MBA Application Requirements

• Contact information (e.g., mailing address and phone number)
• Date of birth
• Academic degrees earned
  • Beginning with your high school, please complete the Education and Transcript section for all of your academic experiences, including your bachelor’s or bachelor’s-equivalent degree, study abroad, summer school, and post-baccalaureate classes. If you have more information than the three forms will allow, please use the Microsoft Excel Multiple Transcript Template to record your additional education.
  • To ensure the quick processing of your application, we are no longer accepting mailed transcripts at the time of application. Instead, please submit your transcript(s) as a scanned document or use the Transcript Template found here. Use the upload feature, provided at each school listing, to submit your self-reported transcript(s).
  • If admitted, you will be required to provide official transcripts of all previous academic work to verify the information provided in the uploaded documents. If there are discrepancies between the self-reported academic work and official records, your offer of admission will be withdrawn. Offers of admission are not binding until academic records are verified.
• Professional experience
  • Beginning with your most recent position, please complete the Employment section with your full-time experience, including military and entrepreneurial experiences. You can also include any significant part-time or summer employment since the beginning of college.
  • The Employment section allows you to list your three most recent employments; however, all employment experience is important to us. Feel free to use the optional essay to explain any gaps in employment.
  • Please note that we will see all of your answer to the Reason for Leaving question, whether or not it is fully visible on your application when you print it using Adobe Acrobat PDF.  This field is fully visible in our review system.
• Family information
• Prior Conviction Information
  • If you have ever been convicted of or plead guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations), you must report this information. Failure to disclose this information may result in the withdrawal of any possible offers of admission. Answers will be reviewed by the Wharton MBA Admissions Review Officer. This information will not be provided to the admissions committee as part of the regular academic review process.

You must include a non-refundable application fee of $265, paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), with your application. You won’t see the payment option until you submit your application.

First-time applicants and reapplicants are required to complete the same set of essay questions.

Questions, Class of 2019:

1. (Required) What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
2. (Required) Teamwork is at the core of the Wharton MBA experience with each student contributing unique elements to our collaborative culture. How will you contribute to the Wharton community? (400 words)

Additional Question for Reapplicants:

1. (Required by all reapplicants) Explain how you have reflected on the previous decision about your application, and discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)
2. All applicants, including reapplicants can also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)

Transcripts of all academic work completed at the baccalaureate/undergraduate level and beyond, whether or not for credit or a degree, are required. You may self-report grades or marks on our Online Transcript Template; official documents are required upon admission and matriculation.

We require two letters of recommendation, preferably from supervisors. The recommendation questions for the Class of 2019 are:

1. How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
2. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)
3. (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?

We require two letters of recommendations from individuals who are well acquainted with your performance in a work setting, preferably from a current or former supervisor.

The title or position of the evaluator is not as important as his/her ability to comment knowledgeably and specifically about you. Submit recommendations from people who can speak directly about your aptitudes and capabilities.

We require all recommendations to be submitted electronically. After you have contacted your recommenders, please complete the form on the Recommendations page.

The online recommendation asks the recommender to answer all of the questions in a single document and to submit it using the Upload Document button at the bottom of the page.

In addition to the questions below, we also ask your  recommenders to fill out a grid that appraises some of your attributes. It is important that this be completed as well, so please make sure that your recommender receives access to and submits the online form.

Please request that your recommender does the following:

1. Answers all of the questions in a single document.
2. Single-spaces answers.
3. Separates answers by writing each question at the top of each response.

After selecting your recommenders, it is possible that you’ll need to alter this selection. If a recommender has not begun their recommendation, you can delete them and assign another recommender.  Please note that your new recommender will not appear on the recommendation page of your application, however we will see the new listing when you submit your application.

If you or a recommender have questions, please reach out to mbarecs@wharton.upenn.edu.

All applicants must submit results of a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) that are no more than five years old. For the Fall 2017 entering class, tests taken between September 27, 2011  and March 30, 2017, will be accepted. Scores may be self-reported; when self-reporting your score(s) in the application please list your highest score first. Should you receive an offer of admission, official scores will then be requested for verification. 

