Welcome, Applicants

Our goal is to be a resource for you as you navigate the admissions process and answer any questions you may have – about Wharton, being queer at Wharton, the application process, or whatever else is on your mind.

Connect with us!

We love hearing from prospective students, and there are many ways to get in touch

Attend a Wharton admissions event: We partner with Wharton Admissions to host a number of virtual and in-person events throughout the year for queer-identifying prospective students, from LGBTQ+ Visit Day, to info sessions, to fireside chats, and more. Click here to see a full list of Admissions events. We’d love to see you there!

Schedule a chat: Wharton Admissions Fellows are available for virtual chats every week of the year. Head to this page and search for “Out4Business (LGBTQ+)” to connect with a member of the club.

Send us an email: If you’d like to connect with members of our community beyond those listed on the Admissions Fellows website, and/or if you have questions that you’d prefer to ask via email, feel free to write to us here via our contact form or via email out4business@wharton.upenn.edu. 

Schedule a visit: Visiting Wharton? Passing through Philly? Drop us a line at [insert form link], and we’d be happy to meet in person and/or share recommendations for your visit.

Follow us on Instagram at @whartonout4biz for the inside scoop on queer life at Wharton!

Please contact us early and often as you learn about Wharton, prepare your applications, and make a final decision about which program to attend. We’re here for you!

Note: If you have specific questions about the application or about your candidacy, we highly recommend emailing Admissions directly at mba-admiss@wharton.upenn.edu. Other admissions information can be found on Wharton’s website here.

ROMBA Pre-MBA Admissions Summit:

In the fall, Wharton attends the Pre-MBA Admissions Summit by ROMBA (Reaching Out MBA) each year. The conference includes a networking session with current LGBTQ+ MBA students, panels with school admission officers, and a Business School Expo with 70+ MBA programs.

It’s a great way for prospective MBA-students to get acquainted with the admission process and access program fit!

Fellowships for LGBTQ+ Students

Prism Fellowship: Wharton recognizes an outstanding MBA student who is both a member of and demonstrates leadership in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The fellowship covers the full cost of tuition for Wharton’s two-year, full-time MBA program. For more info, visit Wharton MBA Tuition, Cost & Financial Aid Information.

ROMBA Fellowship: This fellowship is a joint effort between prominent business schools and ROMBA to develop the out LGBTQ+ and active ally business leaders of tomorrow. Each Fellow receives a minimum $20,000 scholarship and access to exclusive leadership programming. Visit their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How queer-friendly is Wharton?

While the number of LGBTQ+ students varies from year to year, the class of 2023 boasts roughly 7% LGBTQ+ individuals, and there are 500+ allied members of Out4Business. Needless to say, Out4Business is a major presence on campus. In fact, we host the most highly attended campus event of the year, White Party! Beyond Wharton, Philly is an extremely queer-friendly city. Many students live just a 15-minute walk away from the Gayborhood – home to a vibrant queer nightlife and speckled with rainbow street signs and crosswalks.

Are partners welcome at Wharton Events?

Yes! The Wharton community is very inclusive of all partners. You will find that your Learning Team and Cohort will be asking to meet them if you don't bring them out!

Should I be out on my application?

Designating yourself as LGBTQ+ on your application will not positively or negatively affect your chance for admission. Rather, this information is collected so that Out4Business can reach out to prospective and admitted students to talk about our activities and answer any questions. This information is not shared with anyone outside of Admissions and the leadership of Out4Business. It's considered to be extremely confidential information, so you have no fear of being "outed" due to your application.

I'm not fully out. Will I be able to comfortably participate in Out4Business events? 

We recognize that people are at different stages of coming out, and participating in our group does not mean you have to be out. The presence of active allies and students in different stages of coming out all help to make the group a comfortable place for everyone.