Scott Y. Yang

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and UPenn School of Arts and Sciences (Lauder Program)

“Seeking to follow not the footsteps of the wise but what they sought out instead.”

Hometown: Darien, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve been gone from home for so long, our family dog has claimed my room. When I visit, she fights me for the bed -and wins.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point, Environmental Science and Spanish

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army (Special Operations Forces), Troop Commander and Operations Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Being selected for and trained to undertake some of the nation’s most sensitive missions.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Proficient – Everyone found success in their previous careers, but all are here to face new challenges and learn and grow from them.

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? The International Studies dual degree Lauder Program offered at Wharton – Countries that trade and do business together are less likely to go to war. International business requires a grasp of not only the mechanics of business but also an even more nuanced understanding of human relationships. The Wharton and Lauder combination lets me build on the skills I developed and used as a Special Forces soldier, and allows me to continue serving after graduation by promoting a more interconnected and, hopefully, peaceful world.

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? I tried to be a great teammate; making mental notes of each of my teammate’s names, writing down their ideas, and facilitating the decision-making and execution process.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Veterans Club – I received an enormous amount of support from Wharton veterans as I explored and navigated the application process. It is my turn to “pay it forward” and serve as a resource for the next generation of applicants.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “What is your greatest weakness?” To answer this question sincerely, I needed the courage to really look within and the strength to be vulnerable/ let my guard down with a stranger.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I felt the combination of age and work experience was appropriate to support a transition to a career in international business (private sector). I was also lucky enough to have leaders and mentors that valued my personal wellbeing, challenging and encouraging me to explore career paths inside and outside of US Army special operations.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? INSEAD -Singapore Campus

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I looked for MBA programs that had an international focus and exposed their students to a wide spectrum of viewpoints and cultures. Once I narrowed down my selection, I reached out to the admissions offices and asked for their help in connecting me with students that had a background like mine. I talked with these alumni and current students to validate my assumptions and gain more information about the programs. Some even supported me as I worked on my applications! Finally, I also made sure to visit the campuses during admissions events to meet with prospective classmates and current students to further confirm potential fit at the school.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Bringing every soldier back home physically and emotionally, while retaining the moral high ground. This showed me that there is a right way to win.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Leading and working with a small team, continuing to learn, supporting a cause I believe in, and helping others find their goal and enabling their journey to reach it.