The Wharton MBA Interview Team-Based Discussion (TBD) 2024: Explained
All applicants invited to interview with Wharton have to participate in the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD). The TBD represents and mimics Wharton’s highly collaborative classroom environment, where you’ll solve problems and present ideas as part of a Learning Team or cluster of 5-6 students, which is a core part of the MBA program experience.
What to expect in the Wharton Team-based Discussion
Each year, applicants are given a specific TBD prompt in their interview invite. This prompt is different each year. In the TBD, you will be placed in a group of 5-6 randomly selected applicants (although they may be grouped by time zones). Participants will have to use their negotiation and communication skills to reach a “tangible outcome” for this prompt.
Over the course of the TBD, you’ll pitch your opinion, discuss your team’s input, reach a mutual solution, and formally present your group’s idea. This will be followed by a brief 1-on-1 interview with a member of Wharton’s admissions team.
All Wharton TBDs are conducted virtually.
The Wharton Team-based Discussion prompt 2024 explained
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).
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.
Last year, Wharton asked applicants invited for the TBD to name and develop a course on a cutting-edge topic for the next Wharton class of young leaders, focusing on its Global Youth program.
This year, the prompt is more forward-looking and big picture. Candidates are being asked to reflect on contemporary affairs and identify an emerging topic of global importance. They will then have to propose a new community that can have a meaningful impact on this issue.
The prompt is also a sign that Wharton wants to expand its reputation as a school for finance bros. In 2024, it seeks leaders who can think more holistically about the world around them, rally other passionate young leaders, and come together as a community to create positive change. With the TBD, Wharton wants to assess your community-oriented skills, including emotional intelligence, communication, empathy, and social awareness.
Structuring your Wharton Team-based Discussion
In your 35-minute Wharton TBD timeline, you will have:
1-minute Introduction: Here, you’ll present your ideas, or “pitch” for the topic you feel is most appropriate for the prompt. (1 minute)
Group Discussion: Your group will then discuss the prompt and each other’s vision for the new Impact Community, where you will have to make a decision about the final idea you will present. (25 minutes)
Group Presentation: Your group will summarize and formally present the final idea. (5 minutes)
Interview: You will each then have a brief 1-on-1 interview with a Wharton representative. (10 minutes)
You will not be given reminders about time limits in your TBD. Your team is responsible for managing time and allocating it appropriately amongst themselves.
How to tackle the Wharton Team-based Discussion 2024 prompt
The prompt includes 4 aspects you will be required to address in your TBD:
First, you will have to identify and define an emerging global issue. Note that two significant topics have already been established: social equity and environment. So when you choose your issue, you might want to consider what you or those around you have personally experienced, and connect it to a larger, global concern. We recommend using a current Impact Community as a template to define and shape your answer.
Next, you will need to identify one or more partner organizations that are already tackling this issue. They need not be business--focused, and you can add a lot of value by pointing out resources and engagement opportunities that Wharton doesn’t already have and can stand to gain when they partner with this organization.
Third, research what resources are available within Wharton and UPenn. You could create links between these and your chosen partner organization(s). These could be academic programs, conferences, career opportunities, research projects, networking events, student exchanges, and more. You’re now shaping the ways in which your Impact Community will engage with businesses and organizations to create impact.
Finally, describe the expected learning outcomes of your Impact Community for its members. How will they be enriched by this experience, and what will they carry forward into their careers and communities?
Our Top Tips
Every application round, we conduct mock Wharton TBDs with applicants invited to interview with Wharton to help them improve their communication skills and confidence. Here are our top tips:
Understand what the AdCom wants to see: The Wharton MBA Class is big, comprising 864 students who are then divided into four Clusters of 216 and further into 12 Cohorts of 72. These are split up into 144 Learning Teams of 5 to 6 students. That means you’ll be required to work in groups at various levels during the MBA. With this in mind, the AdCom prioritizes adaptability and collaboration. In your TBD, they want to see that you are respectful and inclusive in a diverse setting, where you may encounter ideas entirely different from yours. They want to see that you can convey your disagreements in a healthy manner, express your ideas without pulling others down, encourage quieter team members to speak up, give credit where it is due, and rally your group together to have a productive dialogue and build consensus.
Prepare your pitch beforehand: Wharton provides the TBD pitch ahead of the actual interview, so you have time to practice your pitch and research the organizations and resources you may discuss during the group discussion. You can lean your pitch towards a particular industry, and even connect it to your own background. If your pitch is selected, you may just become the informal “leader” of the group and your teammates might look to you to provide additional details about the topic. Of course, you won’t be left to handle things by yourself! Your teammates will build on the information you provide, but you should be prepared to keep the conversation moving along.
Manage your time wisely: Don’t be the person hogging the minutes. Be measured when you speak; if you find yourself talking the most, remind yourself to bring someone else into the conversation organically by referring to a point they made or asking their opinion. In no case should you interrupt or talk over others! On the other hand, ensure that you’re not the group member who speaks the least and doesn’t add any value to the conversation. In addition to contributing your ideas, you can also be the group’s timekeeper and facilitate the discussion.
Stick to relevant topics: Don’t waste the group’s time by veering into a different direction. It creates awkward situations where your group members may just be too polite to tell you that you’re not contributing anything meaningful.
It’s fine to disagree: You don’t have to agree with every idea suggested in the group discussion. In fact, diplomatically agreeing about the topic just to get it to move forward may put your team in a poor light. If you are not clear about the idea, or have an opposing perspective, respectfully put your point forward or ask specific questions. If your group disagrees with you, that’s okay too! It’s important to demonstrate that you can handle conflict and debate respectfully; that also means dropping your idea if the group isn’t willing to run with it. Don’t be argumentative or pushy.
If you finish early: Sometimes, the group may come to a consensus before time. In this case, bring in more partner organizations or resources and opportunities at Wharton that your Impact Community can engage with. Tailor your answers to the desired outcomes and how you can motivate Wharton students to be part of your Impact Community and multiply their presence and impact globally.
We break down each stage of the Wharton TBD, including the Introduction, Group Discussion, Group Presentation, and Personal Interview in more detail in our complete Wharton Team-Based Discussion guide. Read it here.
Book a mock Team-based Discussion with us to prepare for your Wharton interview. Get in touch with the team here.
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