Your Ultimate Interview Advice for Wharton
If you’ve earned an interview invite for the Wharton Team-Based Discussion, congrats—you’re already in rare company. Now comes the real test: proving you’ll thrive in one of the most collaborative MBA programs on the planet. The school released its Round 1 interview invites on October 22, and with competition this fierce, preparation is critical. That means it’s time to share SBC’s interview advice for Wharton—so you can enter the process with confidence and strategy.
With an admission rate of about 20.5%, Wharton remains one of the most selective MBA programs in the world. Applications rose again last year—7,613 for the Class of 2027, up from 7,322 for the Class of 2026.
As consultants who’ve helped countless clients earn admission to top business schools, we know firsthand how pivotal the interview phase is. Wharton interviews roughly 40% of applicants, and about one in three of those interviewed ultimately receives an offer.
It’s worth noting that no candidate is admitted without an interview. This crucial step helps the admissions committee get a complete picture of you as an applicant—and assess whether you’ll fit within the Wharton community.
The Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD) models the school’s highly collaborative MBA environment, helping evaluators identify qualities such as communication style, engagement, leadership skills, and decision-making.
Our Stacy Blackman Consulting team includes three former Wharton Admissions Officers. SBC consultant Anthony, who served as associate director of MBA admissions at Wharton, was there when the TBD launched—and even helped design and implement the format itself.
What Group Interviews Provide
“Wharton had used both fit and behavioral interviews in its evaluation process and was finding that similar decisions could have been made without the interview,” Anthony said in the B-Schooled podcast episode #222. “It wasn’t providing any new insight into a candidate’s background or potential in an MBA program than what the written application had said.”
“As we thought about the unique aspects of the Wharton program, the collaboration and team emphasis was a constant theme,” he added. “And so we worked towards creating an interview process that would allow us to better understand how someone performs in a team setting.”
Stacy Blackman offers a mock team-based interview service that replicates the Wharton TBD experience and is led by former members of Wharton AdCom. Participants receive preparation tips, a one-hour mock group interview, and written feedback with actionable advice. Space is limited —contact us today for more information.
Interview Advice for Wharton
Our expert advice includes the following tips to help you showcase your assets and skills to their best advantage during the Team-Based Discussion (TBD) experience. Even though Wharton uses a team-based format, it’s also important to practice for the MBA interview questions asked in one-on-one conversations, which remain part of the process.
Preparing for the TBD
Wharton was among the first US business schools to implement a team-based discussion component as part of the interview process. In it, four to five applicants discuss a topic for 35 minutes while admissions committee members observe. Wharton will provide all applicants with the necessary details and the prompt that will be used before the scheduled interview time.
The Wharton TBD has three parts that need to occur within the 35-minute timeline. Since time management is up to the group, you will need to create a strategy for using those 35 minutes to ensure that you address all of these points. Here’s how the TBD works—and where your prep time should really go.
- A one-minute pitch from each participant.
- The more extensive group discussion on the prompt.
- A formal presentation at the end of the discussion.
Wharton conducts all TBDs virtually. Following the team-based discussion, you’ll have a one-on-one blind interview for about 10 minutes. Wharton MBA admissions interviews are conducted by AdCom or highly trained second-year students referred to as admissions fellows.
This aspect of the application process aims to get a holistic sense of you beyond a well-written essay or even a well-rehearsed interview. “Wharton emphasizes your ability to collaborate and be a strong team player,” SBC consultant Anthony said.
Show Curiosity, Not Dominance
Remember that observers want to see candidates contributing without dominating the discussion. The idea is to understand how you might engage in a productive conversation with a group of future classmates. As Anthony explained, this is an opportunity for you to express who you are as an individual and as a functioning team member.
@stacyblackmanconsulting #sbcyourfuture #bschool #mba #businessschool #bschooladmissions #interviewtips #wharton #whartonmba #interview #groupinterview ? original sound – Stacy Blackman Consulting
To leave a positive impression, share your point of view and listen thoughtfully. Respect differing points of view and bring others into the conversation. Above all, be yourself—and know there’s no right or wrong answer.
