“As financial landscapes evolve and new economic challenges arise, the role of organizations like Common Cents becomes even more important”
Erin Hong, WH ’26, Tenafly, NJ
Published on November 6, 2024.
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Common Cents, a student-run organization at the University of Pennsylvania that doubles as a national nonprofit. Our mission is impactful yet simple: to prepare college students and underserved high school students with the necessary financial skills to achieve independence. The core of Common Cents’ approach lies in its community-oriented structure, where committees collaboratively organize events, workshops, and craft bespoke educational resources tailored to the unique needs of our peers.
The intimate setting of Common Cents, where I knew each team member personally, fostered a warm and supportive environment that was conducive to both personal and professional growth. This familiarity allowed for a free exchange of ideas, making our meetings feel more like brainstorming sessions among friends rather than formal corporate gatherings. It also enabled me to take initiative confidently, knowing that my contributions would be received openly and constructively.
This story is by Erin Hong. Read the full story here.
Tips for Round 2 Applications from the Admissions Director
The Round 2 deadline for Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives is January 14, 2025.
The Round 2 (and final) deadline for Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives is Tuesday, January 14, 2025. It’s crucial to start working on your application early, as crafting a strong submission requires significant time and effort.
This is the top recommendation from Admissions Director Barbara Craft. She advises prospective applicants to plan backwards from the deadline to figure out how much time is needed to secure sponsorship from your employer (their sign off is a required piece of the application). You will also need time to prepare for a standardized test, write compelling essays, complete the online application, gather transcripts, and secure a letter of recommendation from your manager or above.
“You can’t accomplish everything in just a week,” she says. “Begin early by discussing your plans with key people in your life, such as your partner, employer, and children. Their support is essential as you navigate this journey.”
Barbara also encourages visiting the program and engaging with current students. “It’s important to ensure that this program is a good fit for you. Current students can share their experiences in the program and explain the depth and flexibility of the curriculum and the time commitment required.”
If you receive an invitation for a virtual interview, be sure to come prepared. “Candidates should formulate thoughtful questions that relate to their unique circumstances and the Wharton experience. We’re trying to determine if someone is a good fit for this program and if the program is a good fit for them. Our questions aim to uncover how well prepared you are for an MBA, what your future aspirations are, as well as how you will contribute to the Wharton community,” she explains.
Recognizing that this is a significant decision, the admissions team is available to answer your questions and provide all the guidance they can, notes Barbara.
Here is a checklist of what is required to be submitted by the January 14 application deadline.
To learn more about the application process, we invite you to join us for a Virtual Application Workshop on Monday, December 16 from 7:30 – 8:00pm ET.This session is designed to help candidates navigate the admissions process, understand the requirements, and gather tips for a successful application.
Wharton Stories
Navy Vet Insights: What Military Applicants Should Know About Wharton’s EMBA Program
Navy Veteran and Wharton EMBA student Marco Segura, WG’25 aims to inspire and support more veterans in joining the program, by actively sharing his experiences, supporting military applicants, and demonstrating the value of their perspectives in the Wharton community.
Veterans and members of the military comprise more than 10% of the Wharton MBA Program for Executives (EMBA) class. Wharton second-year EMBA student and Navy veteran Marco Segura, WG’25, is one of those passionate to see that number increase.
“It’s a wonderful program and worth it, but like everything else you have to put your left foot in front of your right foot and go all in,” says Marco “Military students bring a lot of value to the program with their unique perspectives and experiences, and I am committed to helping more veterans transition into business.”He knows first-hand about unique experiences. Growing up in Lima, Peru, he dreamed of becoming an American and serving in the military. At age14, he embarked on an undocumented immigration journey to Virginia. Living with his aunt, he learned English in high school and planned a future in construction – until an admissions brochure arrived in the mail from the University of Virginia that ignited his aspirations for a four-year degree.
Marco with his mother in 2021, Photo: Ada Hermoza-Ross and George Ross
“I started to see how school was like magic,” says Marco. “It could unlock opportunities – and this would only happen in the U.S.” His new goal became to do well in school, attend college, and then join the military.
While he did earn his undergraduate degree from UVA, the rest of his plan was delayed due to his immigration status. As he sorted that out, he earned a master’s degree. Finally, after a delay of several years, he was able to join the Navy – but with a hitch. “When you’re a new American, you have to wait for a lengthy background check to be an officer, but I didn’t want to wait any longer to serve, so I enlisted,” Marco explains. With no prior mechanical experience, Marco became a ship mechanic and attended law school at night. “I was the only enlisted person in my Command attending law school night classes, waking up at 4 a.m. for military duties and then spending evenings in school.”
His focus shifted in his last semester when he attended a guest lecture by Wharton alumna and negotiation expert Mori Taheripour, WG’03. “Her talk ignited my interest in business and led me to consider pursuing an MBA at Wharton,” Marco recalls. After attending admissions events and engaging with Wharton’s EMBA program to learn if it would be a good fit, he decided to apply.
