Sunday, June 7, 2020
Understanding The Wharton Difference
The Wharton MBA adcom itself offers you some help in shapingà your Wharton applicationà ââ¬â by clearly and succinctly defining the four core components of ââ¬Å"the Wharton difference.â⬠Understanding these components is a key to conveying your fit with the program. These four components are encompassed in Whartonââ¬â¢s emphasis on ââ¬Å"putting knowledge into action.â⬠This value should guide your application approach: action is always specific, anecdotal.à Therefore, makeà your resume, essays, and application answers specific, anecdotal, and action focused. In this post I discuss two of the four components that are tightly correlated, then Iââ¬â¢ll do one post each for the remaining two (Innovative Leadership Learningà and Global Opportunities). In all, Iââ¬â¢ll keep on the radar screen the overarching value of ââ¬Å"putting knowledge into action.â⬠à Largest Global Networkà andà Culture of Engagementà are the two interconnected components. à They go hand-in-hand: â⬠¢ The vast global alumni network is an immense resource, and culture involves using, synthesizing and creating new resources. â⬠¢ A network and a culture are both built by and serveà people. â⬠¢ On the Wharton website, the Global Network component uses the phrases ââ¬Å"call onâ⬠and ââ¬Å"tap intoâ⬠while the Culture of Engagement component uses the words ââ¬Å"joinâ⬠and ââ¬Å"collaborativeâ⬠ââ¬â all reflecting dynamism,à connection,à proactivity. There is another fascinating, but perhaps less intuitive, point of alignment between these two components:à impact. â⬠¢Ã ââ¬Å"Increase your impact through the resources of this diverse, connected communityâ⬠(from Global Network). â⬠¢Ã ââ¬Å"â⬠¦Turning knowledge into impactâ⬠(from Culture of Engagement). What does all this add up to? à PEOPLE TAKING ACTION CREATE IMPACT. à Thatââ¬â¢s basic. à What you want to demonstrate, and what Wharton seeks, is you being part of PEOPLE TAKING ACTIONà TOGETHERà TO CREATEà CONSTRUCTIVE, DESIRED IMPACTS. Hereââ¬â¢s how you can demonstrate fit with Wharton by incorporating these values into your application: â⬠¢ Refer specifically in your application and your interview to how you will use the global alumni network to advanceà your goalsà and/or how you will engage with it (specific actions as opposed to the ubiquitous but bland ââ¬Å"contribute toâ⬠). â⬠¢ Give examples and anecdotes in essays that illustrate your resourcefulness and collaboration leading to concrete outcomes. â⬠¢ In discussing how you will achieve your goals, include these elements, which also align with the action orientation. â⬠¢ Ensure that your resume reflects these values, and start bullet points with verbs to underscore action. â⬠¢Ifà your recommendersà are open to your input, ask them to use examples and present strengths that reflect these attributes (and not just ââ¬Å"ability toâ⬠but also achieving impacts). â⬠¢ In your interview, frame your answers and points to reflect these elements and even refer specifically to them, if you can do so naturally. By Cindy Tokumitsu,à author and co-author of numerous ebooks, articles, and special reports, includingà Why MBA andà Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One. Cindy has advised hundreds of successful applicants in her fifteen years with Accepted. Related Resources: â⬠¢Ã Wharton 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips Deadlines â⬠¢Ã Wharton MBA Student, Single Mom, Entrepreneur [Episode 152] â⬠¢ A Free Guide to Answering the Why MBA? Question
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