MBA Leadership Ventures

Please find the slide deck from the September 2023 info session here. The full recording of the info session can be accessed here.

Leadership Ventures are experiences that facilitate self-discovery, leadership, and character development. Participants are able to step out of their comfort zone, exceed personal limitations, and experience leadership firsthand.

There are two types of Leadership Ventures: Expeditions and Intensives.

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2024-25 Venture Portfolio

2024-25 MBA Expedition Portfolio Preview

Exact dates and participant program cost are to be determined:

Fall Break 2024 – Applications will open in April, 2024

Atacama Desert – San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Corsica – Corsica, France

Chamoniox – Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Winter Break 2024 Applications will open in September, 2024

Aotearoa Southern Traverse – South Island, New Zealand

Tall Ships Sailing – Aukland, New Zealand

Isla Navarino, Patagonia – Navarino Island, Chile

Andes Mountaineering – Cerro El Plomo, Chile

Spring Break 2025 – Applications will open in October, 2024

Cerro Castillo, Patagonia – Cerro Castillo, Chile

Vodudahue Cloud Forest, Patagonia – Pumalin Park, Chile

Small Crew Sailing – British Virgin Islands

Summer 2025 – Applications will open in January, 2025

Alaska – Talkeetma Range, AK

2023-24 Venture Portfolio

Expeditions

Expeditions are outdoor, experiential learning treks that provide genuine environments of uncertainty and challenge. Expeditions generally range from 6 to 8 day overnight trips and can be high in physical intensity.

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The calendar of MBA WLV Expeditions for 2023-24 is as follows:

VentureLocationDatesFocusCostOpen To
Atacama DesertSan Pedro de Atacama, ChileFall BreakMulti-disciplinary, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Summit Attempt$3900MBA
VentureLocationDatesFocusCostOpen To
Aotearoa Southern TraverseSouth Island, New ZealandWinter BreakMulti-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, River Crossing, Rafting$4800MBA / WEMBA
Tall Ships SailingAukland, New ZealandWinter BreakDeep Ocean Sailing$4300MBA / WEMBA
AntarcticaAntarcticaWinter BreakBackpacking, Mountaineering and Glacier Travel, Winter Tent Camping, and Navigation$7900MBA / WEMBA
Isla Navarino, PatagoniaNavarino Island, ChileWinter BreakMulti-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking$4100MBA / WEMBA
VentureLocationDatesFocusCostOpen To
Andes MountaineeringCerro El Plomo, ChileSpring BreakHigh-altitude Mountaineering, Backpacking, Glacier/Snow Travel$3900MBA
Cerro Castillo, PatagoniaCerro Castillo, ChileSpring BreakBackcountry Trekking, Raft-building$3900MBA
Vodudahue Cloud Forest, PatagoniaPumalin Park, ChileSpring BreakBackcountry Trekking, Rafting$4100MBA
Small Crew SailingBritish Virgin IslandsSpring BreakCaribbean Ocean Sailing, Navigation, Racing$4300MBA
VentureLocationDatesFocusCostOpen To
AlaskaTalkeetma Range, AKSummerMountaineering, Backpacking, Navigation Challenges, Rafting$3600MBA / WEMBA

Application Cycles

2023-24 Winter Break Expedition Application Cycle:

September 6 – Applications Open
September 18 – Application Deadline
Week of September 25 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released

2024 Spring Break Expedition Application Cycle:

October 25 – Applications Open
November 6 – Application Deadline
November 14 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released
November 16 – Rolling Admissions opens

2024 Summer Expedition Application Cycle:

January 17 – Applications Open
January 29 – Application Deadline
February 6 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released
February 12 – Rolling Admissions opens

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CharacteristicAtacamaAotearoaTall ShipsAntarcticaIsla NavarinoAndesCerro CastilloVodudahueSmall CrewAlaska
Heavy PackXXXXXX
12+ Hour DayXXXXXXX
AltitudeXX
Irregular SleepXX
Sea SicknessXX
Cold WeatherXXXXXXX
Long TrekXXXXXXX

Intensives

Intensives are consolidated and immersive group based experiences ranging from 1-2 days. They provide genuine environments of uncertainty and challenge.

