Numbers Aren't Enough to Get You Into Wharton

Do you think your strong undergrad GPA, stellar GMAT score, and solid job history are enough to get you into Wharton?

Think again.

According to Wharton's admissions office, between 75 and 80 per cent of its annual pool of MBA applicants are eligible for admission on the basis of academic and professional experience.

That means that academic and work accomplishments alone are not enough to make an applicant stand out from the rest of the applicant pool -- or to persuade the admissions committee that a particular applicant is right for Wharton.

What does make a difference in individual applicants' outcomes?

According to Wharton's admissions office, it is personal qualities such as leadership, initiative, communication skills, managerial talent, integrity, and a commitment to the community.

And where does the admissions committee look for evidence of these qualities?

In the applicant's letters of recommendation, their overall application package -- and in their essays.

For more on this, read "MBA Admissions Essential #3: Look Beyond the Numbers," posted October 5, 2006 to Wharton's MBA Admissions Blog!