Application Policies, Process and Deadlines

Selection for the exchange program is highly competitive. The following criteria are used, in order of importance:

• Quality of application essay
• Academic performance (good academic standing, no failed coursework and no ethics violations)
• Applicant’s ability to represent Wharton well
• Graduating class: 2nd year students have preference over 1st year students

• Interested students must submit an application to the MBA PO through the website. This is not a formal commitment to going on the exchange, merely a request for consideration;
• Applications that are incomplete or are submitted after the posted deadlines will not be considered. Email submissions are not permitted;
• Once the application has been processed, students will be informed of their exchange program status. Students accepted into the program will then have the chance to accept or decline this offer.

November 3, 2024: Application deadline for Summer 2025.

For Second Year Students: Second year students on summer exchange may need to make plans to return to Philadelphia to attend Wharton’s graduation ceremony in May. Delaying arrival until after graduation may violate the host school’s registration policies. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all Wharton graduation requirements are met prior to summer exchange. Additionally, please note that students going on exchange in the summer following their second year will officially graduate in August.

• Exchange credits may not be used to meet Wharton’s core requirement;
• Coursework taken on exchange is recorded as Satisfactorily/Unsatisfactorily (pass/fail) in Wharton transcript;
• Students on academic probation, having failed coursework or in violation of Wharton ethics guidelines are not eligible for the program;
• All courses taken on exchange are electives; students may not repeat courses taken at Wharton at the host school;
• Students on half-semester exchanges (including INSEAD) are required to take a minimum of two Wharton course units. Full-semester exchange periods require taking the equivalent of four Wharton course units. 1 Wharton course unit is 36 hours of class time;
• While MBA students may earn 21 course units without additional tuition charge, 15 MBA credit units must be taken at Wharton, leaving a total of 6 course units available for exchange. Tuition for any credits earned over the 21-course-unit limit will be charged to the student’s bursar bill at the amount appropriate for the academic year in which the extra unit is completed;
• Students at each school will pay all of their own travel, housing, and incidental expenses during the exchange visit;
• Career management services are available at the host school only while on exchange;
• Students on summer exchanges after conclusion of their second year at Wharton are recommended to complete 19 course units before leaving for partner school;
• Exchange students will be treated on par with home students (at a comparable stage in the program) with respect to registration priority for courses.

• The credit equivalence between the two programs is: 1 Wharton cu = 1.5 INSEAD courses
• Wharton students must take a minimum of 3 INSEAD courses ( i.e., 2 Wharton cu) and a maximum of 6 INSEAD courses (up to 4 Wharton cu) during each period (quarter) on exchange.
• Students may visit either of the two INSEAD campuses for either one or two INSEAD periods. Periods 4 and 5 of the INSEAD calendar offer the best selection of electives.
• Students on summer exchange after conclusion of their second year at Wharton are recommended to successfully complete 19 course units before leaving for INSEAD.

Since this is a direct exchange, tuition is paid to Wharton and not to the exchange institution. Any financial aid that you receive should not be affected by your study abroad plans. You will be responsible for housing and other living expenses.