Breaking down the 2012 Wharton Essays - a Guide for Wharton Essays 2012

1. Breaking Down the 2012 Wharton Essays
http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

2. Breaking Down the 2012 Wharton Essays
Guide for 2012 Wharton Essays
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

3. Breaking Down the 2012 Wharton Essays
This year, Wharton must have decided that
B)they were making their admissions officers read too
many words, and
C)the Create a Class concept was not being as deftly
handled by the majority of applicants. So out with last
year's optional choices and in with a new set - from which
candidates can choose two of three. And in with even
more confusion.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

4. It starts with understanding what must go in a
traditional career goals essay.
We don't mind sharing the secret sauce on this because
we've posted it all before and share it on consult calls
anyway. But a rock solid career goals essay in a typical
600-1000 word setup will need to feature the following:
• WHAT (defined goals)
• WHY (the motivation behind an MBA and especially the long-term goal)
• HOW (the proof that you can get the post-MBA jobs by pointing to transferable
skills - we've written about this at length)
• WHEN (why now is the right time)
• WHERE (why School X)
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

5. For instance, a good Columbia Essay #1 includes all of
that, in that order, in five balanced paragraphs.
In many applications though, parts of that sequence have
to be farmed out to other essays. Wharton - and its 300-
word goals statement - is the ultimate example.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

6. So here is where everything goes:
Required Question (300 words) – What are you
professional objectives.
Include:
WHAT - Define your goals.
HOW - Indicate the experiences that have given rise to the
necessary transferable skills to achieve them.
WHEN - State that now is the right time for an MBA
from Wharton.
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

7. Optional Questions 1 and 2 (600 words) -
1. Reflect on a time when you turned down an
opportunity. What was the thought process behind
your decision? Would you make the same decision
today?
2. Discuss a time when you faced a challenging
interpersonal experience. How did you navigate the
situation and what did you learn from it?
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

8. These questions go together because they are both "behavioral" in
nature and get at certain thematic qualities. #2 is probably more
"Wharton" based on its interview questions last year, but our advice is
to pick whichever of the two can help you achieve a really authentic,
inspiring moment of conviction for your goals and pursuits. Because
here is where you need to include:
WHY - Either of these essays should finish with a lesson learned from the
experience and the takeaway that you are willing to devote your life's work
to X (your Long-Term goal). That's the whole ballgame here. What do
you want to do with your life and when was the singular moment when you
decided to do that thing. Normally you can pick pretty much any memory,
moment, person, trip, realization, etc., so long as it supports your goals
and pursuits with passion and inspiration. With Wharton, you have to find
that singular moment, but make sure it falls under the heading of either a
decision to turn down an opportunity (Essay 1) or a challenging
interpersonal experience that promoted growth (Essay 2).
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

9. Optional Question 3 (600 words) - (A quote from Dean Robertson
about the Wharton pillar of innovation) followed by the prompt:
Discuss a time when you have been innovative in your personal
or professional life.
Include:
WHERE - Make sure to finish this Impact Story essay with a robust
paragraph devoted to Why Wharton, using the idea of innovation (and
how it is prized by both applicant and school) as your transition. Few will
recognize this opportunity, but it's not much different from when NYU
Stern asked "what do you plan to contribute" last year and fully expected
candidates to take that prompt and use it to discuss prior involvement and
commitments (and not just rattle of things they liked about Stern). Optional
Essay 3 is a great, great chance to transition from talking about yourself to
talking about why Wharton is a fit for you based on a shared tenant. (And
if innovation is not something you prize or can display or that you feel
strongly about, then you should probably not be applying to Wharton,
quite honestly.)
MBA Admissions Consultant | http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/

10. If you are interested in our services for Round 1 applications, email
mba@amerasiaconsulting.com to inquire about packages, prices,
or setting up a free initial consultation.
http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/