Wharton Stories: The Wharton School

Pageant winner in red gown and crown smiles, holds flowers, and points on stage with “Miss Teen USA New York” screen behind.
“Saying ‘no’ in that moment wasn’t turning away from a dream — it was a powerful ‘yes’ to everything I’ve built, everything I believe in, and everything I’m still becoming,” says Stephanie Skinner, W’26, reflecting on her life-changing decision to decline the title of Miss Teen USA.

Principles in Practice

A group of hikers with backpacks and trekking poles climbs a steep, rocky mountainside, with a rugged valley landscape stretching out below.
“Being a venture fellow means allowing mistakes to happen. … Our training stresses that we learn the most when we try and fail.” — Alan Li, W’28

Venture Fellows: Guiding by Letting Go

Kampton Kam wearing reflective sunglasses and a red-and-blue ‘PENN’ uniform shouts while gripping the front of his jersey, standing in Franklin Field
Wharton opened every door. Now, high-jump champion Kampton Kam, W’26, must decide which one to walk through.

A Wharton Athlete Already Won, Now He Has to Choose

Silhouettes of several people walking along a brick-paved street at sunset, backlit by warm golden light that casts long shadows.
Three Wharton alumni previously profiled as undergraduates reflect on life and work after graduation.

Their Stories Then, Their Careers Now

A group of students presents by a screen display in a classroom setting.
“It was really powerful for our leadership to see that we brought a real problem to the students, and they came back with something tangible,” said Sarah Trout, associate director of Penn Vet Advancement Services.

How the Wharton AI & Analytics Accelerator Helped Penn Vet Turn Data Into Action

Vice Dean Lamberton and two students walk together on Locust Walk in the autumn, smiling and talking
Marketing Professor Cait Lamberton discusses becoming Vice Dean of the Wharton Undergraduate Division.

New Vice Dean on Fearless Students and Undergrad Business Education

Seven women stand side by side on a stage, smiling in front of a colorful ‘Ideation 2025’ event backdrop.
Jaya Parsa, W’29, contemplates her first semester at Wharton.

Between Problem Sets and Possibility: A First-Year’s Reflection

People run along a waterfront at sunrise with the Sydney Opera House silhouetted across the water.
Three Wharton students reflect on how first-year summers can be a time for growth, utilization, and introspection.

(105) Days of Summer

Dr. Ehab Hanna standing in front of a brown background. He has short, dark hair and is wearing a black suit and glasses.
The essay questions help you reflect on where you are and where you want to go. They help you identify the reasons for coming to this program.

Dr. Ehab Hanna’s Logical Approach to the Wharton EMBA Essay

Jay Disser standing outside. He has short, brown hair and is wearing a purple-white shirt and glasses.
That was a commonality I saw with myself and other classmates — we are all trying to solve complex problems and I could offer a different perspective to those problems.

Nuclear Engineer Shares Steps for Writing Admissions Essays