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The Wharton School - Campus Life & Culture


Collaboration and innovation are strong brand attributes of Wharton. The “Wharton co-production model” is an ideal for the administration, faculty and students, and means that all areas have input into major school decisions. Students are extremely involved in the community, debating issues, interacting with administration and faculty and running major conferences and events.

Student Clubs

Student clubs run the gamut of social, professional and recreational. If there isn’t an existing club to serve student interests, there are opportunities to start one. Some of the most popular student activities are:
  • Wharton Follies: One of the most popular events on campus, the annual show involves over 100 students as actors, producers, writers, crew and technicians. The show lampoons the Wharton experience through song, dance and comedy. Students run the entire production from raising the money to producing a DVD to remember the experience.
  • Wharton International Culture Show: International students have an opportunity to share their traditional arts. Performances ranging from Asian martial arts to Brazilian Bateria educate and entertain.
  • Dance Studio: Another popular event in the performing arts engages dozens of Wharton students as dancers and choreographers in dance performances ranging from stomp to salsa.
  • Leadership Ventures: Every year Wharton students traverse Antarctica, climb Kilimanjaro and experience boot camp at Quantico to practice real-life leadership skills. The popular trips allow students to experience the Wharton community under extreme circumstances.
  • Professional Clubs and Conferences: Clubs exist for every professional interest, and student officers plan recruiting trips, educational sessions, social events and major conferences. The Private Equity, Marketing and Finance clubs are especially popular. Industry specific conferences as well as conferences focusing on world regions like and provide the opportunity for students to network with successful professionals.

Culture

Wharton is social, social and more social. While all MBA programs include a strong networking element, Wharton's large student body and Philadelphia location ensure endless socializing among the class. Hardly any students are from Philadelphia, which leads to a social circle mainly consisting of other Wharton students.

Many students came from New York City and return to New York City. The city is a quick train ride away (about 60 to 90 minutes away) and students travel there frequently for recruiting and social purposes.

Philadelphia has undergone a gentrification in recent years, and now offers a variety of great restaurant and nightlife options. As a less expensive version of New York, it’s a great place to spend two years.