At Wharton, students analyze the greats: Alan Greenspan, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie . . . Jerry Seinfeld? Yes, for some, the bottom line is being replaced by the punchline.
What began as a one-time fund-raiser in 2002 is now the Wharton Comedy Club--a once-a-quarter chance for students and staff to stand up and deliver on topics ranging from recruiting to hooking up.
"We started the club to apply what we're learning in school-it's like a small business operation," says Ben Relles, who formed the group with fellow student Kofi Kankam. That's because 100 percent of performance proceeds--more than $12,000 so far--has gone to two local charities benefiting the homeless.
The 50 club members touch on crucial B-school topics. Relles has provided interviewing tips: "If you don't have a good answer to an interviewer's question, be honest. Say, 'You already asked me that.'" Another: 'Eye contact is crucial. If the interviewer looks down, snap your fingers and say, 'Hey, big shot! I'm over here!'" Some yuksters explain why they treasure Wharton. 'The difference between a matriculating student and a recent graduate," says student Lex Wolf, "is $125,000." On social life, the class of '04's Jay Vanantwerp cracks: 'I love the theme parties at business school. But I wonder: Do pimps and hos dress up in suits and have MBA parties?"
Even the faculty gets stage time. Warns senior associate director of admissions Alex Brown, 'It's completely unacceptable to waltz into my office with $10,000 and think you'll get admitted. We have separate P.O. boxes for that."
From student Vipur Andleigh: "Thank goodness for the Comedy Club. Now we can top the Comedy Central Business School rankings." Says grad Adam Spiegel, "Finally people are laughing at what I said, instead of at me. It was the only experience at Wharton that got me laid."
Just the same, Wharton comics, once you do get a day job, don't give it up.
