How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania?
Whenever I’m asked what I want to study in college, I can always confidently answer “business”. But it’s the follow-up question of, “what type of business?” where I always find myself at a loss for words. I know I thrive through leadership and creativity, and I know I want to bring more social awareness to the field of business. So where does that lead me?
In a perfect world, it leads me to Wharton, where I have the opportunity to explore every avenue and branch of business that I hope to gain exposure to. I will combine my business-minded focus and ambitious drive with my love of art, taking around a third of my classes in the liberal arts, a distinctive quality about an institution as prestigious as Penn. Beyond just “business,” I will major in Management while specializing in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, to build the business I’ve always dreamed of running, and I will complete a secondary concentration in Social Impact and Responsibility.
I’m especially excited to take Management 100, drawn by the social aspect and independence of such a unique opportunity for freshmen along with the chance for real client interaction. Ever since reading about him in Fortune’s 40 under 40 a few years ago, I’ve also been extremely eager to study under Adam Grant, drawn to his promotion of leadership and collaboration while maintaining a dedication to non-profit work. With Penn’s Lunch and Learn, and other mentorship opportunities, I love how integrated the professors and students at Penn are.
Driven by personal ambition and a never-ending stream of ideas, I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship. Penn’s Social Entrepreneurship Movement is the program that will help me launch my own social impact initiative and build up real-world consultation experience before my plans of pursuing consulting upon graduation. During my campus visit, I came across Penn International Impact Consulting and was immediately fascinated by the combination of consulting and sustainability.
I recently spent a summer with Bank of America’s Student Leader program, actively learning about corporate philanthropy from CEOs of the top businesses around the country and participating in an internship where the crossroads of business and non-profit meet. Those experiences motivated me to dive into the world of the social impact and responsibilities of businesses, from local startups to global corporations. Through Wharton’s Social Impact Initiative, participating in programs such as Wharton Social Impact Advisory Board, I will be able to experience change even at the undergraduate level- an opportunity that is unmatched at any other school. This is the mindset I will take with me as I build a strong educational foundation to one day own my own business that will inspire change through its philanthropic practices.
Having grown up in a multicultural home and intently studying Spanish as a foreign language in school, I will continue my international experiences on a larger scale through studying abroad and the Wharton International Program, particularly in Argentina. Between the Wharton Leadership Ventures and Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship, I love Penn’s emphasis on hands-on and interactive engagement in addition to a traditional classroom involvement- especially as someone who is constantly seeking active and unconventional experiences.
Additionally, I will build skills in my other areas of interest such as graphic design and writing, both of which I can also incorporate into the business aspects. Through the Kelly Writers House and through taking a Design or Typography course, I can supplement my curriculum with additional skills that both peak my interests and can benefit my core education.
Beyond the classroom walls. I will fully take advantage of Penn’s vast network of connections, obtaining industry experience in consulting or management prior to graduation. Whether it is within the Penn campus, overseas studying in Europe, or as a Social Impact Intern, I know Penn will be the perfect place for me to thrive and grow both my educational and social experiences.
Published in Successful College Essays, Successful UPenn Essays
