Wharton MBA Essays: Complete Guide (Essay 1 & 2)

Wharton's MBA application includes two required essays that give you the opportunity to demonstrate your career vision and potential to contribute to the Wharton community. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down both prompts, provide strategic insights, and offer sample responses to help you craft compelling essays that showcase your fit with Wharton's rigorous academic environment and collaborative culture.

Understanding the Prompts

Essay 1 (500 words)

"How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? Consider your past experience, short and long‑term goals, and Wharton resources."

Essay 2 (400 words)

"Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?"

What Wharton is Looking For

1. Strategic Thinking

Wharton values candidates who can think strategically about their career trajectory and how Wharton fits into their plan.

2. Community Contribution

Wharton emphasizes the importance of contributing to the community and learning from peers.

3. Self-Awareness

Demonstrate understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and how Wharton will help you grow.

4. Research and Preparation

Show that you've done your homework about Wharton's specific offerings and culture.

Strategic Approach to Essay 1: Career Goals & Wharton Resources

Understanding the Components

Essay 1 requires you to address:

Your past experience
Short and long-term goals
Specific Wharton resources
How Wharton will help you achieve your goals

Structure for Essay 1 (500 words)

Introduction (75 words):

Hook with a compelling opening
Briefly introduce your career goals
Show understanding of Wharton's role

Past Experience (125 words):

Relevant background that led to your goals
Key experiences that shaped your vision
Skills and knowledge you bring

Career Goals (100 words):

Specific short-term and long-term goals
Timeline and progression
Why these goals matter to you

Wharton Resources (150 words):

Specific Wharton programs, courses, or opportunities
How these align with your goals
Connection to Wharton's unique offerings

Conclusion (50 words):

Reinforce the connection between Wharton and your success

Sample Essay 1 Draft

"My journey from healthcare technology to investment banking began when I discovered that the biggest barrier to healthcare innovation wasn't technology—it was capital. At Epic Systems, I implemented electronic health records for rural hospitals, witnessing how limited access to funding prevented life-saving technology from reaching patients who needed it most.

This experience revealed my passion for the intersection of healthcare and finance. I've spent the past three years at Goldman Sachs, working on healthcare M&A deals and developing expertise in healthcare investment banking. My short-term goal is to become a Vice President in Goldman's Healthcare Investment Banking group, focusing on biotech and digital health transactions.

Long-term, I aim to lead Goldman's Healthcare Investment Banking division, driving the firm's strategy in this rapidly evolving sector. I plan to leverage this position to increase capital flow to innovative healthcare companies, ultimately improving patient outcomes through better access to funding.

Wharton's Healthcare Management major will provide the specialized knowledge I need to understand healthcare industry dynamics, regulatory challenges, and market trends. The program's focus on healthcare economics and policy will give me the analytical framework to evaluate healthcare investments more effectively.

Additionally, Wharton's Private Equity/Venture Capital Club will connect me with healthcare investors and entrepreneurs, building the network I need to identify promising investment opportunities. The club's healthcare-focused events and case competitions will develop my deal evaluation skills while expanding my understanding of the healthcare investment landscape.

Wharton's location in Philadelphia, a major healthcare hub, provides unique access to healthcare companies, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. This proximity will enable me to build relationships with key players in healthcare finance while gaining insights into emerging trends and opportunities.

The combination of Wharton's rigorous finance education, healthcare specialization, and strategic location will position me uniquely to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and capital markets, ultimately enabling me to drive meaningful change in how healthcare companies access funding and scale their innovations."

Strategic Approach to Essay 2: Community Contribution

Understanding the Focus

Essay 2 requires you to demonstrate:

How your background prepares you to contribute
Specific ways you'll contribute to Wharton
Value you'll bring to the community

Structure for Essay 2 (400 words)

Introduction (50 words):

State your intended contributions clearly
Connect to Wharton's values

Background and Preparation (150 words):

Relevant experience that prepares you
Skills and perspectives you'll bring
How your background shapes your contributions

Specific Contributions (150 words):

Concrete ideas for involvement
How you'll contribute to specific programs/clubs
Impact on student experience

Conclusion (50 words):

Reinforce your commitment to contributing

Sample Essay 2 Draft

"I plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community by leveraging my healthcare technology background to enhance the Healthcare Club's programming and by creating opportunities for cross-industry collaboration between healthcare and finance students.

