Wharton Stories: Nontraditional

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“By fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding, we can attract more talented prospective students with disabilities to Wharton and have them to believe they can make a meaningful impact in their careers beyond Wharton.” – Sheila Xu, WG’24

How Wharton’s Disability Empowerment and Action League (DEAL) Transforms Campus

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“We are building courses to inspire, to raise awareness that the finance industry is one that anyone can navigate with the right exposure, the correct skill sets. That’s why AltFinance is great for Wharton, and vice versa for our HBCU participants.” – Dr. Burcu Esmer, Academic Director of the AltFinance Institute and Senior Lecturer of Finance at Wharton

Dollars and Sense: How Wharton and AltFinance Carve New Opportunity

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“It’s been incredible to watch Sindi and Maryem working together on this app, which has not been an easy project. It requires a lot of collaboration and a lot of humility…Sindi and Maryem don’t give up. They are intellectually curious, and they really are role models for other students – especially young women.” – Gillian Bazelon, Senior Associate Director of the Stevens Center

How Friendship, Finance Blooms at Wharton’s Stevens Center

A group of diverse young adults and a few older individuals standing together in a room, smiling at the camera.
“I thought it would be a summer internship with a project, but then I realized this is big. We’re making a difference…you’re never too young to make an impact.” — Nancy Li, W’27.

Stevens Center Unveils App Made For Teens, By Teens

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“I hope my story inspires others to navigate their life challenges successfully, pursue their passions, and recognize that an MBA education is within reach.” – Sheila Xu, WG’24

In Honor of Deaf Awareness Month, Meet the Pioneering Sheila Xu

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“Our program seeks to help students fully tap into their potential and to ensure that we continue to develop bold thinkers who will be prepared for the challenges of new sources and new statistical problems.” – Dylan Small, the Universal Furniture Professor and Chair of Statistics and Data Science

Uniting Great Minds, Wharton’s Stat Bridge MA Program Takes Flight

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“I knew that I could use my skills and talents to help others in the neurodiverse community. After reflecting on the most effective ways to drive change, I realized that business school would be the best place to grow as a social impact leader.” – Edwin C. Portugal, WG’25

Navigating Autism, Importance of Service, and Pursuit of a Wharton MBA

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“When you go through [mental health struggles], you go to dark places where it feels like it’s only you. But only in those times do you really find out who you are, what you stand for, what’s important to you. And from that, you’re built back up and you understand yourself better.” – Brandon Brooks

From Super Bowl Champion to Championing Mental Health: Brandon Brooks at Wharton

A judge''s gavel rests on a sound block with a set of scales in the background, symbolizing justice and legal proceedings.
Business is not a common major for pre-law students, but Nick Hamilton, W’23, picked Wharton to prepare him for law school.

This Philly Native Chose Business School and a BS in Economics to Pursue Pre-Law

A golfer in mid-swing on a course, surrounded by lush greenery. Two sponsor signs, one with the HSBC logo and the other with the Mercedes-Benz logo, are visible.
Looking at Jason Fan’s accolades — student-athlete, future real estate analyst — you wouldn’t know those weren’t predetermined paths.

Through Trial and Error, This Wharton Undergraduate Found His Own Path