The Wharton School, Wharton School of Business

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,
• Year founded: 1881,
• Number of students: approximately 5000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

The Wharton School, Wharton School of Business — the oldest university business school in the world, having produced the largest number of US millionaires and part of the Ivy League alongside Harvard University and Yale University. It is part of the private research university University of Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1881 thanks to a donation from one of the wealthiest people of the time, Joseph Wharton, the business school became the first specialized institution for the study of economics and entrepreneurship in the United States. The core mission of The Wharton School has remained unchanged for several centuries: qualified faculty, mentors, and external partners are focused on the comprehensive preparation of younger generations interested in the financial and economic spheres at the public and private levels. Today, The Wharton School offers dozens of undergraduate, master's, MBA, and doctoral programs, with more than 5,000 local and international students enrolled.

The Wharton School actively participates in research activities in collaboration with regional, national, and international organizations. Not only qualified staff but also students from many courses and programs are involved in the research: working alongside experienced specialists, students gain valuable knowledge and skills, as well as insight into business processes and entrepreneurship trends in the real world.

Some higher education programs are available in online format: students study subjects, complete internships, participate in research and project work on par with full-time students, using an extensive online platform with the necessary educational and support resources. The qualification received upon completion of studies is no different from the one students receive upon completing regular full-time programs.

The Wharton School consists of several academic departments:

• Accounting,
• Business Economics, Public Policy,
• Legal Studies, Business Ethics,
• Management,
• Marketing,
• Finance,
• Health Care Management,
• Operations, Information, and Decisions,
• Statistics,
• Real Estate.

The business school itself is part of one of the world's leading universities — University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

More than 20 research centers of The Wharton School collaborate with national and international organizations on the basis of business research. Through partnerships, educational courses and full academic programs are created, public events are held, and innovations are implemented in the entrepreneurship and business sectors. Main research areas:

• Artificial intelligence,
• Finance,
• Family business,
• Entrepreneurship, innovation,
• Behavioral economics,
• Leadership,
• Operations management,
• Retail trade,
• Insurance, pensions,
• Health economics,
• Public policy,
• Human resources,
• Real estate,
• Healthcare management,
• Impact, value, sustainable business.

Students of The Wharton School are housed in UPenn residences: undergraduates are required to live on campus for the first four semesters, while students of other years and levels of education may get a room in a university residential building or rent housing off campus. The university has more than 10 complexes providing comfortable accommodation within a few minutes' walk from the academic buildings.

The residences offer single, double, and triple rooms with full furnishings, air conditioning, and access to bathrooms, common lounges, and laundry facilities. Some buildings have apartments: several bedrooms with a bathroom and a living room, and in rare cases — a fully equipped kitchen. High-speed WiFi is available for residents, and in some rooms a wired Internet connection is also available.

UPenn provides The Wharton School students not only with comfortable housing during their studies, but also with balanced meals: students choose a meal plan that suits them and use it at one of the restaurants or cafeterias. The meal plan includes a certain number of meals per week and additional points for purchases on campus.

Students of The Wharton School participate in the diverse extracurricular life of the entire UPenn university: regular sports training and competitions, creative clubs and workshops, exhibitions, concerts, charitable events, and much more.

The sports development department offers participation in intramural and amateur teams across a wide range of disciplines:

• Basketball,
• Baseball,
• Cricket,
• Triathlon and cycling,
• Equestrian sports,
• Field hockey,
• Figure skating,
• Gymnastics,
• Lacrosse,
• Rugby,
• Soccer,
• Swimming,
• Tennis,
• Water polo,
• Volleyball, and others.

Varsity teams compete against students from other universities for prestigious awards and external funding. In addition to training at indoor and outdoor university facilities, students have access to outdoor trips featuring hiking, skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, and other activities.

Business school students participate in themed communities that support various interests, help develop talent, and showcase it to a wider audience:

• Debate,
• Dance,
• Chinese language and culture,
• Christian fellowship,
• Fashion,
• A cappella,
• Poetry readings,
• Sports analytics,
• Food innovation,
• Technology and design,
• Chess,
• Red Cross,
• Baking,
• Robotics for space,
• Charity.

The campus is home to several large exhibition and concert venues where students' creative talents are regularly showcased: musical concerts, theatrical productions, and painting and sculpture exhibitions are held. Groups participate in most campus holiday events and travel off-campus to take part in external events.

• AACSB accreditation,
• One of six Ivy League business schools,
• Alumni include Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Donald Trump,
• Consultations on curriculum planning and career advancement,
• Top faculty with the highest academic degrees.

The main campus of The Wharton School is located in Philadelphia, at the center of UPenn's academic territory. The business school's infrastructure covers 269 acres, which include:

• Academic buildings with lecture halls, specialized laboratories, and practical classrooms,
• A library with a reading room and a book depository containing more than 6 000 000 books,
• Conference halls,
• Cafeterias, dining halls,
• Student services department,
• Faculty offices and individual tutoring classrooms nearby.

Students have access to all of UPenn's infrastructure, including indoor and outdoor sports facilities, residences, shops, specialized creative and leisure studios, and a medical center.

Another campus of The Wharton School is located in San Francisco, a block from the world-famous Golden Gate bridge: the business school occupies the historic Hills Brothers Plaza building and includes research laboratories, lecture halls, and conference rooms for MBA and doctoral students.

The academic year consists of two semesters:

• Fall: August–December,
• Spring: January–May.

Training in some programs may differ in terms and duration. For most specialties, classes are held Monday through Friday; weekends include public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and seasonal breaks are provided.

Approximate list of additional expenses:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Housing, meals, and related living expenses,
• Some extracurricular activities, student organization fees,
• Personal study materials and technology,
• Health insurance,
• Personal expenses.

Before submitting an application, applicants can attend an Open Day to ask the admissions committee and faculty any questions they have, tour the campus, and meet current and prospective students of the business school and university. The admissions process is organized remotely:

• Submission of the application and required documents,
• Completion of an interview and possible entrance examinations,
• Payment of fees,
• Receipt of an official offer of admission.

According to statistics, about 60% of bachelor's graduates and 38% of students who completed MBA programs find employment in the financial services sector, while the remaining graduates build careers in areas such as strategic consulting, technology, healthcare, and media.

Foreign applicants must have a passport, health insurance, a visa or a residence permit to study in the United States. To apply to The Wharton School programs, they must provide:

• Academic certificates from previous educational institutions: a complete secondary education certificate, a bachelor's/master's degree diploma,
• Results of final exams from the previous academic stage, official transcripts,
• Language test results: TOEFL iBT (from 100), Duolingo (from 130), or equivalent,
• Letters of recommendation from a teacher or academic supervisor,
• A personal statement.

The admissions committee accompanies each applicant until enrollment, assisting with obtaining the required documents, their translation into English, and relocation to the United States.

Both The Wharton School and UPenn itself annually fund the education of outstanding students who excel in academics, sports, and creative pursuits. In addition to specialized scholarships, students receive need-based financial aid.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision