The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is probably the most famous business school in the world. Not only was it the first business school, but it has also produced more billionaires than any of the other business schools out there. It’s an extremely popular school for students who want to study business, but it’s also one of the most competitive schools to get into. Last cycle, UPenn had a 5% acceptance rate, and Wharton itself was slightly lower at 4.5%.
If you’re serious about attending Wharton, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself stand out amongst the crowd. We’re going to dive into everything you need to know to not only set yourself up for success in the future, but have the most compelling Wharton application possible.
Is Wharton your top choice? We’ve helped countless students gain admission to Wharton and other top undergrad business schools. Our counselors are ready to provide expert, personalized guidance to help you meet your goals – reach out to us today.
Get the Grades
Before we get into specifics, we want to say: duh. If UPenn is in your sights, you cannot afford to have Bs on your transcript. Our clients who gain admission to UPenn, and especially Wharton, have perfect grades in the hardest classes their school offers.
This logic applies outside the classroom, too. If the most average UPenn student is getting a 35 on their ACT, you should aim for a 36. Same goes for the SAT, we recommend no less than a 1550 if you want to be competitive.
Build a Niche
To get into Wharton, just saying you’re “interested in business” isn’t going to cut it – colleges want to see what direction you’re heading in. Zoom in a little. Take a look at Wharton’s niche programs like the Huntsman program, or one of their many concentrations to help inform your path
If finance is your thing, take it a step further. Maybe you start out curious about investing, but as you dig in, you realize real estate investing grabs your attention. After some research, you’re exploring how real estate intersects with public policy and affordable housing initiatives. That’s exactly the kind of deep dive that shows colleges you’re serious. Think of it as building a funnel: start broad, then narrow as you go.
How do you show that you’re building a niche, you ask. Let’s get into it.
Courses and Reading
The best way to discover and explore your niche is by learning everything you possibly can. We often help our clients find courses online through platforms like Coursera, The Great Courses, and Yale Open Courses. Reading is also fundamental to this process. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of books by business leaders or about business strategy these days, which gives you a solid reading list to start with. It’s also important to stay current: newspapers, magazines, trade publications, and podcasts are great ways to track developments in your future field. As you explore topics that interest you, make sure the courses and books you consume are allowing you to go deeper and deeper in that field.
School Extracurriculars
If your school offers business clubs, get involved. If it doesn’t, or if none align with your specific interest, consider starting one. Whether it’s Female Entrepreneurs, Future Investment Bankers, or Sports Marketing Mavens, the goal is to show that you’re actively engaging with your niche and taking initiative to go deeper.
Don’t limit yourself to strictly business-related activities, either. You can write profiles on local small businesses for your school or community newspaper, lead a service organization, or dive into student government. All of these experiences help build a well-rounded profile and reinforce your leadership, communication, and analytical skills – all of which matter in a business context.
Out of School Extracurriculars
Our clients get summer, or weekend, jobs. We think, especially for business students, working a job is essential. It shows you are responsible, dedicated, and have a strong work ethic. It could be answering phones, walking dogs, or scooping ice cream – we don’t care what it is, we care that you do it.
You can also explore summer programs designed for aspiring business students – there are plenty out there, and they can add both depth and direction to your academic journey. Wharton in particular has a number of summer programs, which are highly competitive (like the school itself) but great for experiencing what Wharton will be like.
And finally, of course, secure an internship. This is a no-brainer for business-minded Wharton hopefuls. Make sure the internship lines up with your stated niche – if you are saying you want to go into marketing, but you’ve got three finance internships under your belt, that doesn’t paint a clear picture for admissions officers.
Start a Company
Saying you're into entrepreneurship is like saying you're into “ambition.” It’s a personality trait, not something you should claim to want to study (in our opinion). Entrepreneurship can invoke imagery of Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates – brilliant, but they dropped out of college. Colleges, especially Wharton, don’t want to admit students who have a high risk of dropping out of college.
Instead of just saying “entrepreneurship,” focus on gaining actual skills in something like marketing, operations, or management. In our experience, students who are natural entrepreneurs usually start something on their own anyway – a reselling business, a nonprofit, a car wash, etc.
Apply Early
While the overall acceptance rate to Wharton is around 4.5%, it is estimated that the ED acceptance rate is approximately 15%. Now, does that mean you’re 3x as likely to get in? Not really – but it does mean that applying early can boost your chances of getting into one of the hardest to get into programs at one of the hardest to get into universities in the world. Applying early is the smartest strategic move you can make, especially if you’ve followed the advice outlined in this post.
We don’t say these things to scare you! We just want you to be prepared. A competitive Wharton applicant has incredibly impressive stats and a resume that would put some early-career post-grads to shame. If Wharton is your goal, you need to put yourself on a track for success now. Don’t wait if you think this is where you want to be, reach out to us today.
Need help strategizing for Wharton? Contact us now.