Wharton School Interview

For many people, the words 'Wharton' and 'MBA' are a natural pair –and for good reason.

Wharton was a pioneer in business education, being founded as the United States' first collegiate school of business in 1881. It remains an innovator and a leader in management education today. It boasts not only the largest faculty b-school faculty in the world, with over 250 standing and associate members, but one that consistently produces cutting-edge research that changes the way organizations work.

Below is the four-page transcript of our January 2007 interview with Mae Jennifer Shores, Senior Associate Director of Admissions for the Wharton MBA Program.

What do you think differentiates Wharton from other top business schools?

All top schools aim to develop leadership skills, provide a strong academic environment, and offer broad access to career opportunities and alumni. What distinguishes Wharton is the environment in which it provides these services, including: innovative learning, an engaged community and global access.

In terms of innovative learning, we are not wedded to any one teaching paradigm. Instead, we offer a variety of teaching methods that are adaptable to particular subjects and individual learning styles.

We are also placing greater emphasis on experiential, hands-on learning. Learning labs are a primary example. The labs are simulations of real world situations and range from airline pricing strategies to a virtual interactive bond engine. These simulations are so successful in testing student application of knowledge to real world scenarios that they are now purchased by other institutions.

In terms of an engaged community, you will find that MBA programs vary in their level of student collaboration versus competitiveness. Wharton is noted for its highly collaborative culture. Our students will tell you, for example, that they share class notes with one another and help each other prepare for job interviews. As part of the admissions process, we seek to identify and admit well-rounded applicants who possess a strong track record of contributing to their school, work and civic communities. We prepare our students to give back to their future communities.

When it comes to global access, we're very international based on the makeup of our student body, faculty and staff. We have students from 68 different countries in the program, faculty who have studied and taught around the world, and staff with a diverse set of cultural backgrounds and experiences. Much of the research conducted by faculty is outside of the U.S. Classroom discussion draws upon these diversities, ensuring our program is neither U.S. nor North America-centric.

This worldwide access is evident in our alumni network – one of the largest in the world. We have 80,000-plus alumni, represented in 82 different alumni clubs. These opportunities for students and alumni, alike, are unparalleled.

Can you describe the concept of "Leadership in Action"?

Leadership is a little bit like charisma – people know it when they see it – and it's really hard to put a precise definition on the concept. I think it varies by situation. What we do is provide students with diverse opportunities to immerse themselves in activities where they're forced to grow and assume leadership roles.

As part of Pre-Term, students are introduced to their first-year Learning Team. Each team participates in team-building activities designed to build a cohesive group among peers, many of whom are used to being in leadership roles. Successful completion of these exercises requires members to work cohesively as a team. There is no room for individuals to act unilaterally.

During the two years of the program, students participate in leadership development workshops, volunteer initiatives, one or more of 100+ student-organized clubs and conferences, Leadership Ventures, and other activities. Students can also become leadership fellows, working with faculty to support first-year learning teams.

Among the most popular of leadership opportunities is our Leadership Ventures. One of the more popular, initiated by one of our students, is our three-day boot camp at Quantico, where participants engage in all the physical and mental rigors that an officer corps member experiences.

So Leadership in Action is very much an applied thing. We believe very strongly that leadership need not only be innate, but can be developed.

What opportunities are there for Wharton students to customize their MBA studies?

Students may customize their studies beginning in the first year. Students with a background in finance or accounting may waive out of core courses in these areas, replacing them with an equivalent number of credit units in electives or their major.

In the second year, students may select from one of 18 majors or design their own, individualized major. An increasing number of students choose this latter option. For instance, students may combine courses in finance with entrepreneurial management or real estate.

The large size of the Wharton MBA program allows students to gain a broad overview of their chosen major, as well as drill down into a specific area of interest within the major. This complements the programs more than 200 electives.

We believe strongly that students should have the flexibility to design their major to suit their own career needs. In addition, students may round out their studies as they select from more than 200 electives.

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