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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Which languages are offered for study at the
Lauder Institute? Can I study a language that is not listed?
The eight languages and corresponding regions available for study
are: Arabic (Middle East); Mandarin Chinese and Japanese (East Asia);
French, German, and Russian (Europe); Portuguese and Spanish (Latin
America). Applicants must have an Advanced level of proficiency, preferably
Advance-Mid, in one of these languages at the time they apply. Applicants
to the Arabic track may be admitted at the Intermediate level. Only
these languages are offered at this time.
- What are the requirements for the Lauder joint degree?
In addition to satisfying the MBA degree requirements at Wharton,
Lauder students must satisfy the degree requirements for the MA by
meeting the exit-level language requirement and by completing the
language courses and the other MA course requirements—including
specific Lauder classes, two electives,
and an MA thesis in the second year of study.
- I’ve heard that the acceptance rate is higher
for Lauder than for the regular pool of applicants. Why?
On average, the Lauder Institute receives hundreds of applications
for a class size of approximately 50-55 students, while Wharton receives
thousands of applications for a class size of 800 students; thus the
yield rate for Lauder is higher than for Wharton.
- How does the Lauder application process differ from
that for a regular MBA?
Although Lauder shares a joint application with Wharton, Lauder applicants
must complete two additional essay questions and an oral proficiency
interview (OPI) in the language for which they are applying.
- I understand that some students place out of the Lauder
language exit requirement ahead of schedule. Can those students take
Wharton electives instead of the language courses—or do they
have to take another MA elective?
The MA degree requires five credits of language coursework. Students
who satisfy the language exit requirement ahead of schedule can pursue
independent advanced language study. In addition, eligible second-year
Lauder students may enroll in “Survival Skills” language
sessions at the Lauder Institute. This gives Lauder students the opportunity
to learn another language from a novice level.
- Is it necessary to take both the GMAT and the GRE
to qualify for the joint degree (MA in International Studies and the
MBA at Wharton)?
Lauder applicants need submit only GMAT scores directly to the Wharton
Admissions Office. The GMAT code for the Wharton School is 2296.
APPLICATION
- I’m applying to the Lauder Institute but don’t
see the Lauder essays. Are they available online?
If you're a Lauder applicant and don't see the corresponding essays
and OPI instructions, please contact the Lauder Institute immediately
at 215-898-1215 or nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu.
An admissions officer will quickly help you resolve the problem.
- Does the Lauder Admissions Committee evaluate the Lauder-specific
question only?
The joint application for Lauder is evaluated in its entirety by both
the Wharton and Lauder Admissions Committees.
- When will new application materials be ready for Lauder?
The new joint application for Wharton and Lauder is available each
year by the end of August and can be accessed on both Wharton’s
and Lauder’s websites.
CAMPUS VISITS
- Is it possible to visit Lauder, participate in a recruiting
event, and meet students?
Yes, prospective students interested in applying to Lauder are encouraged
to visit the Institute and observe classes. If you’d like to
schedule a campus visit, please call Lauder Admissions at 215-898-1215
or email us at nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu.
We’ll introduce you to a current Lauder student in the language
track to which you are applying and inform you which Lauder classes
are available for the day of your visit. Prospective students interested
in learning more about Lauder recruiting events are encouraged to
visit Wharton’s website at
http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/whartonfacts/news_and_events to register
for an event in your area. Lauder representatives participate in all
Wharton recruiting events.
FAMILY QUESTIONS
- I’m married and/or have a child. Is that common
for students at Wharton and Lauder, and how do they juggle the two?
Wharton provides a very supportive environment for students who have
families. One of the student clubs is the Wharton Partners Club, an
organization for spouses and partners of Wharton students. This club
organizes specific activities for its members and provides a social
outlet and support network. The club organizes social, cultural, and
informational activities and provides opportunities to be involved
in service-oriented activities at Penn and in the Philadelphia community.
FINANCIAL AID
- Does Lauder offer any type of financial aid or scholarships?
If so, how are they awarded?
All Wharton and Lauder students are eligible to apply for the Wharton
Loan Program. In addition to the grants and scholarships available
through Wharton, the Lauder Institute awards scholarships based on
merit and need. These awards are available in amounts ranging from
$2,000 to full tuition.
INTERVIEWS
- Is the Lauder evaluative interview a by-invitation-only
interview or mandatory for all applicants?
Lauder interviews are granted by invitation only. When invited to
interview, applicants must schedule both a Wharton interview and a
Lauder interview.
- Are there other alternatives to interviewing on-campus—for
instance, over the phone or with an alumnus?
