Wharton’s Health Care Management (HCM) MBA major offers one of the most prestigious paths into pharmaceuticals, hospital administration, earlier stage ventures, and beyond. 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 major is aligned 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 applications but pass them along to Wharton’s regular program if applicants are deemed to be a better fit there. For more information about Wharton, review Stratus’s guide.
2. 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 will be 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 an unconventional yet perfect fit for the program could actually help you stand out!
3. Understand the additional requirements of an HCM application.
Beyond the essay questions, you’ll have two interviews: one regular remote Wharton Team Based Discussion (alongside regular Wharton MBA applicants) 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 go deeper into your reasons for applying to the program. Acing the interviews is critical for gaining admission, so be sure to prepare for them both. For guidance on Wharton’s essay prompts, see Stratus’s tips.
If all of this still excites you, 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 during a free consultation. Schedule yours here!