Please find the slide deck from the September 2023 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.
All applications are submitted through Terra Dotta. The application cycles run in September (for fall intensives and all expeditions) and February (for spring intensives).
The defining characteristics of a Venture include:
- Limited distractions
- Immersion event — limited opportunities to quit or exit
- Critical decision-making — the outcome is dependent on the decisions of the leader of the day and the team
- Authentic uncertainty —path/process to goal or outcome is not guaranteed, risk of failure is inherent
- Opportunities of stress — from ambiguity, risk of failure, conflict, and unfamiliar roles and responsibilities
- Expedition and goal-oriented with many opportunities for reflection
There are three types of Undergraduate Leadership Ventures: Expeditions, Intensives, and Venture X.
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.
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
The calendar of Undergraduate WLV Expeditions for 2023-24 is as follows:
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost |
| Cerro Castillo, Patagonia | Cerro Castillo, Chile | Winter Break | Backcountry backpacking, route finding, river crossing, horseback riding, and tent camping | $2100 |
| Highlands Traverse, Ecuador | Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador | Cancelled | High altitude backpacking, navigation, tent camping | $2100 |
| Atacama Desert Expedition | San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | Spring Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Summit Attempt | $2100 |
| Venture | Heavy Pack | 12+ Hour Day | Altitude | Irregular Sleep | Sea Sickness | Cold Weather | Long Trek |
| Cerro Castillo, Patagonia | X | X | X | X | |||
| Highlands Traverse, Ecuador | X | X | X | X | |||
| Atacama Desert | 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.
With a minimal time commitment and cost, intensives, are an ideal way to add to your leadership portfolio as an undergraduate at Wharton. Some opportunities gained by attending an intensive include:
- Potential for self-discovery and character building
- Testing your personal leadership style and building on your strengths through feedback
- Enhancing management skills and team performance by increasing knowledge and skills that govern small group behavior dynamics
Fall 2023 WLV Undergraduate Intensive Application Cycle:
September 5 – Applications Open
September 13 – Application Deadline
September 15 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released
Spring 2024 WLV Undergraduate Intensive Application Cycle:
January 19 – Applications Open
January 29 – Application Deadline
Week of February 5 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released
The calendar of Undergraduate WLV Intensives for 2023-24 is as follows:
| Venture | Location | Fall Date | Spring Date | Focus | Cost |
| Team Sailing | Annapolis, MD | September 22, 2023 | April 19, 2024 | Sailing Skills, Leadership, Communication | $30 |
| Gunks Traverse Mountain Biking | Mohonk Preserve, NY | October 20, 2023 | April 26, 2024 | Mountain Biking, Team Cohesion, Decision Making, Navigation | $30 |
| High Ropes Challenge Course | Philadelphia, PA | October 27, 2023 | April 5, 2024 | High Ropes, Leadership & Reaction, Team Building, Communication | $30 |
Venture X | 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 Undergraduate WLV Venture X for 2023-24 is as follows:
| Venture | Location | Fall Date | Spring Date | Focus | Cost |
| Wissahickon Hiking | Wissahikon Trails | November 18, 2023 | March 22, 2024 | Hiking, Communication, Connection | Free |
| Paddling on the East Park Reservoir | East Park Reservoir, Philadelphia | N/A | May 3, 2024 | Paddling, Team Cohesion, Decision Making, Navigation, Connection | Free |
Spring 2024 WLV Undergraduate Venture X 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
Financial Assistance
2023-2024 SUBSIDY
Through the generosity of the McNulty Leadership Program, a subsidy has been applied to all undergraduate leadership intensives. The cost to students to participate on intensives is $30 and covers the cost of the venture including meals and transportation.
Any student with financial hardship and cannot pay the $30 fee may reach out to Associate Director, Erica Montemayor emont@wharton.upenn.edu
More Venture Resources
Financial Aid
Scholarships for the Leadership Ventures are awarded annually for expedition-based Ventures. Only initial Terra Dotta registrants will be eligible for the Scholarship.
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 Associate Director Erica Montemayor.
Apply for a Fellowship
Venture Fellows are comprised of Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors who serve as student leaders on expeditions and intensives. Prior participation in a Wharton Leadership Venture is not necessary to become a fellow.