The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia Admission Process

The Wharton School Admissions

The Wharton School is highly regarded for its master’s programs, with the Wharton MBA serving as its flagship offering. MBA applications are accepted in three rounds, with deadlines on September 7, January 4, and March 29, respectively. In addition to the MBA, Wharton provides five undergraduate programs with 19 concentrations, as well as various doctoral programs in popular fields.

Student Enrollment: The Wharton School currently has 2,500 undergraduate students, of which 22% are international. In the Wharton MBA class of 2023, 36% of the 897 students come from international backgrounds.

Intake: Wharton accepts students for Fall, Spring, and Summer admissions, with deadlines varying based on the program and level of study.

Admission Requirements: Applicants need strong academic credentials to be admitted to this prestigious business school. Key requirements include an average GPA of 3.6/4 (85%), a GMAT score of 733 or higher, a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80, three recommendation letters, and essays.

Acceptance Rate: The Wharton School maintains a selective admissions process. For the MBA class of 2023, the acceptance rate was 12.2%, with only 897 students enrolled out of 7,338 applicants.

The Wharton School Undergraduate Admissions

The Wharton School offers undergraduate degrees in a range of fields such as economics, business management, life sciences, nursing and healthcare, and international studies. Students are required to select a concentration as their primary area of study. The school provides 19 concentration options for undergraduates, including Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing & Communication, Real Estate, Legal Studies, among others.

The Wharton School Undergraduate Admissions

• Where to Apply: Common Application or Coalition Application
• Application Fee: $75 (5,916 INR)

Admission Requirements:

• Completed high school report
• Official high school transcripts
• Average GPA: 3.6/4 (approximately 91%)
• English proficiency test scores (TOEFL iBT or IELTS)
• SAT/ACT scores (optional)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation (one from a teacher and one from a counselor)
• Penn-specific essay

The Wharton School MBA Admissions

The Wharton School offers a master’s degree in business management. The MBA class of 2023 has 897 students with an acceptance rate of 12.2%. This class includes students from 83 different countries, with 36% being international.

• Application Portal: Wharton Apply Web
• Application Fee: $275 (21,691 INR)

Admission Requirements for the 2023 MBA Program:

• Academic transcripts
• GPA: 3.6/4 (approximately 87-89%)
• GMAT score: 733+ (recommended)
• GRE scores:
  • Verbal: 162
  • Quantitative: 162
  • Average Writing: 4.6
• English proficiency test scores:
  • TOEFL iBT: Minimum 80
  • IELTS: Minimum 6.5
• 2 Letters of Recommendation (300 words each)
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• 2 Essays (400-500 words each)
• Optional Essay (500 words)
• Interview
• Work experience

It may take up to two weeks to process and complete the application file. Applicants are notified of any missing documents upon receipt of the Credential Assembly Service report. Students can check their application status at any time using the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s online status checker.

Visa Requirements for International Students

Once accepted at The Wharton School, international students must apply for a U.S. student visa. Typically, they will receive an I-20 or DS-2019 form, which is essential for the visa application process. Applicants should start preparing for their visa application promptly to avoid any last-minute issues. When applying for an F-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy, the following documents are required:

• A valid passport
• I-20 or DS-2019 form issued by the College
• Proof of financial support
• Acceptance letter from The Wharton School
• Evidence of permanent residence outside the U.S.
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Non-immigrant visa application form from the U.S. Embassy
• Receipt for payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee

Additional requirements may include:

• Proof of English proficiency
• Application fee
• Personal interview
• School records to verify academic preparation

As one of the leading business schools globally, The Wharton School is highly competitive. International applicants are advised to apply early to allow sufficient time for visa processing.

Undergraduate applicants should focus on maintaining a high GPA and strong SAT scores. Graduate applicants should highlight relevant work experience in addition to their academic background. Admission decisions are based not only on academic achievements but also on overall development and motivation, which are assessed through application essays, interviews, and other components.

FAQs

Q: What is the application process for Wharton’s dual-degree programs?

A: The Wharton School offers four coordinated dual-degree undergraduate programs. To apply, students must complete Form 1C. Applications are reviewed by The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the director of individual programs. Note that applicants cannot be considered for a single-degree program if applying for a dual-degree. The dual-degree programs are:

• The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology: BS Economics and BS Engineering or Bachelor of Applied Science
• The Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business: BS Economics and BA in International Studies
• The Nursing & Health Care Management Program: BS Economics and BS Nursing
• The Roy & Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management: BS Economics and BA in Life Sciences

Q: Are online courses available at Wharton?

A: Wharton offers non-credit online courses through Coursera, but no credit-bearing online courses are available.

Q: Can I request an interview with someone from the Wharton Undergraduate Division Office?

A: No, the Wharton undergraduate admissions office does not conduct interviews with transfer applicants. However, Penn Admissions offers alumni interviews for freshman applicants.

Q: Are classes taught by graduate student teaching assistants?

A: Graduate student teaching assistants do not teach classes at Wharton. They assist professors with classroom activities, hold supplementary office hours, and conduct tutorial sessions.

Q: Are there research and scholar programs at Wharton? What are the criteria?

A: Yes, Wharton has several research and scholar programs. During admission, students may be invited to the Joseph Wharton Scholars (JWS) program based on their interest in liberal arts and research. The university also offers the Benjamin Franklin Scholars (BFS) and University Scholars programs. All Honors classes are available to the general student body with instructor permission. The Wharton Research Scholars program allows students to work closely with faculty on a year-long research project. Additionally, the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) and the Wharton Social Impact Research Experience (SPIRE) offer summer research opportunities.

Q: What is the required GMAT score for admission to Wharton?

A: There is no minimum GMAT score requirement for Wharton. However, for the class of 2023, an average GMAT score of 733 was associated with a stronger chance of admission.

Q: What is the selection criteria for undergraduate programs at Wharton?

A: The undergraduate admissions committee seeks future leaders. There are no fixed criteria or cut-offs for grades or test scores. With many applicants being highly qualified, the selection process focuses on those who present the most compelling and distinctive cases.