In addition to scheduling the Wharton interview, Lauder applicants
should contact
lauderinfo@wharton.upenn.edu to schedule their Lauder interview,
whether it be an on-campus interview, with an alumnus in your area,
or via the telephone (under special circumstances).
JOBS AFTER GRADUATION
- What kinds of jobs do Lauder graduates typically secure
after graduation?
Lauder students’ career paths mirror those of Wharton students.
However, over half the Lauder graduates since our first class have
lived and worked outside the United States. This statistic is in addition
to those graduates who have returned to their home countries. The
vast majority of other Lauder graduates have an international focus
in their domestically located jobs.
MA/NO MBA
- I’m interested in applying for a Master of Arts degree
in International Studies. Would this be available as a stand-alone
program: or must it be taken along with the Wharton MBA program?
The Lauder program is a joint-degree program with the Wharton MBA
Program and cannot be pursued as a stand-alone program.
OPI/LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
- How do I schedule an oral proficiency interview?
The OPI is administered by Language Testing International (LTI) and
is available for Lauder applicants August through January. Candidates
are responsible for scheduling the OPI directly with LTI. To schedule
an OPI, please complete a request
form. For further information, please contact LTI directly at
1-800-486-8444 (domestic) or 001-914-963-7110 (international).
- Is it possible to have an OPI in two languages? I’m
still undecided about which region to choose.
Yes, Lauder applicants can take the OPI in more than one language
when applying and must pay the fees associated with taking additional
language tests. However, they will be admitted and matriculate into
only one language track once the Lauder program begins. Lauder applicants
trying to choose from more than one language track are encouraged
to incorporate an explanation of these interests in the Lauder-specific
essay(s).
- I’ve read that native speakers of Spanish
and Italian may apply to the Portuguese program even if they
have had no prior study of Portuguese and vice versa. Do I have to
take the oral proficiency interview (OPI)?
Yes, native speakers of Spanish and Italian are automatically eligible
to apply for the Portuguese language track and can waive the Portuguese
OPI. "Native" means someone who was born, raised and educated
in a Spanish-speaking or Italian-speaking country.
Similarly, native speakers of Portuguese are automatically eligible
to apply for the Spanish language track and can waive the Spanish
OPI. Superior Students who are not native speakers of Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese who score a Superior on the OPI will be considered for the program on a case-by-case basis.
- Do you have to be fluent already in a language to participate,
or is language development included during the program?
The Lauder program is designed for non-native speakers who have demonstrated
oral proficiency at the Advanced Mid level or higher. For a description
of the proficiency levels, please visit Language
Testing International’s website. Further language development
to achieve the Superior level—required for graduation and the
MA degree—is included in the program.
- Should the language requirement necessarily discourage
the applicant whose OPI score is lower than the Advanced Low level?
For applicants who score lower than the Advanced Low level on the
OPI, conditional admittance may be granted
if the applicant would otherwise be admitted to the joint-degree program.
Those who score an Intermediate High must retest and achieve at least
an Advanced Low prior to the start of the program. Those who score
an Advanced Low are required to attend the 30-hour language mini-immersion
held on campus one week prior to the start of the program.
PART-TIME STUDY
- Is it possible to pursue the Lauder program on a part-time
basis?
The Lauder program cannot be pursued on a part-time basis and can
be pursued only in conjunction with the full-time Wharton MBA Program.
PROGRAM QUESTIONS
- Why does the Lauder program
start in May?
So that you graduate in 24 months, right alongside your Wharton classmates!
The academic value of starting in May is that you complete an MA course
in regional history and an MBA course in global strategy, both of
which help you prepare for the summer. In addition, you’ll meet
with your in-country coordinator to prepare for the in-country immersion.
Outside the classroom, the first month is a great time to get to know
your Lauder classmates, find an apartment for your first year, and
learn your way around Penn’s campus.
- What’s the first summer
like?
“The summer immersion is the best part about the Lauder experience”—that's
what you’ll hear most Lauder students saying. You spend two
months improving your language—in the classroom, during lectures
with esteemed professors, on visits to important cultural sites, with
your host family, and with friends you make outside of class. In addition,
you visit the top local and multinational companies—an opportunity
to get to know the business environment and make contacts for potential
summer internships. Finally, there’s the travel. Most Lauder
immersion programs take place in at least two cities or regions; and
there are weekends to travel to exotic new locations. It's hard work,
but a lot of fun! And through all this you’ll make friends in
the group that you’ll keep for life.
- Is the Lauder program just
a language program?