The GMAT code for the Wharton MBA Program is G56-97-73.  The GRE code is: 6802.

English Language Tests

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) is required for non-native English speakers with limited exposure to English. All international applicants whose native language (language first learned and spoken at home) is not English, or who did not complete a degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction, are required to take the TOEFL or PTE. If you earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction, the test may be waived.

TOEFL – The code for the Wharton MBA Program is: 2926 (02).

PTE – Report your scores directly to The Wharton MBA Program

Please upload a one-page resume. We are interested in your functional job skills, breadth and depth of experience, demonstrated leadership and management skills, and your potential for growth. We are more concerned with what you have learned in your positions than we are with the length of time you’ve been in the workplace.

• Only scan the important parts of your document. Do not scan pictures, graphics and unnecessary text.
• Save the scanned object as a .pdf file with the proper 3-letter extension. Please do not attempt to upload a document that is password-protected or that contains macros. This will cause the process to fail.
• Close the .pdf file.
• Check the size of your file. It should not exceed 10 MB.
• Upload your file using the buttons.
• Make sure scanned documents are clearly legible. Illegible documents will not be accepted and will delay the evaluation of your application.

You must hold a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to enroll in the Juris Doctor (JD) program. Applicants for the 3-year Francis J. & William Polk Carey JD/MBA Program are admitted in the fall semester on a full-time basis only. You must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and must register with the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). (See LSAT and CAS Report information below.)

If you submit and complete applications for Round 1 or Round 2, you will receive a decision according to the MBA Admissions timeline decision release date. Regular Decision applicants should take the LSAT no later than December of the application year.

Our Early Decision option is designed for those who have thoroughly researched law school options and have determined that Penn Law is your first choice. Our Early Decision program is binding; if you wish to be considered for early decision, you must commit to attending Penn Law if admitted. If admitted, you must also withdraw your applications from all other law schools and refrain from initiating new applications. You may not submit an early decision application to more than one law school.

Note: You must submit your application no later than September 27 for Early Decision Round 1 and no later than January 5 for Early Decision Round 2. We must receive all supporting documents—including the Credential Assembly Service Report,—by December 1 for Early Decision Round 1 and by January 15 for Early Decision Round 2. You should take the LSAT no later than October of the application year for Round 1 consideration and no later than December of the application year for Round 2 consideration.

As an applicant to the joint 3 year JD/MBA program, you are required to submit your application during Round 1 or Round 2 only. Please do not fill out or submit the Fall 2016 – First Year JD application through the LSAC Electronic Application service. Once you have submitted your application, it will be processed by each school independently, but the evaluation and decision-making will be conducted jointly. We will begin processing 3 Year JD/MBA applications in early October.

You can use the Full-time MBA program application to apply to the Wharton/Penn Law joint-degree program. To complete your application to the joint-degree program, you must complete the Full-time MBA application as well as the following sections in the Penn Law application:

• Penn Law Supplement
• Supplement Data
• LSAT Scores
• Certification Statement

You must take the LSAT and you must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). We will accept LSAT results from any exam taken within the last five years prior to fall enrollment. If you take the LSAT more than once, all of your scores will be considered.

You must also register with the Credential Assembly Service and arrange to have your transcripts from each college or university you have attended sent to LSAC. When we receive your application, we will request your CAS Report and LSAC will send it directly to us. Please note that your law school report will NOT be released by LSAC until all required transcripts have been received and processed by LSAC.

If you completed any post-secondary work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, Penn Law requires you to submit  your international transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service—and you must use this service for the evaluation of your international transcripts. If you completed the international work through a study-abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution—and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript—then this service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee.

You must submit two letters of recommendation through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. If you have obtained two letters of recommendation to be used for the MBA application, these letters will satisfy the Penn Law requirement,but you must submit duplicate copies to LSAC. Your law school report will not be released to us until at least two letters of recommendation are on file with LSAC. This service is included with your Credential Assembly Service registration. You must use the letter of recommendation form available online through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service for each letter submitted to LSAC. Please do not send letters directly to Penn Law. We will accept up to four letters of recommendation, but your application is considered complete with two letters of recommendation.

