Ask a Wharton MBA

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Ask a Wharton MBA

by robdo » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:35 pm
As the title says... ask away!

Here are several profiles of my Wharton colleagues who are here to help.

Name: Laura
Industry Experience: Advertising, Consulting, Consumer Products, Government, Retail
Profile: I worked for a small consulting company in Washington, DC before coming to Wharton. At Wharton, I succesfully shifted my career from consulting into CPG brand management. I've helped several friends with writing their MBA application essays and crafting their "story".

Name: Sam
Industry Experience: Computer Related, Entrepreneurship, Government, Military, Non Profit
Profile: I spent 7 years as a military officer flying fighter jets. I have also worked for a small software company, for both US and foreign government non-profit sectors, and for two different technology/research organizations. I have a bachelors in Computer Engineering and a masters in International Affairs, and I lived overseas for over three years. I look forward to guiding you and critiquing your essays in your quest to attend ANY top b-school. I am here to help you get accepted!

Name: srm
Industry Experience: Consulting, Health Services and Health Care, Non Profit, Technology
Profile: Prior to business school, had six years of work experience in management consulting and healthcare business intelligence in NY and DC.
-Also have non-profit and health advocacy consulting experience
-Summer internship in business development
-Neuroscience/Biology major
-Part of the Healthcare Management program
-Volunteer Admissions Committee experience
-Returning to Big Three management consulting

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Source: — The Application Process |

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by becnil » Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:25 am
I am a prospective applicant for Wharton 2011. The application questions this year do not specifically ask, "why MBA" or "why Wharton?" What will be the best way to include these points in the essays?

Thanks a lot,

Niladri.

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by robdo » Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:56 pm
Sam says:
Niladri,

Even though the stated questions may not directly ask these two questions, they will nonetheless be on the forefront of the minds of the admissions committee. Therefore, it is important you weave answers to them into your essay. I find the best way to include answers to questions not directly asked is to structure your essay similar to this:
1) Attention getter. Keep it brief. Maybe 1-2 sentences.

2) Body of the introduction. This paragraph will give the executive summary of everything you talk about in the essay in subsequent paragraphs. Your main idea for the paper, and therefore the main thrust of the intro paragraph should directly answer the stated question of the essay, but blend in answers to these other questions as well.

3) Why MBA?

4) Why now?

5) Why Wharton?

6) Conclusion

Weave the answer to the stated essay question into these three paragraphs, especially the first.
This is how I might structure my response, but there are many different structures that may be successful, so there is not just one right answer.

Good luck!
Sam

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by becnil » Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:36 pm
Hi Sam,

Thanks a ton for your response. Will it be possible for you to have a quick look at my essay and let me know if it properly addresses the question?

I appreciate your response again,

Niladri.

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by avaluxe » Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:55 am
In your experience(s), is Wharton uber-concerned about GMAT scores? Do you know of classmates with nontraditional backgrounds (i.e. master's degrees in other subjects, career switchers)? Thanks!

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by armyoftim » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:38 am
Sam - I also have a military background - 5 years as infantry officer, but I'll also have 2 years civilian experience as a manager for a fortune 500 company when I apply next year. What advice can you give about essay themes? Do most other "military" applicants also have significant civilian experience? How "military friendly" is the adcom at Wharton?

Essay question #1 is an interesting one: If you were able to create a Wharton course on any topic, what would it be? What are your thoughts on why this question is being asked... that is, having gone through the process, do you have any insight on what the adcom is trying to elicit through this question?