Does Wharton only want kids who've done crazy business ECs?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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Hi!

I’m a current junior who wants to major in business. I’m trying to make a college list, and I really like UPenn/Wharton, but I have an issue…

none of my extracurriculars are “business related” except for my part time job.

My extracurriculars are more leadership/arts based (I’m state-ranked in music, I do a bunch of stuff for student gov, and I’m probably going to be captain of my sport next year.) But none of it’s nonprofit/internship/business award stuff…

I read through the requirements on penn’s website, which are essentially “have an interest in business, be good at math, and have leadership.” I definitely check the math box (taking calc 3 and diffeq this year,) and the leadership box, but the interest in business is something I’d only be able to portray through my essays.

Without going into too much detail, I already have an idea in mind of how I can tie my current interests to my career goals. So I’ll hopefully have compelling supplementals?

But I’m NOT the “high school chance-me business lord” type.I don’t want to start a business (not the entrepreneurial type,) I can’t do Deca because of restrictions at my school, I don’t have connections to find an internship, and I don’t have money laying around to throw into the stock market.

I’m just afraid that my lack of the “typical” high school business stuff will essentially disqualify me. I’ve read that Wharton does accept people with no business involvement in high school, but like…how good do you have to be at the “other stuff” for them to overlook the fact that you haven’t done businessy things?

Or maybe I’ll be more compelling because I don’t do business ECs? Like, maybe I’ll stand out a bit because my essays won’t be about DECA?

Sigh. I hate this. If you have any insight whatsoever, please let me know!! :smiley:

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You don’t have to turn yourself into something you’re not to get into a prestigious school. The high school entrepreneurs you hear about in Wharton applications…I call BS on them. If a 17 year old is suddenly making $300k a year the same year they’re submitting a Wharton application…you can bet rich mom and dad had something to do with it. Real entrepreneurs are workaholics who don’t have time for school, because they’re trying to beat the odds and turn a profit.

Wharton and the other business schools can see through that. Just be yourself and present your interests and passions honestly. If you get in, GREAT! If you don’t, you haven’t lost anything except an application fee.

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Thanks for the kind and insightful reply!! I asked the same question on Reddit and the answer was overwhelmingly “are you serious? a part-time job won’t help you one bit! Never mind that you need to work to support your family! you’re seriously going to try to apply to penn without doing XYZ, you fool?”

…so thanks!

Sometimes I just feel like it’s worthless to bother applying. Like, what do they want?!?! I’m passionate about a lot of things that aren’t directly business related, but the soft skills learned from them can easily help me out with business-related jobs. I’m hoping this comes through in essays Haha :blush:

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188 views and only one reply?!? I’d love to hear input from more people! <3

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