ACADEMIC ADVISING

Myth: I need to declare a concentration by my sophomore year.

Fact: During your freshman and sophomore years, you should be exploring your interests and gathering information so you can make an informed decision about your choice of concentration. Declaring your concentration by the end of your sophomore year may give you priority status for enrolling in some concentration-related courses. Some students may elect to defer their decision until the junior year, after they have completed upper-level courses in different business areas and gained further exposure. You may change your concentration at any time.

Myth: It is difficult to choose a concentration without knowing which career path you want to follow.

Fact: A concentration does not dictate your career. It is a knowledge base and only one of the things that will help you after graduation as you enter the workforce or enroll in graduate school. Employers are interested in hiring people with different backgrounds, so it is best to be guided by your interests in making a decision on your concentration.

Myth: Students do not generally switch concentrations after they have declared one.

Fact: Students often change their minds about concentrations for various reasons—most often because their interests change. Students who change their minds can use completed courses to fulfill other requirements (e.g., Business Breadth, Global). Advisors help students with their course planning so that they are not behind in their requirements. A concentration is typically only four upper-level courses in an area, so changing concentrations is doable-even in the senior year.

(Note: the second concentration in Global Analysis and the dual concentration in Marketing & Communication have slightly different requirements, and it may be more difficult to change to these concentrations without advanced planning. Refer to the Options & Requirements section of this web site for more information on specific requirements).

Myth: I can take a concentration course pass/fail, or as a transfer credit at another institution.

Fact: Concentration courses must be taken for a letter grade. All concentration courses must be taken in residence at the University of Pennsylvania.

Myth: A second concentration requires additional courses beyond the 37 cus of the Wharton undergraduate curriculum.

Fact: A second concentration can be completed within the undergraduate curriculum without requiring extra courses. In most cases, students may double-count one of the second concentration courses toward a Business Breadth requirement (review specific concentration requirements for more information). The remaining three second concentration courses can be used to fulfill the Unrestricted Elective requirements.

Myth: Doing a second concentration is important in getting a job.

Fact: A concentration is a curricular requirement for your degree and is not directly related to employment. Because, in most cases, students fulfill their second concentration by using one Business Breadth and all three of their Unrestricted Elective, it is recommended that students do a second concentration only if the area interests them enough to use their electives toward it.

(Note: the second concentration in Global Analysis and the dual concentration in Marketing & Communication have slightly different requirements. Refer to the Options & Requirements section of this web site for more information on specific requirements).

Myth: It is important to do a Finance concentration.

Fact: It is important to do a Finance concentration if you enjoy Finance courses and do well in them. Students should follow their interests and skills in choosing a concentration.