Today, he’s a second-year EMBA student at Wharton’s San Francisco campus, a Tillman Scholar, and Senior Assistant Vice President of Corporate & Investment Banking at Wells Fargo’s Confirmations Team. As a leader of the Wharton Veterans Club, he actively encourages fellow veterans to explore the EMBA program by sharing his experiences and how he navigated the admissions process.
Marco with his wife Karolline Segura Photo: Leonor Hermoza
Marco emphasizes how he made sure to tell his personal story and how he would contribute to the Wharton community. “Approximately 1% of the population in the U.S. serves in the military; we are unique individuals with our own experiences and perspectives that we can bring to the classroom. That kind of diversity brings value to the ecosystem.”
Another important part of his application process, he says, was preparing for the standardized test and knowing when to ask for help. “I thought I was going to apply in Round 1, but I wasn’t happy with my Executive Assessment (EA) score. So, I sought out tutoring to improve my score enough to apply in Round 2,” Marco explains.
Knowing when to ask for help has continued to be crucial throughout his journey. “In my first year, I struggled with some quantitative subjects, but a member of my learning team helped me understand the material. I went to his house every week and we’d work together. Wharton EMBA students are collaborative, and we’re all committed to each other’s success,” he says. The program, he adds, forms a tight-knit community. “It’s an amazing place with a unique student body. My classmates are my inspiration and have become family. That’s why I want to make sure to give back to other military applicants by increasing awareness and supporting them through the process because this is an incredible opportunity.”
Undergraduate degree University of Virginia, Masters Degree Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, Law Degree Santa Clara University School of Law
Explore Wharton’s EMBA Program
If you are a veteran or military student, we invite you to register for our upcomingVeterans Webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8:30pm ET to learn more about Wharton’s EMBA program.
If you have questions for Marco, he can be reached at: masegura@wharton.upenn.edu
Wharton Stories
Crayon Politics: Simplifying Complex Policy for Young Voters
Third-year Chuby Madu, along with fellow Wharton students, launched Crayon Politics, a student-run platform dedicated to providing Gen Z with easy-to-understand data to be more informed voters.
What specific experience motivated you to start Crayon Politics?
I started competing in congressional debates in middle school. While competing, one thing I often noticed from researching current events was that social welfare cases that were highly desired by the public were often still shot down in Congress. So, in a way, I have always been aware of a disconnect between politicians’ policy and what constituents want.
Where did the name come from?
The name Crayon Politics stemmed from our site’s goal of portraying political information in a simple, digestible way. When thinking about simplicity, my mind went to elementary school. From there, I started thinking about the different elements of elementary school until I started thinking about crayons. Crayons worked perfectly because they symbolized simplicity while also being multicolored. Politics isn’t just red and blue.
Why did you decide to initially focus on the Israel-Hamas war, climate change, and reproductive rights?
In politics, there are millions of issues. Since the goal of the site is to make politics more digestible, we aimed to unpack three key issues that voters care about. We went about this by interviewing over 200 Penn students on what key issues they thought mattered the most this election and showcased the results on our site.
We plan to expand the scope by continuously changing the topics showcased on the site based on data from our users on what they believe are the biggest issues in our current political climate. We also have a newsletter that will unpack current events and topics across all topics.
How do you avoid oversimplifying complex topics and misinformation?
The goal of our site isn’t to be the final destination for acquiring political information but rather the first step in the right direction. To engage most people in taking that first step, our information has to be simple and digestible. Our goal is to teach people to become data- and fact-driven voters rather than defaulting to their voting biases (for example, race, gender, political affiliation). To assist voters to be more research-driven, we link out debates and governmental resources towards the bottom of our website that users can explore.
We limit bias and misinformation by focusing on candidates’ past actions and current stances through direct quotes. Data that is shown on our site is confirmed information of what a candidate has either said and/or voted on for a particular issue.
How has your time at Penn contributed to your ability to create a product like this?
My time at Penn has opened my eyes to the power I have as an individual. I’ve taken a couple of entrepreneurship courses like Social Entrepreneurship that emphasizes creating with social benefit. That culture and drive to innovate while assisting people is what I brought to this. By going to Penn and taking entrepreneurship courses, exploring Venture Lab, and meeting entrepreneurially minded people, I’ve learned that startups/businesses have the power to make a difference in critical issues.
What are your long-term goals for Crayon Politics?
Our long-term goal is to push people to become more informed voters. By having more informed voters that leads to more informed voting decisions which ultimately puts better people in positions of power, creating better policy. We think young people especially have the power to lead this change, so we are focusing on Gen Z voters.
As we expand, we want to include more Penn writers and students interested in politics. We are considering expanding it as a club where students can volunteer. We’re hoping to onboard writers from other schools by recruiting them from their school newspapers.
