Wharton: Interview Transcripts & Notes
WHARTON MOCK TEAM-BASED DISCUSSION SIGN UP
SBC's Team-Based Discussion (TBD) is included at no additional charge for All-In clients, as long as Wharton is one of the programs within the engagement and you have received the interview invitation. Wharton TBD interview invites will be released on via email and/or on their portal, and it's been released in the morning hours in past seasons.
Email Toni toni@stacyblackman.com as soon as you receive the interview invite to secure a spot for one of our mock Wharton TBD dates:
Feb 22nd: 12pm EST
Feb 23rd: 5pm EST
Feb 24th: 12pm EST
Feb 24th: 6pm EST
Feb 25th: 9am EST
WHARTON TEAM-BASED DISCUSSION INTERVIEW ADVICE
The Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD) lasts 35 minutes and includes six MBA applicants along with one or two observers who take notes. When candidates are invited to the interview, they receive a prompt to prepare for the TBD. Each participant begins by presenting their proposed solution or "pitch" related to the prompt. From there, the group collaborates to reach a consensus on one solution, refining and developing it before presenting to the observers.
For SBC's mock TBD session, we spend most of the time working on the TBD exercise. The mock TBD sessions are to get participants comfortable with the group interview format. The mock TBD doesn't cover the 1:1 component.
After the actual TBD, each participant is invited to a ten-minute, one-on-one interview with a member of Wharton’s admissions team, often a second-year MBA student. We recommend that applicants be honest and self-aware about their performance and anything he or she would have done differently. It's possible there will also be a 'why Wharton,' 'why MBA,' and/or perhaps a career goals question. See below for other types of 1:1 questions. The Wharton 1:1 interviewer may then ask if the applicant has questions. Practice these answers so you feel prepared but know the 1:1 component is shorter than the traditional interviews at other programs.
Six Best Practices for the Wharton TBD
1. Prepare your pitch. Since Wharton gives you the TBD prompt ahead of time, use that opportunity to develop a clear, concise pitch. Practice to ensure it fits within the one-minute limit and directly addresses the prompt.
2. It’s a collaborative team exercise. Wharton’s program values teamwork, and the TBD helps assess how well you work with others. A great way to demonstrate this is by learning and using your teammates’ names during the discussion.
3. Respectful disagreement is welcome. It’s okay to disagree with ideas as long as it’s done thoughtfully and respectfully. Asking questions or offering alternative perspectives can lead to a better solution. But if the group moves on from your point, be prepared to let it go.
4. Elevate your team to shine yourself. Helping your teammates succeed will reflect well on you. Call out strong ideas and build on what others contribute. Remember, the goal is for the whole team to succeed, not just you individually.
5. Be ready if your idea is chosen. If your pitch becomes the group's focus, you’ll naturally take on a leadership role. Do some extra preparation so you can guide the discussion and keep it productive, helping your teammates contribute effectively.
6. Enjoy the process! Relax and have fun. The TBD is a glimpse into the kind of teamwork you'll experience in business school, so embrace the opportunity and show your true self!
Check out the related PODCAST: https://www.stacyblackman.com/b-schooled-podcast-episode-42-wharton-team-based-discussion-interviews/
Wharton Group Followup Interview
tell me about yourself
whats your biggest takeaway in tbd
tell me about a time you created an opportunity
something you learned recently
feedback you received
Wharton Group Followup Interview
My clients had a similar mix of 2-3 behavioral questions most of which were covered above.
They were also all asked to share key takeaway from the group discussion.
Nothing at all about why wharton, why MBA or anything else that was common in prior years.
They were not given any time to ask questions. It was all done by second year students.
Wharton Group Followup Interview
After the R2 Team Based Discussion, my client was asked:
"Tell me about a time when you had to make something happen or figure something out without authority?"
"Tell me about a time you got feedback"
"Tell me about a time you tried something new and went deep into it?" ...she nudged to share something personal
And then there was no time for questions.
In the past my clients have mostly been asked, Why MBA? and, Why Wharton?
Wharton Group Followup Interview
What is a time that you had to come up with an initiative on your own with limited resources at work?
What is a skill that you have been working on, in or out of work?
What is a piece of feedback that you received that impacted you and how did you change as a result?
