{"id":33165,"date":"2026-02-10T11:15:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/?p=33165"},"modified":"2026-04-01T09:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T13:22:09","slug":"wharton-team-based-discussion-what-to-expect-and-how-to-prepare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wharton-team-based-discussion-what-to-expect-and-how-to-prepare\/","title":{"rendered":"Wharton Team Based Discussion: What to Expect and How to Prepare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Wharton TBD Format<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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 <\/span>website<\/b><\/a> that all groups are assigned randomly, so you will not know who your fellow interviewees are\u2014or what other discussion points will be addressed\u2014prior 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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Expect in Your TBD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Understandably, Wharton applicants get anxious about this atypical interview because the approach creates a very different dynamic from what one usually encounters in a one-on-one meeting\u2014and with other applicants also participating in the virtual session, one cannot help but feel less in control of the content and direction of the conversation. Yet despite the uncertainty, here are a few things you can expect:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. You will need to come to the TBD with an idea\u2014your response to the challenge or issue described in your interview invitation\u2014and be ready to present it to the group.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Having the best idea is much less important than how you interact with others in the group and communicate your thoughts. So while you need to have prepared an idea ahead of time, that is only part of what you will be evaluated on.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Your peers will have prepared their own ideas, and chances are that they will offer ideas related to things that you know little or nothing about. Do not worry! The admissions committee members will not be not judging you on your topical expertise. What they are most interested in seeing is how you add to the collective output of the team.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. During your short one-on-one session with a Wharton admissions officer, you will likely be asked to reflect on how the TBD went for you; this will require self-awareness on your part.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Preparing for the TBD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    For an in-depth discussion of the program\u2019s interview process and guidance on how to prepare for your TBD, download a free copy of mbaMission\u2019s <\/span>Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Interview Guide<\/b><\/a>for an in-depth look into the interview process. This complimentary resource includes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n