Got a Wharton Interview? Here’s What You Need to Know

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania consistently leads P&Q’s ‘Top Business Schools’ ranking year-after-year. And for good reason—Wharton is known to be home to diverse student talent and extensive analytics, fintech, and entrepreneurship resources.

Judith Silverman Hodara, Fortuna Admissions Director and former acting director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School, recently covered Wharton’s 2022-2023 Team-Based Discussion (TBD) prompt and offered tips on delivering a standout pitch.

A VIRTUAL FORMAT

Wharton’s TBD offers applicants an opportunity to showcase their professional presence and convey what they could bring to the Wharton community.

Applicants are grouped in teams of five to six candidates and each team is given a prompt with an end goal that they must collectively work towards.

“Each team member will share their ideas/reflections on the prompt in 1 minute or less before moving into the group discussion,” Hodara explains. “After this round of brief introductions, your team has a little less than 30 minutes to generate a subject and presentation model that is ultimately shared with the admissions committee observer. Following the TBD, there will be a one-on-one interview with an admission representative, lasting 10 minutes. Be prepared to speak to why MBA/why Wharton. The time goes very quickly – in fact, that’s the comment we hear most from our clients.”

This year’s TBD prompt asks applicants to design a new Global Immersion Program and determine the course requirements, which include region of study, company meetings, cultural events, and immersion experiences

“In offering this prompt, Wharton was soliciting a strong and well thought out deliverable, as well as the self-awareness necessary to engage with others in a give-and-take around a virtual conference table to reach the final presentation,” Hodara says.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hodara recommends that applicants consider introducing themselves briefly during their one-minute pitch for the Wharton TBD.

“This way, you’re not only giving your team a sense of your background but also what it is that compels you to that particular area of interest,” she says.

BODY LANGUAGE MATTERS

While the pitch is done virtually, Hodara stresses the importance of context—especially in how you present yourself and how you engage with the team.

“Especially on video, you’ll want to bring extra awareness to your posture, gestures, eye contact and that of others; it’s harder to read non-verbal cues over video, and there might be a time lag that’s not present in person,” she says. “Your ability to share the stage with your colleagues is incredibly important. The ease in which you can pass the conversation from one to the next can be really impactful. Look for ways to ‘toss the ball’ back to your teammates to exhibit your ability to draw out the best thinking in others and engage the entire group.”

BE YOURSELF

Perhaps one of the most important tips Hodara offers is to remember to be yourself. That means embracing your extroverted or introverted personality.

“Wharton isn’t looking to fill its cohort with one kind of personality type, so don’t try to be someone you’re not,” she says. “Self and situational awareness can be expressed across the continuum of passionate thinkers and doers, so stay curious and enjoy yourself.”

Sources: Fortuna Admissions, Wharton, P&Q, P&Q

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