Wharton Virtual Team-Based Discussion: What To Expect & How To Prepare

On October 22nd, Wharton will release its invitations to the MBA interview. The Wharton interview is distinctive among the M7 for its Team Based Discussion. This dynamic, relational experience is about much more than delivering a strong pitch – Wharton’s admission committee wants to observe how you approach a challenge, present yourself, cohesively work towards solutions in a small group context and think on your feet. Having spent a decade at the helm of Wharton’s MBA admissions, as well as running my Fortuna Admissions clients through the paces to prepare each application cycle, I’ve become practiced at guiding candidates to bring their best to the table. To get ready for this unique format, you can sign up for a mock TBD with Fortuna’s Wharton experts, and experience firsthand what it’s like to navigate the conversation with other candidates.

WHAT TO EXPECT

With the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD), instead of a traditional one-on-one Q&A, you’ll join a small group of five to six candidates on Zoom to collaboratively tackle a real-world business or community challenge related to the Wharton program. You’ll receive the prompt at the time of invitation-and are asked to prepare a one-minute opening pitch and introduction of your proposed idea. During the 30-minute session, your team works together to build consensus from your collective ideas, and develop a concrete recommendation or plan, which you’ll then present to an admissions observer.

At the close of the group discussion, you’ll have a short, one-on-one debrief with a Wharton admissions representative (typically around 10 minutes) to reflect on the experience and answer more personal questions like “Why Wharton?” or “What would you contribute to the class?” The exercise is designed to mirror Wharton’s learning teams and assess how you think, listen, and lead in a group setting – not to test your technical expertise or how “right” your idea is. Expect a fast-paced, dynamic discussion where your ability to collaborate, communicate clearly, and build on others’ ideas will matter far more than whose idea is chosen.

Here are our team’s top tips for delivering your standout pitch, along with what success looks like, and how to optimize your performance on video.

5 TOP TIPS FOR DELIVERING YOUR WHARTON TBD PITCH

After initiating the conversation, the observer takes a back seat; expect to be assessed on how well you listen to others and facilitate the group’s dialogue. This experience is less about your own particular answer and presentation, and more about how well you collaborate with others toward a larger objective.

Here are the Fortuna team’s top tips for creating your pitch:

Tip 1: Put your self-intro into a relevant context.

When developing your one-minute pitch for the Wharton TBD, consider introducing yourself briefly in the context of why your idea resonates with you. 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.

Tip 2: Have a deeper level of info at the ready.

Have your idea fleshed out with sufficient detail so that, if it is selected by your teammates, you’re poised to be the “go-to” person with an additional layer of information. If your idea is selected, you can anticipate your teammates looking to you for an additional layer of guidance. You will want to be prepared to offer the “next level” of detail in the discussion. You’ll want to watch your “ums,” “ahs” and incomplete ideas.

Tip 3: Notice content and process.

You will want to give considered attention not just to what you’re saying but how you’re saying it – meaning that Wharton really cares how you present yourself while 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.. The ease with 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.

Tip 4: Create the conditions to shine on video.

Turn off your email, WhatsApp, or other notifications and definitely silence your cell phone – anything that might chirp or ding (note that tablets, cell phones, and use of internet browsers are not allowed during the Zoom). Flawless internet connectivity should go without saying, so be sure to test your connection in advance. Make sure the space behind your camera is clear and uncluttered, that your lighting is positioned on your face, and that your sound quality is excellent. As mentioned above, eye contact is very important – while it is tempting to look at yourself on your screen, be mindful to engage the interviewer by looking up at the camera instead. You may want to raise your computer so that the camera is eye level.

As Wharton suggests, enter the waiting room 10 minutes early – you may have the opportunity to chat and connect with other participants before go time. Zoom will also give you the benefit of seeing everyone’s names; you may wish to jot them down along with the basics of their plan. If you end up being the “note-taker” for your group throughout the sessions, don’t forget to verbally contribute just as much, if not more, than you are taking the time to annotate the proceedings.

Tip 5: Prepare thoughtful questions for your one-on-one

After the completion of your TBD, the facilitator will announce the order of one-on-one interviews and then move all group members to the waiting room. The facilitator will invite one person back into the meeting at a time, and each of you will have about 10 minutes. Be prepared to speak to ‘Why Wharton’ (this is almost always asked). This is also your opportunity to highlight specific aspects of your candidacy you want to convey, and to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your knowledge of the program. Once you have completed the one-on-one interview, you can leave the Zoom meeting.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

I get this anxious question a lot: How much does it matter if my idea is chosen? While running with your idea can have its advantages, it’s far more important to showcase your collaborative leadership: the ability to help facilitate a discussion among people who have never met toward a greater end goal and advance an idea in a compelling way within a limited timeframe.

Reflect on the following tactics as you prepare for the Wharton TBD and move through your own “pitch” experience:

After each team member has introduced themselves and offered a quick pitch, how might you help facilitate discussion to arrive at a consensus?
How can you support your teammates and collaborate – even if you have to abandon your own idea – versus solely promoting your own ideas?
What leadership behaviors will draw out your other team members? How are you able to enhance the discussion by encouraging others to voice their opinions?
How might you reflect on the discussion taking place while helping advance the deliverables to support the group’s final presentation to the adcom in the room?

FINAL THOUGHTS

Finally, remember that Wharton’s TBD, like all MBA interview experiences, is an opportunity to share your candidacy authentically. This means embracing your own style, whether you’re a quiet consensus-builder, extroverted idea person, or on-the-spot synthesizer. Wharton isn’t looking to fill its cohort with one kind of personality type, so don’t try to be someone you’re not. Self and situational awareness can be expressed across the continuum of passionate thinkers and doers, so stay curious and enjoy yourself.

We offer Wharton TBD interview prep sessions with our Wharton experts and a group of fellow Wharton candidates for a limited period during each admissions round; sign up today to reserve your place.

Judith Silverman Hodara is a Co-Founder and Director at Fortuna Admissions and former Head of MBA Admissions at The Wharton School. For more free advice from Fortuna Admissions in partnership with Poets&Quants, check out these videos and articles. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up now for a free consultation.

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