Wharton Stories: Student Profiles

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“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

Customizing My Wharton MBA: From Innovation to Inclusion

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Sami Goel, W’25, balances her love for dance with her interest in business.

Making Moves

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Rising second-year Araash Ahuja, W’27, gives incoming students his advice to help them navigate their first year at Penn.

First-Year Advice: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

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“Take some time for some introspection to figure out who you are, what makes you stand out, and your ‘why’. The application process may seem long and daunting, but if you believe in yourself and your ‘story’, it will make the journey worthwhile.” – Veronica Rivera, WG’26

Meet Seven New Members of Incoming MBA Class of 2026

The image shows the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C., surrounded by trees and a green lawn under a partly cloudy sky.
In the wake of the SCOTUS ruling on Affirmative Action, Xavier Shankle, W’24, told the White House they needed to do something, and they did.

The Advocate: An Undergrad Fosters Educational Equity

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Anthony Yang, W’24, photographed the Successful Transition and Empowerment Program (STEP) from fall 2022 through summer 2023.

Photo Essay: A Year in the Life of STEP

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Founded in 1975, Black Wharton Undergraduate Association is an undergraduate student club at Wharton with more than 150 active members from all four class years and Penn’s four undergraduate schools.

Black Wharton: Empowering Excellence at Penn

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“I realized how extraordinary the past several months have been. The people I’ve interacted with, the insights I’ve gained, and the places I’ve visited are simply remarkable.” – Julian Fields-Jackson, W’27

A Wharton First-Year’s Reflection

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“It’s been incredible to watch Sindi and Maryem working together on this app, which has not been an easy project. It requires a lot of collaboration and a lot of humility…Sindi and Maryem don’t give up. They are intellectually curious, and they really are role models for other students – especially young women.” – Gillian Bazelon, Senior Associate Director of the Stevens Center

How Friendship, Finance Blooms at Wharton’s Stevens Center

A group of hikers posing for a photo on a trail, surrounded by a lush green landscape and mountains in the background. They are wearing outdoor gear and backpacks.
“Many of my Wharton professors come from backgrounds rooted in real-world business experiences and thus they teach from real-world examples. The Leadership Venture was an opportunity to expand on Wharton’s other real-world opportunities.” – Jacob Pollack, W’25

A Wharton Undergraduate Leadership Odyssey in Patagonia