Activities: Joseph Wharton Scholars, Black Wharton, Wharton Undergraduate Private Equity and Venture Capital Club, Successful Transition & Empowerment Program
About Crayon Politics
Mission: To close the gap between political knowledge and civic engagement among Gen Z by making political education accessible, engaging, and relevant to the issues that matter most to our generation.
“We work on clarifying core values, realigning with our strengths, and reconnecting with why students originally applied to Wharton. Ultimately, this helps students build confidence around individual recruiting plans.” – Maria Halpern, W’03
As students prepare for the anticipated rigor of the Wharton MBA program, one aspect often overlooked is the profound impact mental health can have on career outcomes—especially during the high-stakes recruitment process. We sat down with Maria Halpern W’03, Well-being Coach from Wharton’s Office of MBA Career Management, to discuss the intersection of well-being and career success. With a unique perspective as a Wharton alum, Maria sheds light on how stress, anxiety, and burnout can affect even the most promising job searches, and how prioritizing mental, emotional, and physical health can empower students to make meaningful career transitions.
Maria Halpern, W’03, Well-Being Coach in the Office of MBA Career Management (Image: Maria Halpern)
MBA Admissions: Can you tell me how you came into your role as a Well-being Coach, and what your goals have been since joining the MBA Career Management team?
Maria Halpern: The importance of well-being is something that is very personal to my own professional journey. When I was a Wharton student (many years ago!), my dream was to be a marketing executive. After graduating, I landed a great job at American Express and was ultimately promoted to Chief of Staff supporting the Head of Global Advertising and Brand Management. I was the epitome of a “successful” Wharton graduate and on the path towards my dream job, but the reality was I didn’t have the tools to help me manage stress and anxiety and I developed many unhealthy coping habits. I also have an autoimmune condition that is triggered by stress, so I was frequently getting sick and began reflecting on whether the corporate environment was the right fit for me. I realized how much I enjoyed helping others thrive in their careers, and that led me to become a career advisor at Wharton and for companies like Shift.org and IDEO where I was also supporting high-impact career transitions. While these roles were rewarding and I had left the corporate world, I was still struggling with anxiety and putting so much pressure on myself to be “perfect” that it took a serious physical toll. That’s when I decided to get educated on how our mental, emotional, and physical health is interconnected, so I became a health & wellness coach, certified through the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching. I was thrilled when Wharton’s MBA Career Management team hired me back as the team’s dedicated well-being coach because as a former career advisor (and student), I knew how valuable this new resource could be. My primary goal is to help students see their well-being as a key aspect of the recruiting process and provide them with the support and tools they need to focus on their mind, body, and authentic self.
MBA Admissions: How do you work with MBA students? What kind of issues can students discuss with you?
Maria: Students can sign up for well-being coaching the same way they sign up for a career advising appointment. These sessions cover a wide range of issues and students will often book several sessions to build some accountability towards the goals we set. Some students schedule time to discuss developing healthy habits around nutrition, movement, and sleep. Others want to think through strategies for managing stress and anxiety or prioritizing time across academics, community-building, and recruiting. Staying motivated, combatting imposter syndrome, and being true to your own sense of self throughout the recruiting process are also common topics.
MBA Admissions: What unique mental health challenges do students struggle with during networking and job recruiting?
Maria: We often liken the recruiting process to an endurance sport because it requires resilience, stamina, and a growth mindset. Students dedicate a lot of time to drafting resumes, networking, applying to jobs, and interviewing and in each of these stages, there will inevitably be some setbacks. Whether it’s not getting selected to interview, not hearing back from an alum you were hoping to connect with, or ultimately not getting an offer from a company you had your heart set on, those feelings can be hard to navigate. There are also marketplace challenges that are out of the student’s control, so it ultimately comes down to understanding what we can control… which is our mindset and the story we tell ourselves. We use research-backed positive psychology exercises and practices to help build resilience and motivation. Recruiting can also feel overwhelming if students are unsure of what direction they want to take or if students feel pressured to pursue a path because they see others doing it (we call this the “herd mentality”). When students pursue opportunities that are not aligned with their own interests, strengths, and values, they experience more stress and may end up in roles that are ultimately not right for them. This is another way well-being coaching can be helpful. We work on clarifying core values, realigning with our strengths, and reconnecting with why students originally applied to Wharton. Ultimately, this helps students build confidence around individual recruiting plans.
MBA Admissions: How can students maintain their mental health as they transition from 2 years in an academic environment back to their career?
