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FAQ about the Carey JD/MBA

FAQ

JD/MBA Friendsgiving Celebration 2021

Can I visit campus and attend a class?

Prospective applicants, current applicants, and their guests are unable to visit the Law School during the Fall semester. We will update our visit policy for the Spring semester in early January. In the meantime, please view our recording of a student-led virtual tour and the viewbook.

Where can I learn more about the Carey JD/MBA Program?

Attend an event - on campus, on the road, or online. Please contact us with any additional questions about the program.

Is financial aid offered?

JD/MBA students are eligible to be considered for financial aid from both Wharton and the Law School. Learn more about tuition and financial aid here.

Is there an alumni network?

Yes. The JD/MBA Alumni Association connects program alumni.

Are career services offered for JD/MBA students?

Yes. Each school has an active career services office which JD/MBA students are encouraged to utilize to explore their career options. Activities hosted by both offices throughout the year include resume reviews, mock interviews, industry chats, networking functions, and more.

May I switch from the three-year JD/MBA program model to the four-year JD/MBA program model, or vice versa?

No. JD/MBA students are to remain in the program model to which they were admitted.

Does the three-year JD/MBA program replace the four-year JD/MBA program model at Penn?

No. A four-year program is still in place for students who want a broader business or law curriculum. Learn more about the four-year JD/MBA program model here.

Do JD/MBA students select a Wharton major?

Yes. All JD/MBA students select a major at Wharton. See the JD/MBA degree requirements and the list of Wharton MBA majors and specialties for more information.

Will I have an academic advisor?

Yes. JD/MBA students will work with an academic advisor at the Law School and an academic advisor at Wharton.

What is the typical course of study?

Students in the three-year JD/MBA program must fulfill the degree requirements of both the Law School and Wharton and complete the JD/MBA capstone course. Learn more about the curriculum and degree requirements.

What is the typical JD/MBA cohort size?

Each JD/MBA cohort typically consists of about 15 to 20 students.

Who should write my recommendations?

We require two letters of recommendation. Please submit at least one professional letter of recommendation, preferably from a current or former supervisor. Your second recommendation can be either professional or academic, and should also be from an individual who is well acquainted with your performance. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through both the Wharton application portal and the LSAC system. We advise asking your recommenders to complete the Wharton recommendation form first, and then uploading a duplicate copy to LSAC.

How many years of work experience do applicants typically have?

Prior work experience is not an explicit requirement, and every application is reviewed holistically. However, we highly encourage JD/MBA applicants to have a chapter of full-time professional experience prior to applying. Our students have an average of four to five years of post-college work experience.

Can I apply to the three-year JD/MBA program during my 1L year at the Law School?

Yes. You can apply to the three-year Carey JD/MBA Program as a 1L at the Law School. However, you may not apply as a 1L at another law school and transfer into the program. All applicants are required to apply during Round 1 or Round 2 of the Wharton MBA application timeline.

If I am admitted, may I defer my enrollment?

No. Deferrals are not granted for the three-year JD/MBA program, except in extreme extenuating circumstances.

If I am admitted to the three-year JD/MBA program, may I then decide to attend only one school?

No. Given the unique nature of the program, applicants to the three-year JD/MBA program may not, after receiving an offer of admission, decide to enroll in one school and not the other (i.e., an applicant may not choose to only attend Wharton and not the Law School, or vice versa, after a joint decision has been rendered).

Is it possible to be admitted to one school and not the other?

No. Applicants to the three-year JD/MBA program will receive a single, joint decision.

Is there an Early Decision application option?

Yes. The Early Decision deadlines for JD/MBA applicants are the same as the regular deadlines for Round 1 and Round 2 of the Wharton MBA application timeline. There is an option to select Early Decision within the JD/MBA application. Early Decision is binding, meaning you are committed to enrolling at Penn if you are accepted. If you submit an Early Decision application to the Carey JD/MBA Program, you cannot apply Early Decision to any other program or school. Early Decision is therefore meant for students who are confident that the Carey JD/MBA Program is their first choice.

Is there a joint application?

Yes. Because the three-year Carey JD/MBA Program is an integrated program, you will submit a single, joint application. You will submit the JD/MBA application via the Wharton application portal, which consists of the Wharton MBA application and a University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School supplement. Members of admissions committees from both schools review the application. Application instructions are available here.

