Meet Wharton’s MBA Class Of 2018

James Levy

The Wharton School Of The University of Pennsylvania

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A Classicist and entrepreneur who can be found at a museum or a startup fair.

Hometown: New York City, New York

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I have a Siberian Husky named Lobinho.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania, Classical Studies

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP – Legal Assistant

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In the defense of a Fortune 50 company, I identified inaccurate data (which would have negatively and irreparably influenced the jury) used by

Plaintiffs during a major litigation.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? (Feel free to share your insights on topics like taking the GMAT, writing essays, gathering recommendations, excelling in the admissions interview, etc.).  First, I would advise the “non-traditional” applicants to not be discouraged, but to embrace their past experiences and qualifications that make them unique candidates.

Second, when entering the admissions interview, do not think of the other applicants as competition, but rather as teammates working towards accomplishing a goal. Finally, stay on top of the people writing your recommendations!

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Although Wharton has large-scale networking opportunities and great alumni relationships, I was most excited about the Learning Team experience (which Wharton invented), since I thrive in intimate academic and professional settings. By

grouping students and organizing retreats and workshops, Wharton’s intimate Learning Teams would enable me to grow together with others who share my ambitions and interests. Moreover, a current Wharton student explained Wharton’s “holistic” approach to me, describing how the organization  Wharton Venture Partners (WVP), which prepares Wharton students for a venture capital future, concludes the business school experience with a thesis and transitions the student from academia to the professional community. I truly believe Wharton’s well-rounded approach blurs the lines between personal and professional development, which is why this was the right MBA for me.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I would like to run a Private Equity or Venture Capital Fund that specifically invests in social change companies. As a result, I can identify individuals who are trying to improve the world and lend a hand in that progress. This would coincidewith both my ambitions and values: I would like to build something professionally

but also better humankind.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I would like my peers to say that I go above and beyond for others, both inside and outside the classroom. Also, that I am both comfortable giving and receiving instructions.