Scholars Programs

Highly motivated Wharton students have the opportunity to challenge themselves through a variety of scholars programs at Penn:

Joseph Wharton Scholars (JWS)

The JWS program:

  • Emphasizes the importance of scholarly research and the liberal arts and sciences within the framework of a business education.
  • Involves taking scholars seminars and courses both inside and outside of Wharton and engaging in a significant senior research project.
  • Requires membership and continued good academic standing in the Benjamin Franklin Scholars program.
  • Features fall faculty research presentations that are open to all Wharton students.
  • Invites students to join before entering as first-years or to apply in their second semester at Penn.

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University Scholars

The University Scholars program provides an unusual academic environment for intellectually dynamic students who have already demonstrated their commitment and dedication to research. The program involves:

  • In-depth research
  • An early start in graduate and professional courses
  • Mentoring, research funding, and scholarly events
  • Weekly lunches at which students present and discuss their research

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Wharton Research Scholars (WRS)

WRS is an intensive one-year, for-credit research program for a select group of upper-level students who are interested in conducting research under the supervision of some of Wharton’s preeminent faculty members. The program is structured as a for-credit seminar (WH 2990). Program highlights:

  • Students convene to discuss project progress, strategies, and challenges throughout the year, thus creating a sense of scholarly community.
  • Near the end of the first semester, students defend their project proposals in a public session with students and faculty mentors in attendance.
  • Research progress continues through the second semester, culminating in final presentations and a paper for publication on ScholarlyCommons.

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