Admission to Wharton Global Youth programs is highly selective.
Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA, or equivalent (minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA preferred for Leadership in the Business World and the Management and Technology Summer Institute.)
- Thoughtful, well-written essays that express interest in the program content.
- Recommendations that convey academic performance and potential.
- An array of extracurricular activities and/or personal achievements that denote intellectual curiosity, ability to collaborate, initiative and ambition, or diversity of interests and ideas.
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 29, 2025 | March 12, 2025 | April 2, 2025* | April 23, 2025 |
| Data Science Academy | ||||
| Moneyball Academy | ||||
| Product Design Academy | ||||
| Management & Technology Institute (M&TSI) | January 29, 2025 | April 9, 2025 | April 2, 2025 | On a rolling basis |
| LOCATION-BASED SUMMER PROGRAMS | PRIORITY DEADLINE | DECISIONS RELEASED | FINAL DEADLINE | FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED |
| San Francisco, CA | ||||
| January 29, 2025 | March 12, 2025 | April 2, 2025* | April 23, 2025 | |
| Cambridge, UK |
| ONLINE SUMMER PROGRAMS | PRIORITY DEADLINE | DECISIONS RELEASED | FINAL DEADLINE | FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED |
| Future of the Business World | ||||
| Essentials of Leadership | ||||
| Sports Business Academy | April 2, 2025 | April 23, 2025 | May 1, 2025* | May 14, 2025 |
| Financial Decision Making | ||||
| Moneyball Training Camp | ||||
| Moneyball FLEX |
| SPRING ONLINE PROGRAMS | FINAL DEADLINE | FINAL DECISIONS RELEASED |
| Moneyball FLEX (Spring 2025) | February 20, 2025 | March 12,2025 |
Priority Deadline:
- Provides a higher chance of admission into your preferred session dates.
- You’ll receive admissions decisions sooner.
- Many programs are likely to fill during the priority period.
- International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by this deadline.
Final Deadline:
- Offers more time to complete your application, however fewer spaces may be available in the program.
*Note: If space remains in a specific program/session, applications will be accepted through the final deadline. If programs/sessions fill, the application will be closed and new applications will no longer be considered.
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 (such as ChatGPT) to brainstorm and generate ideas. However, remember that these tools cannot fully capture your unique voice and attributes. If you choose to use AI, do so ethically to maintain the authenticity and integrity of your responses. AI-generated content should not be submitted as your own work. Any AI-generated material used must be properly cited, as you would with any other reference. Plagiarism or dishonesty will result in the denial of your application.
Important Note:
Wharton Global Youth partners with Summer Discovery for administrative support, including application processing and inquiries. However, the application platform is hosted by The Wharton School, and all application reviews are conducted by the Wharton Global Youth Admissions Committee in collaboration with Wharton faculty and staff.
Participation in Wharton’s high school programs does not guarantee admission into Penn.
Application Requirements
The following components are required for application to Wharton Global Youth programs. All applications and supporting materials must be received by the application deadline.
Transcript and Grade Submission Requirements
High school transcripts and/or grade reports are required for your application. Please upload an 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. At least two marking periods of grades are required for review. If your current high school transcript does not yet include two marking periods, we recommend uploading your previous transcript as well.
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 2024-2025 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.
Recommendation
A recommendation from a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or advisor is required for your application. Most programs require 1 recommendation, but M&TSI, Moneyball Academy, and the Sports Business Academy require 2 recommendations.
Enter your recommender(s) contact information directly into the Global Youth Application Portal, and they will be notified to complete a series of questions about your academic performance, character, and potential. Additional recommendation letters may be emailed to whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your recommendation form(s) are completed by the application deadline. Please follow up with your recommenders to confirm they have received the electronic forms.
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 2025 SHORT ESSAY PROMPTS
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Non-native English speakers must submit test scores to verify English language proficiency. However, if you attend a high school where English is the primary language of instruction, this requirement is automatically waived.
If submitting test scores, the admissions committee prefers TOEFL or IELTS scores when available. The minimum required scores are:
- TOEFL: 100 (iBT)
- IELTS: 7
If TOEFL or IELTS scores are not available, you may submit Duolingo, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores as alternatives. The minimum Duolingo score required is 130.
Please upload a copy of your scores directly to the Global Youth Application portal. 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.
For more information, please contact whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu or call +1.516.414.5555.