When we spoke with the Wharton adcom a week ago, we were told that the committee might not issue their 2006-07 essay topics until August – despite the school’s track record of issuing topics in early July. In a strange twist of events, their team has just emailed us to state that they’ve published the new topics in their blog. Despite being a bit puzzled, we’re happy to see that the essay questions are now available!
We’ve listed the topics below and will follow up next week with a bit of analysis. There are actually a few changes to note for this year: essay #2 is new, and some of the multiple choice options have not been used before. We’ll cover this in more depth when we post our tips.
FALL 2007 Wharton MBA Application Essay Questions
The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself.
First time applicant essays
All first time applicants and those who applied for an entering class prior to Fall 2005 are required to complete the first time applicant essays. Reapplicants who applied for the Entering Fall 2005 or 2006 class are to complete the Reapplicant Essays in the following section.
Essay 1 (Required)
Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words)
Essay 2 (Required)
Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
Essays 3 & 4 (Required)
Please complete two of the following four questions (500 words each):
-Describe a personal characteristic or quality that will help the Admissions Committee to know you better.
-Describe an impact you’ve had on a team, group or organization. How has this experience been valuable to you or others, and what did you learn?
-What do you do best and why?
-When have your values, ethics, or morals been challenged? How has this shaped who you are today?
Essay 5 (Optional)
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)
Reapplicant Essays
Reapplicants are required to complete three essays, with the option of a fourth essay that may be used to address extenuating circumstances. (Please note: reapplicant essays are for Fall 2005 or Fall 2006 applicants only; reapplicants from prior years are to complete the first-time applicant essay.)
Reappplicant Essay 1 (Required)
Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? How has your candidacy improved since the last time you applied? (1,000 words)
Reappplicant Essays 2 & 3 (Required)
Please complete two of the following five questions (500 words each):
-Describe a personal characteristic or quality that will help the Admissions Committee to know you better.
-Describe an impact you’ve had on an individual, group or organization. How has this experience been valuable to you or others, and what did you learn?
-What do you do best and why?
-When have your values, ethics, or morals been challenged? How has this shaped who you are today?
-Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself?
Reappplicant Essay 4 (Optional)
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances about which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)