Tell me about a time where you created a project or initiative with no help from others and no budget/monetary input from a firm or person (whatever that means)
So I'm guessing they've sent out a very long list and people are picking stuff at random.
Wharton Group Followup Interview
- What was the most impactful way you influenced the success of your team? She really honed in here on how I particularly influenced it and if I defined it as success.
- What challenges did you face that impacted the success of the team? She chose specific parts that I mentioned and really dug into why that caused a negative impact and how I thought that was a challenge and if I could have done it differently what would I have done.
Then it was just open ask me anything kind of questions.
Wharton Group Followup Interview
- You have 10 minutes to talk about why you want an MBA from Wharton.”
- Questions for Interviewer
Wharton Group Followup Interview Super short 1:1 interview with admission fellow
- Tell me what are your short term and long term goals and how Wharton will help you achieve that?
- Tell me about what extracurriculars you are excited about at Wharton
Wharton Group Followup Interview
My 1:1 interview was 7 minutes in total. I was asked three questions:
1. Reflection on my and team's performance in the TBD.
2. Why Wharton?
3. Any questions that I wish to ask.
Wharton Group Interview Report
How was the format of the actual interview same/different from the mock?
The mock interview format was the same. We had two 2nd year students monitor the group interview. They introduced themselves and gave us no information other than what was in the email.
How was the mock interview helpful? Not helpful?
I thought the mock interview was helpful, just to get a sense of what other interviewees might say. Coming in with a different background, I knew I would probably be more uncomfortable than most. The Skype situation is awkward though, as its really hard to read body language and I felt we were all trying to not speak over the other person. I do think though, that with the mock interview... I got a few good ideas of what to say based on what other people said.
What happened in the 10-minute one-on-one?
I was asked why I want to go to Wharton and what I want to do with my MBA. That was it... I did not talk about the interview at all. I met up for drinks with 4 of 6 of my group after, all of them said that they were not asked about their opinions on how it went. Only one said he had a short discussion about it for about 30 seconds as he walked with the interviewer from the conference room to the interview room. (literally 10 steps)
I would recommend you tell future Wharton interviewees to arrive early or actively search for their interview group during the day. I found it very helpful that everyone in my group arrived 30 minutes early. We all sat around and chatted, introduced ourselves to each other, talked in depth about our backgrounds, and made so ground rules for the interview. The team dynamic was much better when we got in there, we all knew what each was going to pitch, we made sure to use no acronyms etc. I know at least 2 others in my group were accepted to Wharton in addition to myself.
Wharton Group Followup Interview
- Why are you interested in going to business school?
- Why is this the right time?
- Why have you applied to Wharton?
Wharton Group Followup Interview
- What do you think of the group exercise?
- Do you feel you do well in group environments like this?
- Why an MBA?
- Why Wharton?
Wharton Lauder joint degree interview transcripts
Lauder interviews are typically conducted by current students on-campus or alumni off-campus and tend to be fit interviews that mix traditional, behavioral, and program-specific questions. Typical topics include: international exposure and experience, why Lauder, what you hope to contribute to and gain from Lauder, why MBA, career goals, sometimes international/diversity-oriented behavioral questions.
Below are client recaps from recent Lauder interviews:
Client 1
walk me through your resume tell me about your current role and city (client was an expat) why Lauder tell me about a time where you faced a challenge due to diversity that in hindsight, you could’ve done differently (with follow-up questions) what’s a weakness you have what do you want to contribute to the Lauder community what’s one thing you want to get from the Lauder community during the program questions A few additional topics that may be asked:
- about navigating cross-cultural challenges, make sure your example shows deep cultural awareness and isn't superficial or 'green'.
- why not different programs including just the MBA and why the specific regional/language focus...and how does it relate to your goals.
- how do you balance your time, how will you handle two difficult programs at once?
- what will you contribute and gain as a part of the Lauder community. This seems like fluff but its a critical component for Lauder b/c it's such a small, tight-knit group.
-bring some ideas for potential research projects that are part of the Lauder program and have a strong grasp of the program components so you show you have done your homework
Client 2
quick 30 min interview - mix of traditional and behavioral questions, including: why MBA 2 semi-surprise questions: what was your favorite class in college? + what are your reflections on transitioning from a foreign country to a US boarding school