Preparing A Successful EMBA Application
Wharton does not use formulas or ranking systems, or give specific weight to individual sections of the application. Each component of the application should be as strong as possible, and the pieces should fit together to create a complete picture of the candidate. We then measure each candidate in the context of a large, talented, and diverse applicant pool. Your qualifications break down into three distinct areas for consideration:
Academic Profile
We look at all your academic experiences to get a whole picture of your ability to succeed at Wharton. The academic rigor of your curriculum and the intellectual curiosity you have demonstrated are important. Undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as professional certifications and continuing education credit in both related and unrelated fields, will be considered.
GMAT scores also help us evaluate scholarship. We evaluate the overall score and each section of the test. There are no cut-off scores for the GMAT, though we are concerned about verbal and quantitative section scores that fall below 75%. In the most recently admitted class, the average overall GMAT score for admitted applicants was 701. For this year's entering class, the middle 80% of the class received GMAT scores in the 640-760 range.
If you have been out of school for several years, or you do not feel that you have a strong quantitative background from your academic or professional experience, we recommend that you take advantage of GMAT preparation resources and allow enough time to take the test more than once. The executive MBA program does not accept GRE test scores for admission.
If you're disappointed with your test results and believe you can do better with additional preparation, we encourage you to retake the test. You may retake the test as many times as you want. Only the highest score will be used in your evaluation. Please see the MBA.com site for details.
Professional Development and Goals
The career choices you have made to date are important to the Committee in evaluating your application. Significant attention is given to the length of time spent in a management role, progression in job responsibilities, and total work experience. We also look at how you have distinguished yourself professionally. We do not place value solely on the type of work you have done, but rather on what you have gained from your experiences. Someone who has worked as a museum curator, for example, may be just as strong a candidate as someone who has been a business consultant. What you have contributed is more important than the industry, and what you've learned from successes and failures is important.
We are very interested in your short- and long-term goals, and why business school — and particularly this Wharton MBA program — represents an important step in achieving your goals. We assess your leadership potential as demonstrated at work, whether you were leading projects, effecting change within a team, or directly managing personnel. Leadership potential can be demonstrated in activities outside of work. We look for evidence of effective interpersonal skills because the Wharton environment also emphasizes leadership in the context of teamwork.
The endorsement of your organization is vital to your success in the program. How enthusiastic is your sponsoring supervisor or management about your candidacy? Has careful thought been given to how your MBA experience and degree will fit into your career development within the firm — both during the program and after graduation? Have you thought through the impact of your participation on others in the organization, so that you have the support of your colleagues as well as your supervisors?
Personal Qualities
The Admissions Committee is interested in the whole person. What makes you unique? What can you contribute to the Wharton community?
We look for evidence of personal leadership qualities, such as ethical integrity, self-motivation, empathy, communication skills, and personal style. How have you challenged yourself, how have you reached beyond your comfort zone, how have you effected change in your organization or led a team through a process?
We consider extracurricular and volunteer leadership because we believe that applicants who get involved beyond what is required are well-rounded and engaged, and want to make a difference in their communities. In addition, candidates should demonstrate a balance between work and outside activities.
Team skills are essential to success in Wharton's curriculum because of our learning team structure. Students are assigned to teams with a flat hierarchy. Each team is comprised of individuals from multiple industries and with diverse goals. Flexibility, tolerance for difference, and effective communication skills are all required to succeed.
Entrepreneurial spirit does not necessarily mean that you have experience with an entrepreneurial business. Rather, it means you can think and behave in an entrepreneurial manner. This is as important in large international companies as it is in small start-ups. We will therefore look at how you have challenged the status quo and made a difference, regardless of your environment.
