{"id":47402,"date":"2019-11-04T07:16:25","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T14:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/upenn-whartons-team-based-discussion-tbd-interview\/"},"modified":"2019-11-04T07:16:25","modified_gmt":"2019-11-04T14:16:25","slug":"upenn-whartons-team-based-discussion-tbd-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/upenn-whartons-team-based-discussion-tbd-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"UPenn Wharton\u2019s Team-Based Discussion (TBD) Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Prepping<\/figure>\n

Since shaking up the MBA interview process in 2012 with its innovative group discussion, The\u00a0Wharton<\/a>\u00a0School at Penn has continued to further refine their process by tweaking the question and focus of the group interview. This year, applicants are put in groups and asked to answer the following question during the Wharton Team-Based Discussion:<\/p>\n

Entrepreneurship and innovation are at the forefront of Wharton\u2019s focus for the future of the school. Last year, the University of Pennsylvania announced a $25 million gift that will spearhead the construction of a transformative new building. Tangen Hall is the first-ever dedicated space for Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship and other student entrepreneurship programs across the University. Here students will incubate ideas to transform business. Completion of the new 70,000 square foot facility is set for fall 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n

For the purpose of this discussion, you\u2019ve been invited to be part of a team of students tasked with creating a one-day program that promotes the unveiling of Tangen Hall and Wharton\u2019s focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. As a team, determine and define your target audience and invitation count. Identify and select a keynote speaker and programming for the day, including one interactive workshop and metrics for success. Provide unique experiential opportunities that highlight the depth and breadth of resources within Tangen Hall.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Wharton Team-Based Discussion lasts roughly 35 minutes and is followed by a one-on-one interview with a Wharton admissions officer that lasts about 10 minutes. Applicants are also given about a minute to express their thoughts before launching into the team discussion.<\/p>\n

Steady your beating heart. We\u2019ve got the scoop on how to\u00a0ACE<\/strong>\u00a0this new question and tips for how to prepare. First, let\u2019s breakdown what the Wharton admissions committee (adcom) is looking for by changing up this year\u2019s question.<\/p>\n

What hasn\u2019t changed since last year?<\/h2>\n

The adcom
\nis still looking to learn about YOU<\/strong>, not your business vocabulary. It\u2019s
\nstill a real-life simulation of how you work in a group setting. Interacting in
\na team is a KEY<\/strong> component of the Wharton MBA curriculum, and
\nthis exercise is all about testing those group discussion skills.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s different this year?<\/h2>\n

From a
\ncontent perspective, this year\u2019s version of the Wharton Team-Based Discussion follows
\nthe same pattern as prior years: you are asked to plan a Wharton-related event.
\n The scope has been narrowed a bit,
\nhowever\u2014now instead of a global course or a more open-ended seminar, your focus
\nis on a one-day event with a fixed and clearly articulated goal. It seems the adcom
\nfelt more structure was needed. They\u2019ve even provided a series of pretty
\nspecific discussion points: target audience, invitation count, keynote speaker,
\nprogramming including one interactive workshop, and metrics for success. That\u2019s
\ncertainly more than enough for 35 minutes discussion!<\/p>\n

Every
\ncandidate will have their own ideas for each of these points. Yet you all have
\nto decide to go to ONE keynote speaker, ONE invitation count, etc., show why
\nyou chose it. This added element of choice will allow the adcom to see how you
\ninteract as a team, how you deal with potential conflict and how you advance
\nyour ideas.<\/p>\n

Now
\nlet\u2019s discuss how to tackle each part of this question.<\/p>\n

1. ADDRESSING THE ONE MINUTE OPENING STATEMENT:<\/h3>\n

This is
\nyour elevator pitch. The adcom wants to see how well you can pitch a
\nwell-thought-out idea to a team. You want your pitch and ideas on this topic to
\nhave a certain \u201cwow\u201d factor.<\/p>\n

This is
\nyour chance to be creative, but don\u2019t go too out of box. For example, a 10,000
\nperson event may be too far out there. On the other hand, a target audience of
\njust \u201centrepreneurs\u201d may be plain boring.<\/p>\n

You
\nwant to clearly state your proposal and the impact\/outcome you see it creating.
\nThe applicant who nails this section will come across as confident, but not
\npracticed. It shouldn\u2019t sound like you are reading a script; keep it natural.<\/p>\n

2. THE TEAM-BASED DISCUSSION<\/h3>\n

After
\nthe elevator pitch you are given the rest of the 35 minutes to discuss and
\npresent your proposal.  That is NOT a lot of time.<\/p>\n

The Name of the Game is Positivity<\/em><\/h4>\n

You
\nwant to convey yourself as someone who\u2019s thoughtful, yet open, about what the
\norganization should address. Overall, the school is going to be looking for a leader
\nwho:<\/p>\n