Admission to Wharton Global Youth programs:
Admission is based on careful review of each applicant’s strengths, interest and potential fit with our learning community. Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- A minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA, or equivalent (a 3.5+ unweighted GPA is required for Leadership in the Business World and the Management and Technology Summer Institute.)
- Thoughtful, well-written essays that clearly reflect interest in the program’s content.
- Strong recommendations that highlight academic performance and potential.
- Meaningful extracurricular involvement or personal achievements that showcase intellectual curiosity, collaboration, initiative, ambition, or global perspectives.
Applications are reviewed at various points throughout the admissions cycle. Please refer to the Application Deadlines chart for timeframes on admissions notifications. Students will receive an email notification once admissions decisions are available.
Application Deadlines
| ON-CAMPUS SUMMER PROGRAMS | PRIORITY DEADLINE | DECISIONS RELEASED | FINAL DEADLINE | FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED |
| Essentials of Entrepreneurship | ||||
| Essentials of Finance | ||||
| Leadership in the Business World (LBW) | January 28, 2026 11:59 pm EST | March 11, 2026 | March 18, 2026 11:59 pm EST | April 15, 2026 |
| Data Science Academy | ||||
| Moneyball Academy | ||||
| Product Design Academy | ||||
| Management & Technology Institute (M&TSI) | March 25, 2026 | March 25, 2026 | Rolling* |
| LOCATION-BASED SUMMER PROGRAMS | PRIORITY DEADLINE | DECISIONS RELEASED | FINAL DEADLINE | FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED |
| Cambridge, UK: Public Finance and Society | ||||
| Cambridge, UK: Strategy and International Management | ||||
| San Francisco, CA: AI Leadership | January 28, 2026 11:59 pm EST | March 11, 2026 | March 18, 2026 11:59 pm EST | April 15, 2026 |
| San Francisco, CA Innovation and Startup Culture | ||||
| San Francisco, CA: Moneyball Experience |
| ONLINE SUMMER PROGRAMS | PRIORITY DEADLINE | PRIORITY DECISIONS RELEASED | ROLLING ADMISSION |
| Future of the Business World | |||
| Essentials of Leadership | |||
| Sports Business Academy | January 28, 2026 11:59 pm EST | March 18, 2026 | Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Admission decisions for these applications will begin releasing on March 26 and will continue as long as space remains available. Please note: the application will close once the program reaches capacity, so early submission is strongly encouraged. |
| Financial Decision Making | |||
| Moneyball Training Camp | |||
| Moneyball FLEX |
Tips, Policies and Reminders:
- Apply Early
- Apply by the priority deadline for the best chance of admission into your preferred program dates and sessions.
- International Applicants
- Strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline to allow sufficient time for tourist visa processing, if needed.
- One Application Per Program
- Applicants may only apply to each program once per application cycle. You cannot submit a second application to the same program during the final round if you applied in the priority round.
- Space is Limited
- Applications will be accepted through the final deadline only if space remains. Once a session is full, new applications will no longer be reviewed.
Application Instructions
All applications and supporting materials must be submitted electronically through the Wharton Global Youth Application Portal by the stated deadlines. Applying by the priority deadline is strongly recommended. Applicants may apply to more than one program; however, a separate application is required for each program.
Applications will only be reviewed once all required materials, including the teacher recommendation form and grades, have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete by the deadline. Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by logging into the Wharton Global Youth Application Portal.
Use of AI Tools:
You may use generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) to brainstorm and explore ideas. However, AI cannot replicate your unique voice and experiences.
If you use AI tools:
- Do so ethically
- Do not submit AI-generated content as your own
- Cite any AI-generated material appropriately
To read Wharton Global Youth’s Statement of AI Use, visit our AI policy webpage.
Plagiarism or dishonesty will result in denial of your application.
Important Admission Process Note:
Wharton Global Youth partners with Summer Discovery for administrative support, including application processing and inquiries.
- The application platform is hosted by The Wharton School
- All applications are reviewed by Wharton Global Youth Admissions in collaboration with Wharton faculty and staff
Participation in a Wharton Global Youth program does not guarantee admission to the University of Pennsylvania.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit the following materials via the Wharton Global Youth application portal:
Completed Application Form
Applicants may apply to more than one program; however, a separate application is required for each program
Transcript and Grade Submission Requirements
High school transcripts and/or grade reports are required for your application. Please upload an official or unofficial copy directly to the Global Youth Application portal. All grade submissions must be in English and include your full name, your school’s name, and the academic terms represented.
Be sure to include transcripts for all high school courses taken in grades 9, 10, and 11, if applicable.
- For 9th-grade students: Please submit your 8th-grade report card.
- For all applicants: A 2025-2026 grade report for current courses is required if these grades are not on your official transcript.
If additional grades become available before the application deadline, you may email supplementary materials to whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu.
Teacher Recommendation
A recommendation from a high school counselor, teacher, or advisor is required for your application. Most programs require one recommendation, but M&TSI, Moneyball Academy, Moneyball Training Camp, and the Sports Business Academy require two, with M&TSI requiring formal letters of recommendation.
Your recommendation request(s) will not be sent until you submit your application. Once submitted, your recommender(s) will receive an email and have 7 days from the application deadline to complete their portion.
Your application is not considered complete until all required recommendations are received. Be sure to follow up with your recommender(s) and use their official school email address when possible.
Short Essay Requirements
The short essays give the Wharton Global Youth Admissions Committee an opportunity to get to know you better while also assessing your writing skills and how well you address the given prompts. We prioritize thoughtful, unique and well-crafted responses over length.
VIEW OUR 2026 SHORT ESSAY PROMPTS
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Non-native English speakers should submit test scores to verify English language proficiency. If the student attends a high school where the primary language of instruction is English, this requirement is automatically waived.
If submitting test scores, please note the admissions committee prefers TOEFL or IELTS scores, when available.
If TOEFL or IELTS scores are not available, applicants may submit Duolingo, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores as an alternate. Be sure that your score report includes your name.
Standardized Test Scores (Optional)
Submitting standardized test scores is optional. If you choose to share your scores, you may upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the Global Youth Application portal. Be sure that your score report includes your name.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required for each application and can be paid by credit card through the Global Youth Application Portal.
Applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school. To request this waiver, email whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu.
- Have been nominated by an official Wharton Global Youth Program partner organization to apply for a summer program. Partner organizations must request the waiver on the student’s behalf by contacting their Wharton Global Youth Program representative. Additional information about Wharton Global Youth scholarship opportunities can be found on our Costs & Aid webpage.
Application Completion & Responsibility
Applications must be completed by the student using their own contact information. Students should provide an email address they check regularly and will retain access to throughout the admissions cycle and duration of the program.
Applications will only be reviewed once all required materials—including the teacher recommendation form and academic records—have been received.
Important: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete by the posted deadline. Wharton Global Youth will not audit applications for completeness or notify students of missing items.
Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by logging into the Wharton Global Youth Application Portal.
For more information, please contact whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu or call +1.516.414.5555.