The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School has kicked off the next MBA application season with the release of its 2010-11 essay questions and application deadlines. In past years, Harvard Business School (HBS) has been the first to release its questions, but Wharton beat them to the punch this year, releasing a week earlier than HBS did last year.
Once one top school has opened the flood gates, many others usually follow close behind, so expect similar announcements from other top schools in the coming weeks. We’ll have those announcements, as well as detailed essay question analysis, soon after each school releases its new questions.
For now, the Wharton essay questions are listed below, along with the 2010-2011 deadlines. Remember – it never hurts to get an early start on the application process!
Wharton Fall 2010 Application Essay Questions
Essay 1
Required; 750-1000 words. As a leader in global business, Wharton is committed to sustaining “a truly global presence through its engagement in the world.” What goals are you committed to and why? How do you envision the Wharton MBA contributing to the attainment of those goals?
Essay 2
Required; 750-1000 words. Tell us about a time when you had to adapt by accepting/understanding the perspective of people different from yourself.
Essay 3
Required; 500 words. Describe a failure that you have experienced. What role did you play, and what did you learn about yourself?
Essay 4
Required; 500 words. Choose one of the following:
1. Give us a specific example of a time when you solved a complex problem.
2. Tell us about something significant that you have done to improve yourself, in either your professional and/or personal endeavors.
Essay 5
Optional; 250 words. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application).
Wharton Fall 2010 Application Deadlines
Round 1 Application Deadline: October 4, 2010
Decision Release Date: December 17, 2010
Round 2 Application Deadline: January 4, 2011
Decision Release Date: March 24, 2011
Round 3 Application Deadline: March 3, 2011
Decision Release Date: May 12, 2011
Additional Joint Wharton MBA/MA–Lauder Applicant Essays
Required for all Lauder applicants in addition to the appropriate set of essay questions above.
1. Describe a cross-cultural experience in your adult life that was challenging to you. How did you meet this challenge and what did you learn from the experience? (1,000 words)
2. Please explain why you are currently applying to Lauder. How do you expect the Wharton/Lauder joint-degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and personal level? (1,000 words)
Joint Wharton MBA/MA-Lauder Fall 2010 Application Deadlines
Joint Wharton MBA/MA Application Deadlines
Round 1 Application Deadline: October 4, 2010
Decision Release Date: December 17, 2010
Round 2 Application Deadline: January 4, 2011
Decision Release Date: March 24, 2011
Read the full article: U Penn’s Wharton School Releases 2010-11 Application Essays, Deadlines