Maria: The post-MBA career path is often associated with things like performance reviews and promotions, which places a lot of emphasis on outcomes and results. While I’m all for achieving career goals, when we focus too much on outcomes, we tend to get caught up in worrying about the future or ruminating about the past (i.e. Will I ever make it to the next level? Why didn’t I perform better in that meeting?) and we lose sight of the process itself, which is where all the learning and enjoyment tends to live. So, I’d encourage students to build consistency around a ritual that provides an opportunity to get back to the present and connect with themselves, or with a trusted person or community. Perhaps it’s a standing FaceTime call with a long-distance friend from childhood, or a simple meditation or journaling practice. Ideally, this is something that also helps connect you to the larger whole of life. For me, running in fresh air helps me feel more connected with the world around me and the intense physical activity forces me to stay grounded in the moment!
Our MBA Career Management team is dedicated to connecting students with a wide range of employers from the Fortune 500 to start-ups. Wharton MBAs are in high demand because they create immediate and sustainable value for corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations around the world.
Wharton’s MBA Career Management team helped 650+ companies make offers to Wharton students. MBA Career Management helps students leverage and build upon previous professional accomplishments and provide personalized support on the journey to achieve internship and full-time success.
Wharton Stories
Write Your Own Story: How the Moelis Advance Access Program Unlocks Opportunity for Students
The Moelis program “gives someone who thought they had to check a box for their business-school application a different opportunity,” says Ken Moelis W80 WG81.
Patricia Tang WG26’s admission to Wharton’s Moelis Advance Access Program changed her career trajectory. Tang, who began her MBA this fall, had planned to follow a traditional path to business school after graduating from Northwestern University: She would spend a few years as a consultant before pursuing her graduate education. But the program, which enables students to defer admission to Wharton’s full-time MBA program while they work for two to four years after college, “motivated me to think about different paths and what I truly wanted to do,” she says.
The Moelis program, which selected its first class in 2018, was established with philanthropic support from Ken Moelis W80 WG81 and Julie Taffet Moelis W81 to offer students a sense of professional license early in their careers. “It gives someone who thought they had to check a box for their business-school application a different opportunity,” Ken Moelis explains. In a sign of quick growth for the program, Tang and other Moelis Fellows — as students in the program are known — make up about one-tenth of the School’s newest full-time MBA class. “Part of the appeal is the assurance that you can do the things you care about. For some, it’s an opportunity to gamble, because they know they have their Wharton acceptance,” says program director Jake Kohler.
Tang’s self-reflection following her admission to the program ultimately led her to transition from a role in consulting to a post at online clothing reseller ThredUp, whose social mission fit with her own ambitions. “I was starting to think about how I could pursue a more impact-focused career in parallel with the fact that I had the MBA in my back pocket,” Tang explains. “The MBA was the push I needed to pursue my passion for sustainability.” Her product-management job at ThredUp also provided foundational on-the-ground experience at an up-and-coming organization, which affirmed for her that she wanted to fund rising businesses herself someday. Now while at Wharton, Tang is also an investor at Virta Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by Russell Sprole WG11 that backs companies working on climate-technology solutions.
Customizing My Wharton MBA: From Innovation to Inclusion
Image: Courtesy of Pexels
“Add on a major that terrifies you (quantitative finance, anyone?) Get to know your professors and the amazing work that has brought them to the University of Pennsylvania. And most importantly: go beyond the Wharton bubble and get involved in the greater Philadelphia community that boasts a rich history and dynamic population.” — Chelsea Perry, WG’24
One of the unique features of being an MBA student at Wharton is the opportunity to specialize and choose one or more concentrations (majors) in academic coursework. When applying to Wharton, I elected to study Entrepreneurship & Innovation if admitted. Prior to Wharton, I was a product development manager at CVS Health where I led efforts to disrupt the progression and treatment of chronic kidney disease impacting millions of underserved communities. Though I had laid the foundation for an incredible career, I was aware of technology’s unrelenting influence on disrupting and reforming the healthcare industry and knew I needed to evolve my skillset and business acumen as rapidly as healthcare delivery was changing before my eyes.
As a first-year student at Wharton, my company interests ranged from digital health startups such as TruePill and Cityblock Health to large tech companies with healthcare subsidiaries such as Amazon Health Services or Google Health. Choosing the Entrepreneurship & Innovation major seemed like a natural fit because it would allow me to develop acumen in technical and strategic functions such as financial modeling, decision-making analytics, and growth marketing to identify megatrends and opportunities in the burgeoning post-COVID digital health landscape. For these reasons, I was eager to explore Wharton’s ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation in and out of the classroom. Courses offered in the Entrepreneurship & Innovation major such as New Product Development and Healthcare Entrepreneurship, would equip me with the analytical tools and field project exposure to pitch product ideas in addition to gaining access to Wharton’s global entrepreneurship network. Little did I know that I would pick up an additional major in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in my second year at Wharton.
