<p>It's been my dream to go to Wharton. Any advice on extra circulars, GPA, ect. to get in?</p>
<p>Obviously high GPA and good SATs. It's a common misconception, but you actually do NOT need business extracurriculars. Just do whatever interests you.</p>
<p>Um and a genetic connection to Joesph Wharton helps too.</p>
<p>I know that abhim89 is going to Penn next year--but I have to respectfully disagree with his assessment of what Wharton is looking for. He's a science major--and for that you don't need business ECs--but for Wharton it is a major differentiator, if you look at who they accepted the last two years. </p>
<p>The only thing more important than business ECs is leadership ECs for Wharton (and Penn in general). Wharton is looking for people that are going to lead companies--not be great performers at them. Consider this when preparing your application.</p>
<p>Calcruzer, i will be attending Wharton next year. </p>
<p>in the last few months i've talked to a lot of people who will be going to school with me next year. yes, a number of them have had business extracurriculars. however, there is a fair number who have not. personally, i have never taken a course in business or economics, and i have never done anything directly business related (except work in my dad's small business during the summer, which wasn't one of my top 6 activities anyway). i'm not just an exception, because I know plenty of other people who got in without business extracurriculars. </p>
<p>yes, i will agree with you that they look for leadership. however, the organization that you lead is not your sole qualifer to be a leader in business. some people took the lead in business-related clubs or started their own companies, and other people (like myself) found opportunities in other clubs and organizations. you should still have a strong interest in business or you'll have a miserable time at wharton. for instance, i love reading the wsj and business books. however, its important to just find something you are passionate about and excel there.</p>
<p>here's a quote from the dean of admissions that touches upon the subject( first question on page 2): <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/sep2006/bs20060912_698794.htm?chan=bschools_undergrad+programs_getting+in%5B/url%5D">http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/sep2006/bs20060912_698794.htm?chan=bschools_undergrad+programs_getting+in</a></p>
<p>abhim89,</p>
<p>Excuse me if I misrepresented your major. So many of your posts were on the APs in science that you took, I presumed that was your major--obviously, my mistake.</p>
<p>Actually, I had read the business week interview previously, and have also read various blog entries put out by the admissions dean's office at Penn/Wharton.</p>
<p>In all of them they discuss leadership and passion--without actually ever mentioning business ECs. However, it also is very obvious if you go to the Stats Profile here on EC that the biggest differentiator between those who got in and those who didn't wasn't just a show of passion in their backgrounds, but ECs that somehow related closely to business or to leadership (and yes, I agree with you that leadership can be in many areas--and is more important than the business ECs).</p>
<p>If you were accepted to Wharton and had no business ECs or background, then I'm quite sure you had many leadership activities on your application and in your background. My point was simply that having both would make the application even more attractive. If you look at the Stats Profile of those accepted, something like 40-50% of those accepted had done things like start their own business, already worked at an internship, or been involved in a business enterprise on a voluntary basis. This is quite high compared to the normal student in school--and I believe is something that Wharton, while they might not state so explicitly, takes strongly into consideration in their admissions decisions.</p>
<p>p.s. Best of luck to you next year at Wharton.</p>
<p>i had business ecs and i got in also.</p>
<p>basically, do what you enjoy and your name will get put into the lottery (albeit one that you have a slightly higher chance of winning). </p>
<p>don't make yourself into something that you're not; it will only make you unhappy during college. do what you like, take initiative, and let the rest fall in its place.</p>
<p>eh no business ec's necessary just ec's that show passion and leadership potential, but im sure anything involving business wouldn't hurt lol.</p>
<p>Leadership is huge huge huge. Huge. They want to see the potential to take your Wharton education and make something worthwhile out of it.</p>
<p>Beyond that, just follow your passions, and be the best in anything you do. It's not much more complicated than that. I got into a competitive program which included Wharton and my HS resume had zip to do with Wharton. I did yearbook, literary type journals, math clubs, philosophy stuff, that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Also, being a massive tool seems to help.</p>
<p>being an athlete (not recruited just having played varsity team sports that show leadership) and having parents who own businesses seem to be two big factors.</p>
<p>For me, I had a business EC that was pretty big for me, plus I had a lot of leadership in it. I also did tons of music too, which wouldn't seem Whartonish. I agree with everyone else ,definitely leadership is important.</p>
<p>Oh and make sure you take calculus before you graduate.</p>
<p>One thing that I think plays a big role is => Make sure you are a very strong math student.</p>
<p>I think having high school 99 math grade and college A+ calculus grade helped me transfer into Wharton</p>