The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is one of the largest and most respected business schools in the world. Founded in 1881, it has more than 80,000 living alumni in more than 140 countries around the globe.
At many of the nation’s business schools, women make up about one third of the total enrollments. But at Wharton, considerable progress has been made. Two years ago, Wharton crossed a milestone when women made up 40 percent of its incoming MBA class. This year a new record is being set. Some 45 percent of the new MBA students are women.
In recent years Wharton has actively recruited women. There are four ocassions each fall which are set aside as “women visit days” where prospective students meet with women faculty members and administrators, as well as with current women students. Alumnae have also been used extensively to recruit more women to Wharton.