For the first time in the school’s 140-year history, the number of women in the MBA program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania will surpass men.

The number of girls enrolled in the school has soared by 10% this year, accounting for 52% of the 2023 class Announced on Wednesday.

“This milestone achievement demonstrates the Wharton School’s commitment to providing a diverse and representative community for our students.” Wharton Dean Erica James said in an email to PhillyVoice. “As a female leader, I directly understand the significant impact that experiencing meaningful gender representation can have on women’s career planning.“

The business courses of the Ivy League schools ranked second in the United States in the U.S. News and World Report. Data extracted from national MBA courses It was found in 2016 that, on average, women accounted for 37% of MBA students.

James said the school has made “conscious efforts” to make female applicants feel needed and welcome at the school.

“Diversity, fairness and inclusion are at the core of our efforts. Although we are very proud to welcome this year’s record-breaking women to our MBA community, we do hope that fair gender representation will soon become the norm in business schools and not the exception.“ Said Maryellen Reilly, associate dean of the Wharton MBA program.

School 897 students admitted 7,338 applicants from the class of 2023, including a record 7% of LGBTQ+ students, 36% of international students, and 35% of black, indigenous and colored students.