Tackling the Wharton TBD Group Interview

December 29, 2023 :: Admissionado Team

Since its introduction in 2012, the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD) has become a distinctive and challenging component of the MBA admissions process. This innovative group interview simulates real-life teamwork, testing applicants on their ability to interact, collaborate, and lead in a group setting. As applicants navigate through a dynamic discussion and a follow-up one-on-one interview, the key to success lies in preparation and authenticity. In this guide, we will provide timeless tips and strategies to help you excel in the Wharton TBD and leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

What Is The Wharton TBD Group Interview?

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. Steady your beating heart. We’ll provide you timeless tips for how to prepare and let you know what the Wharton admissions committee (adcom) is looking for.

The adcom is always looking to learn about YOU, not your business vocabulary. It’s still a real-life simulation of how you work in a group setting. Interacting in a team is a KEY component of the Wharton MBA curriculum, and this exercise is all about testing those group discussion skills. From a content perspective, every year’s version of the Wharton Team-Based Discussion follows the same pattern as prior years: you are asked to plan a Wharton-related event.

Every candidate will have their own ideas. Yet you all have to decide to go to ONE keynote speaker, ONE idea, etc., show why you chose it. This added element of choice will allow the adcom to see how you interact as a team, how you deal with potential conflict and how you advance your ideas.

Now let’s discuss how to tackle each part of this question.

The Team-Based Discussion

The One Minute Opening Statement

This is your elevator pitch. The adcom wants to see how well you can pitch a well-thought-out idea to a team. You want your pitch and ideas on this topic to have a certain “wow” factor.

This is your chance to be creative, but don’t go too out of box. You want to clearly state your proposal and the impact/outcome you see it creating. The applicant who nails this section will come across as confident, but not practiced. It shouldn’t sound like you are reading a script; keep it natural.

After the elevator pitch you are given the rest of the 35 minutes to discuss and present your proposal. That is NOT a lot of time.

The Name of the Game is Positivity

You want to convey yourself as someone who’s thoughtful, yet open, about what the organization should address. Overall, the school is going to be looking for a leader who:

Has their own innovative thoughts.
Knows how to persuade/convince others.
Knows how to LISTEN to others, and when to go with the consensus as to not hold up a decision.

This year, without a dedicated minute where you would have had the opportunity to offer up your idea, you’ll now have to find a way to either start the conversation or quickly fill a moment of relative silence with your contribution. In a room full of type A future business leaders, there may not be a moment of silence, so you may also need to be bold enough to tactfully interrupt someone who has already conveyed the bulk of their argument. This is the critical moment where the Adcoms get to see how you fare when it comes to adjusting your ideas to the ideas of others. Are you able to compromise, build consensus, motivate or convince others? If you had to interrupt someone to make your idea heard, was it an idea that seemed to build off of theirs?

It’s good practice to come in with a strong idea of your own, but at the same time, it’s equally important for you to be receptive to the ideas of others, and also, to be able to read the group well enough to make suggestions that aren’t going to negatively affect and/or impede the conversation.

Just Be Natural!

The goal here is simple. You need to look as if you are really interacting with the other applicants and working on a team. You know, that thing you do all the time at work.

One way to succeed here is to let someone else present an idea first, even if it’s different than what you pitched or prepared for. The ability to go with the flow and build off of someone else’s idea showcases your ability to think on your feet and add value on the fly. And if you disagree with something, it IS okay to say so! This is meant to be an honest, real-life simulation. If you wouldn’t just blindly agree with an idea on a real-life group project, don’t do so here, either.

So long as you back up your argument with smart reasoning (and avoid, you know, not stomping your feet and storming out of the room when you don’t get your way), you’ll be fine! Having an opinion is going to look a lot better than just being a “yes-man/woman.” So overall, there’s a happy medium here, like with anything else. Don’t destroy the flow of the convo, but don’t just agree to be agreeable either.

And remember, that even if the team doesn’t go with YOUR idea, that’s cool. You’ve negotiated, compromised. They’ve learned more about you and your background, and you’ve learned about theirs. As long as you have found a way to move together towards worthy goals, you can consider the TBD a success.

At the end of the day, the key to rocking the Wharton Team-Based Discussion is to treat it the same way you’d treat any collaborative discussions you partake in. Picture yourself at work, in board meetings for that non-profit board you sit on, or planning a group trip with your college friends:

When presenting your viewpoint/trying to convince others, suggest a sort of framework for the group to make decisions.
Remind your teammates about the criteria/factors they need to meet. It’s hard for them to argue that way.
Don’t be thrown off by what other applicants say! Remain calm, cool and cooperative. Make sure your voice is heard, while taking care not step on anyone’s toes in doing so.

What “Winning” Looks Like

Even if the team doesn’t go with YOUR idea, that’s cool. You’ve negotiated, compromised. They’ve learned more about you and your background, and you’ve learned about theirs. And as long as you have found a way to move together towards worthy goals, you can consider the TBD a success.

At the end of the day, the key to rocking the Wharton Team-Based Discussion is to treat it the same way you’d treat any collaborative discussions you partake in. Picture yourself at work, in board meetings for that non-profit board you sit on, or planning an event with your college friends:

When presenting your viewpoint/trying to convince others, suggest sort of a framework for the group to make decisions.
Remind your teammates about the criteria/factors they need to meet. It’s much harder for criticism to turn into confrontation if it comes after a reminder of shared goals.
Don’t be thrown off by what other applicants say! It’s a high-pressure situation and some of your peers are going to go a little crazy. Remain calm, cool and cooperative. Make sure your voice is heard, while taking care not step on anyone’s toes.

The One-on-One Interview

This is part of the interview will essentially be the continuation of your pitch. There’s still only one reason for you to go to business school, and that is: to reach your professional goals.

This is also a good time to elaborate on why WHARTON is THE place for you to reach your goals. It’s your chance to show the adcom how well you’ve researched the school. Show them why you think the program aligns so well with your proposed career path. It’s probably also a good idea to proactively reflect upon the Team-Based Discussion.

If you’re hiding any amazing achievements up your sleeve, this is the time to drop those in too. And finally, make sure to come prepared with at least three very precise and unique questions about attending Wharton. The Adcoms want to see that you’ve done your research and are actually curious about the school. All of your essay research and prep will be useful when formulating these questions and reasons why your goals fit Wharton so well.

Conclusion

Mastering the Wharton Team-Based Discussion requires a balance of preparation, authenticity, and adaptability. By presenting your ideas confidently, engaging positively with your peers, and demonstrating your collaborative skills, you can turn this challenging interview into an opportunity to shine. Remember, the goal is not just to showcase your own strengths but to contribute meaningfully to the team’s success. Treat the TBD as a real-world collaboration, and you’ll be well on your way to impressing the Wharton admissions committee. As you move to the one-on-one interview, continue to highlight your fit for Wharton and your readiness to achieve your professional goals through their program.