No, it’s a program that focuses on cross-cultural expertise
and an understanding of the political, economic, social, and cultural
contexts in which international business is conducted. So, beyond
the strong language component, Lauder students not only acquire expertise
in a particular region, they also “learn how to learn”
these skills for new regions of interest. In addition, Lauder offers
the benefit of learning with and from peers who are also pursuing
international business. This network is established at the beginning
of the program with the first summer cultural immersion experience,
throughout your MBA/MA studies, and long after graduation as part
of Lauder's alumni community.
- What are the advantages of
doing the Wharton/Lauder program vs. Wharton only?
The Lauder Institute is a pioneer in integrating management education,
international studies, and language and cross-cultural competencies.
The program offers students distinct advantages:
- a Wharton MBA
- an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s
School of Arts & Sciences
- advanced applied language study
- in-country immersion programs
- international work experience opportunities
- a supportive, global network of students, graduates, and corporate
leaders
Enrollment in the Lauder Institute brings students into a community
dedicated to international management and studies. Completion of the
program gives graduates the knowledge, experience, credentials, and
confidence to manage in an interdependent world.
An answer from a former student:
“In the joint-degree program, you experience first-hand the
global issues that are discussed in the classroom. During the summer
immersion in country, you not only hone your language skills while
learning about the history, politics and culture of the region, but
you also meet with executives from leading local corporations to hear
about business issues they are facing. You can strengthen your understanding
of global business challenges by pursuing a summer internship abroad.
Finally, upon graduation you will join a close-knit network of alumni
who live all over the world!”
- Must Lauder students prepare
a thesis? Must this thesis be in language or focused on the region
that a student is studying?
A thesis is one of the requirements for the MA in International
Studies degree from the School of Arts & Sciences. It’s
essentially an independent research, analysis, and writing requirement
designed to integrate themes developed throughout the program and
should reflect content and perspectives drawn from the Arts &
Sciences. Typically, students explore a business topic within a sociocultural
or a political economy context. The topic need not focus on the student's
region of study, though most often it does. It’s most often
written in English, although students who wish to may write in their
program language. This requirement is generally completed in the second
semester of the second year.
RE-APPLICANTS
- I’m a re-applicant to Lauder. Do I need to submit
a new OPI score?
OPI scores are valid for only one admissions cycle, so Lauder re-applicants
must submit a new OPI score in addition to completing the re-applicant
essay questions for Wharton.
- I’m a re-applicant to Wharton, but a first-time
applicant to Lauder. What process must I follow?
Wharton re-applicants must complete the Wharton re-applicant essays
in addition to completing the Lauder supplemental form (including
essays and the OPI).
joint
application
STUDENT CONTACT
- Does the Lauder Institute offer student contact or student
buddies to prospective students and, if so, how may I go about applying
for this?
If you’re interested in corresponding with a current student,
please send an email to lauderinfo@wharton.upenn.edu.
Please let us know which language you’re interested in pursuing,
and we’ll put you in touch with a current student in that language
track.
- May I contact a student after I’ve read their
bio on your website?
Unfortunately, we don’t publish contact information for our
current students. Please send an email to lauderinfo@wharton.upenn.edu
and let us know if you’d like to correspond with a particular
student.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
- Can I apply for an exemption from taking the GMAT?
The GMAT score is a requirement for admission to any business school
program, so, unfortunately, it cannot be waived. All applicants must
submit a GMAT score; otherwise, your application will be considered
“incomplete” and won’t be evaluated.
- How long are GMAT scores valid?
GMAT scores are valid for 5 years from the test date.
- Would you accept a phone confirmation from GMAT with
respect to my scores?
GMAT scores cannot be submitted via telephone. You can submit your
unofficial score report or have your official score sent directly
to Wharton Admissions. The GMAT code for Wharton is 2296.
- Do the Lauder and Wharton Admissions Committees accept
recommendation letters written in languages other than English?
All recommendations must be written in English. If they are written
in another language, it is the applicant’s responsibility to
have them translated by a certified language specialist.
TUITION/FEES
- What are the financial implications of joining the Lauder
Institute?
Fees for the Lauder
program are in addition to the tuition and fees associated with
the Wharton
MBA Program. Tuition and fees for both programs are subject to
change each year.
(ACCEPTANCE AT) WHARTON ONLY
- If I'm denied acceptance to the joint-degree program,
would I still be considered for the regular MBA?
Yes, you will be considered for the Wharton MBA program if you do
not have a viable application for Lauder. There is a box on Form 1
of the joint-application to indicate this preference.
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