You’ve received an invite to interview for the Wharton MBA, congratulations! Now, what can you expect and how can you best prepare to secure a spot in the incoming class?
In this article, I’ll describe the Wharton interview process and share 5 tips for the Team-Based Discussion.
Resources
+ MBA Program Stats here.
+ MBA Program Deadlines here.
The Wharton MBA Interview Process
The Wharton MBA interview is made up of two parts:
1. The Team-Based Discussion
- Takes place within groups of 5-6.
- Discussion lasts for ~35 minutes.
- Discussion is overseen by 2 Admissions fellows (who are current MBA students).
- Discussion prompt is sent in advance.
2. The 1-on-1 Interview
- Takes place with an Admissions fellow.
- Interview lasts for ~10 minutes.
5 Tips To Ace The Team-Based Discussion
The aim of the team-based discussion is to come to a consensus with your group of fellow interviewees, on a plan of action based on the discussion prompt. You are to prepare a point of view or idea which you will pitch to your group in under a minute. After everyone has taken a turn pitching, you’ll all discuss and ideally come to a consensus, within the allotted time.
This interview format is a great way for the admissions committee to get a sense of how you might fare at Wharton, as it mimics the learning team dynamic, a core part of the academic experience. Collaboration, contribution and interpersonal dynamics are some of what is evaluated during the team-based discussion.
Here are 5 tips to help you ace the Wharton team-based discussion:
1. Memorize your 60-second pitch
This is my #1 tip because it gives you confidence if you’re able to start off on a strong note with a well-thought out and properly articulated pitch. It also frees you up mentally to be able to pay attention to all the other pitches. You don’t need to memorize all the other details of your idea but do go into as much detail as possible in your preparation. This will be helpful in case your idea becomes the one that the group decides to build a consensus around.
2. Know your team
When everyone else is introducing themselves, pay attention, write their names down. These are people you are having a conversation with. It comes off very well on you, if you are able to refer to someone else’s idea while referencing their name. You don’t want to be the person trying to ask someone a question and not knowing what their name is.
3. Claim your contribution
What role are you going to play in this group? What will be your contribution? Think about how you typically contribute in team settings and see how you can consciously bring that to this group. For example, some people keep the flow of the conversation going and ensure that it is all leading towards delivering the expected output by the allotted time. Some people synthesize what’s been discussed to ensure everyone is on the same page. The key here is to be aware of what your contribution is, as you might be asked about it during the 1-on-1 interview.
4. Look out for others
There might be a person in your group who is a little shy or who is being spoken over. Be the person who looks out for them and helps to draw them into the conversation. You could ask for their opinion specifically or you could reference something they may have said earlier and ask for more details. Being able to look beyond yourself to how others in the group are faring, is a great attribute.
5. Finish strong
Remember that the outcome of the team-based discussion is some consensus around the prompt. Regardless of how fruitful and energizing the conversation is, keep that outcome in mind. At the end of the allotted time, you want to know that you have accomplished exactly what the prompt required and actually finished the discussion.
Final note on the team-based discussion: whether you are interviewing in-person or virtually, do not come to the discussion with prepared materials to hand-out or otherwise reference. You’re not showing up to give a presentation, you’re showing up to have a conversation.
Have fun with it and best of luck!
For further support, you can:
Request a free 15-minute consultation by emailing info@aniekeme.com.
Get the guide, 80 MBA Admissions Tips.
See if comprehensive MBA admissions consulting is right for you.
See if one of the hourly MBA admissions consulting services is right for you.
Cheering you on,
Aniekeme
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thank you, your article surprised me, there is such an excellent point of view. Thank you for sharing, I learned a lot.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.