<p>I am applying to Wharton next year. What are other applicants doing to stand out amongst the competition? Sure a 3.9 or 4.0 GPA is expected and leadership is somewhat expected as well, but what else might help? Summer studies abroad? Anything else?</p>
<p>Great research, writing on finance topics, excellent reference from an internship, debate winner, be the ivy league's best quarterback....I've seen all of those get a rare transfer spot.</p>
<p>So as a freshman, what can I do now to get in as a junior? Right now I'm at Penn State's Smeal College of Business. I'm very involved with student organizations but I haven't had the opportunity to do research, write complex financial articles, or even get an internship. This summer I plan to study abroad in Poland though. I think there will be some debate-like events going on later, and I am certainly not athletic. So what exactly can I do as a freshman right now to set me up later?</p>
<p>As I'm sure you know, it's one of the hardest transfers of all and first they tend to take internal transfers. For many, it makes sense to wait for the MBA. But I think the few that do make it have done something exceptional that relates to business.</p>
<p>by debate champ I mean a dedicated and accomplished debater.</p>
<p>Does the Polish study abroad have a business aspect?</p>
<p>I am taking a couple economic courses pertaining to Eastern Europe. </p>
<p>I suppose as long as I excel in whatever I pursue at Penn State I should have a shot. I've seen some threads where people go to state schools and then manage to transfer to Penn. One thread was about a guy who had a 2.0 in H.S., a 4.0 at Central Michigan U. and then transfered to Penn. </p>
<p>My point is that I believe it's doable, I just achieve something that really make me stand out.</p>