Group talks on MBA possibilities

In an information session in Houston Hall yesterday, Wharton graduate students tried to destroy the popular myth that only undergraduate business majors can attain a coveted MBA degree. This session, organized by first-year MBA student Darien Wright, a member of the Wharton Graduate Association's Undergraduate Outreach Committee, was designed to teach students from all four Penn schools about the MBA application processes, Wright said. The Wharton graduate students also provided advice for students deciding whether to pursue an MBA degree. "An MBA program is suitable for anyone who aspires to be a future business leader," said MBA student Patrick Sallner. "The other requirement an applicant should have is quality work experience." Sallner also stated that pursuing an MBA degree is a two-sided coin -- although many MBA students temporarily forego the opportunities and salary generated by holding a job in order to study, such a degree enables them to earn much higher salaries after they graduate, and also allows them to network with people of very diverse backgrounds. "Many college graduates also choose to enter a part-time MBA program," Sallner said. "That way they are still earning money, and the opportunity cost isn't as high." After a short slide presentation which explained the reasons for pursuing an MBA and took students through the application process, the event featured a half hour question and answer period allowing the 30 students in attendance to find out more about the degrees. "I thought the session was very informative. I was worried about being a Biological Basis of Behavior major, but I learned you don't have to be a business major to go for the MBA," College junior Amy Dosoretz said. "They gave a real positive slant to the application process." The graduate students also focused about the benefits of Wharton's MBA program. Sallner noted that it was renowned for the Finance Department, as well as the program's unique ability to integrate its course curriculum with the theme of leadership and teamwork. The MBA students also talked about their background and, in particular, about their work experience. Although they admitted that working in a business-related field would be helpful in pursuing an MBA, they noted that Wharton looks for leadership potential in applicants regardless of their profession. The MBA students also said that international work experience and internships in college which may help focus a student's interests are helpful in building an eye-catching resume. "Currently, about 6,000 to 7,000 applicants apply to Wharton for 700 slots," Wright noted. "As the top-10 business schools become more and more competitive, every advantage you have counts."