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.
2024-25 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 2024-25 is as follows:
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| Corsica | Corsica, France | Fall Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Kayaking | $4600 | MBA |
| Chamonix | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France | Fall Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Summit Attempt | $4300 | MBA |
| Atacama Desert | San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | Fall Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, High Altitude Navigation | $3900 | MBA |
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| Antarctica | Antarctica | Winter Break | Backpacking, Mountaineering and Glacier Travel, Winter Tent Camping, and Navigation | $7900 | MBA / WEMBA |
| Andes Mountaineering | Cerro El Plomo, Chile | Winter Break | High-altitude Mountaineering, Backpacking, Glacier/Snow Travel | $3900 | MBA / WEMBA |
| Tall Ships Sailing | Aukland, New Zealand | Winter Break | Deep Ocean Sailing | TBD | MBA / WEMBA |
| Aotearoa Southern Traverse | South Island, New Zealand | Winter Break | Multi-disciplinary, Backcountry Trekking, River Crossing, Rafting | $4800 | MBA / WEMBA |
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| Avellano Valley, Patagonia | Cerro Castillo, Chile | Spring Break | Backcountry Trekking, Raft-building | $4100 | MBA |
| Vodudahue Cloud Forest, Patagonia | Pumalin Park, Chile | Spring Break | Backcountry Trekking, Rafting | $4100 | MBA |
| Small Crew Sailing | British Virgin Islands | Spring Break | Caribbean Ocean Sailing, Navigation, Racing | TBD | MBA |
| Venture | Location | Dates | Focus | Cost | Open To |
| Alaska | Talkeetma Range, AK | Summer | Mountaineering, Backpacking, Navigation Challenges, Rafting | TBD | MBA / WEMBA |
Application Cycles
2024 Fall Break Expedition Application Cycle:
First Round for WG25
April 15 – Applications Open
April 29 – Application Deadline
Week of May 6 – Seat Offers and Waitlist Position Notifications Released
Applications will open again in August for WG26
Winter Break / Spring Break / Fall & Spring Intensive Application Cycle
To be announced
| Characteristic | Corsica | Chamonix | Atacama | Antarctica | Andes | Tall Ships | Aotearoa | Avellano Valley | Vodudahue | Small Crew | Alaska |
| Heavy Pack | X | 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 | 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 2024-25 is as follows:
| Venture | Fall Date | Spring Date | Focus | Cost |
| FDNY Intensive | Nov. 16, 2024 | TBD | Firefighting Simulation | $700 |
| Quantico Military Intensive | TBD | TBD | Military Simulation, Ropes Course, Combat Course | $700 |
Application Cycle
Fall 2024 WLV Intensive Application Cycle:
Applications will open in September, 2024
Spring 2025 WLV Intensive Application Cycle:
Applications will open in January, 2025
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 | TBD | TBD | Paddling, Team Cohesion, Decision Making, Navigation, Connection | Free |
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.
“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?
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.