Discovering My Favorite Courses: A Deep Dive into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
During my third semester at Wharton, I took a slight detour from my Entrepreneurship and Innovation coursework to study a topic I was deeply passionate about: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This was the first year the DEI major was being offered and I was keen to explore topics such as workplace discrimination, gender equality, and the historical economic exclusion and its consequences for marginalized ethnic groups in the United States. Having experienced the impact of structural discrimination and racism on the healthcare system in America, I looked forward to learning more broadly about the relationship between corporate firms’ performance and their purported endeavors to dismantle such injustices in a post-George Floyd society. Taught by Dr. Corinne Low, Associate Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, Economics of Diversity & Discrimination was the litmus test and class that ultimately led me to pursue DEI as a double major.
Another popular course and major requirement for DEI majors at Wharton is Reforming Mass Incarceration and the Role of Business. This class is the brainchild of Dr. Damon Phillips, a leading researcher and social justice expert acclaimed for his former leadership of Columbia University’s Tamer Center for Social Enterprise and current leadership of Wharton’s Coalition for Equity and Opportunity. His unique course offering introduces future leaders to mass incarceration in the U.S., its effect on employment and entrepreneurship prospects for formerly incarcerated people, and how the business community can contribute to the success of those impacted by the criminal justice system. One highlight of the course is the “Re-entry Simulation”: a virtual simulation that places MBA students in the shoes of someone who was just released from prison. Students experience how frustrating and near impossible it is for formerly incarcerated people to get on their feet post-release. Simple tasks, such as obtaining an ID card, visiting a parole officer, navigating public transportation, and adapting to new technology—all while managing on a limited budget—highlight the minimal structural support available to those reentering society after serving time. Many students who take this class and simulation end up enrolling in a follow-up experiential course wherein student volunteers serve as professional mentors and teach inside SCI Chester, a medium-security, all-male correctional facility in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Erin Guder, WG’24, Simone Hinson, WG’24 & Joshua Blatt, WG’24 after teaching a class on entrepreneurship and innovation at SCI Chester. Photo: Chelsea Perry
Seeing my friends and classmates become instructors actively engaged in lifechanging prison education inspired me to get more involved. I enrolled in the experiential course and joined the recruitment, education, and marketing team, helping coordinate efforts to expose more Wharton students and members of the Penn community to Professor Phillips’ incredible work. One of my favorite memories as a DEI major was visiting SCI Chester and observing a student-led course on tech entrepreneurship and innovation. Walking through the facility and learning from the brilliant course participants left a profound impact on me. In April 2024, I was also able to volunteer at the Business Case for Second Chance Employment Conference hosted by the Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity. Co-sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and the Eaton Corporation, the conference brings together business leaders, academics, administrators, state leaders, and justice-impacted communities for discussions on creating pathways to sustainable employment for individuals who are formerly incarcerated.
Guest speakers at The Business Case for Second Chance Employment Conference hosted by the Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity. Photo: Chelsea Perry
Overall, graduating Wharton as a dual major in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and DEI was a transformative experience that I will look upon fondly for years to come. As a Wharton student, I was fortunate enough to be put in positions to shed light on the privilege it is to be a student at this illustrious institution. My advice for current and future students: don’t take it for granted. Add on a major that terrifies you (quantitative finance, anyone?) Get to know your professors and the amazing work that has brought them to the University of Pennsylvania. And most importantly: go beyond the Wharton bubble and get involved in the greater Philadelphia community that boasts a rich history and dynamic population. Don’t squander an opportunity to leave this place better than you found it and unlock new interests and passions along the way.
By investigating how social, psychological, and economic factors affect the performance of individuals, groups, and firms, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion major prepares students to face the challenges involved in creating and maintaining organizations that are diverse, inclusive, and rooted in equity. As organizations attempt to harness the contributions of many stakeholders, students who pursue the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion concentration will not only be well prepared for DEI-focused careers, they will also be prepared to be leaders of change in any organizational role.
The DEI major draws from courses in Management and other Wharton departments, including Legal Studies & Business Ethics and Business, Economics & Public Policy. Learn more here.
Sami Goel, W’25, balances her love for dance with her interest in business.
Wharton students may wear a lot of hats, but for Samica Goel, “musician” was never one of those.
“My mom put me in piano when I was four years old but I hated it. I was a really energetic kid and I wanted to move around. I was really hyper,” said the Old Bridge, New Jersey native.
However, when watching “Shake It Up” on the Disney Channel, four-year-old Sami found a way to channel her energy into dance. She started with ballet and “hated it so much” that she quit for two years, until she met a street dancer from California who introduced her to hip-hop at his dance studio.
She ended up enjoying the energy of hip-hop and joined a dance company in high school, training for hours in all dance styles. After years of dancing at the competitive studio, her agent had an urgent request for any available dancers. Joe Jonas was performing with DNCE at the Red Bull Arena, and eight dancers were sick.
She and three of her friends performed on stage with Joe Jonas and DNCE in her junior year of high school. She had to be flexible: “I auditioned and learned all the dances on Friday and then performed Saturday.”
