Hello Class of 2017!

Please note next week's modified schedule and plan accordingly (see the "Thanksgiving Week Schedule" below for more information).

December 3, 2015

While Course Match does not close until Monday, December 7, 2015 at 12:00pm (noon) we strongly recommend that you enter utilities prior to leaving campus for the Thanksgiving break.

SPRING 2016 SCHEDULE

Monday, December 7, 2015 — 12:00pm (noon)
Last day for students to report and modify preferences
Course Match closes at 12:00pm (noon)

Friday, December 11, 2015
Course schedules are released
Drop/Add "buffer period" begins

Monday, December 14 — 12:00pm (noon)
Drop/Add "buffer period" ends
"Buffer period" results will be released later in the day

Monday, January 11, 2016
First day of Q3 and spring semester core courses

Wednesday, January 13, 2016
First day of Q3 and spring semester elective courses

All first-year students are required to take a .25CU speaking course during the spring semester. Students may choose between four courses:

• WHCP 612: Advanced Persuasion: Convincing Business Audiences
• WHCP 612: Advanced Persuasion: Crisis Communication
• WHCP 612: Advanced Persuasion: Fundamentals for Prospective Entrepreneurs
• WHCP 615: Communication Challenges for Entrepreneurs: “Pitching your Business”

Please note that in order to assign a preference for WHCP 615 in Course Match, students must have received pre-clearance per previous emails. 

Click here for a full description of each course.

The default utility for all sections of WHCP612 will be set to 1. You are encouraged to increase the utility on sections you prefer. Any section manually set to 0 will be reset to 1 before Course Match runs.

All enrollments in sections of WHCP612 & 615 will be made final on Thursday, January 14. First year students will not be able to drop or change their sections of communications after Thursday, January 14. First year students who do not have a section of communications on January 14 will be assigned to a section of WHCP612 with capacity.

Please note the following as it pertains to the week of November 22:

Mon-Wed, November 23-25
Core classes do not meet

Tuesday, November 24
The University of Pennsylvania operates on a Thursday schedule
- Tuesday only elective classes do not meet
- Thursday only elective classes meet

Wednesday, November 25
The University of Pennsylvania operates on a Friday schedule
- Wednesday only elective classes do not meet
- Friday only elective classes meet

Thu-Sun, November 26- November 29
Thanksgiving Break - Classes do not meet

Syllabi for courses from previous semesters can be found on the syllabi@wharton site (A=Spring / C=Fall). This will be especially helpful when looking for OIDD (formerly OPIM) syllabi as the upcoming semester (16A) will not show previous years due to the department name change.

The Spring 2016 Core Exam Schedule is now posted under the SPIKE Exam Calendars. 

The Spring 2016 section of the Operations Strategy Practicum Course (OIDD 680) will include a week in Germany during Spring Break 2016. Please review the syllabus (linked) if you are interested in participating in the course. Note that this course has an admission process, additional expenses and requires early financial commitment. Please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Morris Cohen in the Operations, Information and Decisions Department if you have any questions. Information regarding the registration process for this course will be released in future correspondence.

Registration for the Spring Break courses is now open and will close on Monday, November 23 at 9 am (EDT). Via links below, we have provided the most current syllabus available – in most cases it is the syllabus from the last time the course was taught.

Please click here to enter your preferences for the Spring Break courses. You may enter your ranked interest in as many courses as you wish. Please be certain of your intent to take the course when you complete the form. Once the registration closes you will receive an email shortly after informing you of your status in the course and requesting you confirm your interest in the class. Entry into OIDD 899 is by essay. For this course you need to rank your preference for the class and submit an essay. We will begin to inform students of their status in the class two weeks after registration closes.

We will do our best to accommodate all demand in these courses, and will resort to a lottery (with preference for second year students) if courses are oversubscribed. Please contact Paula Greenberg for more information.

Tutor@Wharton is a platform that connects Wharton students with tutors for fixed and flexible core subject material. Tutors are usually second year students who have proven their mastery of the subject material. To find a tutor in a core subject, visit the Tutor@Wharton site and click “I am looking for a tutor.” 

The Spring 2016 term bill will be available on December 2 with a due date of January 8. Please be sure to review your billing statement on Penn.Pay after receiving the notification email from Student Financial Services.

If you are a previous loan borrower or a first-time borrower and have student loan questions, please schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid Team. 

Authors@Wharton Speaker Series Upcoming Events:

​Philip Tetlock & Maurice Schweitzer
Superforecasting: The  Art & Science of Prediction by Phil Tetlock
Friend & Foe: When to Cooperate, When to Compete, and How to Succeed at Both by Maurice Schweitzer
December 2, 2015
4:45-6:00pm
*Doors open: 4:15
SHDH 350
REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Looking for a Winter Break Adventure?

Have yet to make Winter Break plans? Why not spend it having an epic adventure that will increase your leadership skills? There are a very limited number of spots available on the Tall Ships Sailing Leadership Expedition and the Andes Mountaineering Leadership Expedition. Spots are first come, first serve. More information can be found below. If you’re interested in learning more and/or signing up, please email WLPVentures@wharton.upenn.edu.

• Tall Ships Sailing - Tall Ship Sailing provides an intense at-sea experience in New Zealand aboard a 161 ft. Brigantine ship. While at sea for eight days, participants will learn sailing and navigation, conduct critical oceanographic research and experience the challenges and rewards of self-discipline, team building and decision-making under unfamiliar circumstances. Dates: December 30, 2015 – January 7, 2016. Cost: $3,500
• Andes Mountaineering - Alpine style climb of a major peak in the Central Chilean Andes. This venture will provide both physical and mental challenge exercising leadership, teamwork and self-discipline. Dates: December 29, 2015 – January 5, 2016. Cost: $3,000

Leadership Venture Gear Exchange

Calling all students (especially 2nd years) who have gear they want to sell or rent! Please fill out the venture gear exchange spreadsheet with gear details, price, and contact information.

Attention: The 2401 Walnut, 8th floor space will be unavailable on Thursday, December 3rd from 7pm-1am for a private event.

Questions? Please contact Eric Morin or Erin Fisher in the Student Life office.

Thanks for your understanding.

 Conference season is underway! Just a few friendly reminder to the organizers:

1. If your event features a speaker, please note that each speaker a group, club, department, or individual wishes to invite to a Wharton event, whether on campus or off-site, must be approved by Wharton Marketing and Communications (and in certain cases by the University) before any invitation is extended. Each speaker request must be submitted using the school-wide Speaker Request Management System, found here: https://web.wharton.upenn.edu/speaker/. Please expect at least 72 business hours for feedback on your request.  Failure to abide by this policy may result in loss of Wharton and University resources. 
2. Please reference the Media Relations guidelines and the speaker release forms posted on SPIKE.  If you plan on inviting journalists to attend sessions, it is important to get your conference speakers’ approval first.

We appreciate all your hard work in coordinating these fantastic events on behalf of the Wharton community and wish the best of luck!

-WGA Conference Chairs & Student Life

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/