How to Know if an EMBA Program is Right for You

Are you interested in learning more about what makes Wharton’s Executive MBA Program consistently ranked the #1 EMBA program?

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This webinar features a discussion with Directors of Admission Diane Sharp (Philadelphia) and Barbara Craft (San Francisco) about what makes the program unique. They cover topics including:

• How Wharton EMBA students earn the full Wharton MBA in an executive format.
• Our two campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
• The benefits of our immersive and diverse learning environment.

1. Most Consistently Ranked #1

Diane: Our program is consistently ranked number one among EMBA programs. 

2. Bicoastal: San Francisco and Philadelphia

Barb: Wharton’s EMBA program is offered in two locations: San Francisco and Philadelphia. The cohorts on each coast start off together in Philadelphia for orientation. Each cohort then goes back to their home campus until the second-year when the Philadelphia cohort goes to San Francisco for a week-long Marketing Simulation course. East coast and West coast students are also able to participate in Global Modular Courses together as well as Global Business Week, which is a required week-long international trip.

During their second year, students can take electives on either coast. This can mean taking a course on the other campus, spending a term there, or even transferring. There is a lot of flexibility between the two locations.

3. One Wharton MBA

Diane: Wharton EMBA students earn the same degree as full-time MBA students. This is not a diluted version of the Wharton MBA. EMBA students take the same classes from the same professors for the same amount of hours as full-time students. They also go through the same admissions requirements. The difference is the schedule because EMBA students are working full-time while they are in school. 

4. Residential Experience

Diane: We want our students to have the full MBA experience, so we have a residential requirement on class weekends. This means that everyone stays at the same hotels on each coast, even if they live in that city. We want everyone to set their personal and professional lives aside to fully immerse themselves in this environment and get to know their classmates. There are opportunities after classes to socialize, network, or even continue coursework with study sessions. 

5. Collaborative Environment

Barb: The cohorts on each coast are very diverse. We have a variety of industries represented as well as functional areas within those industries. This creates a collaborative environment. Students aren’t in this program to get the best GPA or the most job offers. EMBA students learn as much from their classmates as they do from professors. There’s a lot of shared experience in every classroom. When you visit programs, listen to what students are sharing in classes and over lunch because the environment will impact your learning experience.

6. Global Opportunity

Diane: Wharton is really rich in global opportunities. In the second year, we have a required Global Business Week, where EMBA students go abroad to learn how business is being conducted in other countries or regions. We offer the same four locations to students on both campuses. Each student chooses the location they are most interested in, and every year the locations vary. Past locations have included Asia, Africa, Argentina, Spain, and Finland. Students also have the option to take Global Modular Courses (GMCs), which are intensive one-week courses offered around the world and led by Wharton faculty. 

7. Career and Executive Coaching

Barb: We offer a variety of career resources for EMBA students where the focus is on coaching. Our students have full-time jobs and are further along in their careers, so this is not on-campus recruiting. Our career directors work with students individually as career coaches to help them identify career goals and how to accomplish those goals. Networking is very important because students have access to the full global Wharton network. We also offer an Executive Coaching and Feedback Program through Wharton’s Leadership Program. As our career directors explain, they are going to give you the tools to manage your career over your lifetime. They want to set you up for success.  

8. Entrepreneurial Resources

Diane: We have a number of entrepreneurs, however we make sure that their businesses are far enough along that they can step away every other weekend for school. We also have students interested in exploring entrepreneurship in the program. We offer a lot of resources for entrepreneurs and budding entrepreneurs. Wharton has a Business Plan Competition for people launching new ideas and we have a Scale School for entrepreneurs looking to scale their business. Both coasts have on-site programming and workshops to support entrepreneurs as well as one-on-one advising from faculty. 

9. World-Class Faculty

Barb: The faculty is what puts Wharton on the map. Check out Wharton Business Radio (Sirius XM Channel 111), where faculty hosts regular shows, and Knowledge@Wharotn, a free digital newsletter. Governments and businesses turn to our faculty for their knowledge because they are experts. It’s amazing how much knowledge is generated at Wharton and more broadly at the University of Pennsylvania.

10. Global Network

Diane: Wharton has the largest alumni network of any business school in the world, with over 96,000 Wharton alumni worldwide. University of Pennsylvania alumni add a whole other layer to that network. Wharton hosts global forums each year around the world as well as local events and activities.

 

This webinar was originally recorded on April 19, 2018