Wharton TBD: A Complete Guide

The Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania. Wharton University, one of the most prestigious names in the realm of academia and education, is a private Ivy League research university. It is a dream university of innumerable young adults across the world, and its business school is most well-known for its MBA programs. The pre-requisites for the MBA admission process are like most general Ivy League admission processes, with good educational qualifications and academic scores, two essays, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, GMAT/GRE scores, and English Language test scores, and a holistic resume. Post the application round comes to the Wharton TBD process. The Wharton TBD, which stands for Team-Based Discussion, is a process that students can partake in only upon receiving a formal invitation.

Read ahead to understand the nuanced details of what the Wharton TBD process is, how it is conducted, and how to ace it.

What is the Wharton TBD?

Students who are arriving for the Team-Based Discussion have been formally invited by the university, thus, affording a sense of achievement for clearing this step as well. This process is a reflection of the highly collaborative nature of the Wharton MBA environment. It is a platform for the Wharton admissions committee to see which applicants will be able to flourish and blossom when thrown right in the midst of a Wharton MBA program atmosphere. Additionally, it is also an opportunity for brilliant MBA aspirants from across the world to connect and engage with each other, have an interesting and enlightening discourse, and indulge in an exchange of ideas and ideologies.

How is the Wharton TBD conducted?

The Wharton TBD is a 35-exercise comprising of four to five students interacting in a lively team setting. The format is to offer the students a collaborative exercise, where they have a common purpose and work towards a tangible outcome. This is followed by a 10-minute one-on-one interview with a member of the admissions team regarding the student’s interest in Wharton university.

1. Purpose of a Wharton TBD

The intent behind a Wharton Team-Based Discussion is for the university’s MBA admissions committee to get a clearer picture of who you are as a person, how you function as a part of a team, and how you will fit the collaborative essence of the Wharton MBA experience. The aim is to test certain characteristics of the student such as communication styles, level of engagement, leadership skills, decision-making process, quick thinking, etc.

2. How to Prepare for a Wharton TBD?

The preparation for a Wharton TBD needs to comprise of substantial research on the esteemed institution itself, a comprehensive understanding of one’s own strengths and potential to be portrayed during the interview, and honing of the unique experiences that you bring to the table as an applicant. A few things to remember:

• Personal Strengths and Qualities: The student must try and bring their personal skill-set and knowledge-base to the table as a participatory and enthusiastic team member. It is important to contribute your ideas and opinions to the overall progress of the team and the exercise.
• Authenticity: The important thing to remember is to be your authentic self because the main premise for the Team-Based Discussion is for them to understand who you are beyond your application and academic scores. So be yourself, pitch your unique ideas and experiences of the group.
• Be A Team Player: The most important thing in a Wharton TBD is to be a team player. The purpose behind the exercise is for them to reflect the intense collaboration that is central to the Wharton MBA experience, and for you as an aspiring applicant to get a flavor of the same. Thus, be interactive and engaging and think from the perspective of the team, and not just yourself as an individual.

With these aspects sufficiently prepared, the students will have an interesting, enjoyable, and stimulating experience being a part of the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD). As of now, due to the surge of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Wharton TBD has been moved to online virtual platforms instead of the usual physical space that the discussion took place in. Although the platform is different, the format, structure, and expectations of the process are still the same.

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