<p>for those of you in Wharton/applying to Wharton, was/is business experience of any kind necessary for admissions?</p>
<p>I have a few leadership positions at school (including soon hopefully, president of FBLA) but I haven’t taken any business classes or conducted any entrepreneurial stuff. </p>
<p>How great of a disadvantage will this be?</p>
<p>Business related ECs are not necessary nor will they put you at a disadvantage. I actually believe that pursuing business related ECs will put you at a slight disadvantage, in terms of setting yourself from the crowd. I didn't have any business ECs and I was admitted ED. </p>
<p>In my opinion, the admissions committee is not looking for kids solely interested in business (i.e. those whom pursue business related ECs and academics). You have got to figure that there are many other applicants asking your same question and many others who will eventually decide to jump into business related pursuits. Business related pursuits have value, but they're not required. I met a girl at Penn Previews who was accpted to Huntsman and she was at the Wharton forum and said that she didn't have a prior know-how in business, but she applied because she was interested in learning how it can tie into her interests in languages. </p>
<p>In developing your ECs, try to find activities that mesh your personal interests and that set you apart from the rest of the applicants.</p>
<p>I disagree with Lucky when he says that having the business extra-curricular will put you in a slight disadvantage. In my opinion it helps, but just as having another kind of extra-curricular activity (eg music, sports...). What probably looks bad to the admission officers is people that ONLY have business extra-curriculars..</p>
<p>thank you both :-)</p>