P3 is a four week program designed to provide a structured way for students to gain a deeper understanding of their own definitions of success and happiness and how these relate to their professional and personal goals. The sessions are led by Wharton undergraduates, who serve as P3 facilitators.
How did P3 Start?
P3: Purpose, Passion, and Principles is a program that started in 2013 by a group of MBA students, who recognized the need for space to discuss what they see as meaningful in their life and how they defined success in thinking about the future. P3 for undergraduates is based on the success from the MBA program. A pilot for undergraduates was conducted during the Spring 2021 semester.
Learn more about how P3 started in Wharton Stories.
What is the time commitment?
Participants can expect to spend only one additional hour per week for reading and completing pre-work. P3 sessions are conducted over four meetings throughout the semester. The sessions ran about two hours per meeting. Facilitators can expect to spend only one additional hour per week to prepare for the conversations.
Spring 2023 meetings will be conducted a group pre-determined two-hour meeting time during the following weeks:
- Session One – Week of February 5 – 8
- Session Two – Week of February 12 – 15
- Session Three – Week of February 19 – 22
- Session Four – Week of February 26 – 29
What do you discuss in the P3 groups?
A P3 Facilitator will guide students through a curriculum that will include both structured group discussion and exercises. The work of P3 will be broken into topics for discussion that may include but are not limited to: acknowledging their values, defining success, capabilities and confidence, and creating commitments to help them reach their goals.
Students may address the following types of questions along the way:
- How will I lead a meaningful life?
- How do I define success during my time in school?
- What are my strengths and what do I want to work on while in school?
- What does it take for me to be the person I want to be?
- What steps can I take to achieve the most out of the next three years?
How many members in a group?
P3 groups typically consist of 3-4 participants and one facilitator. The groups will facilitated by an upperclassman.
Register for Spring 2024
Registration for Gateway P3 is open now. Please make sure to submit by 2/2.
Want to learn more?
Join us for the Gateway P3 Information Session on Wednesday, 1/24, 6:30-7:30 pm. Pizza will be provided.
P3 is a commitment to yourself and to your group. In addition to the time commitment of P3, applicants should be prepared to enter P3 with:
- Full commitment to attend each session
- A willingness to share and be vulnerable – a sincere effort to engage with your peers
- Openness to listen to others attentively and without judgement
- Inquiry over advocacy
ENROLLMENT
Gateway P3 is available to Wharton first-years and sophomores.
If you are interested in joining this exciting program, please note the important dates below:
- Spring 2024 Application opens: Wednesday, January 19, 2024
- Spring 2024 Application closes: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
- P3 Participant Info. Session will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024
CONFIRMATION
The number of participants the program can accommodate depends on the number of facilitators. If every applicant cannot be admitted, applicants will be informed of whether they are accepted, waitlisted, or declined.
Accepted participants are sorted into groups based on the availability indicated in their applications. If a participant can no longer meet at that day and time for all sessions, then they are waitlisted until another spot becomes available. If a participant feels that they can no longer commit to P3, then they are dropped from the program and their spot is given to a waitlisted applicant.
PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM
Once participants are sorted into groups, their facilitators will reach out to them to introduce themselves and provide more information about where their first P3 session will be held.
Spring 2024 meetings will be conducted a group pre-determined two-hour meeting time during the following weeks:
- Session One – Week of February 5 – 8
- Session Two – Week of February 12 – 15
- Session Three – Week of February 19 – 22
- Session Four – Week of February 26 – 29
Facilitators are the backbone of the P3 program, and they provide structure and guidance for participants through all group sessions. As a facilitator you will lead the group through the discussion. In this role, you have the ability to be active in the conversation and participate in the activities as a member of the group. Your participation in the activities will serve as a model for helping the other members open up in conversation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cultivate an enriching learning experience for participants
- Set group norms and expectations
- Coordinate and communicate logistics around group sessions
- Monitor the flow of the session and encourage balanced engagement
- Prepare for each weekly session
- Participate in at least one training session prior to the start of the program
To be a strong facilitator, you will often be the first to share in a conversation. This is because you are modeling the type of stories to share, topics to cover, and the goal of the session. Set the tone of the group through setting norms. You are NOT a therapist, someone who gives answers to questions, or someone who is there to be “boss” of the group
ENROLLMENT
The P3 Facilitator application opens early in the semester. Priority is given to those students who have participated in P3.
FACILITATOR TRAINING
Facilitator training will occur on February 1. This training will go over the content of the program as well as facilitation skills such as norm setting and leadership presence. During this time you’ll meet your group and get to share your experience in the program.
P3 GROUP MEETINGS
Once participants are sorted into groups, facilitators will reach out to them to introduce themselves and provide more information about where their first P3 session will be held.
Spring 2024 meetings will be conducted a group pre-determined two-hour meeting time during the following weeks:
- Session One – Week of February 5 – 8
- Session Two – Week of February 12 – 15
- Session Three – Week of February 19 – 22
- Session Four – Week of February 26 – 29
Registration will open in Spring 2024!
Stay Connected with Us! Please provide your information below, and we’ll ensure you stay in the loop regarding exciting opportunities and upcoming deadlines within the McNulty Leadership Program.
Have Questions?
Amanda Zimmerman
Director
amandaz@wharton.upenn.edu
Nox Richmond
Program Coordinator
nayrich@wharton.upenn.edu