Changing Focus
Image: Courtesy of Sami Goel
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sami choreographed eight- and nine-year-olds’ dance recitals since teachers were unable to come to the studio, but her own dance career was interrupted at a crucial time since dance tryouts were paused. This sparked introspection over the role she wanted dance to play in her future, and Sami refocused on her passion for academics.
“I knew I wanted to dance in college, but I didn’t want to major in dance,” she said.
During the pandemic, she worked with a local congressman’s campaign-finance team and interacted with businesses of all sizes. As a choreographer, she found a natural link between business and the arts. “I think the one thing that stuck between dance and business was that I like building things from the ground up.”
Between both fields, Sami found herself drawn to the self-reliant nature of entrepreneurship: that everything “was a result of her own actions” and she could see tangible results from her dedication.
In her first days at Penn, Sami met the captain of Penn Masti, a South Asian co-ed Bollywood fusion dance team, who also happened to be her Wharton 1010 teaching assistant. She immediately felt the desire to follow in her footsteps and was happy that Penn had a vibrant performing arts scene.
After going to one of Penn Masti’s recruitment events, Sami says she fell in love with the team and its representation.
“I grew up in a community that wasn’t really diverse, and when I went to the event, it felt really nice,” the fourth-year said. “They were all talking about Bollywood movies and speaking in Hindi, and I was like: ‘Wow, I actually never grew up with people like this.’”
Not only was the club an opportunity to get closer to her cultural heritage, but it was also a chance for her to gain exposure to a wide network of friends and mentors.
“I loved the people I auditioned with, and they actually helped me get involved with a lot of the other organizations on campus.”
Image: Courtesy of Sami Goel
Sami became the club’s assistant choreographer. The team went to Nationals, and she was elected as the artistic captain, which means developing the choreography, music, and set design for the team. She credits her unique background and willingness to step outside her comfort zone as a choreographic asset: coming from a hip-hop background, she had ideas that wouldn’t have been traditionally explored from a Bollywood/Indian dance background.
Making a Tangible Impact
Last summer, Sami interned at a private alternative investment firm and loved that the company was smaller and woman-run – a creative and representative vision that she wanted to be a part of. She’ll return to the New York-based company after graduation, and she sees herself eventually pursuing a law degree or MBA and working with startups. As a choreographer, she drives the vision for a dance, and as a businessperson, she sees herself driving the vision of a company.
Like her time at Penn, Sami sees her future as an intersection between the arts and business. Last summer, she was still able to choreograph and teach at her old dance studio during her internship. When she graduates, Sami hopes to join a dance company that provides performance opportunities for people working full-time.
For now, she’ll do her final year with Penn Masti and third one as their artistic captain—choreographing the annual South Asian Society show, preparing and rehearsing for campus performances, and traveling around the country for competitions—all while balancing being a Wharton student.
A lot of the classes at Wharton use real-world examples to explain and teach different concepts, allowing students to think about class material in a practical way.
For example, in my Urban Fiscal Policy Class (BEPP 2300), we used the real fiscal budget of Philadelphia as a case study to discuss different problems the city may face and recommendations we think could work. We had the mayor of Philadelphia come and talk to us about his different policies and how they related to the same concepts we learned in class, which was super cool.
Something you would tell your first-year self:
I would tell my first-year self to prioritize exploring rather than sticking to a plan. I remember being a first-year and having specific clubs that I wanted to join and the concentrations and career that I wanted. However, you come to college, especially Wharton, to be able to explore everything that’s out there.
I ended up actually spending most of my time in organizations at Penn that I never thought I would join, so I think remembering to keep an open mind is the best way to get the most out of your Penn experience.
Wharton Stories
New Wharton Academy Welcomes Undergrads from Around the World
Image: Wharton finance Professor Michael Roberts lectures the Academy. (Melissa Kelly Photography)
“Not only did I get to dip my toes into the world of high finance, but I also gained a community of individuals who provided me with new perspectives,” – Veronica Rubio, Wharton Academy student
This summer, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania took an important step toward the future of business education with the launch of Wharton Academy.
The two-week residential Academy, during which students live on Wharton’s Philadelphia campus, serves an education niche for visiting undergraduate students and recent graduates from various backgrounds and majors, notesSerguei Netessine, Wharton’s senior vice dean for innovation and global initiatives and the Dhirubhai Ambani professor of entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Wharton Academy is for students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and are looking for ways to experience the best business school in the world, or maybe they have already graduated and are hoping to upskill or reskill,” says Netessine, who led the creation of Academy with Eli Lesser, Wharton’s senior executive director of innovation and global initiatives.
It is a new way to learn in person at the Wharton School, adds Lesser, noting that students earn a Wharton certificate of completion with a digital version. “The opportunity to combine an existing undergraduate degree with skill-based credentials from Wharton will give these young people a chance not only to differentiate themselves in a competitive career marketplace but also to acquire skills and knowledge that will equip them to be today’s business leaders,” he says.
