I have recently become a new member to these forums and through my readings of the threads I have realized that many members are pretty knowledgable and educated on the "ins & outs" of the college process. So my question is... since Wharton is a business school, (duh!) does a background and previous experience in business help alot with getting accepted into the school?
Does it help? Unless you created a extremely profitable company, then the answer is No. It might help a little but it really won't make or break your application
I'm not sure why people think business experience refers to business classes in high school...
Anyways, my application was mostly finance or business related internships, with very few community service activities (hated those, felt like a complete waste of time). It certainly makes your "why Wharton" argument much more convincing, and it helps with getting internships in college
It's not required, but this is a business school and I do know lots of people who started a business in high school
well at my school we have a Business academy and they internship and other stuff. Don't quite know all the details on it but my brother is in it. Would that help?
Anyways, my application was mostly finance or business related internships, with very few community service activities (hated those, felt like a complete waste of time).
Well that's kinda bad, you won't think it is a waste of time when you find out that admissions think you are low on community service. Community service is what top schools look for. That's is why there are more awards for having great community service than internship.
well at my school we have a Business academy and they internship and other stuff. Don't quite know all the details on it but my brother is in it. Would that help?
--here is the thing, a lot of top universities don't trust the classes that teach you really vague basics on business or medicine, they just don't trust that. Now if the program doesn't teach you class but has internship, then it helps a little bit on your EC but note that they don't give you really any brownie points for continuously doing business internship and nothing else (like volunteering).
um cdz512, astonmartinDBS is already in wharton. though to be honest astonmartin, you're kind of a tool ('community service was a waste of time'? do you have any compassion? in your 'other posts', you'd 'pay to avoid saying you go to umich'? really?)
Anyway, I had *very little* (as in basically none) community service, cdz512, and I got into Wharton and some other top schools. Schools prefer passion in one area rather than 'what should I do to get into college?' resumes.
Also, I had absolutely no business experience. And my 'why penn' essay, in regards to wharton, was basically like "well, it's the top business school." Let's see, I just looked at it: "...along with the practical Wharton degree, is a tremendous opportunity. (was talking about Huntsman) With the reputation as a premier business school, Wharton would open many doors." Like legit, that's what I put (I don't know how I got in haha)
So just do what you want to do and either you'll get in or you won't. don't try to play the game because you just can't.
hey thanks for all the feedback from everyone (especially those who go more in-depth with their reasoning). As was said by someone else earlier, I was not simply referring to business experience through classes. The business classes at my school, although I do take the honors ones, are jokes...What I was referring to was DECA experience by placing eigth at the international competition as well as being the only high school intern to ever work at General Mills World Headquarters. Those are the more specifics. Any new thoughts?
Seriously, we're not admissions officers! Why do you think we'd know anything? I don't even understand what you're trying to get here: confirmations that we think you'd get in? Just apply and see what happens and don't waste your time here (these forums are so much more useful for once you're admitted and have questions than for before).
You don't need business experience per se, since not everyone can start a business and most of the internships at large banks are obtained through connections. The most important thing is to show a genuine interest in business, either through your essay, extra-curriculars. E.g. Strong leadership skills (organizing charity events, start a club that made significant impact on community) and strong mathematical ability.
