Wharton Changes Up Its Team-Based Exercise

Outside the Wharton School on the University of Pennsylvania campus – Ethan Baron photo

‘A MORE REALISTIC SIMULATION OF HOW STUDENTS MIGHT ACTUALLY INTERACT’

“Please come prepared to share your thoughts with the group in one minute or less before moving into the team discussion. You should plan to spend no more than one hour in preparation for this part of the process.”

Immediately following the group discussion, Wharton said applicants would then have a 10-minute, one-on-one interview with a member of the school’s admissions team. The school described the exercise as “an opportunity for you to further converse with a member of the admissions team regarding your candidacy. While we will have questions for you during this time, we also realize that there are specific aspects that you may wish to highlight, such as your reflections on the team-based discussion, aspects of your candidacy that you feel are of particular importance, or updates on your professional or personal endeavors. This time will also allow for you to ask any questions that you may have regarding the program or next steps in the process.”

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, a leading MBA admissions consulting firm, says she likes the new prompt. “I think that applicants can have a little fun with it, relax, be creative as well as serious and let their personalities shine through,” she says. “It’s also more relevant/immediate to their “being in an MBA program” goal, and gives an opportunity to highlight personal interests and vision for their MBA experience.

“This is a more realistic simulation of how the students might actually interact while in the program,” adds Blackman. “Of course the secret sauce for applicant success is still as much how they interact with others as it is having that prize winning idea, so applicants still need to keep their eye on the ball and be respectful of others in the group and collaborate and listen.”

‘RELAX, BE GENUINE, AND ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET TO KNOW YOU’

Wharton also dispensed some advice to those invited to interview. “Remember that the key is to relax, be genuine, and enjoy the opportunity for us to get to know you and you to get to know each other.”

Bauer of The MBA Exchange said the instructions shouldn’t be taken “as a reason to avoid preparation. Over the past three years, our clients have found that participating in a real-time group simulation with other applicants, which we video record for their review, is the ideal way to gain confidence and competence in the art of group think.”

Wharton’s round two application deadline is Jan. 5, with notification of an interview or release on Feb. 9th. The school’s final application deadline is March 30th, with notification on April 13.

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