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The Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program is an academically intensive opportunity for exceptional high school juniors and seniors to enroll in credit-bearing courses that span the breadth of Wharton’s business curriculum. Through a mix of live and independent coursework, engaging real-world activities, and robust university resources, students will experience a world-class education recognized globally for intellectual leadership and innovation
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Pre-baccalaureate courses are selected from across Wharton’s academic departments and are designed to instill a deep understanding of how business works. Courses are offered at the introductory level and convey the rigor and relevance of a Wharton undergraduate education.
Each course varies in specifics, though all courses include live, weekly class meetings offered on a synchronous basis. During live classes, students will participate in instructor-led lectures and course discussions. Additionally, live meetings may include business simulations, case studies, group projects, or individual assignments. Courses also incorporate some level of asynchronous content, which may include pre-recorded faculty lectures, readings, or assignments.
SMALL CLASS ENVIRONMENT
Courses are made up entirely of high school students in the Pre-baccalaureate Program. All courses are taught by Wharton instructors and class sizes are small to facilitate student engagement and foster dynamic conversations.
UNDERGRADUATE-LEVEL ASSESSMENT
Pre-baccalaureate students are graded on attendance and course participation, quality of assignments, and formal assessments such as quizzes, midterms, and final papers or exams. Attendance at live class meetings is mandatory, as is the completion of all assigned coursework.
Each student is initially registered to receive a traditional letter grade (A–F) for coursework. Upon consultation with an academic advisor, and in accordance with academic policies and deadlines, students may change to a Pass/Fail grading status if deemed necessary.
COLLEGE CREDITS
Upon successful completion of the program and all included therein, Pre-baccalaureate students will generate official University of Pennsylvania/Wharton transcripts outlining courses completed, grades earned, and college credits received, which are transferable to most universities and colleges.
Each Wharton Pre-baccalaureate course awards 0.5 University of Pennsylvania course units, which is equivalent to 2 college credits at most post-secondary institutions. Students may enroll in a maximum of two courses per session, and may continue to enroll in courses and earn credits in subsequent sessions until they graduate from high school, as long as they maintain good academic standing.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
To assist in academic studies, Pre-baccalaureate students are granted access to university learning resources, including research catalogs, library services, instructor office hours, and academic advising.
Every student is assigned an academic advisor upon admission. This individual will serve as the student’s primary program contact and will assist students in navigating university resources, adhering to academic policies and deadlines, and identifying suitable courses. All students will receive an introductory email from their advisor prior to the start of the program and will be invited to attend an introductory advising session, as well as new student orientation, via video conference. Students can feel free to meet with their advisors as often as needed.
Pre-bacc courses meet once or twice weekly for live lectures, discussions, and exercises, though the specific meetings times and days vary from course to course.
Please note that all meeting times are listed in Philadelphia (Eastern Standard/Daylight Time.)
Beyond live class meetings, additional coursework will be required. Students may be assigned readings, video lectures, group projects, or independent assignments designed to meet course learning objectives. Class attendance is mandatory and each course requires a total of 3-5 hours of work per week outside of live class sessions.
Program Highlights:
- Earn college credits from any time zone with flexible online courses
- Learn directly from Wharton instructors through weekly live class meetings
- Explore business topics not available at the high school level
- Gain insight into the college academic experience
- Access university learning resources and academic advising
- Forge friendships and network with diverse peers from around the globe
- Prepare for the challenges of highly selective colleges
- Accrue additional credits by enrolling again
Admission to Wharton’s Pre-baccalaureate Program is highly selective. Selections are based on a record of academic excellence, willingness to take on a challenge, and demonstrated intellectual curiosity. Additionally, students must:
- Be currently enrolled in grades 11-12 during the school year; or be rising 11-12 grade students during the summer term
- Not graduate high school in advance of the intended entry term. (Graduated seniors are not eligible.)
- Not be matriculating into the University of Pennsylvania as a freshman.
- Demonstrate strong written communication skills.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Be able to verify English language proficiency.
• Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, or equivalent.
• 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 you would like to submit additional grades as they become available, you may email supplementary application materials to [email protected].
• Recommendation
1 recommendation is required. Recommendations should be provided by a teacher, counselor, advisor, or mentor who can attest to the student’s academic performance and potential within the classroom.
• Essays
These short essay requirements are not only an opportunity for the WGYP admissions committee to learn more about you ─ it’s also a way to evaluate your writing skills and your ability to directly respond to a given prompt. Always be aware of grammar and spelling conventions, vary your sentence structure, avoid the passive voice, and be creative with your word choice.
1 - Tweet-style bio: In 140 characters or less, give us your biography as if it were a tweet.
2 - How will studying at Wharton advance your academic goals and/or personal growth? 200-300 words
3 - Write about your two favorite hobbies, including how they speak to your personality, and explain how you will balance your course load in the Wharton Pre-bacc program with your hobbies? 300-500 words
• Application Supplements
Optional item (not required): Applicants may attach an additional letter of recommendation, certificate, resume, CV, article, etc.
• English Proficiency Test Scores
Non-native English speakers should submit test scores to verify English language proficiency.
1. If the student attends a high school where the primary language of instruction is English, this requirement is automatically waived.
2. If submitting test scores TOEFL or IELTS scores are preferable, 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 PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores as an alternate.
• Standardized Test Scores
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. School District of Philadelphia public and charter high school students may request an application fee waiver.
Deadline
• Summer 1, 2023: Application Deadline: March 30, 2023
• Summer 2, 2023: Application Deadline: May 12, 2023
• Fall 1, 2023: Application Deadline: July 19, 2023
• Fall 2, 2023: Application Deadline: September 13, 2023
• Spring 1, 2024: Application Deadline: November 29, 2023
• Pre-Baccalaureate course tuition - $4,230/course
• Online Service Fee - $75 per session
• Materials Fee - $76 per applicable course
• Application Fee - $100
Financial Aid
Pre-Baccalaureate Program course tuition is waived for one course per term for students attending a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school. Students attending programming from outside of the Philadelphia area are encouraged to seek out external sources of funding to support attendance.
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