Wharton Interview Tips: How to Prepare for the Team-Based Discussion
Originally published on October 26, 2023. Updated on October 24, 2024.
You were granted a Wharton interview, congrats! You’re one step closer to being accepted. At this point, you might be curious about Wharton’s interview acceptance rate. Approximately, half of all applicants receive an interview invite, but only about one in five are accepted. So, they’re looking to cut the remaining pool by slightly more than half at this juncture. Keep reading to learn more about Wharton’s unique interview format and strategies to maximize your chances of acceptance!
What to Expect from the Wharton MBA Interview
Wharton’s interview process includes its distinctive Team-Based Discussion (TBD) format, where you and 5-6 applicants collaborate on a prompt with 1-2 admissions team members (typically 2nd year students) facilitating. The session kicks off with each applicant delivering a 60-second pitch on the prompt. This is followed by a 25-minute group discussion, where you’ll work together to develop a solution. Throughout this time, an on-screen timer is used to ensure the teams stay on track. The exercise wraps up with a 5-minute presentation where the groups share their final solution.
After the TBD, you’ll be directed to a breakout room for a brief 10-minute one-on-one interview with the facilitator. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your group’s performance and answer other interview questions.
If you want more in-depth insight into the Wharton interview experience, check out Exit Poll: Wharton’s Team-Based Discussion and Interview. In this article, one of our clients shares their insights and lessons learned, providing an inside look at what to expect and how to prepare effectively.
What is the Wharton Team-Based Discussion Prompt?
The Wharton Team-Based Discussion prompt for Round 1 is as follows:
‘The Wharton MBA program is dedicated to developing impactful, globally conscious leaders who are passionate about meaningful change. To advance this mission, Wharton has introduced two Impact Communities: Social Equity and Environment. MBA students interested in one or more of these critical issues are invited to join the associated Impact Community to discover the many resources available at Wharton. These communities will consolidate resources and opportunities in research, academics, and career growth, acting as a hub for MBA students to uncover insights, attend engaging events, and connect with peers, faculty, and organizations.
The Wharton School is exploring the addition of a new Impact Community focused on an emerging topic of global interest. For today’s discussion, you and a team of fellow MBA students have been chosen to propose a new Impact Community.
As a team, address the following aspects:
- Define the emerging global issue your proposed Impact Community will address.
- Identify one or more potential partner organizations that could collaborate with the community by offering resources, support, or engagement opportunities.
- Identify resources within The Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania that could support the proposed Impact Community (e.g., academic programs, conferences, research initiatives).
- Two learning outcomes (skills or knowledge that will be developed during the course)
- Outline the key learning outcomes the Impact Community aims to achieve for its members.
Your final presentation should clearly articulate the vision for the new Impact Community, emphasizing how it will provide a unique and impactful learning experience aligned with Wharton’s mission to prepare leaders for the world’s most pressing challenges. Consider discussing why your team selected this emerging global issue, as well as the relevance of the resources and partner organizations identified.
How to Prepare for the Wharton Team-Based Discussion?
Preparing for the Wharton TBD is challenging, as the group dynamics remain unpredictable until the session begins. However, drafting and practicing your one-minute pitch is essential. Our clients have reported various experiences, from highly collaborative discussions to more competitive and tense interactions.
To make a strong impression, focus on these three key areas, as they are central to the admissions committee’s evaluation:
1. Are your ideas logical and well-structured?
2. Can you articulate them clearly and confidently?
3. Do you collaborate effectively and positively influence the group’s progress?
Top Three Tips for Success in the Wharton TBD
Practice, Practice, Practice.
Your opening pitch is the only element of the TBD that you can fully control, so make it count. Think through your ideas carefully and practice articulating them. Emphasize the “why” behind your proposal rather than getting lost in too many details. If applicable, draw upon your personal or professional experiences to present a compelling case.
Remember, you only have one minute—ensure you don’t get cut off by practicing your pitch out loud multiple times until it flows naturally and fits within the time limit..
Anticipate Group Dynamics.
Reflect on past team meetings or collaborative experiences that were particularly successful. Why did they work well, and how can you replicate that dynamic? Likewise, think about counterproductive behaviors you’ve witnessed and make sure to avoid them.
Also, consider how you’ll handle different scenarios. If the group strays off-topic, will you be the one to steer it back? How will you react if one participant dominates the discussion? Your goal is to guide the group towards a solid (not necessarily perfect) solution while contributing positively to the team’s dynamics.
Stay Adaptable and Engaged.
You can’t control how the discussion will unfold, but you can demonstrate teamwork in several ways—draw ideas out of quieter participants, ask thoughtful questions about proposed solutions, or synthesize viewpoints to guide the group to a conclusion. The key is to use these tools at the right moment, showing tact and collaboration.
Lastly, as you’re going through the discussion, jot down an observation or two about how the group worked together. Candidates are often asked how they thought it went in the one-on-one portion. You want to share something more insightful than ‘I thought it went well’ and this can be tough to do on the spot. Prepare, be yourself, and relax!
Want Personalized Support? Join Our Mock TBD Sessions (The Results Speak for Themselves)
We understand the difficulty of preparing for a team-based exercise independently, which is why we offer our Mock Wharton TBD service. Did you know that based on last year’s data, out of 22 participants in our Mock Wharton TBD sessions, ALL but 1 were accepted or waitlisted?
In our one-hour group video call, 4-6 clients who have received Wharton interview invites will participate in a practice group interview, closely mirroring the actual interview format. The session will be facilitated by Sarah Chandler, our resident Wharton expert (and Wharton alum!), along with Melanie Espeland and Kristen Lindeman, all Vantage Point MBA Senior Consultants, simulating the approach used by the Wharton adcom.
Participants receive preparation instructions ahead of the session. During the video call, the facilitator provides brief instructions and observes as participants engage in a 25-minute group discussion based on a specific prompt. Each participant then delivers a 5-minute presentation. The session concludes with a brief period for self-reflection and questions. Within 48 hours, participants receive individualized feedback to help refine their approach before the actual interview.
This service is competitively priced at $299. Register now to ensure you master the Wharton TBD, and our team will follow up with the next steps to fully prepare you for success.
Katie is a passionate mentor and coach, helping her clients craft a unique, compelling story by leveraging her experience as a corporate executive, alumni interviewer, and campus recruiter. Before completing her MBA at Kellogg, Katie spent five years in banking where she learned practical finance skills as well as how to operate in a demanding, high pressure environment. She pursued an MBA in order to transition to an industry role where she could utilize her finance knowledge to drive change within an organization. Post-MBA, she worked in finance and strategy for a leading CPG firm, progressing to an executive role leading the finance function for a $2B business segment. Her experience managing diverse teams led to a passion for developing others. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, she led her firm’s MBA recruiting efforts and served as an alumni admissions interviewer for Kellogg.