FAQ

Not at all. Instead, you will find that a Wharton education increases your opportunities rather than limits them. The tools that Wharton provides in analysis and problem solving can be applied in any context. In addition, you may explore a range of courses at Penn that is second to none. Wharton undergraduates go on to medical school, law school, graduate school and work in non-profit institutions as well as leading corporations.

If you already know your direction in life, Wharton will put you miles ahead on your career path. If your interests are broad and varied, Wharton will help you fully explore a range of options while developing fundamental business skills. Intrigued by foreign languages and cultures? Fascinated by political science or public service? Interested in music, and math? Committed to community building or improving the environment? A Wharton education will help you transform personal interests and academic passions into career opportunities. You will be able to assume a responsible position sooner than other college graduates who lack a rigorous grounding in the fundamentals of business.

All students in the Wharton School’s undergraduate program receive a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Penn’s central Office of Undergraduate Admissions handles all admissions decisions for Wharton and the other three undergraduate schools. You can learn about what Penn looks for here.

Note that there are no fixed criteria and no cut-offs in terms of grades or test scores. Because such a high percentage of the undergraduate applicant pool is qualified for admission, there are ultimately more qualified candidates than spaces in the class. Accepted candidates are those who present the most compelling cases and distinguish themselves from other applicants.

The Wharton School’s undergraduate program currently offers four coordinated dual-degree programs with each of the other undergraduate schools at Penn. To apply, simply check the appropriate box on Question 2 of Penn’s Application Supplement, and complete the additional Form 1C. Applications are evaluated by The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and directors of the individual programs. Applicants not considered competitive for the coordinated dual-degree programs are still considered for a single-degree admission, as indicated by your choice of single-degree program on Form 1C. The four coordinated dual-degree programs are:

• The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, with the School of Engineering and Applied Science (BS Econ and BS Engineering or Bachelor of Applied Science)
• The Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business, with the College of Arts and Sciences (BS Econ and BA with major in International Studies)
• The Nursing & Health Care Management Program, with the School of Nursing (BS Econ and BS Nursing)
• The Roy & Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences & Management, with the College of Arts and Sciences (BS Econ and BA with major in a life science).

All external transfer students must meet the transfer requirements outlined on the Penn Admissions website in order to be considered for acceptance into the program.

No.  Wharton staff and faculty do not conduct interviews or meet with prospective applicants. However, Penn Admissions attempts to connect as many applicants as possible with alumni volunteers, depending on availability. You can learn more about the “alumni conversation” program here.

The Bachelor of Science in Economics degree is offered only on a full-time basis.

Penn and Wharton offer a number of online courses (no credit) through Coursera.

Penn commits to meeting the full demonstrated need for four years or eight semesters for all admitted students.  For more information, visit the Penn Admissions website.

International students comprise about 22% of the Wharton undergraduate population.

A significant part of the Wharton curriculum is comprised of liberal arts and sciences courses. You will take a fully integrated business and liberal arts curriculum beginning with the first year. Your Wharton education will give you a rigorous grounding in the fundamentals of business, with an emphasis on innovation, leadership, cross-cultural perspectives, and managing change. Your liberal arts and sciences education can be tailored to fit your special interests. The actual number of courses will depend on how many AP credits you have and your interest in taking non-business courses.

If you have well-focused interests, you may choose to pursue a minor in a particular discipline or a University (interschool) Minor or a dual degree. Each year about one-third of our students graduate with a dual degree, combining Wharton’s Bachelor of Science in Economics with a Bachelor of Arts or a degree from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or the School of Nursing.

Wharton offers a four-year, blended program of business and liberal arts and sciences. Unlike most other business programs in which you must wait until your junior year to begin business courses. During your first year, you will take Wharton 1010, a gateway course that introduces the School’s various business disciplines and engages students in learning about their personal strengths and leadership potential, and 2-3 other required business courses. You also will be able to integrate your Wharton and non-Wharton courses throughout your four years of study at Penn.

You will take approximately 23 business courses and 9 liberal arts and sciences courses. You will also have 5 unrestricted electives that you can take anywhere at Penn. The business fundamentals include 11 courses in Accounting; Business, Economics & Public Policy; Finance; Legal Studies & Business Ethics; Management; Marketing; Operations, Information and Decisions; and Statistics. In addition, you will take upper-level courses in an area of specialization, called a concentration as well as courses in various areas such as the global economy, business and society; technology, innovation, and analytics; and cross-cultural perspectives.

About 23% of Wharton students choose to study abroad, usually for a single semester during their junior year. The University sponsors over 100 study abroad programs in which Wharton students take arts and sciences courses. The University’s Office of International Programs can provide further information, and these programs can be accessed through Penn Abroad. Additionally, Wharton sponsors over 25 study abroad programs that enable students to take business courses in addition to arts and sciences courses.