The calendar of MBA WLV Intensives for 2023-24 is as follows:

VentureFall DateSpring DateFocusCost
FDNY IntensiveOctober 28, 2023March 23, 2023Firefighting Simulation$700
Quantico Military IntensiveDecember 7-8, 2023April 4-5, 2023Military Simulation, Ropes Course, Combat Course$700
Team Orienteering (TOI)N/ATBDSmall Team OrienteeringTBD

Application Cycle

Fall 2023 WLV Intensive Application Cycle:

September 6 – Applications Open
September 18 – Application Deadline
Week of September 25 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released

Spring 2024 WLV Intensive Application Cycle:

January 19 – Applications Open
January 29 – Application Deadline
Week of February 5 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released

VentureX | Connection@Wharton

Connection@Wharton Mission Statement
To systematically broaden and deepen connections in the Wharton ecosystem, with the goal of developing a community that can be resilient both in response to individual needs and robust in future macro-level crises.

As part of our mission, we will:

  1. Foster community engagement across and within Wharton constituencies;
  2.  Act as a hub for connection-related resources and events offered by Penn and Wharton;
  3. Amplify the work of other Penn connection-centered organizations, particularly as most relevant to the Wharton community;
  4. Design experiences focused on nurturing community and facilitating productive communication, and,
  5. Create accessible ways for those who experience challenges to connection to be heard and supported.

The calendar of MBA WLV VentureX for 2023-24 is as follows:

VentureFall DateSpring DateFocusCost
Batsto PaddlingN/AApril 5, 2024Paddling, Team Cohesion, Decision Making, Navigation, ConnectionFree

Spring 2024 WLV MBA VentureX Application Cycle:

February 12 – Applications Open
February 16 – Application Deadline
Week of February 21 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released
February 26 – Rolling Admissions opens

Financial Aid

The Behrman Scholarship Program

The Behrman Scholarship Program and its partner program the Behrman Fellowship Program increase access for Wharton MBA students to leadership development opportunities. Scholarships for the Leadership Ventures are awarded annually for expedition-based Ventures. Available funding from the Behrman Scholarship Scholarship Program provides a subsidy to offset the trip fees. There is one scholarship seat per expedition.

Please note that financial assistance for WLV is coordinated by Wharton Leadership Ventures and not Student Financial Services.  Wharton Leadership Ventures are co-curricular experiences, not credit-bearing, therefore any financial assistance granted through the generosity of the McNulty Leadership Program for WLV will NOT be noted in students’ acceptance letters.

Before indicating your financial need in your application, PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW:

Scholarships cover the registration costs for the expedition only. Scholarships DO NOT include flights and gear. If awarded a scholarship, you will be responsible for all costs associated with flights, and gear.

In order to be considered for a scholarship, please indicate so in your pre-decision paperwork in your expedition application. Applications will be reviewed and verified by the Undergraduate Financial Aid office, based on previously submitted financial information. Questions about financial aid eligibility should be directed to the Undergraduate Financial Aid office.

Candidates eligible for full scholarships will be notified of their status prior to being offered a seat on a Venture. If you are not eligible for a scholarship, you will be notified and can choose to accept or decline a seat offer on a Venture, if offered. If you are not awarded a scholarship seat, and you accept a seat offer on a Venture, you will be agreeing to full payment for the seat.  We ask that students only apply for a scholarship if that’s the only way one could attend an expedition.

If you do not initially win a scholarship seat but have been notified as eligible, you will be placed on the scholarship waitlist.

Wharton Student Experience Fund

This program seeks to break down financial barriers for current MBA students to access high-impact experiential programs at Wharton. The goal is to provide need-based funding for over 100 students per class. Recipients can leverage funding towards eligible program/participation fees as well as the associated expenses including flight, gear, and personal expenses set by each program.

Find out more and apply HERE

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Yearly Venture Participants

“This venture was transformative. Every day, I was given the chance to better understand who I am, what kind of leader I want to be, and what is holding me back. My team members were committed to supporting each of us toward our goals. This positive attitude allowed us to not only summit new heights, but also cross the finish line smiling and laughing. These memories will stay with me forever, and I have already seen how I rely on these memories to guide my decision-making in other leadership situations.”

– Priya Bhaidaswala, WG24, Vodudahue Participant

“Go on a venture. It was easily the singularly most personally impactful thing I have done at Wharton. Each day led to new learnings and personal insights. I will remember these people and these lessons for the rest of my life.”

– Will Henriques, WG24, Small Crew Participant

Are you a previous Venture participant or Venture Fellow alumni?

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More Venture Resources

Financial Aid

There is one scholarship seat per expedition. Eligibility is determined through the MBA Financial Aid Office.

Policies and FAQs

In the Terra Dotta registration system, students should input their true preferences for all ventures.

We are here to help.

We encourage you to speak to any Venture Fellow or Director Jules Roy.

 

Apply for a Fellowship

Venture Fellows are selected in March of your first year to serve in your second year. Go to the Venture Fellows page for more information. Prior participation in a Wharton Leadership Venture is not necessary.

 

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