Jordan Glasgow

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“A former NFL player looking to make that fact the least exciting thing about himself.”

Hometown: DeKalb, Illinois

Fun Fact About Yourself: One of my favorite things to do in my free time is eat great-tasting food.

Undergraduate School and Major: The Ross School of Business – Bachelor of Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Indianapolis Colts – NFL Player

What has been your first impression of the Wharton MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Tell us your best Wharton story so far. During my first few weeks at Wharton, I have met some of the most impressive people in my life. Every person I meet has done something incredibly remarkable but remains humble and down to earth. My favorite aspect of Wharton so far has been the group dinners and social events that Wharton has organized and facilitated. Meeting people for the first time over a shared meal and learning about their journey leading up to Wharton has allowed me to make connections I would have otherwise been unable to make.

Aside from your classmates, what was the critical part of the Wharton School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? It was Wharton’s strong commitment to creating opportunities to develop leadership skills and reflect on experiences. Before coming to Wharton, I felt Wharton’s McNulty Leadership Program encapsulated this commitment. After my experience in our pre-term class, Management 6100, I understand that Wharton’s commitment to developing leadership and reflection skills is incorporated into everyday life as a student. This is important to me because, no matter what industry you are in, strong leadership and teamwork skills can always help you be more successful.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? Storytellers Club excites me because it seems like a great way to participate in public speaking in a manner that is meant to engage and inspire people.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Before arriving on campus, the main word that came to mind when I thought of Wharton was finance. Now, after spending time with my classmates and the staff and teachers of Wharton, I would use the word growth. Wharton gives you the tools to push yourself and grow however you see fit, whether socially, academically, or professionally. Also, the Wharton community makes you excited to grow as a more well-rounded individual through its immersive experience as a member of an incredible, diverse, and inclusive community.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Being chosen as a member of the NFL All-Rookie Team.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)?  I hope to join a Private Equity firm and use my skills gained in professional football, The Wharton School, and internships to assist companies and founders in achieving their goals of growing their businesses in ways they didn’t think were possible.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I recommend the book Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. I’m recommending this book because, during the Wharton pre-term, we had a class that focused on creating a healthy group working environment, as healthy and effective groups are pivotal to your success in MBA school and beyond. I feel that this book can give you a jump start on the reflection necessary to be a good group member and leader.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? HBS, CBS, Ross, Kellogg, Sloan, Stern

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? Wharton and MBA schools generally want well-rounded, compassionate, and inclusive individuals. It’s one thing to say that you are these things in an application, but it is another to be able to show it through your experiences. I would recommend participating in events and volunteering in things that show and develop these qualities. However, if you start doing these things right before your application, it could be seen as a shallow attempt to improve your chances of getting in, so start early and do something you genuinely care about.

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