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    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program
    Online Program

    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program

    by Wharton Global Youth Program

    Wharton offers rigorous online business courses with live teaching, academic advising, and college credit recorded on a University of Pennsylvania transcript.

    Last verified: 20 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Grades 11-12; minimum 3.5 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $4,230

    Duration

    6.5 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    25 November 2026

    Save deadline
    Business & EconomicsEntrepreneurshipArtificial IntelligenceStatistics
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: Twice-weekly classes; 3-5 hours independent work
    Mentor model: Dedicated advisor; instructor office hours
    Assessment style: Participation, assignments, quizzes, papers or exams
    Credential / credits: Penn transcript; 0.5 course units per course
    Time-zone model: Philadelphia Eastern Standard/Daylight Time
    Course load: Maximum two courses per session

    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program summary

    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate offers undergraduate business coursework taught in small virtual classes by Wharton faculty and instructors.

    Students combine live discussion with independent study and formal assessment, supported by academic advising and Penn learning resources.

    It suits students who want a serious test of college-level business study and are comfortable taking responsibility for their learning.

    What is Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program?

    The Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program is a college-credit business program managed by Wharton Global Youth at the University of Pennsylvania. Its online courses draw from Accounting, Business Economics and Public Policy, Finance, Health Care Management, Management, Marketing, Operations, Information and Decisions, and Statistics.

    Students attend live lectures and discussions while completing independent readings, assignments, and course-specific assessments. Small classes bring together high school peers, with access to academic advisors, instructor office hours, and university learning resources.

    Why Succeed highlights Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program

    • Undergraduate assessment makes this a practical way to test readiness for demanding business study.

    • A Penn transcript records academic performance and earned credit.

    • Dedicated advising and instructor office hours provide support beyond live teaching.

    • Course choices connect business with entrepreneurship, behavioral economics, artificial intelligence, and statistics.

    Who is Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program for?

    Best for

    Students seeking demanding business study who enjoy discussion, independent work, and formal academic assessment.

    Not ideal if

    You need entirely self-paced learning or cannot reliably attend scheduled live classes.

    Is Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program worth it?

    This program can be worthwhile if you want to test your interest in business through assessed undergraduate coursework. Its strongest value lies in the combination of subject depth, faculty interaction, and a recorded academic result.

    It demands reliable attendance and substantial independent effort, so choosing a course that fits your interests matters. Credit transfer depends on the receiving institution, and participation does not guarantee admission to Penn.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $4,230; includes Wharton course instruction., Dedicated academic advising., Instructor office hours., Penn library and learning resources., Earned college credit and transcript access., Wharton Youth Network access for summer participants..

    Dates and time commitment

    6.5 weeks; Twice-weekly classes; 3-5 hours independent work.

    Provider details

    Review the Wharton Global Youth Program provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Successful course completion produces a University of Pennsylvania transcript recording your academic work and earned credit.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Every student is assigned an academic advisor and can access instructor office hours, Penn Libraries resources, and learning support. Parents or guardians may attend the optional introductory advising session.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin four to six weeks before your session's application deadline.

    Main challenge

    Balancing scheduled classes with assignments and school commitments.

    Typical preparation

    • Ask your recommender early and gather grades from at least two marking periods.

    • Draft both 150-200-word essays, using specific examples of your interests and growth.

    • Compare course times in your local time zone and reserve regular independent-study time.

    • Review prerequisites and any English proficiency requirements before choosing courses.

    Useful if

    You want experience managing college-level academic expectations.

    What do students do on Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program?

    You study a selected business course through live instruction, discussion, and independent coursework. The precise activities and assessments depend on your course.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete the onboarding course and review the handbook with a parent or guardian.

    2. 2

      Select courses and establish your PennKey, email, and Canvas access.

    3. 3

      Attend scheduled lectures, discussions, and exercises.

    4. 4

      Complete readings, recorded lectures, assignments, and any group work.

    5. 5

      Use advising and office hours to resolve questions and plan your studies.

    6. 6

      Complete course assessments and receive recorded grades and earned credit.

    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program dates and deadlines

    Spring 1, 2026 application deadline

    5 December 2025

    Past

    Summer 1, 2026 application deadline

    25 March 2026

    Past

    Summer 2, 2026 application deadline

    6 May 2026

    Past

    Fall 1, 2026 application deadline

    15 July 2026

    Past

    Fall 2, 2026 application deadline

    9 September 2026

    Past

    Spring 1, 2026

    20 January-3 March 2026

    Program dates: 20 January-3 March 2026.

    Past

    Summer 1, 2026

    26 May-1 July 2026

    Program dates: 26 May-1 July 2026.

    Past

    Summer 2, 2026

    2 July-7 August 2026

    Program dates: 2 July-7 August 2026.

    Past

    Fall 1, 2026

    24 August-6 October 2026

    Program dates: 24 August-6 October 2026.

    Past

    Fall 2, 2026

    19 October-2 December 2026

    Program dates: 19 October-2 December 2026; the admissions calendar gives this deadline.

    Active

    Spring 1, 2027

    19 January-5 March 2027

    Program dates: 19 January-5 March 2027.

    Upcoming

    Spring admissions decisions

    9 December 2026

    Spring 1, 2027.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Grades 11-12 during the school year; rising grades 11-12 during summer.

    • Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA or equivalent.

    • Must remain in high school when the intended term begins.

    • Must not be entering Penn as a freshman.

    • Strong written communication skills and intellectual curiosity.

    • International students must verify English proficiency unless an exemption applies.

    How much does Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program cost?

    Course tuition

    $4,230 — Per course.

    Funding or discounts

    • Online service fee: $84 — Per course.
    • Applicable materials fee: $76 — For courses using specified exclusive materials.
    • Application fee: $100 — Non-refundable.
    • Philadelphia tuition waiver: One course per session — School District of Philadelphia public or charter students; use referral code PHILLY.
    • Application-fee waiver: $100 waiver — Eligible Philadelphia district students may request a waiver.

    What's included

    Wharton course instruction., Dedicated academic advising., Instructor office hours., Penn library and learning resources., Earned college credit and transcript access., Wharton Youth Network access for summer participants.

    How to apply to Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program

    1. 1

      Choose your intended session and review its course options.

    2. 2

      Complete the application through the official Wharton portal.

    3. 3

      Upload unofficial grades covering at least two marking periods.

    4. 4

      Provide one recommendation from a teacher, counselor, advisor, or mentor.

    5. 5

      Submit two 150-200-word essays on your goals and personal growth.

    6. 6

      Upload English proficiency evidence if required.

    7. 7

      Pay the application fee or request an eligible waiver.

    8. 8

      Ensure all required materials arrive by the session's application deadline.

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    Learning format

    Courses combine mandatory live Zoom classes with asynchronous lectures, readings, and assignments in Penn Canvas; listed summer courses meet twice weekly for two hours, while listed fall courses meet twice weekly for 1.5 hours. The program FAQ recommends 3-5 hours of independent work per course each week, with the course syllabus setting specific expectations.

    Admitted-student guidance also estimates 5-10 additional hours outside live classes, so allow flexibility when planning your workload.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Wharton faculty and instructional staff create and lead courses.

    • Every admitted student receives a dedicated academic advisor.

    • Optional introductory advising lasts 15-20 minutes via Zoom.

    • Parents or guardians may join introductory advising.

    • Instructors offer virtual office hours and alternative appointments when needed.

    • Penn learning support covers academic reading, writing, and time management.

    Time-zone considerations

    • All class times follow Philadelphia Eastern Standard/Daylight Time.
    • Live attendance is mandatory.
    • Fall Behavioral Economics meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. ET.
    • Fall Entrepreneurial Management meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. ET.
    • Course days and times vary; convert each schedule to your local time.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer meeting Canvas LMS requirements.

    • Use a computer meeting Zoom videoconferencing requirements.

    • Set up your PennKey and Wharton email before term.

    • Access course materials and live-session links through Penn Canvas.

    • Keep your camera on during live classes as advised.

    Assessment style

    Students receive undergraduate-style assessment through participation, assignments, and course-specific formal assessments.

    • Mandatory attendance and active participation.
    • Graded coursework and assignments.
    • Quizzes and midterms where applicable.
    • Final papers or exams depending on the course.
    • A-F grades, with policy-governed Pass/Fail options.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Successful course completion produces a University of Pennsylvania transcript recording your academic work and earned credit.

    • Recorded course grades.

    • 0.5 Penn course units per completed course.

    • Course-dependent individual assignments or group projects.

    • Final papers where required by the course.

    Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program FAQs

    Each successfully completed course awards 0.5 University of Pennsylvania course units, equivalent to two credits at most post-secondary institutions. Students receive a transcript recording courses, grades, and credits.

    Courses meet live once or twice weekly, with attendance required. The program FAQ specifies 3-5 hours of weekly work outside class; students should use their course syllabus to plan the full workload.

    Assessment includes attendance, participation, assignments, and course-specific quizzes, midterms, final papers, or exams. Students initially receive A-F letter grades; an advisor may help arrange Pass/Fail grading under university policies.

    Every student is assigned an academic advisor and can access instructor office hours, Penn Libraries resources, and learning support. Parents or guardians may attend the optional introductory advising session.

    Students attending a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school can receive a tuition waiver for one course per session. They should enter PHILLY in the application referral-code field and may separately request an application-fee waiver.

    Students may take up to two courses per session. Eligible returning students with a cumulative Wharton GPA of at least 3.0 can continue without another application until high school graduation.

    Students need a computer that meets Canvas LMS and Zoom requirements. They use Penn Canvas for course materials and Zoom links, and are advised to keep cameras on during live classes.

    No. Participation in the Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program does not guarantee admission to the University of Pennsylvania.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Share What You Learned with Wharton Global Youth
    • Resources for Educators
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Student Resources
    • Pre-baccalaureate Program FAQs
    • Admissions & Tuition
    • Pre-baccalaureate Course Catalog
    • Sessions
    • Application Information
    • Learning Sprint
    • Location-based Programs
    • Online Programs FAQ
    • Application Information
    • On Campus FAQs
    • Application Information
    • Pre-baccalaureate Student Handbook, Academic Year 2026–2027
    • Pre-baccalaureate Program

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 20 Oct 2026)

    • Program details reviewed

    • Session deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and aid reviewed

    • Class schedules checked

    • Credit outcomes reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.