The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania uses a very different interview format than most business schools do, opting for a virtual in place of a traditional admissions interview to evaluate its candidates.
In this post, we explain what you can expect in the Wharton TBD and how best to prepare for this one-of-a-kind interview.
Table of Contents
The Wharton TBD Format
The Wharton School groups applicants together in five- or six-person teams for a 35-minute virtual group exercise. When you are invited to interview, you will receive a prompt from the admissions committee that will be the basis for your group’s discussion. During the TBD, you and your fellow interviewees will each present your ideas for addressing the problem or issue outlined in the prompt; then, as a team, you will talk through your options and ultimately decide on a course of action, which you will then present to the admissions officers moderating the session. Wharton notes on its website that all groups are assigned randomly, so you will not know who your fellow interviewees are—or what other discussion points will be addressed—prior to the TBD. Immediately after the group session, each participating candidate will meet with a Wharton admissions officer for a ten-minute one-on-one interview.
Preparing for Your TBD
For an in-depth discussion of the program’s interview process and guidance on how to prepare for your TBD, download a free copy of mbaMission’s Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Interview Guide for an in-depth look into the interview process. This complimentary resource includes
- Insight into what the school is evaluating and hoping to gain from the interview
- An explanation of the school’s approach to interviewing (self-scheduled or invite only, blind versus comprehensive, etc.)
- Past applicants’ firsthand accounts of their interview experiences and multiple sample interview question sequences
- Tips on preparing for and responding to questions which most typically vex applicants
- Help in formulating compelling questions of your own.
What to Expect in Your TBD
And to give you and other Wharton candidates the opportunity to undergo a realistic test run before experiencing the actual event, we created our Wharton Team Based Discussion Simulation. Via this simulation, you can participate anonymously with three to five other MBA applicants in an online conversation moderated by two of our experienced Senior Consultants familiar with Wharton’s format and approach. You will then receive feedback on your performance, with special focus on your interpersonal skills and communication abilities. The simulation can help you build your confidence before your TBD by giving you an expert’s insight into your role on a team, how you communicate your ideas to—and within—a group of (equally talented) peers, and how you perform when you must think on your feet in a high-pressure situation. Our Wharton Team Based Discussion Simulation can ensure that when the day of your TBD arrives, you will be ready for the real thing.
The Wharton Team Based Discussion Simulation Schedule
| Session | Date | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| A | Fri, Oct 30 | 10am-11:30am ET |
| B | Sat, Oct 31 | 10am-11:30am ET |
| C | Sat, Oct 31 | 3pm-4:30pm ET |
| D | Sun, Nov 1 | 12pm-1:30pm ET |
| E | Sun, Nov 1 | 8pm-9:30pm ET |
| F | Mon, Nov 2 | 6pm-7:30pm ET |
| G | Tues, Nov 3 | 12pm-1:30pm ET |
| H | Tues, Nov 3 | 3pm-4:30pm ET |
| I | Wed, Nov 4 | 3pm-4:30pm ET |
| J | Thurs, Nov 5 | 10am-11:30am ET |
| K | Thurs, Nov 5 | 8pm-9:30pm ET |
| L | Fri, Nov 6 | 10am-11:30am ET |
| M | Fri, Nov 6 | 3pm-4:30pm ET |
| N | Sat, Nov 7 | 12pm-1:30pm ET |
| O | Sun, Nov 8 | 3pm-4:30pm ET |
*Schedule subject to change
If you have any questions regarding availability for a Wharton interview preparation session, please contact us anytime.
