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Wharton MBA

The Wharton School, which is part of the University of Pennsylvania, is one of the most reputable schools in the world for those who wish to obtain an MBA. It is also the world's oldest business school, established in 1881. Most major publications that rank MBA schools place the Wharton School near the top of their lists. In the Financial Times, for example, Wharton was number one every year, although it did tie with Harvard University in 2005. Not surprisingly, the selection criteria and admissions process are very rigorous, and candidates must have exemplary qualifications if they hope to be admitted.

The application process is completed online, and students are required to submit information about their work experience and academic background, application essays, GMAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a $225 fee to be considered. The best candidates are invited to attend an interview, and admissions decisions are made after this time.

The Wharton MBA program takes two years of full-time study to complete. For students of this school, however, the work begins even before the official commencement of the first term in September. Unlike most other schools, Wharton requires students to attend school for one month during the summer. It is called pre-term study, and it is designed to ensure that all students possess the background knowledge necessary for the MBA program. Topics addressed include accounting, statistics, and microeconomics.

During the first year of the program, all students, regardless of their major, are required to complete the same courses. Each student is also placed in a group with four or five other students, known as a learning team, and they are required to work together on many projects throughout the first year. The areas of study during the first year are quite broad, and include ethics, economics, and marketing.

During the second year, students choose a major, and take electives that focus on their area of interest. Double majors are also possible. With almost 200 electives, Wharton offers an incredible selection of courses to choose from. There are also an impressive 19 majors available including the areas of real estate, health care management, entrepreneurial management, business and public policy, and many others. At Wharton, students can even pursue an individualized major if they are interested in one not offered by the school.

With its great reputation and commitment to excellence, Wharton is often a favorite destination for recruiters, and most graduates find excellent jobs after completing their MBA at the Wharton School of Business.