Wharton MBA Admissions: Requirements, Rounds, and Interview
Wharton MBA application requirements, 2026-27 rounds, fees, costs and the Team Based Discussion interview.
Application overview
Wharton admits full-time MBA students in three rounds plus a Deferred Admissions Round for the Moelis Advance Access Program. The 2026-27 rounds fill the class entering in early August 2027 (Class of 2029). Wharton received 7,613 applications for the Class of 2027, which enrolled 888 students; it does not publish an acceptance rate. Every application is read by two readers independently. The application fee is $275, waived for U.S. active duty military and veteran applicants.
2026-27 application rounds
| Round | Application deadline | Interview invitations | Decisions | Deposit deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 8, 2026 | October 28, 2026 | December 17, 2026 | February 5, 2027 |
| Round 2 | January 5, 2027 | February 19, 2027 | March 31, 2027 | April 29, 2027 |
| Round 3 | March 31, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | June 2, 2027 |
| Deferred Admissions Round (Moelis Advance Access) | April 21, 2027 | May 26, 2027 | July 1, 2027 | July 30, 2027 |
Application components
- GMAT (classic or Focus Edition) or GRE score, taken within five years of the round deadline
- Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs (unofficial copies accepted for review)
- One letter of recommendation, preferably from a current or former supervisor
- Essay 1: two short answers (50 and 150 words); Essay 2: one long-form essay (350 words)
- One-page resume
- English test (TOEFL iBT, PTE, IELTS or Duolingo) unless you studied at an English-medium institution
- Application fee of $275
- Interview by invitation: virtual Team Based Discussion plus a one-on-one interview
Interview process
By invitation only. A 35-minute virtual Team Based Discussion with 5 to 6 other applicants, followed by a 10-minute one-on-one interview with a member of the admissions team. No candidate is admitted without an interview.
Key facts
- Application fee
- $275
- Applications
- 7,613
- Tuition and fees
- $93,008/year
- Total cost
- $135,441/year
- Recommendations
- 1
- English test
- Required unless English-medium degree
Round and program rules
- Wharton encourages first-time applicants to apply in Round 1 or 2; space is more limited in Round 3.
- Applicants who need a U.S. student visa are advised to apply in Round 1 or 2.
- Applications submitted after the Round 1 or 2 deadline roll into the next round; Round 3 applications after the deadline are not accepted.
- The Lauder MBA/MA and the Carey JD/MBA accept applications in Rounds 1 and 2 only.
- Health Care Management applicants must declare the major at the time of application.
- Deferral policy: Wharton's general policy is not to grant deferrals; requests are handled case by case. The Moelis Advance Access Program is a separate deferred admission route for students in their final year of study.
- Reapplicants: Reapplicants may apply in a later year, not the same academic year, and must submit a 250-word reapplicant essay. Wharton strongly encourages reapplicants to apply in Round 1 or 2.
Sources
- 1. The Wharton School, 2026-2027 Application Guide
- 2. The Wharton School, Application Timeline and Deadlines
- 3. The Wharton School, Interview Process
- 4. The Wharton School, Class Profile
- 5. The Wharton School, Tuition and Financial Aid
- 6. The Wharton School, Admissions FAQs