The Wharton Moelis Advance Access Program 2025-2026 application opened this week. Like many other schools, Wharton’s deferred MBA application mirrors the full-time one (though there are some differences).
Although the overall advice is similar, at Personal MBA Coach we are conscious that college seniors will have a bit less clarity in terms of their long-term goals and do not have the professional examples that many leverage in their full-time applications. So if you are a student about to graduate, keep reading!
2025-2026 Moelis Advance Access Program Application Deadline: April 22, 2026
2025-2026 Wharton Moelis Advance Access MBA Essays
Founded by a Wharton MBA graduate, Personal MBA Coach is intimately familiar with the Wharton MBA program and the culture at Wharton. We advise candidates to think about each question differently, ensuring answers complement each other AND show readers multiple aspects of their candidacy. Watch this testimonial from a Wharton admit to find out how Personal MBA Coach can help you with your Wharton applications.
Wharton Moelis Advance Access Short Answer Essay 1: What is your short-term professional goal during your deferment period? (50 words max)
Personal MBA Coach’s Tips:
If you have a job lined up already, this should be fairly straightforward. Tell Wharton what this job is but, more importantly, discuss what you hope to accomplish in this role!
If you do not yet have a job solidified (and in this economy this may be more common), that is ok. Instead, share your ideal plans with Wharton and keep in mind that come interview time, hopefully you will have more to share!
Wharton Moelis Advanced Access Short Answer Essay 2: What are your immediate post-MBA career goals, and how will those build towards your long-term professional goals? (150 words max)
Personal MBA Coach’s Tips:
While the Wharton Deferred Admissions Team does not expect you to have it all figured out (especially without substantial career experience), you should have a vision for your career and be as specific as possible while outlining your plans for Wharton.
This means for this second short answer, you should share the specific role (think target title and company) you hope to have immediately post-MBA and in the long term. Next, tell the Wharton Deferred Admissions Team what experiences you seek to gain in this role and what change you aspire to drive.
If the short-term and long-term goal do not flow naturally (though ideally they do) be sure to explain your intended transition.
Unlike in previous years, Wharton is NOT asking applicants to discuss their past career or how a Wharton MBA will help them. Instead, you want to keep these short answers focused only on your career goals.
For more on how to think about post-MBA goals, check out this blog!
Wharton Moelis Advance Access MBA Essay: Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to add meaningful value to the Wharton community? (350 words max)
Personal MBA Coach’s Tips:
A strong answer to Wharton’s second Moelis Advance Access MBA essay question will give Wharton insight into your most significant accomplishments and/or your most unique attributes. Then, you want to paint a clear picture as to how these will enrich the Wharton community.
If you are particularly proud of something on your resume, consider expanding on this here. Similarly, if you have a unique talent, strong extracurricular accomplishments and/or impressive on-campus leadership experience, the second essay is a great place to share this with Wharton admissions.
If you are struggling to think about what to write about how you will add value, think broadly here about what makes you stand out from your peers and where you have devoted the most effort in the past.
Questions to consider might include:
- What clubs have you joined on campus?
- How were you involved in your local community?
- Did you have a unique internship?
- What are your hobbies?
- Did you grow up in a unique environment?
Then, consider how you might share your passions, experiences, and successes at Wharton. Be specific! While you still want to tell Wharton what clubs you hope to join and what role you will play, be sure that you focus on the impact you will have at Wharton. You might also think about how you will enrich the local community. Before writing this essay, take the time to learn more about Wharton and the school’s diverse offerings. This will help you to detail your potential contributions.
Do not simply list items! Select a few of your top ideas and be sure that they flow naturally from the unique qualities you outlined earlier in the essay.
Optional Essay: Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider.
As always, Personal MBA Coach recommends treading carefully when it comes to optional essays. Check out our guidance here.
Ready to apply to Wharton Moelis Advance Access MBA? Reach out to Personal MBA Coach and find out how we can help you today!
