As we countdown to the arrival of the Class of 2022 this August, we wanted to get to know some of the newest members of the MBA Program. At this year’s Winter Welcome Weekend, over 400 newly-admitted students traveled to Philadelphia to spend three days immersed in all things Wharton. Between faculty masterclasses and academic deep-dives, five incoming students told us what they are excited to do and why they decided to join the Wharton community.
Rachel Newman
Hometown: Merion, Pennsylvania
Previous Education: Hamilton College
Previous Experience: Google and most recently Design Marketing Project Manager at Tonal
Wharton Major/Program: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Fun Fact: In college, I played Varsity squash and ran the steeplechase — and only face-planted in the water once.
When or how did you know that Wharton was the right fit for you?
Having grown up in the greater Philadelphia area, I’ve always known about the quality of the Wharton MBA Program. When I visited campus and met with students a year ago, I became certain that Wharton was the place for me.
What are you most looking forward to being a part of when you get to campus in August?
I can’t wait to meet my fellow classmates and have the opportunity to take classes with incredible professors. I am also looking forward to being involved in a number of clubs and activities.
What advice do you have for someone considering the Wharton MBA Program?
Do your research, visit campus, and be thoughtful about what you want to get out of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Alec Wrubel
Hometown: I’m originally from Westport, Connecticut, but I have spent the past few years in Los Angeles
Previous Education: BA in Economics with Honors and a minor in World Literature from Northwestern University
Previous Experience: Immediately after graduation, I started in the mailroom of Creative Artists Agency. I was then promoted to the Television Department, where I work with our roster of literary clients: writers, directors, and producers.
Wharton Major/Program: Management
Fun Fact: I once played a DJ set for a crowd of 1,000 people
When or how did you know that Wharton was the right fit for you?
When I was on campus for my interview, there was a Q&A lunch panel with a dozen current students. The panel’s members represented a range of nationalities, ages, and backgrounds, but were united by a genuine excitement to share their Wharton experience with prospective students. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of that community.
What are you most looking forward to being a part of when you get to campus in August?
The Wildmen Hockey Club.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering the Wharton MBA Program?
Think about your individual story and where you want that story to go. Does Wharton make sense as the next chapter? The better your sense of self, the more intuitive the decision will be.
Kavya Nagalla
Hometown: East Windsor, New Jersey
Previous Education: New York University Stern School of Business (Undergrad), concentration in Finance and Accounting
Previous Experience: My entire full-time experience post-graduation has been at Citi in a variety of roles, but most recently as an Agency Lending Trader
Wharton Major/Program: Operations, Information, and Decisions
Fun Fact: I absolutely love to travel and last year, I achieved my goal of “25 by 25” by visiting 25 countries before I turned 25. My new target is 40 before 30!
When or how did you know that Wharton was the right fit for you?
In Spring 2019, I came to Wharton for an informational visit day. As someone who was very involved on campus during my undergraduate years, I was immediately energized by the student-led culture that pervades Huntsman Hall and was soon hooked to the school. This was reaffirmed when I recently returned for Welcome Weekend and was able to connect with my future classmates as well as current students – the people I met exemplify the peers I want to share my experiences with as I take on this new phase of my life.
What are you most looking forward to being a part of when you get to campus in August?
I’m a dancer so I can’t wait to jump right into Dance Studio, and hopefully, I can choreograph a piece for next year’s showcase.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering the Wharton MBA Program?
My decision to attend the Wharton MBA Program was solidified with the knowledge that the school will enable me to attain the best possible business education while forging connections with a set of people I really vibe with. I would urge anyone considering Wharton to speak to as many students as possible to confirm this for themselves.
Angela Ziccardi
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Previous Education: United States Naval Academy
Previous Experience: Nuclear Submarine Officer
Wharton Major/Program: Management
Fun Fact: I have lived in four U.S. cities over the past five years, but I am very excited to make Philly home for at least two.
When or how did you know that Wharton was the right fit for you?
There are so many considerations, but Wharton’s customizable MBA curriculum really stood out to me as I shift into a new career path.
What are you most looking forward to being a part of when you get to campus in August?
Not even having stepped into my first class, I can already feel the strong sense of community Wharton fosters. Clubs such as the Veterans Club and activities like the Cluster Olympics are high on my list of priorities come August.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering the Wharton MBA Program?
I would encourage others to be confident in the value of their unique backgrounds and experiences.
Tejas Pathak
Hometown: Sudbury, Massachusetts
Previous Education: B.A. Economics & International Relations, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
Previous Experience: From 2014 to 2019 I served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army. In January 2019, I left the Army to work as an Economist for the State of Alaska.
Wharton Major/Program: Strategic Management and Finance.
Fun Fact: I saw the Northern Lights clearly for the first time during a weeklong training exercise not far from Fairbanks, Alaska, that saw my unit parachuting into negative double-digit temperatures. Every night, for at least six hours, we’d see these crystal-clear undulating ribbons of shifting vertical bands of color across the sky. I’ve seen a lot of incredible things during the five or so years I’ve spent in Alaska, but the surreal beauty of the Lights above that stark landscape always stands out in my memory.
When or how did you know that Wharton was the right fit for you?
I think that Wharton offers you unbeatable optionality to design an MBA experience that specifically fits your individual needs and goals, while also offering enough structure that you’re never really “thrown into the deep end”. This really came across in my conversations with Wharton alumni and current students, who emphasized that with such an abundance of high-yield ways to allocate your time and energy, Wharton rewards people who can effectively set goals and prioritize their use of time. At Wharton, this flexibility doesn’t come at a cost to the primary deliverables of the MBA program: between the academic core, majors, and the stellar career center, there are well-defined pathways for me to achieve my career and learning objectives.
What are you most looking forward to being a part of when you get to campus in August?
I’m most looking forward to participating in the communities of my cohort and cluster. Throughout Winter Welcome Weekend, I was blown away by the breadth and depth of life experiences and unique perspectives in the Class of 2022. I came away from every single conversation having learned about topics that were totally new to me. In terms of activities, I’m looking forward to training up for the Philadelphia Half-Marathon with members of the Running Club and learning about the intersection of renewable energy and finance with the Energy Club. And, of course, as a member of the Wharton Veterans Club I look forward to advising veterans and current servicemembers throughout any or every phase of their Wharton admissions process.
What advice do you have for other Veterans like you who are considering the Wharton MBA Program?
Every MBA program will have a veteran’s organization run by current students who previously served in the military. At Wharton our organization is called the Wharton Veterans Club, and reaching out to us should definitely be a part of your MBA admissions plan. We’re here to help Vets and current service members in exactly your situation and we look forward to connecting with you. To get in touch with a Wharton Veterans Club Admissions Representative, please email us at whartonveterans@wharton.upenn.edu. Also, check out upcoming Military Visit Days and other key dates.
Posted: March 5, 2020
