How to Apply: Wharton EMBA Application & Admission Requirements
Executive MBA Application Checklist
We’ve created this EMBA admission guide to help you while applying, but the most detailed instructions are included in the application itself. You must complete and submit the online application to be considered for the MBA Program for Executives, and a complete application includes the following components:
Executive MBA Admission Requirements and Eligibility
The executive MBA program is designed for fully employed, seasoned working professionals from a wide variety of industries with at least eight (8) years of full-time work experience. If you have less than eight (8) years of full time work experience, you can apply as a Fellows candidate. Applicants to the Global program must have at least ten (10) years of full time work experience and cannot apply as Fellows candidates.
Ready to Tackle Those Admissions Essays?
Dr. Ehab Hanna’s Logical Approach to the Wharton EMBA Essay
Nuclear Engineer Shares Steps for Writing Admissions Essays
Admissions Webinars
How to Apply for the Wharton EMBA
1. Online Application
Starting your online application form registers you as an applicant within our system and ensures that you are notified of any changes to the application process.
Admission to the Wharton MBA Program for Executives requires the completion of our online application, which includes the provision of background information: contact information (e.g., mailing address and phone number), biographical information, academic degrees earned, professional experience, and optional family information.
2. Sponsorship Letter
Letters of sponsorship are to be provided by the person who has the authority to sign off on the time commitment involved with the program. The letter should be signed and uploaded to the application directly by your sponsor. If financial support for the program has been granted, that amount should be stated within this letter as well. Fellows applicants (i.e. applicants with less than eight (8) years of full time work experience by the program start date) are required to receive substantial financial and program-related support from their company. If the company is unable to commit to this amount, an explanation as to why should be provided within the sponsorship letter.
Self-employed candidates should contact the Director of Admissions of the coast to which they are applying for approval of who will write the letter.
3. Letters of Recommendation
The Admissions Committee requires two online letters of recommendation from colleagues who are familiar with your work. Optimal sources for recommendations are your direct managers, who can give insight to the Committee on you as an employee. Other useful sources are clients or former employers.
4. Essay Questions
Essay Question 1
Required; 500 word limit
What are your career objectives and how will the Wharton MBA Program for Executives contribute to your attainment of this objective?
Essay Question 2
Required; 500 word limit
Research has shown that there is a compelling business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. Please respond to one of the following essay options:
2a. Provide an example of how you created or advocated for a work environment where differences are valued, encouraged, and supported. What did you do? What was the outcome?
2b. Describe an experience when you were part of an event/meeting/workplace that involved diverse perspectives. Include your contribution and what you learned.
Please take a moment to learn how the University of Pennsylvania endeavors to make everyone feel welcome: Diversity at Wharton
Essay Question 3
Optional; 300 word limit
If necessary, you may use this optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.
5. Test Information
All applicants must submit standardized test results by the application deadline to be considered for admission. Applicants have the option of taking the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or, if you have at least eight (8) years of full-time work experience, the Executive Assessment (EA). Fellows candidates must submit either a GRE or GMAT score. All applicants must submit results of a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) that are no more than five years old.
We accept scores from tests taken at a test center or at home/online. All at-home tests are monitored by a human proctor online. Scores may be self-reported; when self-reporting your score(s) in the application please list your highest score first. Should you receive an offer of admission, official scores will then be requested for verification.
More information about the at-home GMAT can be found on MBA.com
More information about the at-home GRE can be found on the ETS website
More information about the at-home EA can be found on GMAC’s website
There is no minimum score requirement for each test; however, test scores have proven to be a useful predictor of success in the quantitative courses that are an important foundation for the MBA for Executives program. All scores are valid for five years from the test date.
Should you have questions about your candidacy or which exam to take, please contact us to schedule a chat with an admissions advisor.
Learn more about the differences among these standardized tests.
GMAT
The GMAT code for the Wharton MBA Program for Executives is G56-97-36 for Philadelphia, G56-97-14 for San Francisco, and G56-97-44 for Global.
