Meet The Wharton MBA Class of 2017

Ashley Kang

The Wharton School Of The University of Pennsylvania

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Undergraduate School and Major: Harvard University, Sociology 

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

• Rent the Runway, Business Development Manager
• Momofuku, Chief of Staff

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? Take a few diagnostic exams early on to identify your weakness areas and create a study schedule accordingly. I would recommend allocating 2-3 months to prepare for the exam, especially if you’re working full-time during this period. 

Based on your own selection process, what advice do you have for applicants who are trying to draw up a list of target schools to which to apply? Create a list of the most important elements to you (e.g. brand name, network, location) and then prioritize that list.  If possible, I would recommend attending an information session as well as I found that to be a quick way to get a sense of the school’s culture.

What advice do you have for applicants in actually applying to a school, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf? I would recommend starting your application process early on. There are many components to the application and you need to make sure to give your recommenders enough time to write a thoughtful recommendation. In terms of your admission interviews, I would highlight the importance of being respectful towards fellow applicants (especially at Wharton, where you have group interviews).

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I was drawn to Wharton primarily for three reasons: the curriculum’s data-driven approach, extensive alumni network, and brand.  Especially coming from a “nontraditional” background, it was important for me to hone my analytical skills during my two years in business school. 

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? I would like to become more comfortable with taking risks. Ironically, business school is potentially the most “safe” environment to take risks, so I would like to look back in two years and genuinely believe that I took full advantage of being in such an environment. I hope to take many smart risks, fail numerous times, and gain more perspective as a result.