“Adaptability is crucial,” Anthony emphasized. “The evaluators want to see that you’ve prepared for the interview, but you’re not necessarily being evaluated on just the words that you speak or the ideas that you give. It’s really based on your actions throughout the team-based discussion.”
One Wharton MBA student offered this valuable interview advice:
“I found simulating the TBD with a group of friends extremely helpful. Having gone through the experience in a comfortable setting really helped ease the pressure off for the actual interview and allowed me to truly be myself despite the nerves.” —Rhea Grover
Emphasize your experience as an innovator
Beyond teamwork, Wharton’s evaluators want to see the mindset that drives impact. Innovation is integral to Wharton’s brand. This doesn’t have to mean you’ve invented the next billion-dollar app or founded a company. But it does denote someone who creates something that has not existed before—whether that’s a new product, process, or way of seeing the world.
Think of ways you’ve acted as a “change agent” in your workplace or community. Wharton seeks dynamic, energized students who want to change industries, economies, and even countries. Find examples of how you’ve seen the potential to improve things and taken action to create positive change.
Show your aptitude for thriving in a global environment
Approximately 26% of Wharton’s Class of 2027 hails from 68 countries outside the US. Awareness and appreciation of other cultures are vital to an applicant’s ability to survive and thrive at Wharton and in today’s global business world.
Showing global awareness isn’t necessarily about the number of stamps on your passport. Instead, it’s about conveying that you thrive in unfamiliar environments and can navigate the challenges of competing in a global marketplace.
If your career goals transcend borders, share your planned career path. If you have experience working with global teams, provide examples of challenges and successes. Above all, an honest curiosity and willingness to learn about other cultures and countries will go a long way.
Harnessing the Power of the Wharton Team-Based Discussion
Ultimately, you shouldn’t consider interviews for Wharton or any other top business school as just another hurdle standing in the way of your MBA. Instead, realize this is how the admissions committee tries to get to know you better.
The interview allows you to connect the dots of your narrative and tell your story in your unique voice. Emphasizing your strengths and experiences as they relate to qualities important to each school’s learning community will help demonstrate how you’ll fit in, be a contributing member, and, indeed, an asset to that school’s learning community.
As another Wharton MBA stressed:
“Just be yourself! The TBD simulates a real-life experience working on a team as a Wharton student. It’s important to show how YOU best work in a team. Be flexible and adapt as necessary, but make sure to stay true to who you are in a team setting.” — Megan Emery
Now that you’ve seen our interview advice for Wharton, it’s time to start practicing! Recruit a friend or family member to conduct mock interviews with you. You can also contact us to learn more about our group interview prep services.
If you’re prepared to work well with a team, emphasize innovation in your approach, and share your global perspective, you could find yourself on the positive side of Wharton’s competitive interview and application process.
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Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership and Interview Prep to hourly help with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.
Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.
Ashley
Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...
×Pauline
A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...
×Laura
Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...
×Andrea
Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...
×Jennifer
Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...
×Erin K.
Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...
×Susie
Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...
×Dione
Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...
×Anthony
Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...
×Meghan
Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...
×Amy
Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...
×Ally
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...
×Emma
Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. ×
Dana
Dana served as Assistant Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School for the Full-Time MBA program and has over 10 years of experience working in higher education. Known as a scrupulous file reader, Dana reviewed countless applications and assisted in rendering final decisions for the Admissions Committee at CBS. While leading information sessions at Columbia and on the road, Dana met and advised myriad applicants� ...
×Holly
Holly worked as a member of the NYU Stern MBA Admissions team for seven years and holds an MBA from NYU Stern. In her tenure as Director of NYU MBA Admissions, Holly worked closely with admissions teams from Columbia, Michigan Ross, UVA Darden, Cornell Johnson, Berkeley Haas, Yale SOM, and Duke Fuqua on recruiting events domestically and internationally. On the NYU Stern admissions committee, Holly conducted interviews, planned and hosted events, and trained staff on reading and interviewi ...
×Mark
Mark has been working in global higher education for nearly ten years, focusing on MBA Admissions at European programs including Oxford Said Business School and London Business School (LBS). At the University of Oxford’s Said Business School, Mark was the Associate Director of MBA Recruitment, leading the recruitment of all applicants to the Oxford MBA and 1+1 MBA programs. In this role, Mark advised countless MBA applic ...
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