Meet Wharton’s MBA Class Of 2025

The Wharton School. Courtesy photo

P&Q: Two years ago, P&Q asked you to share how you’ve integrated AI, STEM, analytics, and digital disruption into your programming. Since then, what types of enhancements have you made in these areas?

Mannix: “Our Analytics at Wharton research initiative has continued to accelerate innovations in the analytics space. In the last two years, they have held the Women in Data Science conference, the Future of Work conference, and the Wharton Sports Business Summit, and have launched their first data analytics games-based course called Machine Learning for Business Decisions.

We have continued to add to our list of STEM-certified majors in the MBA program with a total of 9 majors. Not only do our STEM majors help students excel in high-demand roles that require technical acumen, but our international students can obtain a STEM OPT extension which allows them to extend their work in the US to 36 months post-graduation.

As far as digital disruption, I’d love to highlight a new program within our MBA for Executives program. In May of this year, we welcomed the first Global Cohort to our EMBA program, and 75% of their courses are offered online and completely live in our Wharton Academic Virtual Environment (WAVE) Classroom. This technological advancement opens new possibilities for interactive teaching methods, guest lectures, and real-time discussions, providing a more immersive and enriched learning experience.

Finally, the Wharton MBA Career Management office developed an online platform called MAP (My Action Plan). MAP is a proprietary online decision and learning support tool that provides personalized advice for students to achieve specific career outcomes. MAP is increasingly adopting advanced analytics using student profile, assessment and behavioral data to curate content for individual students across all industries and stages of the job search.”

P&Q: How many courses outside the business school can MBAs take during your program? To what extent has your business school embraced coursework from other schools and departments at your university? Are students from other schools and departments at the university allowed to take MBA electives?

Mannix: “Our curriculum allows students to use up to 6 credits on other graduate-level courses across the University of Pennsylvania. During their two years here, we want students to expose themselves to as much content as possible that aligns with their interests and goals. Our students often take courses at the schools of engineering, education, design, and law. And yes, we also allow non-MBA students to take MBA classes.”

P&Q: What is your biggest student-run event of the year and what does it reflect about your school?

Mannix: “My favorite student-run event is Wharton Follies, and the entire student body shows up to watch and support the show. Follies is a musical satire show that has been going on for almost 50 years. The Follies performers and writers spend countless hours putting together a new show each year, creating new sets, musical performances, videos, skits… it’s an unbelievable production. I’m blown away every year by the hidden talents of our students, it’s like our own Saturday Night Live!”

Wharton Networking Expo

5 REASONS TO CONSIDER WHARTON

1) Thought Leadership: “Wharton is a thought leader in the world of people analytics and general organizational effectiveness. So much of a business’s success comes from having the right talent in the right spots and ensuring that an organization is functioning cohesively across all levels and teams. I hope to learn the latest thinking in these fields while I am at Wharton to grow as an investor. I will seek to apply the latest strategies for talent, teamwork, and general leadership as I pursue new deal opportunities as well as support existing portfolio companies.”
Arman Hassan (’25)

2) Leadership Development: “I chose Wharton because of the ability to participate in leadership ventures that would allow me to grow my leadership skills in an intensive environment outside of my comfort zone. Programs such as the McNulty Leadership Program caught my attention because they offer a pragmatic approach to learning leadership concepts in places like Patagonia or Antarctica. This was important to me because I wanted my education to transcend beyond the classroom.
Monica Tuñez (’25)

“I am really looking forward to participating in a Wharton Leadership Venture, particularly the sailing trips to the British Virgin Islands and New Zealand. I want to spend as much time as I can this year trying new experiences and sailing is one that I’ve admired from afar for a long time!”
Medha Sharma (’25)

3) Philadelphia: “Philly’s proximity and accessibility is perfect for how I want to build my life after business school. As a Maryland native, I appreciate that Philadelphia is between New York City and the Baltimore/Washington DC area, perfectly positioned for my career pursuits and my familial needs. We also have access to multiple airports that are useful for our famous Wharton travel excursions, over a dozen of which I have made domestically and internationally. Within the city, the cost of living is affordable and the transportation options run the gamut – including trains and trolleys, buses and bikes, rideshare or walking. Lastly, being around Rittenhouse Square and the surrounding areas allows fellow MBAs students to build a community within the city that students can lean into or step out of as desired.”
Zoddy Imoisili (’23)

4) Extracurriculars: “Penn Fight Night (PFN) is an annual black-tie boxing gala fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia that brings together 3,000+ students from twelve Penn graduate schools. Proceeds from the fundraiser are donated directly to the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia for their Literacy Initiative program. Last year, we donated a record amount of $175,000, selling 1,000 tickets in under 50 minutes and doubling our ticket sales record. In 2022, I worked on the operations team to help with the biggest event ever. I resumed this role again for Fight Night in April 2023. Penn Fight Night is the largest philanthropic event at Penn, combining a thrilling show while making a significant impact in the local Philadelphia community. I think it shows the scrappiness and the hustle of the Wharton and broader Penn community. We certainly bring to fruition the business in the front party in the back mentality while lifting the surrounding community.”
Dempsey J. Simonis (’23)

“I am very excited to join Wharton Storytellers. The group has a mission of encouraging the Wharton community to actively listen, share, and learn from each other through story “slams.” Each one has a theme, and students attend to share their perspectives and hear from others. When I heard about the organization, I thought it was such a fantastic way to get to know people on a deeper level, particularly in such a large class. As someone who majored in English, I’m a big believer in the power of stories to foster community and encourage diversity of thought.”
Liz Ostertag (’25)

“In pursuing my MBA, I was particularly focused on two aspects: academics and leadership development. For my career goals, I hope to take advantage of the deep and esoteric topics that Wharton has to offer at the forefront of finance through the Quantitative Finance major. From Derivatives to Crypto to Public Finance to Fixed Income Securities, I hope to take as full advantage as possible from the coursework. I hope to develop my analytical thinking and leverage the tools utilized by the financial industry to manage, measure, and monitor risk for complex and niche asset types. To that same vein, access to Penn Law was something that I value highly as well to deepen my knowledge of financial regulation, administrative law, and rule-making.”
Ernie Rosales (’25)

Wharton’s San Francisco campus is based in the Hills Brothers Buildng

ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS

“I would say, don’t self-select yourself out of the process, especially if you come from a non-finance and non-traditional background. The class is truly diverse, and there is space for everyone in our differences. Bring your authentic self and how your presence will enrich the class. And Wharton alumni are probably some of the most helpful people out there. Do not hesitate to reach out for a conversation. They are very helpful in getting to know the school, or answering any questions you might have. See you at Wharton.”
Maud Chifamba (’25)

Be authentic to who you truly are and let that come out naturally in your application. I often see many applicants try to mold themselves into who they believe Wharton wants, and I believe this actually hurts them. Wharton wants you because you’re different; the program is not looking to admit cookie cutter students. Simply put, Wharton wants you for you and the unique experiences you bring to the table.
Nkozi Stewart (’25)

“Conduct research into what makes the Wharton School’s academic and experiential offerings unique. Reflect on how these experiences can help you close critical gaps in your knowledge. Reflect on your life so far and explain how a Wharton MBA is the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be. Speak to current students and alumni and learn about their experiences and how they have given back to Wharton.”
Shaan Bhatnagar (’25)

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