Wharton MBA Admissions: 2025–2026 Guide
For more than 135 years, Wharton has been the place where visionaries, inventors, and trailblazers get their start.
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Last updated: August 2025 — Includes new 2026 MBA deadlines, updated class profile data, and the latest essay prompt changes.
🎯 Why Wharton?
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is the world’s oldest collegiate business school and one of the most respected MBA programs. With ~850 students per class, Wharton combines scale with flexibility, offering 19 majors and unmatched opportunities across finance, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and tech.
Wharton’s reputation is particularly strong in finance and entrepreneurship. Alumni include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. Its global network of 100,000+ alumni opens doors across industries and continents.
👉 Wharton MBA Program Overview
📅 Application Deadlines (Class of 2028 Entry)
Round 1
Application Deadline: September 4, 2025
Interview Invitations: October 24, 2025
Decision Released: December 11, 2025
Round 2
Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
Interview Invitations: February 20, 2026
Decision Released: March 26, 2026
Round 3
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
Interview Invitations: April 24, 2026
Decision Released: May 14, 2026
👉 Wharton MBA Application Deadlines
📝 Wharton Essays (2025–2026 Cycle)
- Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? (500 words)
- Essay 2: Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment. How did it shape you? (400 words)
- Optional Essay: Please use this space to share any additional information.
Wharton’s prompts test clarity of goals and depth of self-reflection. Essay 1 is career-driven; Essay 2 probes personal leadership and impact.
👉 Wharton MBA Application Essays
👩🎓 Class Profile (MBA Class of 2026)
- Class Size: ~874 students
- Acceptance Rate: ~14%
- Average GMAT: 733
- Average GPA: 3.6
- Work Experience: 5 years (avg)
- Women: 50%
- International: 35%
💼 Careers After Wharton
Wharton is known for its strength in finance, but its career outcomes are diverse. For the MBA Class of 2024:
- Median base salary: $175,000
- Signing bonus: $30,000
- 37% entered consulting, 35% finance, 28% tech, healthcare, and other industries
Wharton’s Venture Initiation Program and San Francisco campus reinforce its entrepreneurial brand — ~7% of grads launch startups soon after graduation.
👉 Wharton MBA Employment Report
🌍 International Applicants
Over one-third of Wharton MBAs are international. The program offers strong support for visas, global treks, and study abroad opportunities. The STEM-designated MBA major options allow extended U.S. work authorization.
👉 Wharton MBA for International Students
📚 Inside the Wharton MBA Experience
Signature aspects of the Wharton MBA include:
- Wharton Learning Teams: Diverse 6-member groups for first-year core.
- Leadership Ventures: Experiential programs from Antarctica treks to Navy SEAL training.
- Wharton Global Modular Courses: Week-long intensives taught around the world.
- Healthcare Management Major: A world leader in healthcare-focused MBAs.
- Wharton San Francisco Campus: A bridge to West Coast innovation.
👉 Wharton MBA Curriculum & Majors
❓ FAQs
Is there an age limit for Wharton?
No. Average age is 28, but admits range from early 20s to late 30s.
What GPA and test scores are competitive?
Average GPA is 3.6. Median GMAT is 733 (middle 80% range: 680–770).
Does Wharton prefer the GMAT over the GRE?
No. Both are accepted. Roughly 60% of applicants submit GMAT, 40% GRE.
How selective is Wharton?
Acceptance rate is ~14%. Roughly 850 students enroll each year.
Can I reapply if rejected?
Yes. Wharton welcomes reapplicants, provided you can show growth and reflection.
Does Wharton offer scholarships or financial aid?
Yes. All admits are considered for both merit and need-based aid. Over half of MBAs receive financial assistance.
What are common post-MBA careers?
Consulting, investment banking/private equity, and tech leadership are the most common paths.
What’s unique about Wharton’s teaching style?
A mix of case method, lectures, and simulations. Wharton emphasizes data-driven decision making and teamwork.
Does Wharton have joint degree programs?
Yes. Options include MBA/MA Lauder Program (International Studies), MBA/MD, MBA/JD, and MBA/MPP.
🤝 Work With M7A
Applying to Wharton is highly competitive. Our team of M7 grads helps you sharpen your story, elevate your essays, and maximize your odds.
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