Lesser emphasizes the Academy goal of making Wharton content and learning accessible to a wider range of students, beyond those admitted to the Wharton School: “The mission of Wharton Academy is guided by Dean Erika James’sWharton Way strategic plan to deliver a Wharton business education to more people as a way of driving greater influence and progress in the world.”
Summer 2024 Finance Program
Wharton Academy piloted its first two-week program, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance and Valuation, from June 10 to June 21, 2024. Led by Wharton finance professorMichael Roberts, the initial cohort of 25 students explored the core concepts of finance, including company financial statement analysis, inflation, interest rates and business decision-making, financial modeling, capital structure, company valuation, private equity and mergers and acquisitions. A second cohort of nearly 40 students attended the Wharton Academy from July 9 to July 19.
Wharton Academy students engage with active learning during a classroom discussion. (Image: Melissa Kelly Photography)
During the finance program, case studies and real-world examples help to put lecture theory into practice, culminating in a capstone group project assessing the accuracy of company valuations. The approach models the framework of a Wharton class, incorporating case studies, tools, and the application of those tools. The program also features workshops, panel discussions with industry experts, and ongoing group activities.
“The Wharton Academy students are getting something unique and, I believe, very valuable,” observes Roberts, who designed the curriculum that delivers key finance fundamentals. “They are getting a two-week executive education program that distills many of the essentials of two Wharton courses: Core Finance and Corporate Valuation. The material and delivery are such that students can leave the program not only with new knowledge and skills, but also with increased confidence because they have applied the knowledge and skills to practical applications and case studies throughout their experience.”
How Wharton Academy is Growing New Community Roots
Roberts felt a “real sense of community” among the first summer 2024 classes of Wharton Academy students, whom he describes as “intelligent and engaged.” The cohorts, which were recruited from Wharton partner institutions and programs, represented 11 countries and 20 higher-ed institutions.
Many of Wharton Academies’ inaugural students have since praised their two weeks of immersive learning as “exceptional,” broadcasting their Wharton campus highlights on social media and displaying their digital certificates. Their reflections have confirmed a core Wharton Academy value: a significant part of the learning – in addition to the academics — comes from the people you are with and the relationships you cultivate. “Not only did I get to dip my toes into the world of high finance, but I also gained a community of individuals who provided me with new perspectives,”said Veronica Rubio, a student at the University of Miami, on LinkedIn.
Image: Melissa Kelly Photography
Anika Rao Thakkar, 19 and a sophomore at Cornell University’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, enrolled in the first Wharton Academy class. She was eager to spend at least part of her summer getting hands-on experience in finance, ideally in a smaller-group learning environment.
“I have only had introductory finance courses at Cornell and thought it would be helpful to go more in-depth into financial topics,” says Thakkar. “The content was both challenging and engaging. Professor Roberts was able to dissect the harder financial topics and make them very accessible and digestible for all of us.” Among her favorite lessons was a mergers and acquisitions case study involving luxury goods companies LVMH and Tiffany, her first exposure to the world of M&A.
“It was really nice to be on a different campus and to immerse myself in the material,” adds Thakkar. “I still talk to many of the students from Wharton Academy; we became close living on campus together. It was cool to meet people from different universities and to hear about their experiences and their processes recruiting for internships. I learned so much from them and feel like I have developed anetwork for life.”
For the Love of Learning
Wharton Academy is meeting a market need for in-person, skills-based training, suggests Lena Elguindi, director of partnership programs for Wharton Academy.
“The more we can expose students to different learning styles and content, the more competitive they’ll be in the job market,” she says, adding that she believes this summer’s students began to think differently about higher education. “Whether you’re already studying finance or majoring in English, you can explore finance concepts in a new way. There are no grades or quizzes. You are learning for the love of learning. Many of our students expressed that this was a refreshing approach to higher education.”
An Academy student looks on during an in-class group discussion. (Image: Melissa Kelly Photography)
Elguindi and her team are working to expand Wharton Academy beyond the initial finance focus, with plans to offer one-week programs in January 2025 while undergrads are on winter break. Those programs include AI for Business and Society with Wharton’sSonny Tambe, an associate professor of operations, information and decisions, and Personal Finance and Valuation with Michael Roberts. The application process for January classes launched on September 5, 2024 and runs through November 15. Applicants can submit by the October 15 priority deadline to hear back sooner on November 1.
In addition to the signature finance course, the roster of summer programs, beginning in early June 2025, will include a social entrepreneurship class taught byTyler Wry, a Wharton associate professor of management. Summer Academy applications open on November 1.
“While the team anticipates strong demand, the program is not eyeing expansion simply for the big numbers,” cautions Elguindi. “We want to carefully manage the growth of Wharton Academy to ensure the quality and tone of the programs align with Wharton’s values,” she notes. “This is an important program to show that Wharton can be for everyone in a variety of ways. We are one impactful stop on the journey of a lifelong learner.”
