Meet The Wharton MBA Class of 2017

Josh Phifer 

The Wharton School Of The University of Pennsylvania

Hometown:  Torrington, Wyoming

Undergraduate School and Major:  

– U.S. Air Force Academy (Bachelors in Operations Research)

– Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Masters in Aeronautical Science)

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

  – U.S. Air Force

– F-22 Instructor Pilot and Evaluator Pilot

– F-22 Operational Test Pilot

– Division Commander for F-22 Operational Test and Evaluation

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? Take the test that fits your strengths and take the time to actually learn the material and improve your proficiency.  Reading and math skills are always useful.

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?  Apply to your dream schools, but also have a safety school on your list. If you’re not willing to accept a safety school, then have a plan other than a full-time MBA program.

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? Be reflective and honest about who your are…nobody is perfect. Think of the essays and interviews as a personal inventory, not a personal advertisement. Superficial and overly engineered essays and interview answers are a red flag. Make sure recommenders know you well enough to tell personal stories in the recommendation.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA?

• Outstanding faculty and academics
• Growing resources for entrepreneurs
• Large and connected network

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? My goal is to start a company in the aerospace sector…and have a lot of fun doing it.