PROGRAMME PROFILE
At a glance
- Organiser
- Wharton Global Youth / University of Pennsylvania
- Destination
- United States
- Format & duration
- On campus · 3 weeks
- Age / stage
- Grade 11
- Type
- Research & selective
- Information year
- 2027
Sources checked: 2026-11-10 · Facts and editorial guidance are labelled separately
Learning and approach
- Business and competitive strategy
- Company research and analysis
- Team presentations and case discussion
Academic content in depth
LBW focuses on organisations, leadership and strategy. Published objectives include analysing companies through SWOT, Five Forces and value-chain frameworks, evaluating competitive strategy and producing an analytical company report. Cases, simulations and presentations connect business ideas to decisions and communication, rather than treating entrepreneurship or investing as abstract aspirations.
Classes, assignments and workload
The published rhythm includes weekday classes, small-group work, simulations and project development, alongside residential activities. Completion leads to a Wharton Global Youth certificate. Current eligibility specifies grade 11, academic achievement and leadership experience, with international applicants welcome. Participation does not guarantee undergraduate admission to Penn.
Eligibility and international applicants
For current grade-11 students with strong academic performance and leadership experience. The programme specifies an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 and welcomes international applicants.
Dates and costs
Schedule
2027 application deadline: January 27, 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Costs
Current full costs require verification. Check tuition, accommodation, meals, insurance and travel inclusions.
Fit and preparation
A fit for students ready to analyse business and reflect on real team experience. Explain your actions, decisions and outcomes clearly.
Application preparation
Choose a company you understand and identify its customers, revenue, costs, competitors and risks before analysing a strategic choice. Describe leadership through a real problem, your actions, collaboration and limitations. Ordinary team experience need not be exaggerated into a major start-up. Verify the current grade, academic, language and submission requirements.
Choosing well and reflecting on outcomes
LBW may suit students who enjoy cases, competing objectives and explaining ideas in a team. Those primarily seeking coding, quantitative modelling or trading techniques should compare other courses. Retain the evidence behind the company analysis, your contribution and feedback; a classroom business presentation should not be treated as real investment advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is LBW open to every high-school grade?
The current official eligibility statement specifies grade 11 at application; map your school system carefully.
Must applicants have founded a company?
The published emphasis is leadership and academic performance; founding a company is not established here as a universal requirement.
Does the certificate guarantee an admission advantage?
No. The programme explicitly does not guarantee Penn admission; assess the learning and work itself.
Official sources and verification
- Official source 1 ↗globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu
- Official source 2 ↗globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu
Check the relevant official edition for fees, eligibility and sessions. Images primarily use official programme or university material, with other sources credited separately. They illustrate programme or campus context, not a specific current-year class.