For GMAT information and registration, visit: http://www.mba.com
GRE
The GRE code for the Wharton MBA Program for Executives is 6802.
For GRE information and registration, visit: http://www.ets.org/gre/
EA
(Wharton requires applicants to have eight years of full-time work experience to take the EA)
Fellows candidates must submit a GMAT or GRE test result. The EA code for the Wharton MBA Program for Executives is G56-97-36 for Philadelphia, G56-97-14 for San Francisco, and G56-97-44 for Global.
For EA information and registration, visit: http://www.gmac.com/ea
TOEFL/PTE
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) is required for non-native English speakers with limited exposure to English. All applicants whose native language (language first learned and spoken at home) is not English, or who did not complete a degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction, are required to take the TOEFL or PTE. If you earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction, the test may be waived.
TOEFL – The code for the Wharton MBA Program is: 2926.
PTE – Report your scores directly to The Wharton MBA Program
6. Unofficial Transcripts
Please upload transcripts of all academic work completed at the baccalaureate/undergraduate level and beyond, whether or not for credit or a degree.
Please note: Official documents are required upon admission and matriculation.
7. Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $200 must accompany your application. This fee, which must be paid by credit card, is processed through the application portal. You will not see the payment option until you submit your application online.
U.S. Military service members (active duty and veterans) and employees of some not-for-profit organizations may be eligible to waive this fee. Please contact the office to which you’re applying before submitting the application to confirm whether you are eligible and, if so, to make the necessary arrangements.
8. Submit the Application
You may begin your online application at any time during the admissions process, and you can continue to edit and add to your information before you hit “submit.”
You have until 11:59 p.m.* on the day of the deadline to complete your application.
*ET for Philadelphia and Global applicants, PT for San Francisco applicants.
Decisions
All decisions are released via Online Application System.
Application Deadlines and Decisions |
Class Entering in 2023 |
| Round 1 October 12, 2022 (11:59 p.m.*) Interview invitations released November 16, 2022 Decisions released December 21, 2022 |
| Round 2 January 18, 2023 (11:59 p.m.*) Interview invitations released February 22, 2023 Decisions released March 22, 2023 |
| *ET for Philadelphia and Global applicants, PT for San Francisco applicants. Decision dates are guaranteed only if all application materials are received by the deadline. To discuss the possibility of a deadline extension, please contact us. |
Reapplication Process
If you applied and were not admitted and would like to reapply to the program, please follow these procedures. The most important thing is that you demonstrate through essays, subsequent career growth, and/or academic preparation that you are a stronger candidate. We recommend you review the EMBA application requirements before submitting your new application to ensure they have not changed since you last applied.
1) Complete entire application
2) Include with your essays the following:
Reapplicant Essay
Required; 300 word limit
What have you been doing since you previously applied for admission and what impact have your activities had on the clarification of your goals? Include any steps you have taken to enhance your preparation for admission to Wharton.
Admissions Process FAQs
When do I need to have my official transcript(s) sent?
Official transcripts are required upon matriculation to the Wharton MBA Program for Executives. When requesting the official transcripts from your previous institutions, you can choose electronic or standard mail delivery.
For Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Global cohorts:
Electronic transcripts can be sent from the institutions to mbaexec-ops@wharton.upenn.edu.
Hard-copy transcripts can be sent from the institutions to:
MBA Program for Executives
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
255 South 38th Street
Suite 108
Steinberg Conference Center
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6359
What if something has changed after submitting my application?
If there has been a significant change in your profile after submitting your application, please call the office to discuss how best to reflect the change. Examples of a significant change would be a move to a new company or a promotion.
How do I know if I am a Fellows Candidate?
For a complete explanation of the difference between applying as a Fellow or traditional applicant, see Candidate Qualifications. Please call the office if you are unsure about the level of financial support you are required to have from your employer.
When are your information sessions?
For information on current schedules, go to Admissions Events. Please check back from time to time, as we add events regularly. We also invite you to contact us to schedule a personal visit to the campus.
How do I reapply if I am denied admission?
