. Highlight Non-Traditional Perspectives
Wharton actively seeks candidates from nontraditional paths like sales, operations, or the arts. These voices spark richer classroom discussions and bring energy to clubs and projects. Many students expand further by cross-registering in Penn’s other schools – education, social policy, or AI-driven innovation – to broaden their toolkit. If your background is unconventional, lean into it as an asset.
5. Present a Clear Career Plan
Wharton doesn’t expect you to predict your entire career, but they do want focus. Applicants who claim “too many ideas” risk appearing scattered. Admissions favors those with a viable path grounded in market realities. As a former Vice Dean quipped, no one graduates having exactly followed the career plan stated in their application – but entering with purpose shows maturity and self-awareness.
Next Steps: Start Your Wharton MBA Journey
Ready to pursue Wharton? Partner with Fortuna’s team of former Wharton insiders to refine your strategy, strengthen your essays, and prepare with confidence. Book a free consultation to get started.