Financial Decision Making

Financial Decision Making is an intensive two-week summer opportunity for a select group of high school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12. High school students are entering a world of financial decisions, some they make and some that others make for them. In addition to their lives as consumers (shopping both online and off), they need to save for the short term and invest for the long term; borrow against the future without spiraling into debt; plan around inflation; shop for financial products; know where their tax dollars go; and understand their rights and the financial issues at stake when they vote. Students need to build the awareness and skills to help them make sound financial decisions.

Application Info
Apply Now

Overview

High school students face daily financial choices. From deciding between a $6 cup of Starbucks coffee or saving for a new pair of Air Jordans, to contemplating whether to invest in an ad-free YouTube subscription, the decisions they make can impact their financial well-being. They must also begin to understand the more sophisticated financial landscape to empower them to grow and manage their wealth throughout their lifetime. Uninformed decisions can often lead to financial setbacks.

By delving into the basics of economics and fundamental financial principles, students will develop a robust understanding of financial concepts and navigate the complexities of the financial world confidently. They will engage with real-world datasets and practical examples, building their analytical skills and decision-making abilities.

Financial Decision Making uses a curriculum developed by Wharton Professor David Musto who is an expert in capital markets and strategic equity finance. Over the course of the program, students will build a strong foundation in personal and corporate finance while developing analytical skills to make smarter financial decisions. Students will learn and practice using Excel throughout the program.

Key themes include: 

  • Personal Finance Foundations 
    • Budgeting, saving, and spending trade-offs
    • Understanding credit, debt, and interest rates
    • Building good financial habits and avoiding common pitfalls 
  • Introduction to Financial Markets
    • What are stocks, bonds, and mutual funds?
    • How markets function and why they matter 
    • Risk vs. return: making informed investment choices 
  • Money, Banking, and the Economy 
    • The role of banks and central banks 
    • How monetary policy impacts borrowing, spending, and investing
    • Understanding inflation, interest rates, and economic cycles
  • Decision-Making with Data
    • Using real-world financial datasets to analyze trends 
    • Applying basic quantitative tools to evaluate options 
    • Case studies on how data informs investment strategies 
  • Wealth Building and Management
    • The power of compound interest and long-term investing 
    • Diversification: spreading risk across assets 
    • Planning for major life goals (college, career, retirement)
  • Financial Ethics and Responsibility
    • Understanding trade-offs between profit and social impact
    • The role of finance in addressing global challenges 
    • Ethical dilemmas in personal and corporate finance 

By the end of the program, students will not only understand financial concepts, but also be able to analyze real situations, weigh options, and communicate financial decisions effectively—skills that will serve them for life. 

Participants who successfully complete all requirements of the program will earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.

Schedule

Course Structure  

Daily participation and engagement are required from Monday through Friday, with a few exceptions noted below. Each day will feature a variety of activities hosted within the Wharton Online Learning Platform, including: 

  • 2 hours of live online lecture led by Wharton instructors
  • 1 hour of TA-led live online recitations
  • Facilitated small group discussions
  • Collaborative small group activities*
  • Independent work 

Live online lectures follow the schedule outlined below, with one designated session time for all students. However, for recitations, students should select one of the two available time slots that best fits their time zone and/or personal preferences. To ensure the quality of group work, once a recitation time is selected, students are expected to attend the same recitation session every weekday and may not switch between sessions. 

Course Schedule 

Time: 

  • Live Online Lecture (Required)
  • Monday – Friday: 10:00AM-12:00PM Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4)
  • Live Online Recitation** (Required)
    • Recitation A: 1:00PM – 2:00PM Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4)
      • OR
    • Recitation B: 9:00PM – 10:00PM Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4) 

( Note: The same content will be presented in each recitation session; students will choose one recitation session that best suits their schedules.)  

Schedule Exceptions 

Students participating in Session 1, June 16 – June 27 should note the following schedule difference: 

  • Thursday, June 19 – classes will not meet due to the Juneteenth holiday 
  • Saturday, June 21 – classes will meet as a makeup 

*Small Group Activities: Within small groups students will work collaboratively on a capstone project, which may require additional live meetings outside of scheduled class or recitation time, to be scheduled at the students’ convenience. 