My experience at Epic Systems, where I worked with diverse teams of engineers, clinicians, and administrators, taught me the importance of bridging different perspectives and expertise. I learned to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value propositions, a skill that will benefit Wharton students from various backgrounds.

As co-president of the Healthcare Club, I will launch a "Healthcare Innovation Series" that brings together students interested in healthcare, technology, and finance. This series will feature speakers from healthcare startups, investment firms, and established healthcare companies, providing students with insights into the intersection of healthcare and capital markets.

I will also contribute to Wharton's diversity and inclusion efforts by co-leading the Healthcare Club's outreach to underrepresented students interested in healthcare careers. My experience mentoring first-generation college students has taught me the importance of creating inclusive environments where diverse perspectives can thrive.

Additionally, I will leverage my network in healthcare technology to enhance Wharton's case study library with real-world examples from my experience implementing digital health solutions. This will provide students with practical insights into healthcare innovation challenges and opportunities.

My goal is to make Wharton the premier destination for students interested in healthcare business, creating lasting value for future classes while building my own network and expertise in this growing field."

Key Tips for Success

1. Research Wharton Thoroughly

Understand specific programs and opportunities
Know Wharton's values and culture
Connect to unique offerings like the Healthcare Management major

2. Be Specific About Goals

Name specific companies, roles, and industries
Include realistic timelines
Show you've done your homework

3. Demonstrate Community Focus

Show how you'll contribute to Wharton
Emphasize collaboration and teamwork
Connect to Wharton's values

4. Stay Within Word Limits

Every word counts in these concise essays
Edit ruthlessly for clarity and impact
Ensure smooth flow and transitions

5. Show Self-Awareness

Acknowledge your strengths and gaps
Demonstrate understanding of what you need to learn
Show realistic assessment of your capabilities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Vague Career Goals

❌ "I want to work in finance" ✅ "I will join Goldman Sachs' Healthcare Investment Banking group as a Vice President"

2. Generic Wharton References

❌ "Wharton is a great school" ✅ "Wharton's Healthcare Management major will provide specialized knowledge"

3. Weak Community Focus

❌ Focusing only on what Wharton can do for you ✅ Emphasizing how you'll contribute to Wharton

4. Ignoring the Prompt

❌ Not addressing all components of the prompt ✅ Ensuring you cover past experience, goals, and Wharton resources

5. Lack of Specificity

❌ General statements about business school ✅ Specific references to Wharton programs and opportunities

Final Checklist

Before submitting your essays, ensure:

[ ] Essay 1 addresses past experience, goals, and Wharton resources
[ ] Essay 2 shows specific contributions to Wharton
[ ] Both essays stay within word limits
[ ] Essays complement rather than repeat each other
[ ] You've shown research about Wharton
[ ] Essays are authentic and specific
[ ] You've proofread for errors

Conclusion

Wharton's essays are your opportunity to demonstrate your strategic thinking, community focus, and fit with Wharton's rigorous academic environment. By crafting specific, authentic responses that connect your goals to Wharton's opportunities and show your potential to contribute, you can create compelling essays that showcase your readiness for the Wharton experience.

Remember, Wharton values students who are strategic about their goals, committed to community contribution, and ready to leverage both Wharton's resources and their own background to achieve success. Your essays should reflect these qualities while telling your unique story and demonstrating your potential to thrive in Wharton's collaborative environment.

Looking for more guidance on Wharton's application? Check out our guides on Wharton's interview process and application timeline.

Wharton MBA Essays: Complete Guide for 2026 Intake