A Wharton course that involves no classroom learning, has no scheduled time slot and is graded on effort is the newest addition to next year's course selections for undergraduates.
Called the Field Application Project, this course pairs students with large corporations and businesses around the United States. The students work in teams to research and analyze a problem facing the host company and ultimately offer a solution.
Run through the Management Department, FAP has been an extremely popular course for MBA students for the past eight years, with 120 MBAs currently enrolled this semester.
In the 10- to 12-week program, students work closely with faculty heads to create a successful business plan.
Previous companies involved have been General Motors, Boeing and the Department of Homeland Security. Other projects have allowed students to travel all over the country and even to Japan.
Opening the course up to undergraduates is seen positively by all parties involved.
"The advantage is that corporations get exposed to Wharton students and Wharton students get exposed to corporations," course head Keith Weigelt said, explaining that hosts view this as a recruiting tool.
Last year, at least one member from every team got an offer from the host company.
The fall course will be open to rising juniors and seniors.
With only 24 spots and over 80 people having attended information sessions, the application process will be highly selective.
However, according to Undergraduate project head Anita Henderson, the committee is not looking for one type of model candidate.
"It will be very competitive like everything else at Wharton ... . We are looking for different people who can bring different things to the table," she said.
Despite the competition, students are very interested in the program.
"It seems really different from other classes, and you get to do a real-life project. It seems like a great experience," Wharton and Engineering senior Maeesha Merchant said.
Next semester, the FAP pilot program will include a separate undergraduate program, but a class integrated with MBAs and undergraduates might be offered in the spring.
Program heads also hope to eventually expand the course to other schools within the University.
