Hello Class of 2017!

We hope you enjoyed your first week of classes!

August 27, 2015

The MBA Program Office will grant a two day grace period for students who checked in late or forgot to check in to their fixed core classes this week. If you received an unexcused absence email because of a late or forgotten check-in for classes on Wednesday, August 26 or Thursday, August 27, please log in to the SPIKE Absence Application, click on “submit absence” reason, choose “other” and note that you checked in late or forgot. Your academic advisor will see this note and remove the absence; you do not need to email him or her directly. Please submit these requests by Sunday, August 30th for the absences to be removed. 

Beginning Monday, August 31, absences due to lateness or forgetfulness cannot be removed, per the MBA Program Attendance Policy for fixed core classes.

The deadline to waive out of, or enroll into, the Penn Student Insurance Plan is Monday, August 31. 

It’s important that you take action for two reasons:

1. We want to ensure that you are carrying adequate health insurance for your protection.

2. We do not want students to have their own private insurance and then get charged for the Penn plan as well.

Please be advised that you will NOT be automatically enrolled by default. ALL full-time Penn students must enroll into, or waive out of the Penn Student Insurance Plan by Monday August 31st. This action must be taken every year a student is enrolled at the University full-time. Students can find more information and instructions here, or they can go directly to the Penn Portal and enter their insurance information here.

If you have not already done so, please update your local address and phone number on Penn in Touch. It is a requirement of the University that we have this information.

You can also email Barbara Winters with your info and she will update your record.

As you finalize your schedule, please keep in mind the following deadlines:

Tuesday, September 1

- last day to add a Q1 or full semester course

- last day to drop, without penalty, Q1 or full semester courses at capacity

 Monday, September 14

- last day to change grading status on full semester or Q1 elective courses

 Monday, September 21

 - final day to drop  Q1 courses

Please see the Academic Calendar for further details. 

First year students are not permitted to drop WHCP611 without first securing another section of the course. Students wishing to enroll in a different section should place an "add" request on that section. If the add request clears the student will be automatically dropped from his or her present section.

Enrollments in sections of WHCP611 for Q1 and Q2 will be made final on Tuesday, September 1 at 11:59pm. First year students will not be able to drop or change sections of WHCP611 after Tuesday, September 1. After this deadline, first year students who do not have a section of communications will be randomly assigned to a section with capacity.

CareerPath is Wharton’s online recruiting system.  In order to gain access to the complete functionality of CareerPath, receive important industry-specific recruiting information and targeted recruiting advise, complete the following: 

1. Log-in and complete the “My Profile” section.  

2. Upload your most recent resume*

a. Go to the “Resumes & Cover Letters” tab

b. Select the documents tab

c. Click the “Add New” button

d. Give you resume a label (such as “General Resume” or “Advising Resume”)

e. Select “Resume” for document type and click “Browse…” to select your resume document

f. Click the “Submit” button

*This resume will be used for internal and career advising purposes only and will not be viewed by anyone other than the MBACM staff. 

The Wharton People Analytics Conference (PAC) is seeking students to join its organizing team. PAC is the premier conference for professionals and academics in the growing field of people analytics, which is bringing a rigorous and data-driven approach to core business topics like recruiting, professional development, and team performance.

Faculty directors Adam Grant and Cade Massey will host an info session on September 14 at 12pm in JMHH G50, to introduce the conference and ways students can get involved. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in learning more, please fill in your email address at this link.

Penn's Office of Student Disabilities Services (SDS) provides comprehensive, professional services for students with disabilities to ensure equal academic opportunity and participation in University-sponsored programs. If you have a disability that you wish to identify, submit the online self-identification form as soon as possible, as accommodations can take between four and six weeks to certify and implement.

Any information you choose to disclose in this regard is voluntary and will not adversely affect admission or participation in educational programs or activities. This information is confidential and will be shared only with appropriate University officials to ensure compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Office of Student Disabilities Services or an Academic Advisor in the MBA Program Office.

Due to anticipated logistical and transportation issues related to the historic visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, the University will suspend normal operations on Friday, September 25. As a result, classes and University-sponsored events are cancelled on this date. 

Designated essential personnel — including offices such as but not limited to Public Safety, Dining Services, and Facilities that provide essential services, University emergency personnel, and those responsible for the health and safety of students and lab animals — will be required to report to work and should consult with their supervisors about accommodations and scheduling. Other staff members, faculty members, and students should treat the day under the same protocols as a weather-related suspension of operations.  

With as many as 2 million people expected to attend the weekend’s events in Philadelphia, faculty and staff could notice some transportation delays beginning earlier that week.  Road closures around Center City and in the West Philadelphia area could begin as early as Thursday night after rush hour.  We urge all faculty and staff to pay close attention to traffic and transportation plans that will soon be finalized by the City and SEPTA.  

We know that the weekend of the Pope’s visit will create some inconveniences and challenges for members of the Penn community, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as the University works with the City in accommodating visitors during this very special event.

The MBA Office of Student Life would like to invite you to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with your Cluster Student Life Advisor at some point in the coming days, weeks, or months. Our aim is to get to know you better and discuss some of your goals and how we can best support you during your time at Wharton.

If you would like to set up a meeting, please use the link below to access the Wharton Appointment Scheduler.

https://web.wharton.upenn.edu/scheduler/MBAStudentLife/