Traditional Candidates
Traditional candidates must be employed and have a minimum of 8 years work experience. Financial sponsorship can send a strong signal of endorsement for an applicant and can return significant benefits to the sponsoring organization.
Letter of Endorsement
Required. All applicants employed by an organization must have a formal letter of endorsement from their employer, signed by a supervisor and submitted on company letterhead. The letter should:
- Acknowledge that the company is aware of the employee's interest in applying;
- Provide assurance that he or she will be able to take the time away from work to attend classes and handle approximately 20-25 hours of study during the week;
- Indicate the level of financial support the organization intends to provide.
The letter of endorsement is separate from the two professional recommendations, which are also required as part of the application. However, it can further support the applicant's candidacy by providing an endorsement of the employee's qualifications and leadership potential.
Financial Support
Financial support is not required, but if candidates receive financial support, the letter of endorsement should specify the amount. For approximately 70% of applicants, employers provide full or partial financial support. Some organizations cover all expenses, including travel; for others, support may be limited to tuition reimbursement or a fixed level of tuition contribution. Read Financing Your MBA if you do not have full financial support. Fellows candidates must have full financial support from their employers.
Career Development Plan
Recommended. A career development plan for an applicant frames how the Wharton MBA can lead to broadened responsibilities and opportunities within the firm. Such a plan increases the benefits for both the student and the sponsoring organization by ensuring that an employee's new leadership capabilities and business knowledge are rewarded by the organization. Sponsors and students who stay in regular communication about the program use the Wharton experience and resources not only to advance personal skills and knowledge, but also to address specific challenges at work.
