Meet Wharton’s MBA Class Of 2021

Peixin Mo (Nickname “Mo”)

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Global citizen, engaging leader, community-focused, highly resilient, easily adaptable, social butterfly.”

Hometown: It’s complicated. Born in China, raised across Houston, TX, Middle East (Oman), and Southeast Asia (Brunei) – I grew up in an expat family.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I used to belly dance in a dance troupe called Yalla in college (also at Penn). Having spent many years living in the Middle East, it provided a sense of home.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania – B.S. in Finance from Wharton, B.A. in International Studies (Huntsman Program)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deloitte Consulting – Senior Consultant

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I consistently served my clients and my firm at a higher level than expected of me, never bounded by my title. I believe in allowing employees to operate at personal maximum impact at work. This mentality helped me create lasting relationships with both senior leaders whom I greatly respect as well as junior staff whom I hoped to inspire. This also resulting in an early promotion.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? “Diverse” is the obvious answer so I’ll give a different one. Learning-oriented: More so than at any other point in my life, I feel surrounded by people who actively want to learn and better themselves. This takes many shapes and forms – some are here to learn in a classroom setting, others are here to learn through networking – but everyone is focused on personal growth. It’s a powerful and inspiring environment to be in.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I chose this path for two reasons. 1) Wharton – because I studied business in undergrad, I sought out an MBA program that would allow me the flexibility to design the curriculum I needed. Wharton provides this like no other top school. Also, I loved my Wharton undergrad experience and personally see MBA as a chance to take advantage of Wharton’s resources to hone in on areas where I want to focus at the next level – now that I’m a little older, wiser, and more targeted in my interests. 2) Lauder – No other school offers the interdisciplinary international business education that Lauder/Wharton do. My future aspirations are global – like those of my past experiences – and only Lauder provides this intersection of business, politics, history, culture, and language.

Talk to us about the team-based project you completed during the application process. What did you do that helped you stand out during it? My advice is to have fun, take it easy, and be who you are. People are stressed out about performing at their best. Find ways to help others relax and enjoy the experience.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Wharton Dance Studio!

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? Why an MBA? This is a very difficult question to answer. I thought I knew why. During the application and interview process, I found myself questioning my reasons. It takes some genuine enlightenment to answer this for yourself. Sometimes, it means having multiple versions of truth, some for external listeners and some for yourself.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? It was because of the opportunity for personal growth. It’s one thing to learn and grow on the job. But it’s another to immerse yourself in a top MBA program and expose yourself to new experiences, people, and opportunities on a daily – even hourly – basis. That’s why I’m here.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Talking to people from each school was most helpful for me. But also take this with a grain of salt and recognize that you are getting one experience of the many available.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I grew up in an expat family that moved around between countries and continents every few years. It meant constantly making new friends and immersing myself in new cultures. It has made me a very adaptable and open-minded person. There is always common ground to be found provided that I put myself in the other person’s shoes. As a result, I value relationships and friendships above all.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Life’s a journey, not a destination!

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