With Wharton’s Round 2 interview invitations scheduled for release on February 20, if you have applied, here are a few things to know as you begin preparing for the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD) and interview process.
What Is the Wharton Team-Based Discussion
The Wharton Team-Based Discussion is a group-based interview format used for MBA admissions. Rather than a traditional one-on-one interview, applicants join five or six randomly assigned candidates for a collaborative discussion. The TBD is conducted virtually, usually on Zoom, and lasts approximately 35 minutes. This is immediately followed by a 10-minute individual interview. Most sessions are observed by current students or admissions committee members.
Wharton uses the TBD to assess how you work with others in a realistic business scenario. You will be evaluated on your teamwork, strategic thinking, leadership approach, communication skills, self-awareness, and adaptability.
How the TBD Works
The Wharton TBD has a structured format:
- You will receive the discussion prompt about one to two weeks in advance. It usually asks you to propose a new initiative or program related to Wharton.
- Prepare a one-minute opening statement, presenting your idea as a starting point for the team.
- At the start of the session, every candidate shares their 60-second proposal.
- The group spends the next 25 minutes refining, combining, and developing a single, unified solution to present.
- The last 5 minutes are devoted to a group presentation of the final plan.
- Immediately after, you will meet individually for a short 10-minute interview with an admissions representative. You may be asked about your team role, contribution, and reflections on the group dynamics.
Tips and Strategies for Success
- Keep your opening statement clear, well-structured, and under 60 seconds. Frame your idea so others can easily build on it.
- Make three to five meaningful contributions during the discussion, showing thoughtful engagement without dominating the conversation.
- Directly acknowledge and integrate ideas from other teammates. If possible, refer to others by name and help synthesize varied viewpoints.
- Adapt to the group’s needs: If the conversation becomes unfocused, help summarise or refocus. If someone is quiet, invite them to contribute.
- Choose a natural group role for yourself, such as facilitator or connector. If you excel at structure, help keep the group organized and on time. If you are analytical, challenge ideas respectfully.
- Stay focused on positive teamwork and self-awareness. During the individual interview, honestly assess how you contributed and how the team reached consensus.
- Common mistakes to avoid include dominating the discussion, interrupting, defending your own idea unnecessarily, getting lost in detail, or fading into the background.
Practice Prompts from Recent Years
Here are actual and representative TBD prompts from recent Wharton admissions cycles that you can use for practice:
- Design a new three-day “pre-baccalaureate” course for the Wharton Global Youth Program. The course should target high school students, be hosted on Wharton’s Philadelphia campus, and focus on a cutting-edge business topic not currently covered in the existing curriculum. (Round 1 2025-2026)
- Propose a new “Impact Community” for an emerging global issue, building on Wharton’s Social Equity and Environment communities (2024-2025)
- Design a new course on a cutting-edge business topic for Wharton’s Pre-baccalaureate Program (high school students) (2023-2024)
- Design a new Global Immersion Program (GIP) course, including international travel components (2022-2023)
- Create a new Alternate Reality Course (ARC) using gamified simulations for the MBA curriculum (2021-2022)
- Develop a young alumni engagement program to connect recent graduates globally (2020-2021)
- Plan a one-day unveiling program for the new Tangen Hall entrepreneurship building (2019-2020)
If you are looking to take a more structured and guided approach, Admissions Gateway and Poets&Quants, are hosting a Wharton TBD Workshop. The session includes a moderated TBD simulation led by Wharton alumni and senior Admissions Gateway consultants, designed to help applicants experience the real dynamics of the discussion and receive personalised feedback.
For unmoderated practice among your potential wharton peers, join this community and practice and observe mocks
To prepare, simulate group discussions using these prompts, practice your one-minute pitch, and work on adapting to group dynamics in online or in-person workshops.
If you focus on collaboration, communication, and solution-building, your approach will be aligned with what Wharton seeks in future leaders.