 **Recitations: Students are required to attend a 1-hour TA-led daily recitation, choosing from one of two available time slots: 1:00-2:00 PM or 9:00-10:00 PM (GMT-4). If these do not fit their schedule, we offer flexible one-on-one TA office hours that can be scheduled based on students' availability. Recitations are designed as skill-building workshops, and promote a deeper understanding of the lecture content through exercises in practical application. It is also a great opportunity for students to connect with current Penn students (the TAs) to learn more about college life and skills.  

Technical Requirements 

In order to fully participate in this course, you will need a computer that meets minimum system requirements for both Canvas LMS and Zoom Videoconferencing. A camera and microphone are required. Refer to the following links: 

All programming originates from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Eastern Daylight Time)

Eligibility

Eligibility 

High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 with demonstrated interest in economics and finance. International students are welcome.  

Admission 

Admission to the online Financial Decision Making program is selective. Eligible candidates should demonstrate a record of academic excellence, and a genuine interest in economics and finance. Prior knowledge in economics or finance is not required.  

*Financial Decision Making is a great introductory program to prepare students for our on-campus Essentials of Finance program. 

Please note that participation in Financial Decision Making does not guarantee admission into Penn.

Instructional Team

Academic Director: David Musto

David K. Musto is the Ronald O. Perelman Professor in Finance and faculty director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance at the Wharton School, where he has been on the faculty since 1995. He also served as Senior Financial Economist at the Securities Exchange Commission from 2005 to 2007. He has a BA from Yale University and a PhD from the University of Chicago, and between college and graduate school he worked for Roll and Ross Asset Management in Culver City, CA. Most of his work, both theoretical and empirical, is in the area of consumer financial services, mutual funds and consumer credit in particular. He has also published work on corporate and political voting, option pricing, short selling, and cross-border taxation. 

Instructor: Anomitra Banerjee

Professional headshot of a person with glasses wearing a gray suit and black tie, arms crossed, against a gray background.Anomitra Banerjee is a recent MBA graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he pursued a double major in Finance and Strategic Management. Prior to Wharton, Anomitra earned a Masters in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University and a Bachelor of Engineering with Honors in Mechanical Engineering from BITS Pilani, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was recognized as a BITS Global 30 Under 30 honoree.

Anomitra started his career with McKinsey and Parthenon where he spent a couple of years before spending the next 4 years working in corporate development and investments with The Times Group (India's largest media conglomerate). In addition to his professional accomplishments, Anomitra has been the curator for the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum, an advisor for UNDP Cambodia, and a passionate polo player, equestrian and pianist.

 

Academic Directors advise the Wharton Global Youth team on instructor hiring and develops the program curriculum, including but not limited to: course topics, suggested activities, readings and capstone projects.

Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants consist of both undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania. TAs facilitate small-group discussions, ensure student understanding, assist with final project development, and hold office hours to answer student questions and share their Penn and Wharton experiences. 

Dates

  • Jun 15 - Jun 26, 2026
  • Jul 6 - Jul 17, 2026

Location

Online

Request Info

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline:

 

January 28, 2026

 

Final deadline:

 

Rolling admission

Additional Info

Contact

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

INCLUDED IN ALL SUMMER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Wharton Youth Network (WYN)

The Wharton Youth Network (WYN) is an active online community open to all Wharton Global Youth summer students as a way to connect to one another — and Wharton business learning — before, during, and after their programs. Featuring both live and independent programming, the Wharton Youth Network connects ambitious business students worldwide during 10 full weeks of Wharton-powered learning, collaboration, and discovery.

*The Wharton Youth Network is included in all online summer programs.

*In-person students have the chance to join the Wharton Youth Network for $199.

Learn More
Graphic with a blue background featuring the words "Global Youth Meetup" over a globe and networking symbols. Icons include a light bulb, chat bubbles, and graphs.