Vamshi Eppanapally, Wharton MBA Class of 2027
Age: 26
Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Chicago, Economics and Public Policy
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Investment Banking Analyst, Healthcare Services and Technology, Leerink Partners, 2021-2022; Investment Banking Analyst, Sponsor Solutions / Private Capital Advisory, Greenhill, 2022-2023; Investment Banking Associate, Secondaries / Private Capital Advisory, Devon Park Advisors, 2024-2025
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
At this stage in my career, I realized that an MBA was the natural way to open new doors, expand my skill set, and build relationships with people I could learn from and grow with. The timing made sense because I now have enough experience to add value in the classroom while still being early enough in my career to make a pivot if I want to.
Why did you choose The Wharton School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Wharton stood out for its mix of academic rigor, the breadth of its curriculum, and the strength of its network. I was especially drawn to the balance between quantitative training and leadership development, plus the collaborative community that came across in every conversation I had with current students and alumni.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think my most valuable contribution will be my ability to connect people over humor and shared interests and make teamwork enjoyable, no matter the setting. I’ve also built expertise in the growing area of secondaries, and I’m excited to share my perspective and experiences in this space with my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I recently picked up DJing as a hobby a few weeks ago ahead of my debut set at the Red & Blue Ball, and since then I’ve been having a lot of fun experimenting with different mixes and music styles that I’ve picked up from my classmates.
Post-MBA career interests:
While I’m keeping an open mind about what comes next, I hope to continue deepening my work in secondaries. In particular, I’ve become interested by the real estate secondaries space and have been exploring a strategy that I first started developing back in my banking days.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I absolutely recommend practice and prepare well ahead of time for the team-based discussion interview. It gave me a lot of confidence on interview day and helped me focus on collaborating naturally instead of stressing about what to say.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would definitely give myself more time to write my essays. The iteration process of getting my story and voice across in the right way took longer than I expected, and starting earlier would have made it much less stressful.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
There’s not anything in particular I’d truly skip, but I did feel the rush of getting everything together for Round 1. Talking to current students and alumni early on and throughout the process really helped me get feedback and stay motivated through that crunch.
What is your initial impression of the Wharton students/culture/community?
I’ve been blown away by how open, collaborative, and welcoming everyone is. There’s a genuine sense of community here, and people really want to help each other succeed.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
So far I’ve joined hockey because it’s been highly recommended to me as one of the best Wharton social experiences and a great way to meet people. Since I’m hoping to pursue a path in entrepreneurship through acquisition and real estate, I joined those clubs as well. And of course, I joined the techno and house club to connect with fellow DJs and music lovers.
What is one thing you have learned about Wharton that has surprised you?
I’ve been surprised by how quickly the community feels small and tight-knit despite the size of the program. Within just a few weeks, I’ve already built friendships that feel like they’ll last well beyond business school.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about traveling with classmates and experiencing international treks together. It’s such a unique way to bond, learn from different perspectives, and create memories outside the classroom.