We are committed to serving you as efficiently and effectively as possible during the application process. Please be aware that it may take approximately two to four weeks from the date that Penn Law receives your application from Wharton to process and complete your file. We will notify you when Penn Law  receives your application from Wharton, and we will make you aware of any missing documents upon receipt of your Credential Assembly Service Report.

We will also notify you when your application is complete. Once complete, your file will be placed in the queue for evaluation by the admissions committee. Files are evaluated on a rolling basis.

You can check the status of your application at any time using Online Status, Penn Law’s online status checker. To access the online status checker, you can go to https://www.law.upenn.edu/admissions/jd/.

For additional Law School Application Instructions, please visit https://www.law.upenn.edu/admissions/jd/.

For detailed information on Law School tuition and financial aid, please visit https://www.law.upenn.edu/crossdisciplinary/jdmba/financial-aid.php.

An Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is required of all Lauder applicants and must be scheduled and completed with Language Testing International (LTI). To schedule an OPI, complete and submit LTI’s online application. When scheduling your OPI(s), please be sure to register as a Lauder applicant with LTI. There is no need to forward your scores to the Admissions Committee—Lauder OPI scores are available for the Admissions Committee to review through LTI’s online portal.

The OPI may be completed any time after August 1, 2016 to count for the current admissions cycle, but it must be completed by October 17, 2016 for Round 1 applicants or January 19, 2017 for Round 2 applicants. OPI ratings are valid for a single application cycle, and reapplicants to the Lauder program will need to retake the OPI(s). If you have any questions about scheduling the OPI please contact LTI by phone at +1-914-963-7110 (extension 115 or 127) or by email at testing@languagetesting.com. Please consult with the Lauder admissions office if you have questions regarding the language requirements for Lauder.

For applicants to one of Lauder’s five Programs of Concentration: An OPI in the proposed language of study is required. The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for the OPI range from Novice to Distinguished, and an Advanced rating is the expected level for admission to Lauder.

Native level Spanish, French, or Italian speakers will be considered for the Americas/Portuguese program without prior knowledge of Portuguese. These applicants should test in their native level language (Spanish, French, or Italian), and in these cases a Superior rating is expected for admission. Native level Spanish, French, or Italian speakers who speak some Portuguese should test in Portuguese even if they expect their rating to be below Advanced.

For applicants to Lauder’s Global program: One OPI in a language other than English is required of all applicants to the Global program. Applicants to the Global Program are expected to test at the Superior level. Applicants may test in their native language provided it is not English.

Applicants to the Lauder program are required to complete one Lauder essay: Please write no more than 800 words explaining why you are applying to Lauder.

Drawing on your past and present educational and work experiences, especially those that involved cultures different than your own, discuss why you are applying to the Lauder program. Highlight your reasons for applying to your chosen Program of Concentration and how you see yourself benefiting from, and contributing to, the Lauder program overall.

Lauder interviews are granted by invitation-only, based upon a full review of your submitted application. Typically, the Lauder interview is conducted off-campus with a graduate of the Lauder program or on-campus with a current Lauder student.If you are invited to interview, you are required to complete the Wharton team-based discussion as well as a Lauder interview.

The Lauder Institute is committed to supporting candidates who are admitted to the Lauder Institute. In fact, nearly all of our students receive some kind of financial support for the graduate degree in International Studies. Financial support for the Lauder Program comes in the form of fellowships (not loans). Please visit our website for more information on Lauder fellowships, tuition and financial aid.

Lauder applicants and admitted students in the Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Japanese concentrations may also apply for the University of Pennsylvania’s Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships program.

We offer clear admission to highly qualified candidates pending confirmation of official academic transcripts and test scores.

We offer conditional admission to candidates who clearly demonstrate significant potential for success both within the Wharton MBA program and post MBA, but whom we feel need additional preparation before beginning the Wharton MBA program. Conditional admission is typically based on the need for strengthening a candidate’s analytical background or improving English communication skills.

