UPenn / Wharton MBA Recommendation Questions
The MBA application for the Wharton School requires two letters of recommendation from individuals well acquainted with your performance in a work setting, such as a current or former supervisor. Make sure you select people who can speak directly about your aptitudes and capabilities. The Wharton MBA recommendation questions for the 2024-2025 admissions season are below.
2024-2025 Wharton Recommendation Questions
Recommender Information
The recommendation begins with the recommender’s contact information, followed by a handful of background questions:
Relationship With Applicant: (e.g. Direct Supervisor, Advisor, Indirect Report/Subordinate)
During which period of time have you had the most frequent contact with the applicant?
Are you a graduate of Wharton or any other University of Pennsylvania school? (Yes / No)
Are you a faculty member of Wharton or any other University of Pennsylvania School? (Yes / No)
Summary Appraisal
Please look at this list of personality characteristics and choose up to two traits that you feel best represent the candidate you are recommending to the Wharton MBA Program. (TIP – You do not have to choose two, only up to two.)
Options: Determined, Humble, Disciplined, Engaged, Intellectually Curious, Analytical, Flexible, Persistent, Conscientious, Results Oriented
Please look at this list of personality characteristics and choose up to two traits that you feel best represent the candidate you are recommending to the Wharton MBA Program. (TIP – You do not have to choose two, only up to two.)
Options: Collaborative, Persuasive, Innovative, Confident, Self-Aware, Professional, Resilient, Energetic, Emotionally Stable, Agreeable
Applicant Assessment
Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success in the Wharton MBA classroom. (Word count: 300)
Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success throughout their career. (Word count: 300)
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know? (Word count: 300)
Clear Admit Resources
Get started on your research into the Wharton MBA program with more from Clear Admit:
- UPenn Wharton School of Business Profile on the Clear Admit website: up-to-date advice and admissions information
- Clear Admit LiveWire: admissions updates submitted in real-time by applicants to Wharton
- Clear Admit DecisionWire: school selections in real-time by admits to Wharton
MBA Applywire
Background:
Age: 28
Nationality: French & North African
Undergraduate: Industrial Engineering 3.5/4.3 GPA
GMAT/GRE Score: 655 on only practice exam completed so far (Test date: June 2nd)
Work Experience:
4 years at P&G in Sales - Promoted in 1.5 years and did 3 roles total, the latest in which I managed 2 direct reports
2 years at FAANG in Sales/Account Management - Promoted in less than a year
Extracurriculars / Volunteering:
Case competition Coach for my school’s team at an international case comp for a couple years post grad, now sitting on board of advisors
Mentoring new immigrants to help find employment through resume workshops, interview prep, etc. through a non-profit
Plenty of clubs & case competitions during undergrad
Target Schools:
LBS or INSEAD
Post-MBA Goals:
Middle East Tech PgM/PM or Consulting
Other:
Trilingual and grew up between North Africa, Middle East, Asia, and North America.
Here’s a bit about me: 24 M, def a ORM Went to a decent school, top 10 public university, did CS and Finance there so 2 degrees and got a 3.4
There I built a startup my freshman year, obviously not successful but then I did a lot for university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and led investments at university’s venture fund. Interned at a big startup that raised 100 Mil and worked with CPO on a suite of products that made the company a lot of money, interned at well known app where I built a really successful feature that everyone who uses that app loves (per Reddit funny enough), and interned at a VC under the managing partner and led operations for a few strategic initiatives
Got into an APM program (not FAANG, think Uber, LinkedIn tier) where I work on the AI team.
Really high visibility role, lots of impact, lots of strategic work directly contributing towards growing the business and landing huge enterprises. Can say I directly contributed towards revenue growth which has been awesome. Get face time with company leadership as well which has been a great learning experience.
On the side, in a couple AI fellowship and small programs just to be more involved in the ecosystem.
Got a 685 (equivalent to 730-740 on the old one) on my first attempt of the GMAT FE, retaking it in a week to try to get above a 715 (760) confident I can do it.
Applying this fall and will have 3 years working experience when matriculating. Goal is to use the network I make to work at startups with potential with people I actually know. If that doesn’t work out would love to be a product leader or go into venture.
Aiming for HBS MS/MBA, GSB, Sloan, and maybe Booth. Don’t think the ROI is high enough elsewhere for me given my goals and that I’m not trying to make a career change and not sure how tied into the startup ecosystem other schools are. Also if I forgo 2 years of salary and the role I’m in it’s definitely gotta be worth it long term.
Obviously lofty goals and these things are super competitive and I don’t have a perfect profile in any ways, but worked to have good work experience to try to make up for it, would love any advice.
Experience women working primarily in Latin American markets; seeks US market exposure
Investment baking and corporate development experience (mainly focus on energy and real estate); desire to pivot in investments/PE in the US
I'm a mechanical engineer... currently I'm working in a mechanical mnc company for 5.5 years as a senior Design Engineer and project leader with one promotion..i have lot of extra curricular activities including ngo participation, tree plantation, blood donation etc .lots of webinars and internships I have done untill now..i have also completed several mba related certification such as six sigma, digital marketing etc..