Joseph Wharton Scholars

Founded in 1988, the Joseph Wharton Scholars Program was designed to emphasize the importance of scholarly research and the liberal arts and sciences within the framework of a business education. Students in the program take scholars courses in Wharton and in the College of Arts & Sciences, engage in a significant senior research project (waived if doing one for a joint or dual-degree program), maintain a 3.4 GPA, and participate in a variety of activities that are academic, career-oriented, and social in nature.

The JWS Program has been formally linked to the Benjamin Franklin Scholars Program, through which students gain access to the scholars courses in the College of Arts & Sciences. One must remain in good standing in the BFS Program to remain in the JWS Program. The BFS Program requires a minimum of four Benjamin Franklin Seminars, most of which are in the College, but some of which are in Wharton (e.g., specified sections of LGST 101 and LGST 210). For students entering both programs as in-coming freshmen, the JWS Program requires four scholars courses inside of Wharton and three scholars courses outside of Wharton. Therefore, typical Joseph Wharton Scholars would take three of their four Benjamin Franklin Seminars in the College and the fourth BF Seminar in Wharton, along with four other Wharton scholars courses (e.g., specified sections of FNCE 100, FNCE 101, MKTG 101, MGMT 101, MKTG 476, STAT 430, STAT 431, WH 399, and the other Wharton BF Seminars).

For students entering JWS during their freshman or sophomore year, the number of scholars courses inside Wharton is three rather than four. Otherwise, all requirements are identical. To eliminate duplication of effort, students (including internal-transfer and dual-degree applicants from the other colleges) interested in applying to JWS should:

1. Apply for admission to the Benjamin Franklin Scholars Program (see the application information here):

   • For freshmen, by either February 1 or June 1

   • For sophomores, by either October 15 or February 1

2. After the BFS Program application has been submitted, send an email indicating an interest in being considered for admission to the JWS Program to the Director of Research and Scholars Programs, Dr. Martin Asher (asherm@wharton.upenn.edu).

You may view more information about the JWS program here.