My Wharton Interview

I recently had my Wharton interview and it was fantastic. I've posted this before, but Wharton really has a knack for making applicants feel welcome. At least this has been the impression that I've had from visits, Admissions events, Explore Wharton, etc. The same was true on the day of my interview.

Philadelphia is a beautiful city. Sure, it has rough parts, but there are not many cities that can compare to the historical significance and the architecture. Every time I visit Philadelphia, I love it more.

I got to my interview about 30 minutes early. I checked in by logging into a computer and giving the receptionist my resume. As most people know, Wharton does their interviews 'blind'. The interviewer has not read your application and knows nothing about you, except for what's on your resume. I sat in the waiting area which was kindly staffed with students. Seriously. Students come and sit in the waiting area to answer questions, chat, and alleviate the nervousness of interviewees. I met a few other applicants - three gentlemen and two women. All seemed personable and fantastic candidates. The students that were in the waiting area were very nice. It is such a great idea to have students always in there on-hand to answer questions. It emphasized my impression that Wharton truly wants to make the application process smooth and transparent.

My interview started on-time and began with logistics: thirty minutes, blind, hopefully conversational, etc. My interviewer was a second year 'Graduate Assistant'. One of 50-70 students who apply, interview, and take a position within admissions to read applications and interview candidates. The competition for such a position is pretty stiff and my interviewer definitely seemed like a stellar student and representative of the school. He briefly introduced himself, his background, what he intends to do, and why he chose Wharton. I asked him a few questions about himself and then he started asking me questions about my resume.

I basically started by walking through my resume. I kept it simple and he asked me to embellish where he was interested in more detail. The questions revolved around digging deeper into my resume. He had a few interesting questions like which bullet I would choose to remain on my resume if I had to erase all of my resume except that one bullet. He asked the 'Why MBA/WhyNow/Why Wharton' series of questions. I was asked my strengths and my weaknesses. I gave examples of leadership/management in my current position. I was asked why I made specific choices in my career. I was asked what I would do if I didn't get in to an MBA program (ie would I pursue the same path I indicated in my answers/essays even without the MBA). He asked what I would do differently if I had to go back and change some of my decisions.

At the end, I asked him a few questions about his background and his choices. Hey, he gave me the option, so I wasn't going to let that slide. His decision to go to Wharton was, I would say, a difficult personal one. Still, he is resolute that it was a great choice for him and his future. He represented his decision and, hence, Wharton, really well.

I left, he walked me out, we shook hands and I left. I had drinks with a few old work folks and dinner with a few Wharton friends and other Philly acquaintances. Philly has fantastic restaurants. Seriously.

Any questions, feel free to email/post a comment.