“The first thing I got involved with at Wharton was a volunteer project building a playground at the Wissahickon Charter School during Pre-Term.”
Student Profile
Pre-Term
Three weeks before the formal start of the program, there is Pre-Term. It sets you up for a strong academic experience – helping you start on a shared academic platform with your colleagues by addressing individual areas you may need to strengthen. It ends in the Learning Team Retreat – your first introduction to your learning teammates!
Pre-Term is required and includes coursework, waiver testing, a Learning Team Retreat, and the chance to explore Philadelphia and build relationships with your classmates.
Pre-Term Courses
Pre-Term includes introductory and review courses in financial accounting, microeconomics, statistics, and financial analysis. Preparatory courses cover material not included in Fall coursework that students are expected to understand. In addition, Pre-Term includes classes on business history and languages, as well as short seminars in communication skills, computing technology, trading simulations, and career management.
Math Requirement
All entering MBA students must demonstrate proficiency in mathematics through an exam administered before the start of the program. Students whose self-administered assessment tests (taken before arriving for Pre-Term) indicate that they need a math refresher may register for optional, on-campus math review courses. Those who have never had a college-level calculus or statistics course are encouraged to take one before arriving on campus. Both courses provide an excellent foundation for the core curriculum.
Learning Team Retreat
This 2-day, off-campus retreat, held in a remote location in upstate New York, introduces students to their Learning Team members in an environment free of distractions where all members are on equal footing. Students begin the process of team formation and learn to lead in a peer environment throughout the 2-day program. This team-building and leadership learning is integral in shaping your first year.