Wharton Academy students learn in person on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia. (Image: Melissa Kelly Photography)
Five Fast Facts About Wharton Academy
Wharton Academy offers in-person opportunities for visiting undergraduates and recent college graduates to develop essential business skills, regardless of their past exposure to the content.
Created by the faculty of the Wharton School, the non-credit classes allow students to engage directly with Wharton School educators and industry experts.
The School will soon expand Wharton Academy, with plans to offer one-week programs in January 2025 while undergrads are on winter break.
Each student participant earns an official Wharton certificate of completion when their learnings conclude.
The application process for January classes launched on September 5, 2024 and runs through November 15.
Wharton Stories
Studying Finance in Dubai
Fatima Figueroa discusses her experiences on the winter break Global Modular Course: Finance in the UAE.
What motivated you to take this course?
During my time at Penn, my interests in emerging markets, capital structures, and ESG have grown significantly. This curiosity expanded during my semester abroad in Singapore, where I was exposed to the dynamic business environment of Southeast Asia. Seeking to deepen my understanding further, especially in my final year, I was drawn to the Finance in the UAE GMC as it provided an excellent opportunity to explore a rapidly growing region. I was particularly interested in understanding the pivotal role the UAE plays in both the regional and global economy, its efforts to diversify beyond oil, and its new-age strategies being implemented in the region.
Image: Fatima Figueroa
How did the course enhance your learning?
Instead of learning concepts theoretically, we had the chance to apply them in real-world scenarios under specific cases. For instance, discussions about the implications of free zones in Dubai felt more tangible when we were actually sitting in one. Working on finance projects in the UAE provided hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of financial markets in the region. Being taught by Professor Kevin Kaiser, whose expertise is unmatched, provided valuable insights that went beyond textbook knowledge. This immersive experience not only deepened my understanding but also challenged me to question and formulate my own educated opinion about what we were hearing and seeing.
Could you share a memorable experience?
One memorable experience was speaking to alumni at the Abu Dhabi Louvre. Whenever anyone reflects on their time at Wharton, they often say that the best experience is the people they meet and I definitely agree. We have such a great alumni pool, and while on the GMC, we connected with local alumni in the area, many of whom are prominent figures in their industries. Hearing about their experiences and career trajectories was incredibly inspiring. It was fascinating to learn about how they navigate the complexities of less mature financial markets or how they decided to innovate and become entrepreneurs. This experience not only broadened my professional network but also gave me insights into alternative paths available.
What was surprising or unusual about the experience?
One of the most unusual aspects of the experience was the opportunity to connect with MBA students during the course. As an undergraduate student, I don’t typically have these interactions, but they turned out to be incredibly rewarding. Simply spending time with them on the bus between sight visits or over lunch allowed me to learn from their experiences, and they even helped me decide between two job offers.
Did this experience influence your perspective on global business practices?
Through visits to local businesses and interactions with industry leaders, I gained a deeper understanding of how cultural factors might influence business practices in the region. For example, the emphasis on hospitality and relationship-building in UAE business culture was evident in our every interaction. Additionally, discussions on social issues such as gender equality and immigration caused by different conflicts in the region shed light on the challenges and opportunities they are facing. Yet, witnessing the efforts being made to address these issues also highlighted the interconnectedness of business and social responsibility.
How might you use the knowledge gained from this course?
In the age of globalization, it’s crucial to understand the interconnectedness of our world. This course deeply enhanced my understanding in both technical and soft terms. I learned about emerging economies like the UAE and how they seize opportunities, attract talent, and differentiate themselves while also maintaining partnerships. Learning how they used their culture and history to implement solutions, which can be applied as case studies in other emerging markets, such as Latin America, was invaluable. These insights will be invaluable as I pursue my academic and professional goals, bridging my background in BEPP with the world of finance.
What advice would you give to students interested in GMCs?
These courses offer a unique chance to gain practical experience and build invaluable connections. Reach out to students who have taken the course for advice and definitely plan to stay a day or two before or after the course to explore the region further, as it offers a deeper cultural understanding and networking opportunities.
Concentration: Business Economics & Public Policy (BEPP)
Activities: Joseph Wharton Scholar
Wharton Global Modular Courses
Wharton GMCs are led on location by world-class Wharton faculty, linking innovative ideas to new business phenomena, contextualized both in emerging markets and in developed economies. GMCs expose students to a unique combination of local immersion, course concepts and cutting-edge business and social issues.
The topics and locations give students first-hand exposure to business challenges and opportunities in regions undergoing rapid change by providing on-site company visits, meetings with prominent leaders working in the region, and interacting with students from host institutions as well as Wharton alumni. Students work across degree programs within Wharton (undergraduates, full-time and executive MBA students).
