Wharton’s Health Care Management (HCM) MBA concentration offers one of the most prestigious paths into pharmaceuticals, hospital administration, earlier stage ventures, and beyond. Unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the most competitive MBA programs to gain admission to. If health care–related MBAs are on your radar, let’s talk about three things you should consider when applying to Wharton’s HCM program.
1. Decide whether Wharton’s HCM concentration aligns with your personal goals.
The HCM program is best—though not exclusively—suited for those heading into management roles within health-care organizations. For many post-MBA health care–related roles, such as investment banking with a focus on health care, a traditional MBA from a school like Wharton could also be a pragmatic path. If you’re undecided, you may be relieved to learn that the HCM admissions team will sometimes reject applicants but pass along their applications to Wharton’s regular MBA program if candidates are deemed a better fit there. For information about The Wharton School, review Stratus’s guide.
2. Determine how to make your case for an HCM degree throughout your application.
Articulating how the HCM program will help you land a management role within health care is key. Across your essays, you’ll also want to mention intersectional experiences you’ve had across business operations, research, and public policy. Showcasing collaborative teamwork (a Wharton hallmark!) and innovative leadership experience is also important, as the health-care industry is dependent on cross-functional coordination. And although experience is nice, a health-care background isn’t necessary to apply. If you come from a nontraditional background, being able to explain why you are a perfect fit for the program could help you stand out!
3. Be aware of the additional requirements of an HCM application.
Beyond the essay questions, you’ll have two interviews: one regular remote Wharton Team Based Discussion, and a remote or in-person one-on-one with June Kinney, director of the HCM program. The Team Based Discussion will showcase your collaborative skills, and the one-on-one will delve deeper into your reasons for applying to the program. Acing the interviews is critical for gaining admission, so be sure to earnestly prepare for them both. For guidance on The Wharton School’s essay prompts, see Stratus’s “Tips for Your Wharton Application Essays.”
If all of this still sounds good, a Wharton HCM degree could be the right health-care path for you! Through the program’s impressive coursework, career-launching network, and tight-knit friendships, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better launching pad into health-care management.
Our Stratus team has lots of experience helping applicants plan their transition to a new industry, such as health care, through an MBA degree. We are available to start a conversation about your profile through a free consultation. Schedule yours here!