Class sizes vary. Large introductory classes may have over 100 students in a lecture format, but these classes are complemented by smaller recitations of around 20 students. Class size is usually smaller in upper-level courses. There are many seminar courses offered, in which enrollment is restricted to 18 or fewer students.

Wharton professors are very accessible. Every professor holds weekly office hours. In cases where the student is unable to meet during standard office hours, he/she may call or email the professor to set up an appointment. Professors are available to assist students with class material and also with department class selection, areas of research, graduate study, and careers.

Teaching assistants do not conduct classes at Wharton. They may staff recitation sections and assist professors in various other classroom activities. They often hold office hours that supplement professorial office hours, in addition to conducting tutorial sessions.

Students accepted to Wharton prove to excel in their university studies. The great majority complete their undergraduate program within four years, even those taking more than one degree. At any time, less than two percent of Wharton undergraduates are on academic probation as a result of poor performance and even fewer are placed on mandatory leave of absence, or dropped from the program for academic failure.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Van Pelt Library houses the largest open-stack library in the country, and the entire west wing of the library is devoted to the Wharton School’s Lippincott Library, which features leading-edge technology. The staff is eager to provide students with the technological skills to conduct research efficiently using not only the library’s collections of books and periodicals, but also a wide variety of online databases.

The Joseph Wharton Scholars (JWS) are a top percentage of Wharton undergraduates. Students are invited to the JWS program during the initial admission process to the University, based on their expressed interest in liberal arts and research, as well as academics. Wharton students are also eligible to apply for admission to the program at the end of their freshman year. The University sponsors the Benjamin Franklin Scholars (BFS) and University Scholars programs. These two programs include students from all four undergraduate schools and have a dedicated professional advising staff and office. JWS students must also participate in the BFS program. Acceptance to these programs gives a student unique opportunities to take smaller honors classes and do intensive research. All honors classes at the university are available to the general student body with permission of the instructor. The Wharton Research Scholars, gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to work closely with faculty within a year-long research project. The Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) and the Wharton Social Impact Research Experience (SIRE) provide students with summer research opportunities.

Wharton students must complete two semesters or the equivalent in a language other than English in order to graduate. Many students continue their language studies from high school, while some start from the beginning with a new language. The University of Pennsylvania offers instruction in well over 40 languages. Students may, depending upon the requirements of the department, place out or receive course credit for a foreign language based on AP/IB language exam scores. Native speakers may also choose to take a written and oral examination in their native language to complete the requirement. You can find more information about the language requirement here.

On the contrary, Wharton students are fully integrated into the Penn community. They participate in Greek organizations, varsity and club athletics, community outreach organizations, student government, performing arts, and more. In your College House, your roommates and neighbors are more likely to be studying at one of the three other undergraduate schools of the University than at Wharton.

Wharton students regularly participate in varsity athletics as well as in club and intramural sports at the University. In recent years, Wharton students have participated on teams including football, wrestling, squash, basketball, and gymnastics at Penn. Other sports well represented by Wharton students include varsity swimming, field hockey, lacrosse and tennis, as well as participation in nationally ranked club rugby and ultimate Frisbee. Olympians (as students) have included fencers, wrestlers, a skier, ice skater, gymnast, and an oarsman.

Penn is one of the most culturally diverse campuses in the nation. Wharton has students and faculty from all over the world, and many different cultural backgrounds. In addition, a large number of organizations and clubs support students from different backgrounds as well as focus on the business-related interests of different regions of the world. The University also sponsors numerous events, exhibits, performances in celebration of diversity.

While you are not required to provide your own computer, most students do, as it is more convenient to for them. Wharton has over 200 student lab stations, and there are numerous student computing facilities all over campus, many located within the College Houses. The Wharton Computing Student Support’s Buying Guide can help you choose the right computer for you.

Penn is committed to the well-being and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Night lighting is ample, and there is an extensive system of emergency phones at almost every corner of campus. The University’s Division of Public Safety has a well-staffed and professionally trained campus police force of over 70 officers, with full law enforcement powers. Penn also provides a comprehensive, free 24-hour escort service which provides both van transportation and walking escorts. As with all large metropolitan areas, common sense goes a long way, and there is frequent safety training offered to any interested students.

Besides career and job search counseling, Penn Career Services offers many workshops and events throughout the year in addition to coordinating on-campus interviewing by top firms. Many firms aggressively recruit Wharton students for positions both domestically and abroad. Career Services also provides help in identifying opportunities for summer internships.

Of the Wharton Class of 2021, 93% entered the working world and another 4% pursued further education. The median starting salary for the class was $85,000. You can find reports on post-graduate outcomes here.