The Wharton MBA programme: All you need to know about admissions & careers

The Wharton School is one of the world’s top business schools, with its MBA program having once again landed the top spot (joint with Stanford Graduate School of Business) in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2020. But how is Wharton different from other top business schools?

It can be quite hard to calculate the value of an MBA in today’s turbulent job market, but one of the greatest parts of a Wharton MBA is the alumni network you become a part of. Graduates can add 99,000 alumni to their network for both mentoring and learning opportunities – which is a huge bonus.

But let’s take a closer look at the Wharton MBA to give you the full picture…

Wharton MBA Class Profile

The above data represents the Wharton MBA class of 2021.

You can see the full report here.

Things you need to know before applying to the Wharton MBA

It’s important to be prepared before you apply to any MBA program – and Wharton’s MBA is no exception.

When it comes to applying, Wharton offers three rounds of admissions. To determine which is the best round for you, you can visit the Application Deadlines page. Prospective students are encouraged to apply in the year preceding their start at Wharton, and the b-school’s general policy is not to grant deferrals. All requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Wharton typically receives 6-7,000 applications every year. Approximately 75 percent to 80 percent of applicants are qualified for admission. Wharton generally admits about 1,000 candidates for a class of about 840 students.

After submitting your application for the Class of 2023 (start date of Fall 2021) successful applicants will be notified for the interview process on the following dates:

1)      Round 1 deadline: September 15, 2020

• Invitation to Interview: October 28, 2020
• Decisions Released: December 16, 2020

2)      Round 2 deadline: January 5, 2021

• Invitation to Interview: February 11, 2021
• Decisions Released: March 25, 202

3)      Round 3 deadline: March 31, 2021

• Invitation to Interview: April 15, 2021
• Decisions Released: May 11, 2021

Programs available at Wharton

Wharton runs a range of MBA programs that include the full-time MBA, MBA for executives, joint degree programs (MBA/MA) in international management and arts and sciences, MBA/law program, and MBA/public administration. The school also runs pre-college programs, undergraduate programs in economics, and dual-degree programs in international studies and business, management and technology, and life sciences and management.

Available doctoral programs include accounting, management, applied economics, ethics and legal studies, marketing, and statistics. Wharton also runs global programs, such as the Wharton-INSEAD Alliance and Advanced International Studies.

Wharton offers three fully integrated interdisciplinary programs at the University of Pennsylvania, meaning you can bridge multiple disciplines and customize your MBA experience. Choose from:

• Carey JD/MBA
• Lauder MBA/MA in International Studies
• Health Care Management

Wharton MBA application requirements

A complete Wharton application will consist of:

• Background Information
• Application Fee
• Two Essays
• Transcripts (unofficial or official)
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• GMAT or GRE Score
• English Language Test Score
• Resume

The Wharton MBA Program is accepting at-home GRE and GMAT test scores through the 2020-2021 admissions year. This new format allows you to take exams virtually while being monitored by a proctor online. Scores will be sent to our admissions team electronically.

Wharton fees & expenses

The estimated first-year budget for the Wharton MBA Program is US$111,695, which includes tuition and fees (US$80,432), room & board (US$21,050), books, supplies, health insurance, and additional personal costs (US$10,213). The estimated total program budget is US$222,540. Students are responsible for their own housing, meals, and course materials.

Admissions statistics at Wharton

5,905 prospective students applied to Wharton’s MBA Class of 2021, but only 856 students were actually enrolled onto the class.

Of the students enrolled on the program, 44 percent are female, 33 percent are international students, and 33 percent are US students of color. Students in the cohort had an average of five years’ work experience and represented 52 countries.

You can find out more facts & figures from Wharton’s most recently admitted class on the Class Profile page.

Career after a Wharton MBA

Of the 863 students in the Class of 2019, 98.5 percent of students seeking employment reported job offers, and 93.5 percent of students reported job acceptances.

Graduates reported a median annual salary of US$150,000, 60 percent reported a median sign-on bonus of US$30,000 (with the 75th percentile earning US$50,000) but graduates also noted a median guaranteed bonus of US$25,000.

Wharton’s MBA Career Management team helps graduates secure the jobs they want with tailored guidance, helping them achieve and build the careers they want.

The career team has connected students with over 650 companies from a variety of sectors and backgrounds, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

Graduates can utilize the team’s resources including career counselling, information banks on companies and industries, workshops, recruiting, research tools, and career treks.

Wharton MBA facts

Wharton’s MBA program is highly flexible with 19 majors and nearly 200 electives to choose from, allowing students to tailor their course based on background, experience, interests and goals.