Araceli Sandoval

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania / Lauder Institute

“A tenacious visionary who values adventure and the challenge of forging new paths.”

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Fun Fact About Yourself:  Despite jumping out of planes, rappelling off mountains, firing M1A2 Abrams tanks, and diving with great whites, I’ve never broken a bone!

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA)- Bachelor of Science (BS): Psychology with a Nuclear Engineering track

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Special Operations Officer in the U.S. Army

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Wharton School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What truly sets Wharton apart is its focus on international business. While many MBA programs offer exchange opportunities or global immersions, Wharton has a unique joint degree with the Lauder Institute. As a Lauder and Wharton student, I am earning an MBA while also specializing in a regional concentration (Latin America). I am mastering an additional language and gaining a better understanding of international economics, business, and politics. For someone like me, with ambitions of pursuing a global career, this comprehensive approach was an indispensable factor in my decision.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? The MBA Leadership Venture Expedition through the McNulty Leadership Program is the most exciting activity for me at Wharton. This program offers a rare opportunity to lead outdoor expeditions in challenging environments, such as Antarctica and Patagonia. It’s not just about testing my limits and leadership abilities; it’s also about forging strong bonds with my peers while navigating extraordinary landscapes. The chance to grow as a leader in such unique settings is something I find incredibly inspiring and unique to Wharton.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? When thinking of the Wharton School, the first word that comes to mind is “team.” Here, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with exceptional individuals who were, and still are, leaders in their fields. Wharton cultivates an environment that motivates you to push your limits and surrounds you with classmates who inspire, challenge, and, most importantly, support you. The administration thoughtfully organizes the class into cohorts and clusters, even pairing us with small groups and carefully-selected peers, making building a close-knit community and support network remarkably easy. Wharton empowers you to step out of your comfort zone, knowing that a strong, supportive team is always there to catch you. To me, that embodies the true spirit of the word “team”.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized the Wharton School was the right MBA program for you? Why? Applying to MBA programs while deployed was definitely challenging. I was unable to visit campuses or go to welcome weekends, but what made me decide on the Wharton School were my conversations with Wharton alumni. Wharton connected me with alumni across various industries, including recent graduates, and these interactions felt like catching up with old friends. They all shared remarkable stories of perseverance, grit, and about the unparalleled support system at Wharton. What struck me most was their humility and genuine willingness to help. These conversations showed me that relationships at Wharton are far from transactional or superficial; they are authentic, genuine, and lasting. It was in these conversations that I knew Wharton was the right MBA program for me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In 2016, the U.S. Army lifted its ban on women serving in armor and infantry roles. I had the honor and privilege of commissioning as one of the first female officers in the armor branch, a pivotal moment in both my career and military history. Being at the forefront of this change allowed me to prove that women are fully capable of excelling in combat roles, and let me pave the way for future generations of female leaders in the military. This achievement remains one of the most rewarding and defining moments of my career.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After completing my military service as an instructor at the United States Military Academy, I want to pursue a career in government, entrepreneurship, and social impact investing in emerging markets. My goal is to use my expertise in foreign defense development, coupled with my experience in high-risk environments, to enable businesses to navigate varied policy requirements and facilitate their expansion into emerging markets.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why?  I highly recommend the academic paper “The Creative Brain Under Stress: Considerations for Performance in Extreme Environments”. It was authored by Oshin Vartanian, Sidney Ann Saint, Nicole Herz, and Peter Suedfeld. This research challenged my understanding of stress and its role in our lives. We often view stress as a negative experience or emotion – something to avoid, but this research offers a powerful perspective shift. By understanding and reframing how we perceive stress, we can actually harness it as a tool for growth and creativity, particularly in high-pressure situations. For prospective MBA students, demonstrating your capacity to recognize, address, and reframe your challenges highlights your creativity and showcases your maturity and ability to turn obstacles into opportunities.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Other programs I applied to were Harvard Business School, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and Kenan-Flagler Business School in North Carolina.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? I would tell potential applicants to reflect, reflect, and reflect some more. Take the time to truly understand your goals and ambitions—no matter how big or small. Your authenticity is your greatest asset in both your application and your choice of an MBA program. Start by identifying what you genuinely want to achieve, then map out the path that will get you there. In essence, focus on discovering who you are and what drives you. The clearer you are about your own vision, the stronger your application will be and the better aligned you’ll be with the right MBA program.

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