While financial support by your firm is encouraged, it is not required unless you are nominated as a Fellows candidate. (Fellows candidates are somewhat younger and have less work experience than the traditional student profile; therefore, their organizations must nominate them, demonstrate their high management potential, and provide full program support.) For traditional candidates, some employers sponsor the program in full and others offer partial support. Some students are also self-sponsored. All organizations must provide a letter of endorsement that assures that time away from work will be provided for all program classes and required activities.

Yes. We welcome the opportunity to talk or meet with your sponsor at any time to discuss any aspect of the program or your candidacy. Please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail.

Each organization is different, but the single most valuable tool we can recommend is to have a clear career plan in place that identifies how this program is expected to prepare a candidate for new or expanded responsibilities within the organization. Such a plan can help reap the benefits of the program on a day-to-day basis, and ensure that new leadership capabilities will have a place to grow within the organization.

Full financial support shows a strong commitment on the part of the organization and a strong endorsement of the applicant. To this degree, it is part of the total picture of an individual's candidacy. Wharton realizes, however, that not every organization has the resources or policies to be able to fully support an applicant. Recommendations and a letter of endorsement – that is, the assurance that a sponsoring organization sees the value of participation in the program and will support the time commitments of the program – are more important than the level of financial sponsorship.

Yes. If you are a self-employed professional or consultant, or the head of your own firm, you can write your own letter of endorsement, outlining your ability to make the time commitments needed to participate fully in the program and make arrangements with clients and/or others within your organization so that you will be able to attend all classes and required program activities. If you are employed by an organization that can endorse your candidacy but not support you financially, you may self-sponsor the financial requirements. In this case, your organization must still provide a letter of endorsement stating that you will be able to have the time away from work required to attend all classes and required program activities. For more information, see Self-Sponsorship.

Policies within each organization vary, but in general: start early, understand your organization, and have a clear plan for how the program can benefit both you and your sponsoring organization. For more suggestions, including advice from past students, go to Tips for Applicants.

The letter of endorsement should include a clear statement that the organization supports the applicant's interest in pursuing the MBA degree at Wharton, and that it understands and agrees to the time commitment that will be required to complete the classwork and study demands of the two-year program. It should also indicate whether financial support will be provided. If you are an independent professional or consultant, or the head of your own firm, you can write your own letter of endorsement. In this case, the letter should outline your ability to make the time commitments needed to participate fully in the program, including making arrangements with clients and/or others within your organization, and your ability to finance the program.

A letter of nomination is required when an organization wants to sponsor a candidate with less experience than the typical student in the program. These applicants are called Fellows candidates and require a higher level of endorsement and support from their organization. (See also Fellows requirements.) The letter of nomination must: (1) explain this candidate's exceptional managerial potential; and (2) confirm a commitment of full financial and program-related support and an understanding of the time requirements of the program for class attendance and study. (Applicants and sponsors may contact the admissions staff in Philadelphia or San Francisco to review special circumstances that would influence these support requirements.)

Wharton welcomes applications from employees of public and not-for-profit organizations. The ability of your organization to support you financially will not have a negative impact on your application. You may want to explore grants and scholarships from independent foundations and organizations. If you are accepted, you automatically qualify for a loan through the Wharton Loan program. See Financing Your MBA.

Wharton makes every effort to work with students to determine a way to complete their degree programs at Wharton. Some students who have been transferred have either continued commuting to the program or switched campuses (from Philadelphia to San Francisco or vice versa). This option is available only after the first-year core courses are completed. For others, an unexpected job development may require a deferral for a semester or a year. The option of deferral is offered on a space-available basis.