Semester in San Francisco

Academics

  1. There are two rounds of applications in the Spring, and students are selected based on first semester GPA + rationale for and interest in studying in San Francisco. The cohort is typically 50-70 students per semester. The SSF program only takes place in the fall.

  2. The course load is 3-6 units and most of the courses are focused on technology and entrepreneurship. There is no bidding for classes as there are no limits of students per class. SSF is a great opportunity to take a whole set of classes that would typically cost a lot of utilities in the Philly.

  3. Classes take place Monday-Thursday, as in Philly. However, a majority of classes do not have regular meeting times. Some classes take place for 3 full days in a row. Some take place weekly for a few hours at a time. While other take place for a few hours per day for 2-3 days in a row for a few weeks over the semester. Everyone must take the 0.5 credit regional seminar, which is mandatory pass/fail. Students are able to take an additional 1.0 credit pass/fail.

Career

  1. Several students do in-semester internships at VC, tech, start-ups. The SSF advisors are able to help students find internships prior to coming to SF.

  2. The west coast executive MBA is based at Wharton SF, so there is ample opportunity to network with mid to senior level managers.

  3. Wharton SF conducts several events, such as networking events, speaker series, treks, etc. throughout the semester.

  4. TechCrunch Disrupt Conference

traditions/Events

  1. NAPA takeover: Every year, the SSF students organize a weekend in NAPA for wine tasting. Typically, SSF welcomes 100+ students doing their semester in Philly to the west coast to partake in this tradition.

  2. Hawaii Trip: Usually there are no finals/papers/projects due during the traditional finals period for students in the SSF. In years past, SSF students have taken this opportunity to plan a group trip to Hawaii

  3. SSF Retreats: This year, the cohort in SF will be going to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. This is a great opportunity for the SSF students to get to know each other and become a tight knit community

  4. Mixers: Happy hours are organized every couple of weeks to engage with the local community, west coast business schools and SF-based companies and start-ups

  5. Pub: SSF’s version of pub on the west coast

Links

  1. Wharton - San Francisco (All Programs)

  2. Semester in San Francisco (MBA Program)

  3. Semester in San Francisco Application Information

Tour