Candidates can expect to remain on the waitlist until the previous round of decisions are released. There is no rank order to the waitlist, and we are unable to offer feedback to candidates while they remain on the list. We are also unable to accept additional materials for inclusion in a waitlisted applicant’s file. This policy is designed to create an admissions process that is fair and equitable for all candidates.

You must have a college-level education equivalent to a four-year American undergraduate or baccalaureate degree (the same as a first university degree). Several universities around the world offer three-year undergraduate programs. If you received a bachelor’s degree upon completion of one of these undergraduate programs, you are eligible to apply to the MBA program. Many candidates from three-year programs have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required.

When applying, list all of the post-secondary educational institutions you have attended, including technical and professional schools. Use the full names of the institutions attended, and provide the titles of all diplomas or degrees earned.

Please submit only official academic records from educational institutions. Official records are defined as original documents issued by the institution that bear both the actual (not photocopied) signature of the registrar and the institutional seal. Records issued only once by institutions should be photocopied and certified as official copies by school officials or legal authorities, such as embassies or public notaries. Please do not send the original copy of an academic record that cannot be replaced.

If you have attended more than one institution, submit official records from each institution, except study-abroad programs that are listed on your official undergraduate transcripts. If academic records and diplomas are not issued in English by the institution, submit both the official record and an authorized English translation.

All translations should be complete and literal renditions of the original record. Records should show the date of enrollment, courses taken, units of credit or time allotted to each subject during each term or year, your marks or ratings in each subject, and, if available, your rank in the total class or group.

The institutional grading scale (or other standards of evaluation, including minimum passing and failing marks and the definitions of grades between them) should appear on official records, or you should provide them as an attachment.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or PTE Academic test is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. You may waive the TOEFL/PTE if you have earned an undergraduate degree or master’s degree in an English-speaking country or from an institution at which English is the language of instruction. You must provide evidence to support the waiver. If your test score is more than two years old (from the date of the exam to the date of application arrival), you must retake the test. Administered by ETS, the TOEFL is offered throughout the year at test centers worldwide. The PTE Academic test is administered by Pearson. Wharton only accepts official scores for English language tests.

Wharton’s TOEFL code is: 2926-02.

Should an offer of admission be extended and accepted, you are eligible to apply for either an F-1 or J-1 visa. To meet the eligibility requirements for a student visa, you must show proof of equivalent academic documents (diplomas), results from the TOEFL or PTE examination, and financial resources to pursue your course of study. Detailed information regarding the requirements and application process to obtain a student visa is sent to admitted students in the spring.

You must apply to both Wharton and the second school or program. This means that the appropriate standardized test scores (e.g., LSAT, GRE, or MCAT), a completed application form, your transcript(s), and your letters of recommendation must also be sent to the partner school.

Admission decisions are made independently by each school, and you may pursue a dual-degree program only if admitted to both schools. Unless otherwise indicated, you may apply to both programs simultaneously. However, if you are admitted to both programs and do not want to begin at Wharton, you will need to request a deferral and will be subject to our deferral policy.

If you are already enrolled in a program, you may apply to Wharton in the fall semester following commencement of study in the co-sponsoring school. If you are applying to a three-year program, you may apply in the fall of your second year. If you are enrolled in the MD, DMD, or VMD program, you may apply to Wharton to start during any August up to and including the August following the third year of enrollment in the medical program.

To satisfy the MBA portion of the dual-degree program, you must take at least 15 courses at Wharton. Courses taken at Wharton prior to admission and matriculation into the Wharton MBA program may not be applied toward the degree requirements of the MBA.

Given the unique, integrated nature of the Wharton/Penn Law three-year JD/MBA program’s curriculum, you must attend the three-year program if admitted to the program (ie., you cannot choose to matriculate in Wharton but not Penn Law, or vice versa, after a joint decision has been rendered). Applicants may apply to the program simultaneously, or apply as a Penn Law 1L.

Also, the joint-degree Lauder Program application is reviewed in its entirety by both the Lauder and Wharton Admissions Committees, and you must apply via a shared application. Accepted MBA/MA students are admitted jointly into both programs, not independently into each.