Application Information

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 PROGRAMSPRIORITY DEADLINEDECISIONS RELEASEDFINAL DEADLINEFINAL DECISIONS RELEASED
Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Essentials of Finance
Leadership in the Business World (LBW)January 31, 2024March 13, 2024April 3, 2024*April 24, 2024
Data Science Academy
Moneyball Academy
Product Design Academy
Management & Technology Institute (M&TSI)February 1, 2024April 10, 2024April 1, 2024*On a rolling basis
LOCATION-BASED SUMMER PROGRAMSPRIORITY DEADLINEDECISIONS RELEASEDFINAL DEADLINEFINAL DECISIONS RELEASED
San Francisco, CAJanuary 31, 2024March 13, 2024April 3, 2024*April 24, 2024
Cambridge, UKJanuary 31, 2024March 13, 2024April 3, 2024*April 24, 2024
ONLINE PROGRAMSPRIORITY DEADLINEDECISIONS RELEASEDFINAL DEADLINEFINAL DECISIONS RELEASED
Future of the Business World
Essentials of Leadership
Sports Business AcademyMarch 6, 2024April 10, 2024May 1, 2024*On a rolling basis
Moneyball Academy: Training Camp
Moneyball Academy: Training Camp FLEXN/AN/AMay 1, 2024On a rolling basis
Financial Decision MakingN/AN/AMay 1, 2024On a rolling basis

Priority Deadline = greater chance of admission into preferred session dates; notified of admissions decisions earlier; programs likely to fill during the priority period. International applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to apply by the priority deadline.

Final Deadline = allows more time to work on application, but fewer spaces remain in program; preferred program and/or session dates may be filled.

*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

Applications and supporting materials should be submitted electronically through the online application system by the stated application deadlines. Early application by the priority deadline is strongly encouraged. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials have been received and applications are complete. Applicants may apply to more than one program; a new application is required for each program. 

Applicants may use generative AI programs (e.g., tools like ChatGPT) to help generate ideas and brainstorm. However, the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, or incomplete, and is not a compelling substitute for independent thought and lived experiences. Applicants may not submit any work generated by an AI program as their own; it should be cited like any other reference material (with due consideration for the quality of the reference.) Any plagiarism or other form of cheating will be grounds for denial.   

Please note: Wharton Global Youth contracts Summer Discovery to support administrative needs, 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 conjunction 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.

Transcripts

High school transcripts and/or grade reports are required for application. Please upload an unofficial copy directly into the online application system. At least two marking periods of grades are required for review. If two marking periods are not available on your current high school transcripts, we recommend uploading a copy of 8th grade transcripts as well. If you would like to submit additional grades as they become available, you may email supplementary application materials to whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu before the application deadline.

Recommendation

A recommendation completed by a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or advisor is required for application. All programs require 1 recommendation; M&TSI, Moneyball Academy, and the Sports Business Academy require 2 recommendations. Please enter the contact information for your recommender(s) directly into the application system and they will be notified to upload a letter or to complete a series of questions relevant to your academic performance and potential. Additional recommendation letters may be emailed to whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu.

On-Campus Summer Programs 

  • Essentials of Entrepreneurship: 1 required 
  • Essentials of Finance: 1 required 
  • Leadership in the Business World (LBW): 1 required 
  • Data Science Academy: 1 required 
  • Moneyball Academy: 2 required 
  • Management & Technology Institute (M&TSI): 2 letters required 

Location-Based Programs 

  • San Francisco, CA: 1 required 
  • Cambridge, UK: 1 required 

Online Programs 

  • Future of the Business World (FBW): 1 required
  • Essentials of Leadership: 1 required 
  • Sports Business Academy: 2 required 
  • Moneyball Academy: Training Camp: 2 required 
  • Moneyball Academy: Training Camp FLEX: no requirement 

Essay/Short Answer Prompts

Short essay requirements provide an opportunity for the Wharton Global Youth admissions committee to learn more about you. They are also a way to evaluate your writing skills and your ability to directly respond to a given prompt. We value quality and thoughtfulness over quantity.

VIEW THE 2024 ESSAY PROMPTS HERE

English Proficiency Scores

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. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission is 100 (iBT.) The minimum IELTS score required is a 7. If TOEFL or IELTS scores are not available, applicants may submit Duolingo, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores as an alternate. The minimum Duolingo score required is 130. To submit, please upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the online application. 

Standardized Test Scores (Optional)

The submission of standardized test scores is optional. If you have score reports you wish to share you may upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the online application. Score reports should include your name.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required for each application submitted. This is payable by credit card directly through the application system. If applying through a community-based organization or scholarship agency, please visit the Costs & Aid page to see if you might be eligible for an application fee waiver.

For more information, please contact whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu or call +1.516.414.5555.