Accepted Admissions Blog

The Wharton EMBA targets engaged professionals who have an expansive but clear vision for their future career. Further, Wharton seeks students who incorporate social and ethical values in their vision and actions. Wharton is very transparent about one value that it currently esteems: diversity – and hence it asks applicants to address diversity directly.

Wharton Executive MBA application essays

Wharton Executive MBA essay #1

What are your career objectives and how will the Wharton MBA Program for Executives contribute to your attainment of this objective? (500 word limit)

An effective (and natural) way to start is to briefly introduce your career objectives (your career vision) along with a specific substantiating element such as a statistic, an observation, an experience.

Then get into the nitty-gritty of the path you envision. You might start with your current career situation and move forward detailing your future career plans – in doing so, clarify how each step leads to the next or builds on the previous one, creating an organic flow. Most important, clarify why you are pursuing that path; this “why” is the real objective and animates your goals, elevating them from explanation to human story and engaging vision. Put more detail into the roles you plan immediately post-MBA and the several years following; longer-term goals need less detail, but should reflect your vision at a higher, more macro level.

In discussing how the program will benefit you, describe what skills and knowledge you need for future roles/positions and how the program meets those needs. Don’t just list courses and professors; refer to the structure and special features of the program, detailing how they will support you and your goals. Structurally, there are two basic approaches to this part: (a) weave in the “Why Wharton?” details after each goals phase, or (b) have a separate “Why Wharton?” paragraph containing this entire discussion holistically. You could also mix (a) and (b), adding brief “Why Wharton?” points into the goals discussion and an additional paragraph with more encompassing “Why Wharton?” points.

Check out the rest of our school-specific EMBA application essay tips >>

Wharton Executive MBA essay #2

Research has shown that there is a compelling business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. Please respond to one of the following essay options: (500 word limit)

2a. Provide an example of how you created or advocated for a work environment where differences are valued, encouraged, and supported. What did you do? What was the outcome?

2b. Describe an experience when you were part of an event/meeting/workplace that involved diverse perspectives. Include your contribution and what you learned.

Please take a moment to learn how the University of Pennsylvania endeavors to make everyone feel welcome: Diversity at Wharton

Do spend some time reviewing the various information and stories at the “Diversity at Wharton” or “Diversity & Inclusion at Wharton’s EMBA” links, as it will help guide your topic selection and approach. Note that both 2a and 2b ask for a concrete story or anecdote – actual experience. It’s relatively easy to talk “about” diversity in a buzz-wordy way; the adcom wants evidence of active engagement with the concept. 

To select the question and topic that works best for you – that best supports and enhances your application – look for stories that are not portrayed elsewhere in the application and that show a fresh dimension of you and/or your experience, that are relatively recent, that reflect meaningful impact, and that are consistent with Wharton’s diversity message. For either essay question, I suggest jumping right into the story, narrating the experience with more detail at pivotal points. For question 2b, conclude with a short reflection summarizing what you learned – be specific and avoid bland, generic sounding messages about diversity. For question 2a, you could also add a reflection at the end, if you have a point to express, with the same caveats noted for 2b.

Wharton Executive MBA essay #3 (Optional)

If necessary, you may use this optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware. (300 word limit)

Only use this essay if you need to address extenuating circumstances. That includes issues such as a gap in the resume, a bad grade, not having a supervisor provide a recommendation.

Wharton Executive MBA reapplicant essay

What have you been doing since you previously applied for admission and what impact have your activities had on the clarification of your goals? Include any steps you have taken to enhance your preparation for admission to Wharton. (300 word limit)

Reapplicants must show some growth from the previous application for an effective new application, and this essay allows you to laser focus on that growth and corresponding insight without its complicating the main essays. Ideally you’ll have some worthwhile professional experiences to include in “what you have been doing since you previously applied” – but feel free to include non-work activities as well, as long as they have further clarified your goals in some way. “Any steps… to enhance your preparation” can include things like improving test scores, taking relevant courses, researching goals in some way, enhancing your network, etc.

For expert guidance with your Wharton EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top EMBA and MBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

Wharton EMBA application deadlines for 2022-2023

Source: Wharton website

Wharton Executive MBA Class Profile: Class of 2023

Here’s a look at Wharton’s EMBA Class of 2023 (profile info from Wharton website):

Wharton EMBA class of 2023 facts and figures

Total class size: 234

Women: 33%

Underrepresented minority students: 16%

Countries represented: 36

Average age: 37

• Under 30: 5%
  
• Over 40: 16%

Average years of work experience: 12

Median GMAT score: 710

Middle 80% GMAT range: 680-750

Students holding advanced degrees: 51%

Median salary and bonus: $220,500

Sponsored by Employer (>50% financial support): 28%

Industries represented

• Advertising/PR
  
• Aerospace & Defense
  
• Agribusiness
  
• Automotive & Transportation
  
• Biotech/Pharmaceutical
  
• Chemicals
  
• Computer Hardware/Electronics
  
• Consulting
  
• Consumer Goods & Retail
  
• Diversified Financial Services
  
• Education
  
• Energy/Utilities
  
• Food & Beverage
  
• Government/Military
  
• Health Care
  
• Insurance
  
• Internet Services
  
• Investment Banking/Brokerage
  
• Investment Management
  
• Manufacturing
  
• Media/Entertainment/Sports
  
• Not-for-Profit/Social Enterprise/Impact Investing
  
• Pharmaceuticals/Biotech
  
• Private Equity/Venture Capital
  
• Professional Services
  
• Real Estate
  
• Technology Services/Computer Software
  
• Telecommunications
  
• Transportation
  
• Travel/Hospitality
  

Are you considering an EMBA? We have the resources to help you navigate the options and make the right choice for you:

• EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
  
  
• How to Get Accepted to a Top EMBA Program: The Experts Speak, a podcast episode
  
  
• MBA Options: Full-Time MBA vs. Part-Time MBA vs. Executive MBA
  
  
• Essays: How to Make an Impact [Sample Essay]
  
  
• 5 Key Elements for Your Executive MBA Application

Related Resources:

• Ace the EMBA: Expert Advice for the Rising Executive, a free guide
• EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
• Wharton’s Executive MBA, Where East and West Meet and Mix, a podcast episode