If you applied and were not admitted and would like to reapply to the program, please follow these procedures. The most important thing is that you demonstrate through essays, subsequent career growth, and/or academic preparation that you are a stronger candidate. We recommend you review the EMBA application requirements before submitting your new application to ensure they have not changed since you last applied.
1) Complete entire application
2) Include with your essays the following:
Reapplicant Essay
Required; 300 word limit
What have you been doing since you previously applied for admission and what impact have your activities had on the clarification of your goals? Include any steps you have taken to enhance your preparation for admission to Wharton.
May I apply to both Wharton MBA Programs?
Wharton accepts simultaneous applications to its executive and traditional MBA programs. In order to apply to both programs during the same admissions cycle, applicants must submit separate and complete applications, following the instructions and deadlines required by each program. Dual applicants must also indicate within both applications that they are applying to the other program and whether a decision has been rendered by the other program and, if so, what that decision is. Admitted students may only matriculate in one program.
If I am denied admission to the Wharton MBA Program for Executives in Philadelphia, can I then apply to the program in San Francisco or Global (or vice versa)?
Students may apply to one program per year. The Wharton MBA Program for Executives has one single Admissions Committee which reviews applications for Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Global applicants. Therefore, the Admissions Committee would not change their decision if an applicant applied to a different cohort.
Where should I stay when I visit?
There are many hotels in both Philadelphia and San Francisco that are convenient for visiting Wharton. In Philadelphia, we recommend the Inn at Penn, which is on the University of Pennsylvania campus. In San Francisco, we recommend the hotel at which students stay during the program (please call the campus for more information).
Do you require interviews for admission?
Interviews are by invitation only. If selected for an interview, we will contact you to arrange the interview as part of the application process.
When during the year does the program start and when are the admissions deadlines?
The program begins in May each year. Please refer to the Timeline and Deadlines page for exact dates and admissions deadlines.
Qualifications FAQs
I haven't had a math course in 10 years. Would I have difficulty with the Wharton curriculum?
A number of our classes assume basic math literacy. If you took your last math class a while ago, it is probably worthwhile to brush up before coming to the program. You’ll do some of this when you prepare for the GMAT exam. If you have not completed a math course at the basic calculus level, you should try to enroll in a “Math for Business” course at a local college. Please focus on the basics (algebra, graphing functions, very basic calculus).
I have many years of work experience and have taken other standardized tests in the past. Why must I take the GMAT/GRE/EA to apply to Wharton?
If you have 8 years of work experience or more, you have the option of submitting EA test scores. If you have less than 8 years of experience, you are considered a Fellows candidate and must submit GMAT or GRE scores.
To make it easier on applicants taking these tests during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re now accepting at-home GRE, GMAT, and EA test scores. This new format allows you to take exams virtually, while being monitored by a proctor online.
We require these test scores because the executive MBA curriculum is the same curriculum required in the traditional MBA program, and it’s very rigorous. As applicants attend universities and colleges from around the world with different grading systems, the GMAT, GRE, and EA are uniform assessment tools designed to predict academic potential for success in many of the core courses that Wharton requires.
We have found that students who don’t do well on these tests generally have difficulty with some of the courses that Wharton feels our graduates should master. If you think you may have trouble preparing for these tests, we recommend you study one of the review guides available or enroll in a formal preparation course.
I already have an MBA. Can I apply to Wharton?
Yes, you can apply. We do not exclude candidates who have an MBA or any other graduate degree. You should, however, explain your reasons for desiring a second MBA in your application and during your interview.
I've taken business courses at another university. Can I use this background to shorten my time at Wharton?
You must complete 19 course units at Wharton to earn your degree from our program. If your previous coursework was recently completed, you may be able to waive core courses in the relevant disciplines and thereby increase the number of electives in your curriculum. You will still be required to spend two calendar years at Wharton.
Does the Wharton EMBA program provide student visas?
Executive MBA students are required to maintain full-time employment throughout the duration of the program. Students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents must secure their visas through their employers. Penn Global’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can offer more specific information.