Mr. Wharton Hopeful

Hi Mr. Wharton Hopeful,
Thanks for posting your profile. This is Debbie Choy, Senior Consultant at mbaMission. I like that you’re doing well at work with a promotion and also that you’re still actively involved in the International STEM challenge. Your academics (GPA, GMAT) are also solid. That said, as you come from a “traditional” finance background, the challenge is to differentiate yourself from the other applicants. Don’t be afraid to share personal stories that can help the Admissions Committee (AdCom) get to know you better. For example, what motivates you? What personal challenges have you encountered and how have you overcome them? Further, be sure to have a buttoned up career goals story that helps AdCom understand how you can achieve them based on your past experiences, interests, and an MBA. I think if you can execute on all the above well, you would have a good chance at Wharton. Wishing you the best in your MBA journey, and please reach out for a consult if you’d like to discuss more.

Hi Mr. Wharton Hopeful, this is Donna Bauman from Stratus Admissions weighing in on your profile. I see no reason that you could not be successful at Wharton. The challenge of course is telling your story in a way that differentiates you from the many investment banking applicants. I see you were promoted to associate—so that’s helpful. I also see you want to work in business development post MBA. I don’t see enough here to understand how to connect those dots but certainly it can be done. Think about how you will leverage your investment banking experience to help you going forward. Do you plan to leverage your industrial knowledge? Can you share more of what interests you to help connect these dots for Wharton? In listening to Wharton’s admissions director on a P&Q panel, she talk talked about how candidates need to show their vulnerability. We all have been through so much with Covid these last few months—be sure to be humble, authentic and also prepared in showing that you understand how Wharton can help you reach your goals. Best wishes and reach out for a consult if you want to talk more about your situation.