Isha Kabra, Wharton MBA Class of 2027
Age: 24
Hometown: Morrisville, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Major in Computer Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Software Engineer at Microsoft in Seattle for 4 years (tech industry)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After four years of gaining professional experience in the tech industry, business school is the perfect opportunity to sharpen my business acumen and complement my technical skill-set. The MBA program is a unique, immersive environment to experientially develop leadership skills, explore other roles and industries, and prepare to make an impact at a larger scale long-term.
Why did you choose The Wharton School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Factors that figured into my decision were career and leadership opportunities, alumni network, and academic excellence. Wharton represents the largest alumni network worldwide, carries global prestige, and offers unmatched hands-on experiences through the McNulty Leadership Program. The program also emphasizes quantitative rigor and tailored concentrations, including the new AI for Business major that I will be pursuing.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
The combination of my technical expertise, through my software engineering experience at Microsoft and Master’s in Computer Science, and my drive to use these skills as a leader for giving back to underrepresented communities is a differentiating contribution I bring to the Class of 2027.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a huge cow lover and volunteered regularly at a cow sanctuary during my time in Seattle, which inspired me to become vegan!
Post-MBA career interests:
Technical Product Management/Product Strategy in the technology or investment management industry
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would stick to the same timeline I followed during my application process, focusing on the GMAT and asking for recommendations 3-6 months prior to the deadline and prioritizing my story and essays for the 1-2 months leading up to the deadline.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would reach out to more current students and recent grads willing to share their MBA experiences with prospective applicants to gauge effective methods of conveying my story authentically through the essays.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Managing applications across different schools, even though Wharton was my top choice, and balancing the process with other commitments. Starting early and planning out the timelines months in advance helped me navigate the application process.
What is your initial impression of the Wharton students/culture/community?
There is an incredibly diverse and impressive community of students at Wharton who bring unique perspectives. The culture is collaborative and uplifting as students support each other within team-based environments in class, cohorts, clubs, etc.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the Technology and Investment Management professional clubs to broaden my network and explore industries of interests. I am also hoping to join Yoga & Wellness Club, AI & Analytics, and Storytellers at Wharton to build a community of like-minded peers in my areas of interest.
What is one thing you have learned about Wharton that has surprised you?
The travel opportunities and intensive leadership development trips – there are innumerable Global Immersion Programs, Global Modular Courses, and international treks planned throughout the year that students engage in.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited to meet an unmatched community of inspiring students who come from different backgrounds and to expand my global perspective as part of the Wharton community and through leadership opportunities abroad.
