Case Study ·

Accepted to
the Wharton School at Penn

Business, Technology and Global Studies
Theo started the summer before 12th grade with plenty of essay ideas but drafts that did not yet sound like him. His team refocused his essays on his own story, and Wharton admitted him Early Decision.
Smiling student

About Theo

Application Persona · the theme that tied it all together

“A future leader in business or public policy who is driven to change the world around him”

Started
12th grade
From
Virginia
GPA
4.541 weighted
Test score
SAT 1560

Challenges and Activities: Before and After

Where Theo started
Where Theo finished
Top public high schoolHard to stand out among his peers
Clear business personaFuture leader in business or public policy
Personal statement off targetDraft did not show his interest in business
Essay about his companyCentered on why he started it
Extra detail in draftsDetails took focus from his writing
Focused on his storyBusiness interest shown clearly and personally
Broad 'Why Penn' answerNeeded details specific to the program
Specific to WhartonAdmitted Early Decision

How did InGenius Prep Help?

A Former Admissions Officer and a Haverford College Graduate Coach worked with Theo 2-on-1 from 12th grade through the application.

  1. Summer

    Persona first

    His team set the persona of a future leader in business or public policy to shape every part of the application.

    Through Application Counseling
  2. Summer

    Personal statement

    They refocused his draft on himself and his motivation for starting his own company.

  3. Fall

    Why Penn essay

    His team listed Wharton-specific details so his supplements spoke to Penn and to his own story.

  4. Early Decision

    Final review

    The team reviewed the full application. He made those edits and applied Early Decision to Wharton.

Questions About This Case

When did Theo start working with InGenius Prep?

The summer before 12th grade, through Application Counseling.

Why did he apply Early Decision to Wharton?

Wharton was his top choice, and Early Decision showed his commitment to its undergraduate business program.

What was his personal statement about?

His motivation for starting his own company, told through his own story instead of a list of details.

What was his Application Persona?

A future leader in business or public policy who is driven to change the world around him.

One honest conversation.
That's how it begins.

Every student works 2-on-1 with a Former Admissions Officer and a Graduate Coach.