EMBA Stories: Work/Life Balance

A person in a checkered shirt writing in a notebook with a pen, next to an open laptop on a desk.
“Take time to be thoughtful and be yourself. We want to really get to know you through these essays.” – Barbara Craft, Director of Admissions for The Wharton MBA Program for Executives

Wharton EMBA Admissions Director Shares Tips on Writing Strong Essays

Guljot Grover, WG’16, at Wharton’s graduation with Dean Geoffrey Garrett. (Image Credit: Gaurav Gupta)
“Wharton helps everyone, whether you’re looking to move up, broaden your scope, or completely change direction. It’s a springboard,” says Guljot Grover, WG’16.

Tech to Business Strategy and Operations with a Wharton EMBA

Dr. Ehab Hanna standing in front of a brown background. He has short, dark hair and is wearing a black suit and glasses.
The essay questions help you reflect on where you are and where you want to go. They help you identify the reasons for coming to this program.

Dr. Ehab Hanna’s Logical Approach to the Wharton EMBA Essay

Jay Disser standing outside. He has short, brown hair and is wearing a purple-white shirt and glasses.
That was a commonality I saw with myself and other classmates — we are all trying to solve complex problems and I could offer a different perspective to those problems.

Nuclear Engineer Shares Steps for Writing Admissions Essays

Rothbard and Nurmohamed with Wharton EMBA students enjoying cake after completing an electric car simulation (Credit: Serenity Lee)
“This course anchors Orientation Week — a critical period that sets expectations, builds momentum, and begins the process of transformation,” says Deputy Dean Nancy Rothbard.

Transforming Leadership and Teamwork: Strategic Success in Wharton’s Executive MBA

Robert Kress, WG’24 visiting a U.S. Navy boat maintained by Anchor Innovation (Photo Credit: Chief Brian Sheffield, U.S. Navy)
“If I hadn’t gone to Wharton, I’d still be on the corporate climb and wouldn’t have discovered this knowledge, passion and confidence for entrepreneurship,” says Caroline Chapdelain, WG’22.

How these EMBA Students Became Entrepreneurs Through Business Acquisition

Julie Zhao, WG’25, and Clement Lee, WG’24, in Antarctica (Credit: Matthew Wellens)
“That wasn’t just a Wharton highlight—it was a life highlight. It was a leadership journey that made me see myself differently,” says Julie Zhao, WG’25, of her experience in Wharton’s Leadership Venture in Antarctica.

Conquering Motherhood, a Startup, and Seven Continents at Wharton

Dr. Bukhosi Dube, WG’24, Dr. Cynthia Obiozor, WG’24, and Penn Medicine Prof. Bruce Levine at the World Cancer Congress in Geneva (Credit: Denis Migliorini, MD)
“I never imagined collaborating with Wharton and Penn faculty on something of this magnitude. Our research shows that CAR-T therapy can be within reach for countries that never considered it an option,” says Cynthia Obiozor, WG’24.

Wharton EMBA Team Drives Cancer Innovation in Africa

Priyanka Vergadia, WG’25
“It became clear that physical activity and nutrition were lifting my mood in ways I had never experienced before,” says Priyanka Vergadia, WG’25, about her focus on health during the Wharton EMBA program.

MBA Success: Transforming Her Health and Career

Sona Sundaramurthy with classmates in Bangkok
“I really appreciate the global diversity within the cohort. Class discussions bring in unique perspectives from various industries, markets, and countries around the world, which enriches the learning experience,” says Sona Sundaramurthy, WG’25.

Student Journeys: Exploring Wharton’s Global Cohort Experience