For applicants for admission in Fall 2009 (for the Wharton Class of 2011): below are the deadlines for submitting your application, as well as the essay questions that will be included in that application.
We post the essay questions now to allow you to plan your application preparation this year. The full application, which will include questions for recommenders and other application requirements, will be available on the Wharton website in August.
Wharton Fall 2009 Admission: Application Deadlines
- Round 1: Thursday, 9 October, 2008
- Round 2: Thursday, 8 January, 2009
- Round 3: Thursday, 5 March, 2009
Wharton Fall 2009 Admission: Application Essay Questions
First-Time Applicant Questions
1. Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words)
2. Describe a setback or a failure that you have experienced. What role did you play, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
3. Where in your background would we find evidence of your leadership capacity and/or potential? (500 words)
4. Please respond to one (1) of the following questions:
a. Describe an experience you have had innovating or initiating, your lessons learned, the results and impact of your efforts. (500 words)
b. Is there anything about your background or experience that you feel you have not had the opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee in your application? If yes, please explain. (500 words)
OPTIONAL: 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, TOEFL waiver request, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words, maximum)
Reapplicant Questions (for candidates who have applied for admission for Fall 2008 or 2007 only)
1. Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? How has your candidacy improved since the last time you applied? (1,000 words)
2. Describe an experience you have had innovating or initiating, your lessons learned, the results and impact of your efforts. (500 words)
3. Please respond to one (1) of the following questions:
a. Where in your background would we find evidence of your leadership capacity and/or potential? (500 words)
b. Is there anything about your background or experience that you feel you have not had the opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee in your application? If yes, please explain. (500 words)
OPTIONAL: 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, TOEFL waiver request, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words, maximum)
