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Wharton School

Academics

The Wharton School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a doctoral program, and a joint degree in international relations (MBA/MA; Lauder and SAIS), engineering (MBA/MS), law (MBA/JD), dentistry (MBA/MD; MBA/DMD), veterinary medicine (MBA/VMD), nursing (MBA/MSN; MBA/PhD), social work (MBA/MSW; MBA/DSW; MBA/PhD), communication (MBA/MA), and biotechnology (MBA/MS). Other programs include a 3-2 degree with University of Pennsylvania, foreign exchange with 11 countries, and a global immersion program and global consulting practicum, including a 6-week class and 4-week tour of a particular global region. The strongest area of study is finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Nineteen total credits are required to complete the MBA. Required courses include:

  • Management Communication
  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Science
  • Managerial Economics
  • Financial Analysis
  • Macroeconomic Analysis and Public Policy
  • Management of People at Work
  • Marketing Management: Program Design, Strategy
  • Statistical Analysis for Management
  • Operations Management: Quality and Productivity; Supply Chain
  • Competitive Strategy
  • Government and Legal Environment of Business
  • Foundations of Leadership and Teamwork
  • Operations Management: Strategy and Technology
  • Marketing Management: Strategy
  • Global Strategic Management
  • Ethics and Responsibility

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through credential and exam waivers.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 2 years.

In a recent year, there were 198 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there were 47 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 60.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 8371; 1096 were accepted; 812 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.5; average GMAT score was 711. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited in many different ways.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $175, 2 letters of recommendation, and 4 essays. Interviews are by invitation. Once accepted, students may defer admission on a case-by-case basis (after applicants have been reviewed/admitted). Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include corporate awards like Mitchell Fellowships. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $40,000 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $15,000; books and supplies, $1682; personal expenses, $3500; and other fees, $4046, for an estimated annual total of $60,182. Graduate student housing is available in furnished efficiencies, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments in the Graduate Towers (with 12 floors for MBA students), and abundant off-campus accommodations. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

All of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 99% have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from foreign countries (43%). Thirty-four percent were women, 27% were minorities, and 36% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 43. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 22%, business; 22%, economics; 22%, engineering; 13%, social sciences; 10%, math and science; and 6%, liberal arts.

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