FAQ topic: Academics

May I switch from the three-year JD/MBA program model to the four-year JD/MBA program model, or vice versa?

No. JD/MBA students are to remain in the program model to which they were admitted.

Does the three-year JD/MBA program replace the four-year JD/MBA program model at Penn?

No. A four-year program is still in place for students who want a broader business or law curriculum. Learn more about the four-year JD/MBA program model here.

Do JD/MBA students select a Wharton major?

Yes. All JD/MBA students select a major at Wharton. See the JD/MBA degree requirements and the list of Wharton MBA majors and specialties for more information.

Will I have an academic advisor?

Yes. JD/MBA students will work with an academic advisor at the Law School and an academic advisor at Wharton.

What is the typical course of study?

Students in the three-year JD/MBA program must fulfill the degree requirements of both the Law School and Wharton and complete the JD/MBA capstone course. Learn more about the curriculum and degree requirements.

What is the typical JD/MBA cohort size?

Each JD/MBA cohort typically consists of about 15 to 20 students.

FAQ topic: Admissions

Who should write my recommendations?

We require two letters of recommendation. Please submit at least one professional letter of recommendation, preferably from a current or former supervisor. Your second recommendation can be either professional or academic, and should also be from an individual who is well acquainted with your performance. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through both the Wharton application portal and the LSAC system. We advise asking your recommenders to complete the Wharton recommendation form first, and then uploading a duplicate copy to LSAC.

How many years of work experience do applicants typically have?

Prior work experience is not an explicit requirement, and every application is reviewed holistically. However, we highly encourage JD/MBA applicants to have a chapter of full-time professional experience prior to applying. Our students have an average of four to five years of post-college work experience.

Can I apply to the three-year JD/MBA program during my 1L year at the Law School?

Yes. You can apply to the three-year Carey JD/MBA Program as a 1L at the Law School. However, you may not apply as a 1L at another law school and transfer into the program. All applicants are required to apply during Round 1 or Round 2 of the Wharton MBA application timeline.

If I am admitted, may I defer my enrollment?

No. Deferrals are not granted for the three-year JD/MBA program, except in extreme extenuating circumstances.

If I am admitted to the three-year JD/MBA program, may I then decide to attend only one school?

No. Given the unique nature of the program, applicants to the three-year JD/MBA program may not, after receiving an offer of admission, decide to enroll in one school and not the other (i.e., an applicant may not choose to only attend Wharton and not the Law School, or vice versa, after a joint decision has been rendered).

Is it possible to be admitted to one school and not the other?

No. Applicants to the three-year JD/MBA program will receive a single, joint decision.

Is there an Early Decision application option?

Yes. The Early Decision deadlines for JD/MBA applicants are the same as the regular deadlines for Round 1 and Round 2 of the Wharton MBA application timeline. There is an option to select Early Decision within the JD/MBA application. Early Decision is binding, meaning you are committed to enrolling at Penn if you are accepted. If you submit an Early Decision application to the Carey JD/MBA Program, you cannot apply Early Decision to any other program or school. Early Decision is therefore meant for students who are confident that the Carey JD/MBA Program is their first choice.

Is there a joint application?

Yes. Because the three-year Carey JD/MBA Program is an integrated program, you will submit a single, joint application. You will submit the JD/MBA application via the Wharton application portal, which consists of the Wharton MBA application and a University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School supplement. Members of admissions committees from both schools review the application. Application instructions are available here.

FAQ topic: Careers

Is there an alumni network?

Yes. The JD/MBA Alumni Association connects program alumni.

Are career services offered for JD/MBA students?

Yes. Each school has an active career services office which JD/MBA students are encouraged to utilize to explore their career options. Activities hosted by both offices throughout the year include resume reviews, mock interviews, industry chats, networking functions, and more.

FAQ topic: Financial Aid

Is financial aid offered?

JD/MBA students are eligible to be considered for financial aid from both Wharton and the Law School. Learn more about tuition and financial aid here.

FAQ topic: Miscellaneous

Can I visit campus and attend a class?

Prospective applicants, current applicants, and their guests are unable to visit the Law School during the Fall semester. We will update our visit policy for the Spring semester in early January. In the meantime, please view our recording of a student-led virtual tour and the viewbook.

Where can I learn more about the Carey JD/MBA Program?

Attend an event - on campus, on the road, or online. Please contact us with any additional questions about the program.