Please find the slide deck from the September 9th, 2024 info session 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.
2025-26 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.
The calendar of MBA WLV Expeditions for 2025-26 is as follows:
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| [WLV] MBA Corsica Expedition | Corsica, France | Fall Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Kayaking | $4600 | MBA |
| [WLV] MBA French Alps Expedition | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France | Fall Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Summit Attempt | $4400 | MBA |
| [WLV] MBA Atacama Desert Expedition | San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | Fall Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, High Altitude Navigation | $4000 | MBA |
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| [WLV] MBA Andes Winter Mountaineering Expedition | Cerro El Plomo, Chile | Winter Break | High-altitude Mountaineering, Backpacking, Glacier/Snow Travel | $4000 | MBA / WEMBA |
| [WLV] MBA Avellano Valley - Patagonia Expedition | Cerro Castillo, Chile | Winter Break | Backcountry Trekking | $4000 | MBA / WEMBA |
| [WLV] MBA Tall Ship Sailing Expedition | St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands | Winter Break | Deep Ocean Sailing | $4300 | MBA / WEMBA |
| [WLV] MBA Aotearoa Southern Traverse - NZ Expedition | South Island, New Zealand | Winter Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, River Crossing, Rafting | $4600 | MBA / WEMBA |
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| [WLV] MBA Highlands Traverse, Ecuador Expedition | Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador | Spring Break | Backcountry Trekking | $4000 | MBA |
| [WLV] MBA Vodudahue Cloud Forest Patagonia Expedition | Pumalin Park, Chile | Spring Break | Backcountry Trekking, Rafting | $4100 | MBA |
| [WLV] MBA Small Crew Sailing Expedition | British Virgin Islands | Spring Break | Caribbean Ocean Sailing, Navigation, Racing | $4300 | MBA |
Application Cycles
Rolling admissions open after seat decisions are released. Those who apply during rolling admissions are placed at the bottom of the waitlist.
Fall Break Expeditions
Tuesday, August 5 – Applications Open
Thursday, August 14 – Application Deadline
Week of August 25 – Decisions Released / Rolling Admission Opens
Winter Break Expeditions
Thursday, September 4 – Applications Open
Monday, September 15 – Application Deadline
Week of September 22 – Decisions Released / Rolling Admission Opens
Spring Break Expeditions
Thursday, October 30 – Applications Open
Monday, November 10 – Application Deadline
Week of November 17 – Decisions Released / Rolling Admission Open
| Characteristic | Corsica | Chamonix | Atacama | Andes | Avellano Valley | Tall Ships | Aotearoa | Ecuador | Vodudahue | Small Crew |
| Heavy Pack | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 12+ Hour Day | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Altitude | X | X | X | |||||||
| Irregular Sleep | X | X | ||||||||
| Sea Sickness | X | X | ||||||||
| Cold Weather | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Long Trek | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
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 2025-26 is as follows:
| Venture | Fall Date | Spring Date | Focus | Cost |
| [WLV] MBA FDNY Intensive | Nov. 1, 2025 | TBA | Firefighting Simulation | $700 |
| [WLV] MBA Quantico Intensive | N/A | TBA | Military Simulation, Ropes Course, Combat Course | $700 |
Fall Intensives
Thursday, September 4 – Applications Open
Monday, September 15 – Application Deadline
Week of September 22 – Decisions Released / Rolling Admission Opens
Spring Intensives
Thursday, January 29 – Applications Open
Monday, February 9 – Application Deadline
Week of February 16 – Decisions Released / Rolling Admission Opens
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:
- Foster community engagement across and within Wharton constituencies;
- Act as a hub for connection-related resources and events offered by Penn and Wharton;
- Amplify the work of other Penn connection-centered organizations, particularly as most relevant to the Wharton community;
- Design experiences focused on nurturing community and facilitating productive communication, and,
- 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:
| Venture | Fall Date | Spring Date | Focus | Cost |
| Batsto Paddling | NA | NA | Paddling, Team Cohesion, Decision Making, Navigation, Connection | Free |
| [WLV] MBA Team Disc Golf | NA | April 25, 2025 | Team Disc Golf, Team Cohesion, Walking |
Spring 2025 WLV MBA Venture X Application Cycle:
March 25, 2025 – Application Opens
April 3, 2025 – Application Deadline
Week of April 7 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released | 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.
“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
“The experience was empowering, insightful, and awe-inspiring for me. It instilled a sense of accomplishment and confidence that I will cherish forever. The lessons I learned from my classmates, VFs, and Vertical guides make me a better and thoughtful leader. Antarctica will always be an unforgettable Wharton experience in my life.”
– Samiksha Agarwal, WG24, Antarctica 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
“The Leadership Venture challenged the way I think about leadership and the different ways that leaders can exhibit effective leadership. The after action review process to reflect on the events of the day led to valuable, honest feedback for the leader each day that we could all learn from. The experience also brought our team closer together in a way that no other experiences at Wharton so far have done!”
– Chris Corbett, WG25, Vodudahue Cloud Forest Participant, VF25
Are you a previous Venture participant or Venture Fellow alumni?
We want to connect with you!
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.
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.